Going to Rome, safety and what to shoot?

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In article <k27Ne.144558$dP1.499398@newsc.telia.net>,
anpa <anpa0508@telia.com> wrote:

> Hello.
>
> I am a lucky guy who will visit Rome for a few days, and I would like to
> hear any "Rome-experienced" peoples opinions on must-see, do's and dont's.

I have been to Rome several times, last time januari 2005; it is one of
my favorite cities in Europe.

do: walk around... eat! Romans are excellent cooks.

don't: go unprepared... read a bit before you leave, it will make your
trip much more interesting. do: buy a guidebook that is small and light
so you can take it with you while walking the streets.

> My problem is time and I only got 3-4 days to spend there, and of course
> Rome is a city filled with important history (which probably could
> occupy me there for more time).

3-4 days is enough to have a good look around. The city center is quite
compact and much can be done on foot. Walking in Rome is excellent
because around every single streetcorner there's something amazing to
see. Go to the Vatican and San Pietro in the early morning if possible,
you'll avoid long lines and crowded stairways etc.

> Is it safe to walk around with a 20D around my neck, or should I hide it
> in the bag whenever there's nothing to snap a shot at?

Most areas of Rome are perfectly safe. I walked around with my camera
all the time. But, be aware of typical situations with a slightly higher
risk, like crowds, busy subway stations, etc.

But, Rome feels very safe. Romans are surprisingly relaxed and also very
friendly and helpful, in my experience. I have never experienced
anything criminal during any of my visits.

> What's best choice of lens? Is my 50mm/1.4 enough or should I borrow my
> friends 17-40mm/4? (expensive thingie, thereof the question of safety).

You NEED a wideangle in Rome. leave the 50mm at home.

Lourens

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

anpa wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I am a lucky guy who will visit Rome for a few days, and I would like to
> hear any "Rome-experienced" peoples opinions on must-see, do's and dont's.
> My problem is time and I only got 3-4 days to spend there, and of course
> Rome is a city filled with important history (which probably could
> occupy me there for more time).
>
> Is it safe to walk around with a 20D around my neck, or should I hide it
> in the bag whenever there's nothing to snap a shot at?
>
> What's best choice of lens? Is my 50mm/1.4 enough or should I borrow my
> friends 17-40mm/4? (expensive thingie, thereof the question of safety).
>
> Thanks in advance for shared advice and opinions.
>
> //A

It's been 18 years, but....

What I remember is that places like the train station and bus station,
the subways, were the dangerous places - there were crowds of kids
begging in the train station that got very threatening when we said
"no"... we were there on a shoestring, our bags had been stolen from
the train (along with our touring bikes) and we had nothing left to
steal, but while they were crowding us I felt several go through my
pockets - both front and back.

OTOH, out on the streets walking between the tourist attractions was
entirely different - no worse than any large city anywhere. My
impression was it's an amazing place to visit; the history and art was
second only to Paris, in our minds; and that's probably because we
spent a week in Paris and only 2 days in Rome. The food was good to
great, although the pizza isn't at all like what you'll get at Pizza
Hut - avoid it and you'll open yourself to some truly excellent
culinary experiences. The people were pretty good, but we didn't know
any Italian - at least a phrase book would have helped.

I second the wide-angle bright lens suggestion - most historic places
don't allow flash anymore because of damage to pigments; some places -
like the Sistene Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica - don't allow any
interior photography at all. I was carrying a Minolta Hi-Matic F with a
38mm F/2.8 lens using ISO 200 film (ISO 400 was very grainy back then)
when I was there; it was barely able to cope with a lot of the
interiors and more than a few shots were completely ruined because I
had to hand-hold (no tripod). Might be a good excuse to get yourself
that $1400 16-35mm F/2.8 L you've been wanting.... yeah, right. If you
have the choice, take both the 50mm F/1.4 and the 17-40mm F/4; I'd bet
you'll find that you'll want both when you're there.

