New york trip

[david lee]

Dear People,
I am asking for a bit of advice.
This Easter I will going to New York for a 3 day trip and I plan to buy some lenses in Manhattan.

Then I plan to go out and use the lenses to photograph the Manzana Grande in all its glory.

I would like to ask where would be a good place to buy reasonably priced lenses and then what would be your most favourite shots to take in New York?

I am keen on taking some B/W Panoramas and think that this would be best achieved by traveling accross to Hoboken or walking accross the brooklyn bridge for example.

As I said I have 3 days to capture some nice stuff and any tips you may offer would really be apreciated as I am from England and will be new to the city.... Thanks.

[neil_r]

Sorry this is from your side of the pond but I buy from B&H PhotoVideo. As do many here :-

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Have fun

[fstop212]

don't forget Adorama. The store isn't as flashy as B&H, but it's just as good.
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=contactus

[The22oz]

Always remember if the deal looks too good to be true .. it most likely is. So buy from a well known and trusted store.

[SuzyView]

My brother has won some awards with his b&w's of the Brooklyn Bridge. You can really get great captures. The shadows are amazing. Take a great wide angle lens because the bridge is really big and quite beautiful. I would definitely go to Ground Zero. It isn't something to photograph for it's beauty just because it's a hole in the ground, but it was the most emotional part of my trip. It was the first time I've seen it since it happened. I stood there staring for about 1/2 hour and couldn't stop crying. I was raised in NYC and couldn't bring myself to seeing it until then. :(

Then go to the river from there and you can take the boat to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Must sees, if you ask me. Of course, the Empire State Building give you a 360 view of the city from mid-town and that is so amazing. If you get a completely sunny and clear day, you can see half of NJ.

I hope I helped. I went home to NY in May with my son's TJ orchestra and some of the kids had better camera equipment than I had. Don't worry about showing your camera. Half the people taking pictures are tourists from Europe or Japan who have better stuff than you. ;) And then I went to NYC two weeks ago with my son to see Phantom, oh you have got to do a show at least once while you are there. Loved Times Square, but again, you must have a wide angle. You cannot get even one city block with a 50 mm. That's all I had.

Good luck.

SuzyView
20D delivery tomorrow!
10D, EOS 3, 50mm 1.4, 85 1.8 and lots of great stuff

[david lee]

Thanks Suzi
that has helped me.
I do aim to buy a wide angle while I am there.

I am so looking forward to this trip.
There is a famous shot of the twin towers that I have seen many times looking through the cables of the brooklyn bridge. Its a wide angle shot and was obviously taken at the foot of the bridge at the waters edge.
I want to try and locate that spot to take my own night time B/W shots

[david lee]

Always remember if the deal looks too good to be true .. it most likely is. So buy from a well known and trusted store.

Thanks ripjaw

[malla1962]

You may find most camera shops closed at these times.This is from the B&H holidays list.
Passover

Thursday, April 13 Thru Thursday , April 20
Closed

[lostdoggy]

Thanks Suzi
that has helped me.
I do aim to buy a wide angle while I am there.

I am so looking forward to this trip.
There is a famous shot of the twin towers that I have seen many times looking through the cables of the brooklyn bridge. Its a wide angle shot and was obviously taken at the foot of the bridge at the waters edge.
I want to try and locate that spot to take my own night time B/W shots

That would be rather difficult as the Late Towers aren't there for more then 4 Years now.

[lostdoggy]

Please before warn don't go to the torist trap stores they will eat you alive!!! The stores to go to are BH, Adorama,and if maybe 17 Street photo and Tristate. Don't trust the ads in the mags they are must likely scams.

[lostdoggy]

Oh one more thing look for signs as you enter the bridge, no photo is on again off again so check before you get arrested for being a T.

[SuzyView]

Oh, I must have passed by 10-15 camera shops right on the Times Square blocks. It was amazing. They all advertized equipment I'd buy, but all gray. Don't do it! Go straight to B&H. I went to 42nd Street Photo and that wasn't nearly as good as I was hoping.

