Re: One all purpose zoom for travel in Spain.

tamatama wrote:

Nice trip to look forward to! It looks like you'll be in cities a lot. Even though you say, 'no pro' I'd recommend the oly 12-40mm, f/2.8. It isn't the lightest lens around but it's small and not heavy and it gives you those needed 12 mm as the older quarters of the cities aren't spacious. Great quality, too!

The 'pro' qualities will come in handy in unforeseen circumstances. Happened to me this week, but that's a different story.

Actually I live in Spain, mainly Madrid and wouldn't worry too much about getting stuff stolen. Just use the common sense precautions as in any city. When you get ice cream/drink spills on your jacket, hold tight to your belongings. Leave important docs/stuff in the hotel.

We've been getting returned a dropped iPhone, a forgotten laptop (airport) a left behind backpack with laptop, quite a lot of cash, e-book, c-cards, well everything. But that was in the countryside.
You'll see many people walking around with camera gear. Enjoy your trip!

The radar of a lokal includes many unconcious and learnedcfactors that really cannot be fullt communicated to a tourist, including how to not look like a tourist ie a nark. My best advice to people travelling for personal vacation is just go light on the equipment and make life easier for yourself.  One high quality prime and one good compact zoom at most. Use a phone as your “backup”, strap your valuables and keep them where you can see them.

Beyobd that, if you’re in a high there risk location, is just begging to be robbed.  You’re going to look like a target to experienced thrives, so best to avoid looking like the easiest and most “loaded” prey among those.