Brazil & Carnival - safe to take my DSLR?

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danski

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I'm off to Brazil for Carnival next month (Rio & Salvador) as well as a quick trip down to Iguazu Falls.

Whilst I'm a seasoned traveller and have been lucky enough to visit some far reaching places, this will be a first time for me in South America. I'm always street smart and have never found myself in a sticky situation, but I've heard some pretty bad horror stories about Brazil and in particular Rio, including from friends that have been there. I tend to be pretty culturally sensitive and have happily walked around some of the less fortunate/impoverished areas in India and Thailand and not felt in the least bit threatened, but have heard & read that the Brazilian slums are not even places the locals venture into, so have no intention of doing this. However I've also heard that you can easily find yourself in a dodgy area in Rio almost totally unintentionally and that nowhere is really 100% safe, hence some of my concern.

Now, I'll be travelling with 3 friends and all of us are fairly stocky 6 foot plus guys, so that in itself could well be deterrent enough for any of the not so savoury locals to choose someone else to 'pick on' whether it be pick pocket, knife, gun or whatever their tool of choice may be. I'm fluent in Spanish and my Portuguese is OK, so this could also help.

So question is, should I take my 'blatantly expensive' DSLR (Canon 7D) and a couple of lenses, all of which are top end/L lenses, as I'm sure there will be some fantastic photos to be taken on this probably once in a lifetime trip or should I be a little more low key and just take my P&S camera (an 3-4 year old 8 megapixel Sony Cybershot), knowing that this doesn't even come close to my 7D and I will probably end up disappointed with most of the shots? Another option could be to buy a more up-to-date P&S in the £200-300 range, but given I would need to learn how to shoot/get the best out of this and after the trip I'm sure I will nearly always prefer to use my 7D this doesn't really sound like the best option to me

I'm not majorly concerned about losing my camera, after all that's what insurance is for (!!), instead more wanting to ensure that nothing serious happens to me or my friends.

So, has anyone been to Brazil/Rio at this time of year and willing to help me in my deliberations?
 
My guess is that a DSLR probabley isnt going to make you much more of a target if you go into slum areas, the locals will probabley view you as rich foreigners anyway.

In the more well off areas where I'd guess most of the bigger events happen pick pockets seem like they'd be more of a danger so I'd make you have someone secure to carry any extra equipment thats not around your neck in.
 
I would take a point and shoot or make sure all my kit was insured...mugging is a way of life in those parts, speaking from experience.
 
A Man i used to work with went to Rio as one of the destinations on a Cruise.

They had an armed security guard the cruise line had paid for that went with them on their day out at the carnival.

He told them not to have anything of value showing, jewelry etc and have a small amount of money in easily reached pocket, and if they do got mugged just hand that over straight away without complaining.

He said even though you had to use your common sense more that say in a Spanish resort he would go again as it was fantastic.

That was about 8 yrs ago it may have changed now.:)
 
Stick with a pocket-size quality P&S I'd say. Unless you're travelling with armed guards ;).
 
I'd agree with the comment about being a target whatever you're carrying.

In the slums I'd say they'll think a big camera is "old" as I doubt many of them will know a p+s from a bridge from a 1DmIV,

Somewhere like Brazil will have literally mind blowing photo opps, I'd say take the gear, be sensible and take potentially some amazing pics.
 
Some years ago I spent about three weeks working in Rio and got a fair idea what and what not to do. It was certainly not the safest place I've been and there was a threat lurking in every shadow. Your DSLR isn't currency to a mugger in the same way it would be in more affluent cities....they simply wouldn't have a market for it. What it does do is advertise you as a wealthy tourist with the likelihood of having a wallet containing something more beneficial to them. In a nutshell, don't look affluent.
I wouldn't take too much comfort from your combined size either. These people are too desperate to to take that into account and they're not like the western cowards who mug old ladies for the price of a fix. Stay where it's bright and busy and don't be tempted off the beaten track and I guess you shouldl be fine at carnival time.
The hotel security manager gave me several bits of survival advice and, other than the stuff above, he stressed that it was imperitive to give them what they want and not rtry to resist....he also humourously requested that I settle my bill before venturing out in case I didn't return :(
That was nearly 20 years ago but I suspect it's not a whole deal different today.

Bob
 
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Just go to Budleigh Salterton instead. Closer, cheaper, and perfectly safe. (Unless they discover you to be a member of the Labour Party, of course).
 
I've been to Rio during the Carnival. (I work on cruise ships). I deffo would not walk around with a big camera. I was with lots of Brazilian friends at the time and just tried to fit in as much as I could. There are parts where even the police will not go.

Are you going to the main fenced off carnival or the street ones?.
 
danski said:
Now, I'll be travelling with 3 friends and all of us are fairly stocky 6 foot plus guys, so that in itself could well be deterrent enough for any of the not so savoury locals to choose someone else to 'pick on' whether it be pick pocket, knife, gun or whatever their tool of choice may be. I'm fluent in Spanish and my Portuguese is OK, so this could also help.
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Dan, I don't meant this to be a personal dig, but I've seen this sort of comment before and I can't honestly believe that being a 'stocky 6 foot plus' individual or small group is likely to dissuade a potential robber armed with a knife or gun in a part of the world known for its lairy criminals. As, to my knowledge, your size and build make you no more stab or bullet resistant to an assailant with probably not a lot to loose, I think priority no.1 is not to stick out like testicles on a bulldog. As for pick pockets, their whole MO is to be gone with your stuff before you even know its happened, so again, size & group is largely irrelevant.

That said, it sounds like an amazing opportunity to experience, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip, and look forward to seeing any images you might capture if you do take a small camera.
 
BenUK said:
I've been to Rio during the Carnival. (I work on cruise ships). I deffo would not walk around with a big camera. I was with lots of Brazilian friends at the time and just tried to fit in as much as I could. There are parts where even the police will not go.

Are you going to the main fenced off carnival or the street ones?.
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Rio is more of a land and depart destination on this trip.

Looks like we'll be landing on the Friday evening, staying in Rio on Saturday then up to Salvador for Carnival celebrations on Sunday until Thursday. Then flying down to Iguazu Thurs, back to Rio on Fri afternoon/evening, flying back to UK on Sunday evening.
 
Shine On said:
Dan, I don't meant this to be a personal dig, but I've seen this sort of comment before and I can't honestly believe that being a 'stocky 6 foot plus' individual or small group is likely to dissuade a potential robber armed with a knife or gun in a part of the world known for its lairy criminals. As, to my knowledge, your size and build make you no more stab or bullet resistant to an assailant with probably not a lot to loose, I think priority no.1 is not to stick out like testicles on a bulldog. As for pick pockets, their whole MO is to be gone with your stuff before you even know its happened, so again, size & group is largely irrelevant.

That said, it sounds like an amazing opportunity to experience, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip, and look forward to seeing any images you might capture if you do take a small camera.
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Many a true word in there. I guess I was just hoping that others (smaller people on their own or couples) might be more attractive targets. Kind of feels wrong to be saying such a thing, but I guess I'd rather them than me in a purely selfish way!!
 
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