Taking a video camera

Hi everyone. I'm going to be in europe for two months and Im contemplating whether to take my video camera. It's going to be your standard shoestring trip - hostels, backpacks etc - and Im not sure if the wonderful recorded memories are going to be worth the effort of lugging it around and being extra security conscious (it would be the only expensive item Id take, as my still camera is pretty budget). Any suggestions? Any regrets about taking or not taking a video camera on your own trips?

Thanks for your help.

Just be sure to insure it.
Police reports are only good for insurance claims.

Ancient system; they rob you my causing distractions. Very slick.
Cops can do nothing about it.

Use a money belt that fits passport and plane ticket.
Mine saved my ... 3 times.
www.ricksteves.com<BR><BR>Spain, for 1 country, has a strict antiviolence law.
So like catching a shark on a fishing rod;

Once ya got 'im... What do ya do with 'im?

In Malaga, I yelled, "Robor! Robor!!"

The 2 middle aged guys, dropped all my stuff, and took off.
Shit happens.

leave it at home.

unless... you're the type that's going to sit around every week watching videos
of "what I did on my Summer vacation"... in which case...
you might as well just buy all of Rick Steves' videos and just watch them... because the quality will be better.

enjoy your travels... open your eyes... and 'see' what you're looking at.

I sort of agree with #3. I see people taking videos while on holiday and they are like cameramen detached from their surroundings. You can't participate in something if you are filming it. If you can balance your "filming time" and your "experience time" then it might not be too much of a distraction, but it puts you outside of the lives of the locals too. Do you usually take videos on your trips? How often do you watch them?

Badger

Thanks guys. You're all right - don't know what i was thinking. Too much effort and, let's face it, I never get around to using it anyway - same with still cameras, I always go places lugging them about intending to record wonderful memories, but the only times I ever remember to do so is when I'm deathly bored and phaffing about in the
ho(s)tel.

Plus, it'll leave room in my backpack for another pair of shoes :-).

Thanks for your replies!

And the less you take, the more room you have to bring things back.

Glad you have seen the light.

If this is your first tour of any length, load your pack w/all your "must haves", and schlep the thing around for a weekend. Go up and down stairs, cover different kinds of paving, gravel in the shoes you're planning to wear while you're away, and see how much of your "must haves" you still want to carry around. Also see if you can lift the thing over your head -- this is where many luggage racks are in certain rail systems. You might consider picking up recyclable still cameras on your trip. I haven't yet heard of those getting stolen.

Enjoy your trip.

Thank you for providing the diversion for your pickpocket.

I spent 6 months in Asia about 4 years ago. Took over 16 hours of video. They are still sitting in a box and I have never looked at them. I will never take a video camera overseas again. Complete waste of time. Still digital camera better if you think twice before you photo.