Is Rome (or Italy) a safe place to bring big DSLR?

I first have to apologize if the title offends anyone who loves Italy. I've simply heard (directly and indreictly) a lot of horror stories about pick pockets, baby-throwers and fake tourist police in Rome. Even Rick Steve in his guide books went to great length to describe tourist scams and be on guard! So I am geniunely concerned about safety of my camera equipment.

Planning a trip to Europe where Venice, Florence and Rome are our last stops. Plans are to bring D700 and all three of 16-35/4 VR, 24-70/2.8 and 70-300VR so I don't miss anything. Given what I heard I am not even sure if walking around with a D700 mounted with 24-70 in Rome is a good idea. Was told by multiple folks who've been to Rome flashing a big camera and big zoom would make me a thief magnet.

I always had a lot of faith in my open-at-your-back-side backpacks (Lowepro flipside 400, Crumpler Whickey and Cox). I have a slingshot 200 as well for lighter loads. Not sure if they would be safe bags as well?

I've been to Swiss and Paris a few years back with a D80 and 18-200 and 35-70/2.8D. Was carrying them in my flipside 200 all the time and it was a safe trip. So I am not sure if I am over worrying here...

If folks who've been there with similar bulk of equipments can provide some insights , that would be much appreciated !

IMHO, you'll be fine. I just recently got back from a trip to Nice, Monaco, Florence, Venice, Croatia and London, and despite walking around night and day with my Sony a700 + Vertical Grip + Carl Ziess 24-70 F2.8 (a chunky lens indeed) or my 70-300G (equivalent to the Nikon 70-300G in terms of size) I never once felt that I was being targeted by thieves.

I know your question related specifically to Rome; however, I thought my experience might re-assure you nonetheless...

Have a nice trip!

I have been in Roma during a week a couple of years ago...using my D300 and various lenses.

Common sense+basic precautions=no problem

I must add that this city is truly amazing
--
Olivier
http://www.dubitatif.com/

Big DSLR/lens take good pictures that you won't regret carrying them. However, be careful with your money and passport in crowded places such as in subway. I carry them in travel money bags inside my clothes leaving coins and small changes in my pocket

I was in Rome in May and carried my D700, 14-24mm, 24-70mm and the small Lumix LX3 in the Lowepro fastback 350 bag, a bit heavy but worth the while carrying as they take good pictures

--
WY

Took a family vacation to Italy in July of 2007 and spent a 10 days starting in Sorrento and ending up in Milan. Stayed in Rome for 4 days and wandered the streets w/ a D200, 17-55 and 12-24. The camera w/ either lens attached were around my neck the majority of the time otherwise they were carried in a Northface backpack, which never left my sight or was never more than an arms reach from me. Never once felt uncomfortable and I'd do it again without a thought. Be careful and always be aware of your surroundings, just common sense.

Have fun!

Just make sure you don't go into alleys or lanes alone, I have encountered baby-throwers and group of teenagers who surrounded me and grabbed whatever they can get from my open pockets.

Though I don't like to go there during peak seasons, it helps as I become not so conspicuous with many other tourists around. Most of the time it's fine and I have also chanced upon extremely nice Italians(nice elderly people) who showed me around though I don't speak a word of italian other than "thank you".

Buy insurance before you go, for yourself and your equipment!

its a safe place and a wonderful place to bring a DSLR.
In fact, I wouldn't visit Rome without one.

Just use normal caution with your camera and wallet.

maljo

I would say it's as safe as any major City in the World and certainly no worse then New York, London, Paris, Barcelona etc etc.

Normal common sense procedures apply. Wallet in a safe place (tight pocket) and don't take all your cash / cards out with you. Don't flash the cash and if the area doesn't look right you probably shouldn't be there!

Went to Rome a few years ago with my Wife for a extended weekend. Beautiful City and one of the places in the World you should have your SLR with you. At no time did I feel threatened in any way.

Have a great time. Play safe and look forward to seeing the shots when you get back.

Cheers

Mark (winter1)

Your Wallet will certainly vanish.. It's the nature over there.
Quiet normal.

Suggestion, buy several wallets

Yes it's as safe as any other European country.
I went there by myself in January...no problems at all.

You just have to be sensible (as you should be anywhere).

--
Joe

Well who wants a Sony?
(Just kidding of course)

--
Joe

winter1 said:

I would say it's as safe as any major City in the World and certainly no worse then New York, London, Paris, Barcelona etc etc.

Normal common sense procedures apply. Wallet in a safe place (tight pocket) and don't take all your cash / cards out with you. Don't flash the cash and if the area doesn't look right you probably shouldn't be there!

Went to Rome a few years ago with my Wife for a extended weekend. Beautiful City and one of the places in the World you should have your SLR with you. At no time did I feel threatened in any way.

Have a great time. Play safe and look forward to seeing the shots when you get back.

Cheers

Mark (winter1)

Click to expand...

Correct!
Ciao from Italy

Can't seat still....

Waiting for new something from Nikon

The subway is the playground of gypsy pickpocket teams....I KNOW!

They surround you w/ o you even knowing it, one distracts you and wham...your wallet is gone.

