The mistake of taking a DSLR camera with you on vacation

Earlier in 2008, I took a 3 month journey to Asia. Primarily visiting Kyushu in Japan, parts of the Philippines and exploring Thailand for the first time in my life. I was very excited and I was thinking that I should bring my good camera equipment with the expensive lenses I've bought.

Original article: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-mistake-of-taking-a-DSLR-with-you-on-vacation

So the Digital SLR was put in my luggage in addition to my ultra wide lens, my telephoto and my standard lens. Three lenses costing thousands of dollars not including the camera itself. Factor in the weight and my camera equipment took over a majority of the space in my carry-on luggage. My camera equipment took up so much space that I had to bring a shoulder bag for the clothes that couldn't fit in my carry on luggage. Even though for this trip I traveled light. Pants, shorts, underwear and some miscellaneous bathroom stuff I still needed that carry on luggage.

Here's my thoughts about being a tourist in another country.

I don't want to be seen as a tourist. That's hard when you are holding a big fat professional looking camera taking pictures of everything around you. People notice, they become alert and you lose that spontaneity that you wanted in your photos. Granted that camera takes beautiful pictures but when you can't become part of the anonymous crowd by carrying this big camera, you lose that local flavor.

Going on tour groups and seeing old temples, monuments or taking a boat ride down a river with your camera and being surrounded by other tourists with their big expensive cameras taking pictures is one thing, but walking in the city and feeling the vibe of the local people is an entirely different affair - in this situation, the last thing you want to do is bring out that big black box that just screams attention.

Original article: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-mistake-of-taking-a-DSLR-with-you-on-vacation 

I remember I was walking on Sukumvit road in Bangkok holding my camera looking for something interesting when I came upon two Bangkok police officers talking to a foreigner next to his motorbike. Probably giving him a ticket. I was right there. I could have brought up my camera and taken a shot. I didn't do it. I was too scared to bring that big fat camera and take a photo of the cops. The last thing I wanted to do was piss off some cops because this was my vacation, and I didn't want that hassle. Would I have used a small digital point and shoot camera? I don't just don't know.

Face it, holding a DSLR intimidates strangers or you might see a glimmer in someone's eye who decides to follow you a few blocks inside Intramuros in Manila for no reason at all. I'm paranoid for my safety, and my thinking is that anyone in Asia who has a big expensive looking camera must be rich, and if that person is a foreigner, well, he had the money to vacation right? So he must have money with him and the fact that he's a foreigner, well, he has to go home so he won't have time to file a police report and do the necessary procedures to catch the thief.

I still believe that DSLR cameras are incredibly great for taking beautiful pictures. However, for a vacation, I now believe that a camera should be as small as possible. What kind of cameras would I choose to go with me on a vacation?

In the high end point and shoot category, I would bring a Panasonic LX3 that came out in late 2008 and has a big 3” inch screen, a very fast lens and it's really small but great for an enthusiast and easy enough with its automatic functions that a novice can use it off that bat. Canon has the G10 which is comparable. Both of these cameras cost around $400. A camera that cost around $250 and that is just as good but with a longer telephoto zoom is the Panasonic TZ5. Check out a test of Prosumer enthusiast cameras from DPReview. 

Original article: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-mistake-of-taking-a-DSLR-with-you-on-vacation

If I had to bring a DSLR, I'd bring the smallest one out there, and right now that's the Panasonic G1 or the Olympus E-420. Both camera's come with kit lenses that are so small that you can basically carry the entire set in a small bag. The Panasonic G1 comes in multiple colors, so that might be a plus for some travelers. If you would like more information, you can go to www.dpreview.com where you are able to read the reviews, compare the prices and look at the different forums discussing the different camera brands.

I was given one of those photographers jackets and so I had all three lenses that weighed almost 10 pounds on me. It was pretty cool for the first few days wearing that jacket and all its pockets. Taking out a lens and looking like I was a photographer for National Geographic. Looking smug. That's how I looked. That's how I felt.  

Then I started the mountain treks, the long city walks, the multiple tours and found myself getting sweaty and tired and really uncomfortable wearing that jacket and the additional weight! Anyways, I found myself using the standard lens for most of the photos I took. 

Original article: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-mistake-of-taking-a-DSLR-with-you-on-vacation

Things took another turn when I got a small case of diarrhea. It was pretty bad for a few days and so my camera gear was placed in safekeeping until I got better. It wasn't the end of the world, but I sure hell wasn't going to carry that much gear on me, wearing me down as nature called. 

One other thing is that when you're alone with no one else with you, I tended to be extra careful and found myself not enjoying my surroundings. I was more worried about my equipment being stolen, breaking or falling. There were so many times when I had to sit on a bus and I took off my jacket with my equipment and placed it on the seat next to me. I felt relieved because of the heavy weight was off me. The last thing I wanted to do was to leave my gear in the hotel, I might use one of them this time I always thought, and I did change lenses at times, but not too often.

Carrying a small camera would have engendered me to take more random street photos and I would have probably have been more cavalier in my attitude in taking more street shots. So instead of thinking of taking out this DSLR and then finally taking the shot, with a small point and shoot camera, I wouldn't have to think much about taking the camera out and taking a few quick pictures and then walk away like a any normal tourist without being noticed as out of place.

You're not a photographer on assignment. Most likely you have no financial incentive to take pictures. These are your memories your taking photos of and it won't be on the front page of a glossy magainze.

For most Americans, this is only 2 weeks of the year where you are able to go to another location and relax. To get away from responsiblity and have fun. If you like taking pictures, even better, but don't let it distract you from taking in the sights and sounds of a foreign land with your own two eyes instead of through the view finder of a camera.

The last thing you want to do is to think, should I take this picture? You shouldn't think at all about taking a photo, just point... and shoot!

So next time I go to Asia on vacation, I'm bringing a small camera, which should let me get more of that local flavor, whether it be a high end point and shoot camera like the Panasonic LX3 or a compact DSLR like the Olympus E-420. I should be ready to go, and I'll be able to pack a few more underwear this time!

9/29 Update - I bought an LX3 when it was about $400 earlier this year. Nowadays it's selling for over $500 at some places. That's insane! Would I buy it for that price? Hell no. I'd consider the new micro four-thirds cameras that have been coming out from Olympus and Panasonic. Right now, the camera that I'm drooling over is the GF1 from Panasonic which looks like a great deal in a small package!

It costs more also, but you're able to change your lens!