SuzyView - just to let you know, the skyline has changed so significantly since 9/11 that you won't recognize downtown. 1/3 of all those buildings by the Trade Centers are gone. Some new buildings are up, but no one has dared to rebuild yet.

[The22oz]

Thanks ripjaw

Good luck! Make sure to post your shots when you return home.

[RandyMN]

Buy your lenses before you go. We went to NY over the holiday and got totally screwed by an electronic store (AZZ ELECTRONICS) across from Bryant Park that had a 2 GB Ultima Memory card marked at 399.00, told us they'd sell it for 349.00 and ended up buying it at 300.00. The card sells at Circuit City for 249.00 and on the internet at 187.00. We thought about returning it, the receipt was marked 'Sales Final, no returns or exchanges'

I felt bad but we needed the card as the other had filled up and that was the only shop we could find. Otherwise scope out the big stores but most of them won't be located in the middle of Manhatten or Times Square.

[The22oz]

Buy your lense before you go. We went to NY over the holiday and got totally screwed by a electronic store (AZZ ELECTRONICS) across from Bryant Park that had a 2 GB Ultima Memory card marked at 399.00, told us they'd sell it for 349.00 and ended up buying it at 300.00. The card sells at Circuit City for 249.00 and on the internet at 187.00. We thought about returning it, the recept was marked 'Sales Final, no returns or exchanges'

I felt bad but we needed the card as the other had filled up and that was the only shop we could find. Otherwise scope out the big stores but most of them won't be located in the middle of Mannhatten or Times Square.

I'm sorry thats terrible !! My fiance almost got scammed big time by expresscameras.com. Luckily we were able to salvage the situation and only lost money on shipping and thats it.

[david lee]

Good luck! Make sure to post your shots when you return home.
Absolutely! I will
This is going to be quiet a trip for me and a lot to cram in in 3 days but I do aim to take some nice and perhaps unusual pictures.

[david lee]

That would be rather difficult as the Late Towers aren't there for more then 4 Years now.

Yes I noticed :o
Would you recomend any good vantage points where I could take some good panorama's?
I notice that you are from Queens and would probably have first hand knowledge.

[david lee]

Oh one more thing look for signs as you enter the bridge, no photo is on again off again so check before you get arrested for being a T.

I did'nt know this!
You are saying that it might be ilegal to use your camera in certain areas of Manhattan?

[Northern Tony]

Hi David,

You must have read my mind! I too am booked to go to New York over the easter holidays and was thinking about purchasing a lens whilst I was there, providing my lovely wife has not spent all the money on handbags and clothes!!!

Also, any information about places to photograph would be appreciated.

When do you go? We fly on the 14th April 2006.

Tony

[The22oz]

I did'nt know this!
You are saying that it might be ilegal to use your camera in certain areas of Manhattan?

Do what ever you want. You can pretend your a secret agent haveing to capture photos of a secret bridge, which then you must return with the information to the mother land. I think this is a great idea and you should shoot where ever and how ever you want. Just make sure you have your running shoes on :)

[david lee]

Do what ever you want. You can pretend your a secret agent haveing to capture photos of a secret bridge, which then you must return with the information to the mother land. I think this is a great idea and you should shoot where ever and how ever you want. Just make sure you have your running shoes on :)

Right I will do this. But first I'll buy a really long telephoto lens:lol:

[david lee]

Hi David,

You must have read my mind! I too am booked to go to New York over the easter holidays and was thinking about purchasing a lens whilst I was there, providing my lovely wife has not spent all the money on handbags and clothes!!!

Also, any information about places to photograph would be appreciated.

When do you go? We fly on the 14th April 2006.

