Camera question...

[Marblehead]

I used to take my old school SLR for the first few trips to Jamaica. Those shots remain my best. I stopped dragging that lumbering beast when decent point and shoot cameras came out. Now, I use a Canon S100 and I too have a waterproof case for it. Worked swell last May!

As for risk, here's a story from my first trip in 1984. We stopped at a barrel jerk spot at a residence on the West End Rd. We made absolute pigs of ourselves and they let us sit and eat in their front yard. We left and stopped at another restaurant to get some veggies to go with the salad. We ate two more meals and had dessert, too! By now we were ready to burst and drove back to our room at T-water. We no sooner got there when I realized I had left my camera and bag back at the jerk spot. I jumped back into the car and sped to the residence. IAs I got out the chef said, "Mon, you left your camera" and ran into the house to get it. I was very grateful and showed my deep repsect.

I'm not suggesting that you can leave a camera kit just anywhere and retrieve it, but I don't think Jamaica is any less safe to travel with our expensive toys than right here in the USofA.
Cool runnin's --Marblehead

[nutz4travel]

I think I understand what you're saying. Some people can get touchy with their pics being taken on the beach. lol

LOL I would be one of those people, that's why I like being behind the camera! Seriously though, I try to take most of my pictures early in the day when there aren't a lot of people around. I like to go for an early morning walk with my camera.

Thanks everyone, I'll definitely take my DSLR! Now to decide if I take the tripod or not....

[gregandkelly63]

You have to take the tripod!

My wife and I have trouble trying to take pics of the two of us in the room dressed for dinner. A tripod would certainly help!

[Mr. Twister]

I use a mini tripods. I've got a couple difrerent sizes. Makes it soooo easy to travel with. You can find them in most any retail store & are inexpensive.

[gregandkelly63]

I agree with the mini tripods. I now have 2 and you can get them on Ebay for about $5.

[Skip]

Remember, if worried about theft or damage you can put a rider at a very cheap price on your homeowner insurance. It cost me $12.00 per year.

[rjonsun]

I bought a mini tripod at the Dollar Store! I use it mostly for sunset photos by setting the timer for 2 seconds, pressing the button, re,pvomg my hand, then waiting for an absolute steady shot even set a a slow shutter speed.

Regards,
Bob

[RockRobster]

Taking your DSLR is really a personal choice about whether you are comfortable traveling with expensive gear. Nothing can spoil a vacation faster than worry. Worrying about an expensive item that you brought on vacation is counter-productive to the concept of vacation. If you are going to worry about it, I would leave it at home. Not because it won't be safe (nobody can predict the future!) but because you shouldn't worry on vacation. That said, I travel with a waterproof PS that isn't exactly inexpensive. But, I don't worry about it. Same goes for your laptop/netbook, jewelry(I don't understand the need for expensive bling on vacation...), or even cash money. If it will cause you worry, leave it at home, you can surely do without it!

[RockRobster]

After over 37 years of travel and vacationing, I can honestly say that I have never been the victim of a theft. I have misplaced things, that were never to be found, but that is wholly on me. Unfortunately, I have had more than one physical encounter(not the enjoyable kind!). None in JA, though!

[gregandkelly63]

Taking your DSLR is really a personal choice about whether you are comfortable traveling with expensive gear. Nothing can spoil a vacation faster than worry. Worrying about an expensive item that you brought on vacation is counter-productive to the concept of vacation. If you are going to worry about it, I would leave it at home. Not because it won't be safe (nobody can predict the future!) but because you shouldn't worry on vacation. That said, I travel with a waterproof PS that isn't exactly inexpensive. But, I don't worry about it. Same goes for your laptop/netbook, jewelry(I don't understand the need for expensive bling on vacation...), or even cash money. If it will cause you worry, leave it at home, you can surely do without it!

Couldn't agree more! I take some great pics with my point and shoot camera and wouldn't be too upset if it got lost/stolen. If I lost my DSL, it's a different story!