Have fun - I'm envious....
ECM

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Try the Pope.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

ecm wrote:

> anpa wrote:
>
>>Hello.
>>
>>I am a lucky guy who will visit Rome for a few days, and I would like to
>>hear any "Rome-experienced" peoples opinions on must-see, do's and dont's.
>>My problem is time and I only got 3-4 days to spend there, and of course
>>Rome is a city filled with important history (which probably could
>>occupy me there for more time).
>>
>>Is it safe to walk around with a 20D around my neck, or should I hide it
>>in the bag whenever there's nothing to snap a shot at?
>>
>>What's best choice of lens? Is my 50mm/1.4 enough or should I borrow my
>>friends 17-40mm/4? (expensive thingie, thereof the question of safety).
>>
>>Thanks in advance for shared advice and opinions.
>>
>>//A
>
>
> It's been 18 years, but....
>
> What I remember is that places like the train station and bus station,
> the subways, were the dangerous places - there were crowds of kids
> begging in the train station that got very threatening when we said
> "no"... we were there on a shoestring, our bags had been stolen from
> the train (along with our touring bikes) and we had nothing left to
> steal, but while they were crowding us I felt several go through my
> pockets - both front and back.
>
> OTOH, out on the streets walking between the tourist attractions was
> entirely different - no worse than any large city anywhere. My
> impression was it's an amazing place to visit; the history and art was
> second only to Paris, in our minds; and that's probably because we
> spent a week in Paris and only 2 days in Rome. The food was good to
> great, although the pizza isn't at all like what you'll get at Pizza
> Hut - avoid it and you'll open yourself to some truly excellent
> culinary experiences. The people were pretty good, but we didn't know
> any Italian - at least a phrase book would have helped.
>
> I second the wide-angle bright lens suggestion - most historic places
> don't allow flash anymore because of damage to pigments; some places -
> like the Sistene Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica - don't allow any
> interior photography at all. I was carrying a Minolta Hi-Matic F with a
> 38mm F/2.8 lens using ISO 200 film (ISO 400 was very grainy back then)
> when I was there; it was barely able to cope with a lot of the
> interiors and more than a few shots were completely ruined because I
> had to hand-hold (no tripod). Might be a good excuse to get yourself
> that $1400 16-35mm F/2.8 L you've been wanting.... yeah, right. If you
> have the choice, take both the 50mm F/1.4 and the 17-40mm F/4; I'd bet
> you'll find that you'll want both when you're there.
>
> Have fun - I'm envious....
> ECM
>
For indoor shots in low light, instead of using the shutter release,
hold the camera against a wall or church pew or something and let the
self-timer trip the shutter.
Morton

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <k27Ne.144558$dP1.499398@newsc.telia.net>, anpa says...
> Hello.
>
> I am a lucky guy who will visit Rome for a few days, and I would like to
> hear any "Rome-experienced" peoples opinions on must-see, do's and dont's.
> My problem is time and I only got 3-4 days to spend there, and of course
> Rome is a city filled with important history (which probably could
> occupy me there for more time).
>
> Is it safe to walk around with a 20D around my neck, or should I hide it
> in the bag whenever there's nothing to snap a shot at?
>
> What's best choice of lens? Is my 50mm/1.4 enough or should I borrow my
> friends 17-40mm/4? (expensive thingie, thereof the question of safety).

Check our travelogue:
http://www.molon.de/travelogues/Italy/2005/

Be prepared for high prices for everything.

A wide angle lens is necessary. I'll post the photos of Rome to my site
soon.
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
Olympus 4040, 5050, 5060, 7070, 8080, E300 forum at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
Olympus E300 resource - http://myolympus.org/E300/

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

I've been to Rome on three separate trips, a week each, and will gladly go
back for more.

FROM THE AIRPORT
A taxi to the center of the city will cost you about 50 Euros. A train ride
from the airport to the central station is much cheaper, but not as
convenient.

SAFETY
Many people carry expensive cameras around, but I'd keep your 20D in a small
camera bag... You will definitely want that 17-40 lens as well as the 50mm
for low light shots. I carry a small velbon travel tripod with me, only 1.5
pounds in weight, but invaluable. You won't be allowed to used in most if
not all churches, museums, etc...
We walked all around the central part of the city at all hours of the day
and night, and never felt threatened or uneasy. But, be wary of
pickpockets, especially on buses and trains.
I wear a simple multipocket vest, not the "photo" vest type that is sold by
Tenba or Tamrac, but something lighter and more simple, looks like a jacket
without sleeves. A vest like that is very popular with the locals, and
doesn't scream "photographer" as you'd think. If you don't have one, you
can buy one at almost any clothing store in Rome for 50 to 70 Euros
I carry my wallet and passport in an inside, zippered pocket, with enough
cash for a day in a second wallet in a front zippered pocket. Never had a
problem with this setup.
It is a very good idea to take at least two photocopies of your passport.