Tony

Tony
I havent booked yet.. It will be part of a holiday trip i am planning to do with my family. I plant to fly to Orlando for a week then fly up to NY for the photoshoot etc.
Another poster, Malla has told me that the best store B&H will be closed from the 13th to the 20th April so I may try to get there earlier than the 13th.
If you were around at the same time as me we could meet up and stumble through it together.:rolleyes:

[The22oz]

Right I will do this. But first I'll buy a really long telephoto lens:lol:

No way just make sure to have good shoes. Much cheaper. You'll need the extra cash just incase you have to bail your self out haha.

[lostdoggy]

As for vantage points try the empire state building its now the talls building in NYC, again. Its on 34th ST near photo Mecca B&H Photo. Try to get there during twilight hours so you can capture the sunset. There are also parks along northern part of brooklyn and Long Island city that have a beautiful view of the city especially at night. I haven't gootne the oppurtunity to go to any of these location for awhile at least 20 years. But I'm sure the parks are still there.

[jwbker]

Another way to get a shot of the Brooklyn Bridge would be from the Manhattan Bridge. There is a gap between the the railing and fence that is big enough to squeeze a lens through as you walk along the main span. It's a great view that I discovered during the transit strike, but was too lazy to carry my camera on the walk home at night. Very striking on those cold winter nights walking home, though.

Also, on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge there is a water taxi stand that has a direct shot at the South Street Seaport with Wall St towers to the left and the bridge to the right, whenever I'm there I see at least one wedding party getting the obligatory shots for the album.

On a non-photographic note, if you like pizza, check out the link below for Grimaldi's Pizza (not to be confused with the Patsy's chain which is so-so). It is right up Old Fulton St from the water taxi stand. It's the best pizza in town, IMHO. Fair warning, if you eat there, you'll probably cry next time you have to order Dominos or the like.

http://www.grimaldis.com/brooklyn.htm

Good luck with your trip and remember to have your camera ready all the time to capture all the scenes and characters of the city.

[david lee]

JWBKER
That is exactly the kind of advice I love.... Detailed tips from local people on where to take a good picture. Thanks very much and I will also check out the pizza too.
I will be traveling around NY on my own so I will have complete freedom to do what ever I like and not have a wife in tow checking her watch LOL.

[condyk]

If you're thinking of saving money then remember you have tax to pay if bought at the store plus import related fees when you get back and walk through customs. B&H is an experience and well worth a visit. NYC is a great city to walk through and, personally, I would tend to avoid just doing the usual tourist shots. There are also 1001 things to shoot as you walk from tourist site to tourist site.

[jwbker]

David, glad you liked the suggestion, just let me know if you agree after your trip.

I would take Condyk's insight to heart. Working up an idea of what your photos will look like can stifle your abilty to stay in the moment, at least in my limited experience. My favorites are usually of something I notice on the way to the subject I planned to get.

[dicky109]

I am keen on taking some B/W Panoramas and think that this would be best achieved by traveling accross to Hoboken or walking accross the brooklyn bridge for example.
David,
I live in NJ and have done some shots of the area, although not nearly as many as I should. Just lazy I guess. I think my friends from Germany are more familiar with the intricacies of NYC than I!

The best way to get around New York is by Subway. You can buy an all day pass which is also good on buses for $7.00. Try not to drive in Manhattan as the traffic is terrible and parking worse. Also, you'd have to get used to driving on the opposite side than the UK, although some of our more adventerous cabbies do that anyway!

The walk across the Brooklyn Bridge on a nice day is IMO one of the best places to be in NYC. http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100191/103933/1125BBWeb8581.jpg"]http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100191/103933/1125BBWeb8581.jpg

On the Brooklyn side is a landing and park where I was able to get this view.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100191/103933/1098BB9225.jpg"]http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100191/103933/1098BB9225.jpg

Heading north from the BB you come across some interesting former warehouses which are being converted to other uses and then an up & coming area near the Manhattan Bridge called DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass)
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100191/103933/1115MBEmpireFramed15960.jpg

If you can make it over to NJ, IMO the 2 best spots for shooting wide are Alexander Hamilton Park and Liberty State Park. The first is just a little north of the Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken, and I believe is accessible by bus. Its set on a cliff overlooking the Hudson and offers midtown views like this
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100191/102541/GoldenHarbor-afterpost479.jpg
If you want a nice dinner with spectacular views, go to the Chart House Restaurant (medium-high priced) which is below the cliff, right on the water.

