Would you take your kit on holiday without a safe?

[Martin-DC2]

This is the dilemma facing me later this month.

Everything is booked and paid for, and now it turns out the aparthotel's "safety box" is actually a slimline lockbox (think old-style bank ones) behind reception, not a proper safe. I'm sure I can fit a few memory cards and lens filters in there, but nothing else...

So what do I do? It's a family holiday not a photography trip, but that's not the point...I've never been away without my camera.

Is there another way of keeping it all secure (or at least insured) without needing to lug it with me everywhere (beach in particular, but also possibly a splash-park as the kids are getting to that age)?

Thanks,

Martin.

 

[Jeff15]

In the daytime my camera is with me wherever I go, at night I usually hide it in the room ....

 

[cgw]

Too much camera gear is a guaranteed family vacation killer. Take way less. In fact, take an OK quality P&S, cards, spare batts+charger and call it quits. If it doesn't overflow your carry-on bag and leaves some room, you got it right. There's always your phone...

 

[Martin-DC2]

Thanks both.

My trouble is I've got a full-frame DSLR, a modern mirrorless with a cropped sensor, and then my phone. Nothing in-between. Son's got an Olympus TG-5 Tough, but aside from the mechanical zoom that's optically no better than my phone.

...so if I don't take the SLR, I'm reduced to phone-pics, which feels anathema...certainly as we're going somewhere photogenic.

Rather miffed I didn't check the safe situation out more before booking, but no point dwelling on that now.

 

[cgw]

Take the MILC, leave the FF at home. Seriously, avoid fretting about security, take touristy pix of the sites and your family and enjoy yourself. Lighter+less the better. YMMV, as always.

 

[Martin-DC2]

It's not the weight - I'm used to lugging stuff around. it's the security. And the mirrorless is probably worth more than the old full-frame now, and both lenses are worth more still.

...so if there's a viable secure option, I'm taking the DSLR (size/weight difference is a few hundred grams) and lenses. If not I'm down to my phone, which isn't really what I want to do.

 

[JoeW]

First, you didn't say where you're traveling and what location you're in. You can always see about an AMEX office (which are incredibly versatile at a lot of things--I've had prescriptions shipped there when I was in the field and they held them for me).

Second, I'm in favor of you taking a camera and the most versatile yet haul-able lens you've got with minimal equipment (ie: no tripod, not a bunch of filters). I'm guessing that's probably your mirrorless crop body. And then be prepared to take it every place you go.

So maybe this means you have a small day pack that carriers water, snacks, an umbrella or light jacket for weather changes, a map and then your camera. Or maybe it's a shoulder bag (that again is mostly carrying your tourist stuff and has a camera in it as well.

 

[Thiophilos]

I'm with @cgw here. Take less. It's a family vacation.

I know that folks buy GREAT camera gear which they love but can't use much normally because of the job... and then finally a vacation offers the opportunity to really use the gear. But it's a poor fit on more than one level if it is a family vacation.

What's wrong with taking the mirrorless with kit lens?

I once had a first-ever trip to China. It was a business trip. I still wanted to take good pics. I bought an APSC with kit lens for the purpose and was able to fly carry-on only. No insurance on the gear. All went well, and I got lots of use from that camera afterwards too.

 

[CherylL]

I have this problem when we visit family. It is a Residence Inn and I'm surprised there is no in room safe. I keep my gear in my carry-on bag and take a lock. I'll throw a few clothing items over the bag to hide the lock. Opt out of housekeeping too.

I have a personal articles policy for all my gear. That gives me a peace of mind if anything is stolen.

The water park may have lockers to rent.

 

[Don Fischer]

Why are you taking a trip to a place your stuff might get stolen? I would not take the trip in the first place. Were I to go somewhere like that, not gonna happen, I'd take my P&S Panasonic and it's belt pouch. My Panasonic rides under my shirt like a concealed weapon, better even, hardly makes a bump in the shirt covering it. The lens is a Lica 25-250 and I can take any picture I've wanted so far. And they do rival photo's taken with my D 7000!

 

[Rickbb]

Your stuff can get stolen anywhere. Call your insurance agent you can add full coverage for all your gear for just a few dollars to your homeowners policy. I have all mine on both homeowners and auto, just in case.

It would suck to lose it but at least you could replace it.

Look at a pocket camera, I use a Cannon PowerShot. Actual optical zoom, Cannon glass and Cannon AI.

Other brands have similar models, better pics than cell phone and not much bigger than one. Put it in your pocket and take it everywhere.

 

[Thiophilos]

Insurance guarantees you have a loss whether your gear gets stolen or not. And if the gear is stolen, you can't take any more pics even if you have insurance.

I don't insure stuff unless it would be a heavy financial burden to replace it. I insure the house and the car and that's it.

 

[DennisH]

No offense meant, but unless it's a wedding and you're the photog, it's a fam. holiday. Leave the equipment at home and just use your phone camera. Modern phone cameras are much better than expensive gear was not so long ago.
Will anyone but you even know the difference?

 

[Don Fischer]

Insurance guarantees you have a loss whether your gear gets stolen or not. And if the gear is stolen, you can't take any more pics even if you have insurance.

I don't insure stuff unless it would be a heavy financial burden to replace it. I insure the house and the car and that's it.

I don't have a clue how much insurance would be but rather than get it, I would simply avoid the area's of high risk. If you just have to though, get a better P&S and a holster to wear it on your belt maybe under a shirt tail.

I simply don't go into Portland, Ore anymore because crime is pretty much out of control there and I'd rather not have to shoot anyone. Even driving through that city I go armed. Why would I want to risk loosing an expensive camera in a place like that?

 

[AlanKlein]

On vacation, I now take a pocketable 1" sensor digital 19mb with 4K video (Sony RX100-4) and haven't looked back. The wife loves it and I;m not burdened carrying all that stuff and worrying about it's security. It even fits in the safe if need be. I make slide shows that look great on my 75" TV. (You only need 8mb files so you have a lot to crop from 19mb).

If you want to check how good a 1" sensor on a pocketable P&S is on your flat TV check this slide show out on it. Set it for 4K. Of course you can watch it on your monitor, but the large TV will show just how good a 1" sensor is even compared to a FF.