I have an opportunity to go to Cancun later in the Summer and am pondering whether to take my M2. Last thing I want is someone mugging me for it. I always keep it in a camera bag (Tamrac Pro-8, with my SLR) and only take it out to shoot, but I have heard of instances where folks have been held up at gunpoint for their cameras. Does anyone have an insight into this ?

-- Hamish Speirs (speirs@fuse.net), May 15, 2002

Answers

Well, here's the official line: Mexico

-- Phil Stiles (stiles@metrocast.net), May 15, 2002.

Other than Mexico City, Mexico is an incredibly safe place. Although it is very poor, people are very honest and friendly, probably more wary of Americans than Americans are of them.

Now the bad news - Cancun is not Mexico. Cancun is Ft. Lauderdale transplanted to another location. It's a manufactured city, filled with drunk American college students. If you really want to see Mexico, get out of Cancun as quickly as possible. Head towards Merida and Campeche, or to Chiapas. Otherwise, you may as well go to Ft. Lauderdale or San Diego, there's no point in flying all the way to Cancun. Especially photographically.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), May 15, 2002.

That's a pretty scary "official line". If I read that, I wouldn't want to go to Mexico at all. That's pretty incredible stuff for an official guide: revolutionary insurgents, increasingly violent crime, kidnapping of foreigners. Whoever wrote that would not make a very good Minister of Tourism.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), May 15, 2002.

I've traveled extensively through Mexico, and while it's never happened to me, muggings do happen. That said, very few people in Mexico would recognize a Leica. I bet you're actually more apt to have your M2 stolen by saavy thieves in Italy or France than in Cancun. Mexico City may be a different story; stay out of DF unless you're extremely street smart and know what you're doing. (I should state, however, that it is still my favorite city in the world...just dangerous.)

Get some insurance, take your M2, stay on well-lit streets, be aware of your surroundings, respect the Mexicans (they are God's chosen people), have a good time and make some nice photos. If you leave it behind, you'll no doubt regret it, especially if you visit any archaeological sites. ?Que piensas? it could be stolen from your home while you're out of town.

-- Luke Dunlap (luked@mail.utexas.edu), May 15, 2002.

If you're going to leave anything at home, make it the slr system. It will probably attract more attention than the diminutive M2.

One of the main reasons I shoot with M6's is that they are small and don't attract much attention. Carry it in a small satchel that doesn't look much like a camera bag and you'll be all set.

Use common sense. Get insurance, and make sure that it covers you internationally. Carry your bag with the strap over your opposite shoulder, and stay aware of what's going on around you. When you do take the camera out to shoot, put the strap around your neck or wrap it several times around your wrist.

The U.S. State Department website (where the consular info sheet came from) is great, but fairly conservative. I would only worry if there is a Travel Warning.

For those interested in travelling elswhere, the full site is State Department Travel Advisories

-- Noah Addis (naddis@mindspring.com), May 15, 2002.

The "official line" is US State Department propaganda. Except for warnings about border cities and Cancun (which, once again, isn't a Mexican city), it's a bunch of nonsense.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), May 15, 2002.

Do you know what a scary line is?

This is from the official American Ambassy information folder for people who want to migrate to the states (not me)

"Please be aware that Americans are not ignorant, nor stupid. They are just uninformed"

-- ReinierV (rvlaam@xs4all.nl), May 16, 2002.

I think theives would go for the camera bag and its potential treasures more than an 'old' camera around your neck. Ditch the SLR and get a scruffy bag that looks like it just has your suntan lotion in it. You can use the separate leather Leica lens holders in it if necessary.

-- Steve Barnett (barnet@globalnet.co.uk), May 16, 2002.

Two female friends of mine worked in slum-like areas of Guadalajara. They weren't attacked, not even harrassed, 'although' both often carried valuables and look attractive. When they visited areas of Mexico where plenty of U.S. citizens go, they made sure to have a male friend with them.

Hamish, insure your gear, period. And get a camera bag that doesn't look like one.

If you pay heed to U.S. travel warnings, consider that even Germany occasionally appears in them. (E.g. I was warned to avoid certain rather harmless areas of Munich two weeks ago, just in case of potentially violent Labour Day demonstrations.) Caution's always reasonable, and don't hold us liable if something happens to you. But don't forget to enjoy your visit!

-- -- (Oliver.Schrinner@campus.lmu.de), May 16, 2002.

I'd be more concerned about getting attacked (with guns , knives and fists) in any major western city - London, NY etc. In Cancun you are more likely to get your camera ruined by some college kid spilling his beer or barfing on it!

-- Johann Fuller (johannfuller@hotmail.com), May 16, 2002.

I was warned when I went to Istanbull that may gear would be stolen for sure. So I made a extra security to prevent it being stolen and felt really ashamed afterwards. The turkish were the most friendly people I have met in a long time. Also when I crossed a 'bad' area.

Its mainly in the people mind. Ofcourse bad things do happen, but also in Amsterdam, New York or London, the chances there may even be higher

-- ReinierV (rvlaam@xs4all.nl), May 16, 2002.

