Photography in Pattaya

[bigbseeker]

Hi,

 

I love photography. Just wondering if it's safe to walk around Pattaya with an expensive DSLR? Any difference between day & night?

[saxondale]

Hi,

 

I love photography. Just wondering if it's safe to walk around Pattaya with an expensive DSLR? Any difference between day & night?

 

I wouldn't without insurance.

[McFly]

I've seen a few people walk between Soi 6 and Walking Street along the beach road or 2nd road carrying cameras like this. No idea about theft or problems.

[praf974]

youd be asking for trouble .. its the people with expensive stuff on view that you read about being victims of robberies and drive by snatches.

[Derbytony]

I've used my DSLR in and around Pattaya, but only in the daytime. When I go out at night I just take a compact (Nikon Coolpix S3000) - it is a lot more convenient to carry in a pocket, especially when a few drinks pass my lips.

Also, I make sure I stay in a room with a safe so that my DSLR can be locked away when I'm not there.

 

By the way - difference between day and night.

 

Day is light

Night is dark........

 

Sorry, but had to put that one in.

 

Cheers

Tony

[cuteincords1]

Hi,

 

I love photography. Just wondering if it's safe to walk around Pattaya with an expensive DSLR? Any difference between day & night?

 

I took my DSLR ( nikonD5000 ) with me for the first time my last trip November 2010 and had no problems whats so ever took it with me everywhere day and night , and cant believe I ave never took it before .. at the end of the day its all about common sense

 

the only time I would'nt venture out with it is , if u go during Songran festival,and the height of the rainy season , other than that I would take it , u wont regret it ,

Here's a sample piccy I took with mine

[I'm a noob]

Hi,

 

I love photography. Just wondering if it's safe to walk around Pattaya with an expensive DSLR? Any difference between day & night?

 

 

I'm planning on taking my dslr when I go end of april. Anyone know any good locations for photography in the area?

[emmortal]

I traveled throughout Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand last year with my Canon 5D MkII and Leica M8 with no problems at all. I always kept them around my neck or securely wrapped around my wrist with the shoulder strap so they would have to yank my arm off if they tried to snatch it. I'm a fairly big dude though so that may have thwarted any desires from 120lb thai men wanting to snatch a camera from a 230lb white boy =)

[bigbseeker]

I took my DSLR ( nikonD5000 ) with me for the first time my last trip November 2010 and had no problems whats so ever took it with me everywhere day and night , and cant believe I ave never took it before .. at the end of the day its all about common sense

 

the only time I would'nt venture out with it is , if u go during Songran festival,and the height of the rainy season , other than that I would take it , u wont regret it ,

Here's a sample piccy I took with mine

 

Nice night shot. I would definitely want to take some night shots with a DSLR instead of a compact. I'm planning to buy a new brand-less neck strap & black-out the brand/model on the DSLR to avoid attention.

[emmortal]

Nice night shot. I would definitely want to take some night shots with a DSLR instead of a compact. I'm planning to buy a new brand-less neck strap & black-out the brand/model on the DSLR to avoid attention.

 

Steven, check out Camera Armor for your camera: http://www.cameraarmor.com/ Not only does it protect your camera body and lens but covers up some of the markings making it more difficult to see if it's a Nikon or Canon. It's inexpensive and saves your body from the wear, tear and elements.

[Slapman]

my nikon is worth $7,000.

i don't even think twice about taking it around with me 24/7.

 

but !, i never/rarely get off WS. might be a worry if your out in the boonies, beach rd, back blacks etc at night.

 

EDIT ! that booby in your avatar is the best i've ever seen. is there a head to go with it ?.

[Laawman]

I've been everywhere in the daytime with my SLR, but only selected locations at night that I know. As already mentioned, make sure your travel insurance covers the cost of replacement under any eventuality.

[bigbseeker]

Steven, check out Camera Armor for your camera: http://www.cameraarmor.com/ Not only does it protect your camera body and lens but covers up some of the markings making it more difficult to see if it's a Nikon or Canon. It's inexpensive and saves your body from the wear, tear and elements.

