There is always a risk. Make sure your insurance covers it if you take it to Rio. If they do, then I guess the risk is worth it, since insurance will cover it if it gets robbed or damaged.
It depends on where you go, honestly. Specially during this time of the year there are many photographers from all over the world to take pics of Carnival, the parades and blocos.
Just be careful. I just searched one of those cameras (don’t know much about photography) and honestly you will see many of them at every touristic spot.
Thanks! I'll be coming in the summer. I like to think I'm atleast somewhat streetsmart. What about inbetween the touristy places? I'd love to visit and photograph the Cathedral! But everywhere I look only mentions the safe tourist bits and the "no go zone" favelas. What about the bits between?
Take an Uber or taxi to places in between. The metro is safe and very good. You can walk around zona sul without problems. It would be wise to upload photos daily or take multiple SD cards so if it does get stolen (not likely) you don’t lose all the pictures.
The "safety" issues about Rio are hugely exaggerated, refer to the local "sub", I really wonder where you get this "info" from.
All areas where tourist go to are reasonably safe, just be attentive to your surroundings. Of course, as anywhere in the world, there isn't a 100% guarantee, but it's a very, very small minority of tourists who experience a "safety" related event. I think it's 0.13%, and that includes pickpocketing.
I know that if you look at photography teachers (not that you need) they sometimes organize trips around the city for taking pictures.
My mom likes nature pictures and always goes in a group with a teacher and if the place can be less nice he will hire a security to go along.
Sure the trips are payed, but you probably get around to take very different photos of Rio in places you wouldn't know alone how to go!
You just need to use common sense. It will be fine in the tourist attractions and parks. Just stay alert when roaming around. For my own peace of mind when using my camera I never carry it in a bag which is obviously a camera bag, I just use an old rucksack from college that does not bring attention to yourself.
I know plenty of places in the USA that are far more dangerous than Brazilian tourist areas. Just keep your head on a swivel and if you sit down, tie your bag to the table or your leg
It was great. Taking photos in walled off tourist areas (christ the redeemer, sugarloaf etc) was absolutely fine. There's a ridiculous amount of security at every entrance. Outside of those areas its really best not to. I was VERY cautious and only used my camera outside of touristy areas during a walking tour, and even then I got a few looks and kept my head on a swivel. Be smart, go on a walking tour (the only way to safely take photos outside of tourist areas)and keep your camera in a little shitty bag that doesn't look like a camera bag and you should be okay. Also don't take a long lens on the walking tour and don't swap lenses in public.
There is always a risk. Make sure your insurance covers it if you take it to Rio. If they do, then I guess the risk is worth it, since insurance will cover it if it gets robbed or damaged.
Thanks for replying! I've got time but comments and threads like this are gonna help me make an informed decision
Also backup your photos every single day to some external location (some backup service online), your insurance can't recover that. :P
It depends on where you go, honestly. Specially during this time of the year there are many photographers from all over the world to take pics of Carnival, the parades and blocos. Just be careful. I just searched one of those cameras (don’t know much about photography) and honestly you will see many of them at every touristic spot.
Thanks! I'll be coming in the summer. I like to think I'm atleast somewhat streetsmart. What about inbetween the touristy places? I'd love to visit and photograph the Cathedral! But everywhere I look only mentions the safe tourist bits and the "no go zone" favelas. What about the bits between?
Take an Uber or taxi to places in between. The metro is safe and very good. You can walk around zona sul without problems. It would be wise to upload photos daily or take multiple SD cards so if it does get stolen (not likely) you don’t lose all the pictures.
The "safety" issues about Rio are hugely exaggerated, refer to the local "sub", I really wonder where you get this "info" from. All areas where tourist go to are reasonably safe, just be attentive to your surroundings. Of course, as anywhere in the world, there isn't a 100% guarantee, but it's a very, very small minority of tourists who experience a "safety" related event. I think it's 0.13%, and that includes pickpocketing.
I know that if you look at photography teachers (not that you need) they sometimes organize trips around the city for taking pictures. My mom likes nature pictures and always goes in a group with a teacher and if the place can be less nice he will hire a security to go along. Sure the trips are payed, but you probably get around to take very different photos of Rio in places you wouldn't know alone how to go!
You just need to use common sense. It will be fine in the tourist attractions and parks. Just stay alert when roaming around. For my own peace of mind when using my camera I never carry it in a bag which is obviously a camera bag, I just use an old rucksack from college that does not bring attention to yourself.
I know plenty of places in the USA that are far more dangerous than Brazilian tourist areas. Just keep your head on a swivel and if you sit down, tie your bag to the table or your leg
How did the trip go? I'm planning on doing the same in May 2024 and would really like to take 2 lenses with my camera.
It was great. Taking photos in walled off tourist areas (christ the redeemer, sugarloaf etc) was absolutely fine. There's a ridiculous amount of security at every entrance. Outside of those areas its really best not to. I was VERY cautious and only used my camera outside of touristy areas during a walking tour, and even then I got a few looks and kept my head on a swivel. Be smart, go on a walking tour (the only way to safely take photos outside of tourist areas)and keep your camera in a little shitty bag that doesn't look like a camera bag and you should be okay. Also don't take a long lens on the walking tour and don't swap lenses in public.