Go to Cancun and leave your M2 behind. Travel light and carefree. Although it's totally safe, it's basically beach, pool, sun, and recreation. Cancun isn't the kind of place you walk around with a serious camera. Not because of the safety issue, more because it's a point-n-shoot place. I've been to Cancun six times since 1985. The first time I brought an SLR- mistake. Worry about sand, leaving in your room, etc. After that, I brought point-n-shoots and got great photos and had a great time. Your big worry should be about your sun burn. Enjoy!

-- Barbano (joseph.barbano@symmetron.com), May 16, 2002.

Given all the horrible mugging/stabbing/robbery sotries I read in the London newspapers everyday I was there last recently (almost three weeks), I would tend to agree that big cities are sketchier. That being said, I didn't stress over my gear there. And I even saw an asian tourist in the middle of Picadilly Circus (tourist pickpocket central) with his black M6 hanging around his neck by a thin camera strap as he looked into a pair of small binoculars. With a friend to bump into him and a pair of scissors, I could have had a nice new camera.

That being said, thought I haven't been there. It sounds like the Americanized cities are the worst ones. Theives go where the business is, just like everyone else.

-- Josh Root (rootj@att.net), May 16, 2002.

Having spent a lot of time in Mexico, I would be be inclined not to worry about it. I would follow Jeff's advice and get out of Cancun, go to some of the smaller towns, travel around, meet some people, open your mind. The Yucatan is beautiful, but Cancun is kind of a drag. As for saftey/crime, Cancun will have the expected scammers of any large touristy city anywhere in the world. A few years back I went on a tour of dive bars of Central America (I know, kinda strange), and interestingly, the only time I felt even slightly unsafe was when I went out to a nightclub with more middle class/wealthy people.

You could also get insurance and really not worry about it.

-- Nick (nicholas_rab@hotmail.com), May 16, 2002.

i've been to monterrey, mexico for work 9six months)- no problem

i've visited london three times (branch office) for short periods and each time was stolen from (no violence), one time my hassy/prism/back.

pack-o-thieves

-- steve (leitz_not_leica@hotmail.com), May 16, 2002.

Been to Cancun with my gear never had a problem..safe place

-- allen herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), May 16, 2002.

Excellent feedback! When I have wandered into some of the less desirable areas of Cincinnati and a few other cities, I have had my M2 (cord around my neck)under a Levi denim jacket. Plenty accessible, yet hidden and the inside pocket is perfect for a 90mm lens. My Weston V fits in either of the front breast pockets. Given that some of the feedback did point to "dodgy" areas existing and the fact that being in a resort is as creative an experience as watching paint dry, I fully intend to explore further afield. Think I'll bring my trusty Levi jacket...........

-- Hamish Speirs (speirs@fuse.net), May 16, 2002.

I took my Nikon 8008 to Oaxaca and Puebla; rather than a Leica; partly because I figured it would be an acceptable loss, and partly because I wanted the autofocus and zoom lens for the trip.

No one ever paid any attention to my camera. It's not like they've never seen a camera. The mexicans were very friendly, too. They are really more advanced socially than we are. On weekends they get together in the "Zocalo" (town square) to talk, eat, sing, and dance; and display artwork they've made.

You know, I'd really recommend Puebla. It's not a tourist town. You get to see a real Maxican city. If you stay at the Holiday Inn, ask for Senor Corona to be your personal driver.

If you want to try Oaxaca (Artsy Tourist place) try to stay at Casa Arnel.

Don't drink the water. Don't even brush your teeth in it.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), May 16, 2002.

I have gone to Cancun the last 4 years and a total of 8 times. Take the Leica. People think it is a Point and shoot. Also it is safe. I have had seven shows since 1997 and my favorite shots were taken in Mexico with a M6 and a Rollei TLR. Go North or south of Cancun to get the best Photos. I highly recomend Isle Mujeres for great street photography as well as for run down archetectual photography. Down the southern coridor go to Playa Del Carmen again for great street photos. Take the ferry from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel and again do street photos in San Miguel, A GREAT SHOOT. You would be a fool not to take your Leica. If you only make one trip go to Isle Mujeres its great for snorkling and Photography. In My last solo show of medium format images almost all of the 11 prints sold came from Mexico.

-- John Elder (celder2162@aol.com), May 16, 2002.

I forgat to add one important Caveat: Don't photograph the military. the "Federallies" carry M16s and DON"T want to be photographed. Also don't photograph Military barracks. You will be hassled. Other than that no hassles from shooting.

-- John Elder (celder2162@aol.com), May 16, 2002.

I tend to think that camera muggers target those with huge SLR bodies of the Nikon and Canon variety with equally humungus zooms attached. I very much doubt if they would be interested in a M2 (unless they are Leica buffs!)

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), May 17, 2002.

>>> Don't photograph the military. the "Federallies" carry M16s and DON"T want to be photographed

Now hear's a reason to tape of the red dot, It will make you an easy target :-)

-- ReinierV (rvlaam@xs4all.nl), May 17, 2002.