WHERE TO STAY
For a short visit, stay in the old center. The area around the train
station is a bit seedy, but safe. I would recommend staying near the
Coloseum, Piazza Navona or Campo dei Fiori. From there, you can walk to all
the important sites in the city center. We used http://www.venere.com/ to
find a hotel in Rome and also Tuscany. Worked out well for us.

WHAT TO SEE
It would take weeks or months to see everything. Get a good guidebook and
choose according to your interests. There are several bus companies that
have special buses that make circuits to the most popular sites. You can
buy a daily pass and get on and off at any stop. You can do this on the
first day and get a feel for the city. We used the Green Line bus company
which is located on Via Cavour down the street from the train station. Your
hotel will have information on these tours.

One final thought, unless you have a storage device with you, take twice as
much memory for the 20D as you think you'll need.

good luck..
M

"anpa" <anpa0508@telia.com> wrote in message
news:k27Ne.144558$dP1.499398@newsc.telia.net...
> Hello.
>
> I am a lucky guy who will visit Rome for a few days, and I would like to
> hear any "Rome-experienced" peoples opinions on must-see, do's and dont's.
> My problem is time and I only got 3-4 days to spend there, and of course
> Rome is a city filled with important history (which probably could
> occupy me there for more time).
>
> Is it safe to walk around with a 20D around my neck, or should I hide it
> in the bag whenever there's nothing to snap a shot at?
>
> What's best choice of lens? Is my 50mm/1.4 enough or should I borrow my
> friends 17-40mm/4? (expensive thingie, thereof the question of safety).
>
> Thanks in advance for shared advice and opinions.
>
> //A

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Alfred Molon wrote:
> In article <1124410930.669301.306790@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, ecm
> says...
> > some places -
> > like the Sistene Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica - don't allow any
> > interior photography at all.
>
> Interior photography is allowed in St. Peter's, but no tripod or flash.
> --
>
> Alfred Molon
> ------------------------------
> Olympus 4040, 5050, 5060, 7070, 8080, E300 forum at
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
> Olympus E300 resource - http://myolympus.org/E300/

Yes, you're right - I had to go back into my old photos but I do have a
pic looking up at the dome inside - truly a lousy picture, can't see
anything. Maybe I suppressed it subconsciously.....

ECM

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 22:55:12 -0400, Morton Linder <mort@cloud9.net>
wrote:


>>
>>
>Copy the first two pages of your passport. Leave the original passport
>in the hotel's main safe, not in a room safe, and carry the copy with
>you. Of course, you need the original when going through
>customs/immigration. Watch out for the dirt on your jacket routine, or
>several kids begging or getting too close. Violent crime, however, is
>seldom seen in Rome.
>Morton

On a trip to Rome my wife and I were surrounded near the Colosseum by
a crowd of 10 year olds (?) and several times a kid would dart up
close to me. Once I figured out that this wasn't the local chamber of
commerce greeting committee I took one of my Nikon F2 cameras, held on
tight to the strap, and swung it around my head, very fast, like a
slingshot ready to go off. I also shouted very loudly.

Between the two of those actions, they ran fast!

By any chance, are you also going to Florence? What a city. And, to
get off the beaten path a bit, there is the wonderful medieval city
center in Sienna.

Padre Kodak

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 10:16:39 +0200, Alfred Molon
<alfredREMOVE_molon@yahoo.com> wrote:

>In article <839dg1tankrhme03p9sf7rlvecrr5ejq8t@4ax.com>, Father Kodak
>says...
>
>> On a trip to Rome my wife and I were surrounded near the Colosseum by
>> a crowd of 10 year olds (?) and several times a kid would dart up
>> close to me. Once I figured out that this wasn't the local chamber of
>> commerce greeting committee I took one of my Nikon F2 cameras, held on
>> tight to the strap, and swung it around my head, very fast, like a
>> slingshot ready to go off.
>
>You treat your cameras like that <g> ?

Well, not normally. But if I hadn't been willing to risk getting the
body "wet", I would have had the much greater risk of simply not
having them any longer.

I'm hardly an 'every weekend' shooter, but I have had these two F2
bodies (and lots of lenses) for over 30 years now (!!). And it's all
held up pretty well. The F2 meter heads have needed repairs, but
outside of that it's simple CLA every few years. And a lot of my
photography is kind of a cross between photojournalism, sports, and
outdoors/dusty conditions. So the equipment hasn't exactly been
babied all these years.

Father Kodak