They love to block you as the door opens when you try to exit, then grab your wallet and let you go just as the door closes behind you.
They also use small children as decoys, blockers, etc.

If you must use the Metro, back up against a wall and watch everyone around you like a hawk.
--
http://bartaldrich.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/4004603806/photos

I think you just have to be careful and aware. When setting the bag down in a cafe or a busy airport, keep a loop around your arm or leg so it doesn't vanish. Watch for pick pockets, keep wallet and passport safe.

If someone over the top friendly approaches you then asks an inappropriate solicitation (In Paris - a common approach - "I found a gold ring, is it yours?") , have a leather skin and tell them to get lost.

When walking tight sidewalks, watch out for mopeds speeding by attempting to grab your camera bag.

Having said all that, I would never go to Rome without my D700 outfit. Just be vigilant and appropriately assertive, no different than in NYC or Paris or London - and enjoy your trip.

--
John Miranda
http://www.johnmiranda.com

I survive South Africa with my camera sling over my shoulder some time and walking the street early in the morning taking photo.

Guess like most of the guys said, common sense prevail. For me I take the attitude that I would rather give up my camera and lenses then trying to fright off the robber (didn't want to be part of the statistic of 50 murders per day there). I really enjoy my trip, it such a beautiful country.

So I think just relax, prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Enjoy your trip, I am sure you will come back with lots of beautiful pics.
--
Adrian

I've spent a few days in Barcelona the reputation of which is worse than Rome's, but I've kept my camera securely attached to my grip when shooting and securely nestled in my soulder/belt bag when not. Backpacks are tempting targets, so I pack my fairly compact Domke shoulder/belt pack (which contains my camera body and a couple of lenses) in my backpack for the flight and put the body and a lens back together only when I've arrived a dumped my travel bags in my hotel room. Of course, I've generally carried a only small zoom (the 16-85 when I used a D80) and a small prime and these two lenses have been entirely adequate for in-city touring (museums, cathedrals, etc).

Now that I'll be traveling with a D700, I'll carry just a 35mm f/2D and probably the 105 f/2.5 AI-s, or less likely, my 135 f/2.8 AI-s. In my experience, 85 on the DX lens was more than adequate for the long end in-city.

And now the guy tip--and this is not a commercial: if you're a guy, I highly recommend, in addition to the under trousers belt-loop money container, LL Bean's travel chinos with the zipper security pocket inside the right front pocket. The pocket is sized just right for a passport, and a couple of credit cards and some larger local currency which I clip togther and only seek out when I need some smaller amounts. By the way, I found the security pocket Travelsmith equivalent trousers very awkward because the pocket is on the left side. For the most of us who are right-handed, the LL Bean pants win easily (and can be hemmed to your length) and are worth the price for the security.
--
Jim Mohundro

I happily carried two DSLRs in Rome, Florence, Venice, Athens, Barcelona, Istanbul and a few other places. My son actually carried many times the second DSLR in places notoriious for pickpocketers.

This gets debated in many places as to the risk. In major European cities, yes there are opportunistic thiefs looking to prey on stupid tourists. One can get knife proof straps, underwear money belts etc. etc. Nothing beats common sense IMHO. Take your camera and get some nice pictures.

There are places I'd not take a DSLR and lenses but major European cities aren't a worry as long as you practice common sense.

I tried not to answer, but I couldn't refrain! I never seen a topic-question more stupid: "is Rome (or Italy) a safe place ..." mamma mia, how could you ask something like this???

I still remember, in the 50's, I was a young kid, I read a true story on "Il Messaggero" one of the daily newspapers published in Roma, that somebody sold to an American tourist the Coliseum (il Colosseo), and received a large down payment in cash !!! After the buyer found out it was a swindle, he reported to the police trying to get back is down payment, believe it or not!

Go, enjoy, take a lot of pictures and use the same common sense you would use in New York, Madrid, Mexico City, Lima, Bombay, Manila, Cairo, Rio de Janeiro and so long!

Proudly born in Roma, Caput Mundi, in 1941.
--
Roberto Fabbri
http://www.robertofabbri-wildlife.com

This topic was discussed at length a couple of years ago, and those that had experience thru out Italy warned against taking expensive equipment to southernmost Italy - even with steel cable attachments. The cities to worry about, as I recall, were the one that were having significant, well documented, crime/labor issues.

As far as the cities you mentioned, I can't imaging a problem, although with Europe now one big area with no real border, Italy, as well as other European countries, are having problems with traveling bands of poor opportunists. Don't know that I'd be out alone in a back alley with my stuff, but I wouldn't do that here in the US either.

While there are an incredible amount of photo opportunities in Italy, somebody has already done them better - really - so I'd just take something smallish to document your trip and just be a tourist and soak in the ambience...

One thing you will be doing in Italy, particularly in the cities you mentioned, is walking, a lot - which means carrying - a lot. A few hours into a walking tour, anything/everything gets heavy.

It's an incredible country, and if you're like most of us, as soon as you get back home you'll start trying to figure out how to go back again...

Have fun, see the sights, keep your head and eyes up.