 

I will check it out. Thanks emmortal.

[bigbseeker]

my nikon is worth $7,000.

i don't even think twice about taking it around with me 24/7.

 

but !, i never/rarely get off WS. might be a worry if your out in the boonies, beach rd, back blacks etc at night.

 

EDIT ! that booby in your avatar is the best i've ever seen. is there a head to go with it ?.

 

Hi slapman, it must be a Nikon D3. I'm assuming you're referring to my avatar. It is just a PVC figure I collect.

[iggy56]

compared to other countries i visited i would say that thailand is the safest

[BaldPlumber]

On my first trip I brought my Nikon D80. Felt like a complete knob carrying it around and hence didn't use it.

 

I now have a Nokia N8 with a 12 megapixel camera and xenon flash, easily more useful and it has the ability to edit pics, for instance distorting TG's faces, giving them bigger tits etc which is always amusing, well it is for me anyway. Has 48Gb of storage, so more than enough for films, pix, MP3's, games etc.

 

I would never bring a DSLR to Thailand again.

Edited January 26, 2011 by BaldPlumber

[Slapman]

Hi slapman, it must be a Nikon D3. I'm assuming you're referring to my avatar. It is just a PVC figure I collect.

 

hahaha, now i get the left one !.

 

nikon d7oo + 24-70 + sb900 + mbd10.

 

i collect perfect tit pics from the net too, wanna trade ?. what's a PVC figure ?.

[ptaddtest]

This is good to know. I have a D700 that would be nice to carry around for landscape shots and a point and shoot for night. Is that tooo much camera to use?

[FunTimes]

hahaha, now i get the left one !.

 

nikon d7oo + 24-70 + sb900 + mbd10.

 

i collect perfect tit pics from the net too, wanna trade ?. what's a PVC figure ?.

 

Useful thread.

 

I've got a D3 and the 24-70 is my walking around lens too, but for the sake of lightness and flexibility, I'm going to bring my D300 and 18-200 VRII to Thailand instead. Plenty good enough for travel photos.

 

The other factor for me is that I'm a part time pro and my home insurance doesn't cover my gear, and I'm not interested in paying the $1k+ a year that i've been quoted to insure my gear. So I "self-insure" instead by taking other measures and travelling defensively.

 

--

 

One of the things I do when I travel in less affluent countries is put a bit of black gaffer tape (like duct tape, without adhesive residue) over the "Nikon", and when not in use keep the camera tucked away in an easily accessible purpose built (but nondescript) camera case of some kind.

 

Think Tank makes some really good cases that don't look like camera bags and don't attract attention, but are very functional.

Edited January 26, 2011 by FunTimes

[bigjimslay]

No problem dude....

[Scumbag]

..what's a PVC figure ?.

If you look at it carfully you can see that it is a doll....lol

[Cph]

I don't think I ever heard about someone who had their camera snatched from them in Pattaya. If you wear a thick gold chain you would be at risk.

 

I've seen plenty of people lugging expensive camera gear around ws.

 

BR

 

Jens

[ptaddtest]

So can you take photos inside the bars? A d700 24-70 combo would do good:)

[emmortal]

So can you take photos inside the bars? A d700 24-70 combo would do good:)

 

Depends on the bar and mood of the mamasan/girls. I've never had issues but I always ask if I can take a photo first if I'm in a bar.

[capricorn]

I love photography. Just wondering if it's safe to walk around Pattaya with an expensive DSLR? Any difference between day & night?

 

I think Pattaya is a safer place than London or Paris. Just be careful with your camera and you'll be alright. Avoid doing stupid things like walking around in a deserted soi with a D700 + huge 24-70 or leaving it unattended for example.

 

I've just bought an amateur DSLR (D7000) and I'll bring it with me on my next trip with a small, discreet lens (35 f/1.8) so it won't be the end of the world if something happens.

 

One place of interest when it comes to photography is the Sanctuary of Truth. You'll find some interesting perspectives there.