How do you carry a camera and not look like a tourist?

My husband has a digital SLR (will not fit into a pocket) and is concerned about carrying it around Quito. He has a backpack specifically made for carrying cameras. Should he use that and just pull out his camera when he needs it? Or would he be better off just carrying the camera tightly against his body? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

High risks in Quito, is a big city, and the bigger the city the bigger the probs...
how could you not look tourist with an SLR... that is expensive stuff...
my sugention is that you should hire a guide, if you have local company may be you´ll be safer... this type of cameras are like candy to thiefes, do look out..
travell safe

I carried my camera about in my shoulder bag which I kept in front of me all the time. I didn't dress like a tourist mor like a local going to work and was never bothered or felt threatened. This was in the colonial part of the city. However I did see lots of tourists with their cameras and didn't see anyone trying to steal them. There were always lots of police, army and security guards around too so that might have deterred any would-be thieves. I certainly wouldn't wear the backpack on my back if I was him though - keep his bag on the front of his body and just be aware of what's going on around you at all times and you should be OK.

I spent 5 weeks in Ecuador last year carrying my DSLR in a small backpack and took over 700 exposures. I was careful and concealed the camera under a light jacket if it was not in my backpack. I kept the backpack under my arm when in populated places. I was also careful not to be rude. Am returning to Ecuador for a month in July and will have my camera with me. Be sensible and sensitive.

I posted to this question on the Peru branch, but I just left Quito. Ignore Wlady's alarmist post. I've seen some inaccurate info she has posted, even though I know she's trying to be helpful. You'll be fine in Quito--certainly no need to hire a guide. Be especially careful on the tram, wearing backpacks in front, nothing in pockets, and hands tightly secure around anything. Other than that, same as others say: keep a good grip, wrap it around you, don't be rude, and, above all, be aware and vigilant.

I carried my camera with me in a little bag in front of me, and dressed pretty much like a tourist and should be recognized as a tourist anyway due to my length so I did not care about clothes or guidebooks anymore, I never felt threatened or in danger at all. I just kept tight to the values and did no more maybe it was just luck, but there are lots of tourists walking around so I think its not so dangerous, though a minimum risk stays, but your camera could be stolen in europe or the US as well, as you care less about security there (at least me ;) )

Never had any trouble in Quito, was there 2 weeks ago. Carried my small camera hanging from its strap around my neck and partly concealed by my coat. Did not carry any bags while out in the street, just the money for the day in a jean's pocket. Don't wear backpacks, they are a target. We carried water bottles only. Daytime felt perfectly safe, loved the markets, no problems there. Look, fear breeds fear, if you are worried, don't go. As above posters say, be alert and be nice to everyone.

After all the thieves all over the world are in the minority and the majority of people in the world are honest and very nice when you get to know them. Don't let the minorities spoil your travels.

One thing I found useful was a woven shoulder bag purchased from the market in Quito. Worn across the body, it's super convenient for pulling out the camera whenever needed. As great as all that padding in backpacks are, they're too hard for me when I want to capture quick moments. I have an SLR too, although it's a 20-year-old film SLR no one in their right mind would want to steal, and I never felt overly conspicuous this way. I usually also wore cargo pants and put my little P&S camera in the pocket.

#4.. good point. Besides the fact that hiring a guide to lead you around a city is a great way to stand out as a tourist. What Wlady fails to mention is that he (sort of) works as an unregistered guide so is a bit biased.