Use simple protective accessories and carry the camera so it stays close to your body. A lens hood is one of the most useful defenses: it helps absorb minor knocks and also keeps splashes off the front of the lens. Many photographers also fit a clear or UV protective filter so the cheaper filter takes scratches instead of the front element.

For retention, a hand strap is often preferred in dense crowds because it keeps the camera secure in your hand. If you use a shoulder/neck-style strap, keep the camera short at waist level and turn it so the lens faces inward against your body when not shooting, rather than sticking outward where it can get hit.

A battery grip can help some cameras hang more steadily and may take scuffs before the body does, but it also adds size and weight, so it’s a tradeoff.

Most importantly, prioritize your own safety. In packed venues, some wear is inevitable, so let inexpensive, replaceable parts—like a plastic hood or protective filter—take the abuse first.