carry a SLR camera in india

I was wondering if carry a canon 50D camera is advisable in india. I really want to take it as love taking photos but was wondering about other people experiences carry a large camera around.

There's a special 'belly bag' you can get, you need to practice placing the camera into the bag whilst running, then you're always ready to run off when crowds try to snatch the camera.

Only joking.

I travelled the 4 corners of India with a group that included a few with really expensive cameras, the ones that are so big you need special training to take shotw with a long lens, damn them things were so heavy, 3 -5 5 of us regularly left the rest of the group to find out of the way places, away from the tourist sites (most of the places weren't on the tourist trail, and we never had a single problem, there's also many indiamikers who travel alone with their cameras, and theft/robbery never seems an issue.

Taking photos of people at tourist sites can sometimes lead to small problems, eg., the person wanting a little money because you took their photo.

Yeah, it'll be no more of a problem than anywhere else. Follow the normal rules, just look after it and don't leave it unattended.

Have a look at Lowepro's Slingshot bags, they're ace as you carry it on your back but swing it around to access the camera. If you ever get concerned about safety you can just swing the bag around in front of you.

I've carried my camera, lenses and other kit around in one and never felt concerned at all. I've even carried my netbook around too in the same bag without being any more concerned that if I walked around my home town.

Five trips to India, always carrying 2 large cameras and lenses, never a problem, never a worry, and I'm only 5'5" and about 50 kg. Once I lost a lens hood, and a field worker who found it carried it half a mile in the midday heat to bring it back to me. I tried to offer some money as a gesture of appreciation, but he refused, asking only that I take his photo.

Now, I'm not advising that you act irresponsibly, but with any reasonable caution, I think you'll be fine with a big camera in India.

OP: What concern do you have about carrying a SLR camera in India? That does not come across in any way in your post. You have got a few perspectives and hope your concern is addressed.

Not really a problem. I usually lug a large amount of gear across the country and never really had a problem... Though you will attract more kids and onlookers...

A colleague of mine back in Canada (he was British) once told me that he lost his camera in Delhi. I asked him how it happened.

He said, "I was in the hotel lobby and set it on the counter. Walked around the corner and when I returned it was gone"

My reply, "This could happen anywhere in the world. You do something stupid and what do you expect?".

Cheers

Nattusbs

My friends have carried along their DSLR's on our trips without incident as well.

The only incident i can recall was when a friend lost the DSLR body to surf on a beach. completely drenched.

The only issue you will have is lugging it around in the heat. Depending on time of year/location etc. Make sure you pack lots of packets of Silca Gel in your camera bag.

I have seen old ladies with Mamiyas and Hasselblads at Taj and Khajuraho etc. I wonder if 50D is really larger than that.

I travel with a point-and-shoot and SLR plus several lenses - and sometimes a tripod. No problem apart from the weight. Not many people would want to carry so much.... But if it's just one camera with one lens, the weight is reasonable.

When did a 50D become a large camera?

I live in India and carry my SLR daily in my handbag

I carry mine around on every trip in a camera knapsack (along with lenses, mini-tripod, and other gear). Indians are very open to being in pictures (many times, they'll want you in their own or request that you take their picture) - almost as open as the Japanese. I usually (unless I'm using a very long lens) ask first (a gesture will do) and then show the subject their picture on the view screen after. Kids in the Punjab loved to follow me around to see the pictures I took on the screen; in other areas, I haven't found a similar level of interest. The only problem I've ever had was my lens fogging up when going from a/c to outside during the monsoon season.

And that camera never gets stolen, it's only what that camera creates that gets stolen.