The second is in Jersey City, and there is a dock there for boats to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It also offers different views of those 2 monuments than the typical full-frontal. To get around the entire park, its best to go by car, however, if just by boat, from the dock area, you get a view of New York Harbor, Verrazzano Bridge, lower Manhattan and Ground Zero area. http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100191/100412/WTCTallMemorial-Good7881.jpg
There's also an old Ferry Pier and Railroad Terminal there, which I find pretty interesting structures.

Have a great time, and realize the major problem you may have is you're only here 3 days. AFAIK, you shouldn't have any prolem in these areas taking pictures, unless something happens and there is a high security alert. The only bridge I know that always presents problems is the George Washington Bridge, although I've heard random complaints about some security troll on a power trip elsewhere. Also, take the others' advice to heart. DO NOT buy from the small electronics stores in midtown/Times Square area. Times Square is NYC's Picadilly. IMO, if you can't buy from B & H, Adorama or J & R while in NYC, then don't buy. They are all closed Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Jewish holidays.

[david lee]

jwbker and dicky
Such a helpfull bunch you are!
Great advice and let me say I really apreciate it and as they say "forewarned is forarmed"

jwbker:
Working up an idea of what your photos will look like can stifle your abilty to stay in the moment

That is so true, I could hype it all up with a great deal of expectancy and it all goes sour on the day. I will try to relax and let it all come to me in good time.

Dicky
Some great pictures and good freindly advice from a New yoika :-) thanks

[malla1962]

Good point made by condyke regarding customs when you come back,when I went I got myself a 100-400L,100f2.8 macro and a mr-14EX ring flash.What I did was post all boxes back to the uk then went the recipts.I even took my own gear to pack the boxes lol.When I was there it was passover and there was only 17st photo open and I can strongly recomend them.:D

[david lee]

Well as the time draws near I will be thinking about what lens or lenses to buy that will be suitable for photographing NY.
I hope to have a look at the canon 70-200 f2.8 L and this could be a great lens to take some urban life candid shots, the main reason I will be in NY is to take Landscapes and I guess that means a good wide angle lens.

If I can afford it I would like to get an L lens but really need advice on what focal length range is best for capturing New York.
I have heard that the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM would be ideal.
Any thoughts?

[malla1962]

Well as the time draws near I will be thinking about what lens or lenses to buy that will be suitable for photographing NY.
I hope to have a look at the canon 70-200 f2.8 L and this could be a great lens to take some urban life candid shots, the main reason I will be in NY is to take Landscapes and I guess that means a good wide angle lens.

If I can afford it I would like to get an L lens but really need advice on what focal length range is best for capturing New York.
I have heard that the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM would be ideal.
Any thoughts?I am going on 29th april and just taking my 24-70.:D

[BrianJA]

Another way to get a shot of the Brooklyn Bridge would be from the Manhattan Bridge. There is a gap between the the railing and fence that is big enough to squeeze a lens through as you walk along the main span. It's a great view that I discovered during the transit strike, but was too lazy to carry my camera on the walk home at night. Very striking on those cold winter nights walking home, though.

Also, on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge there is a water taxi stand that has a direct shot at the South Street Seaport with Wall St towers to the left and the bridge to the right, whenever I'm there I see at least one wedding party getting the obligatory shots for the album.

On a non-photographic note, if you like pizza, check out the link below for Grimaldi's Pizza (not to be confused with the Patsy's chain which is so-so). It is right up Old Fulton St from the water taxi stand. It's the best pizza in town, IMHO. Fair warning, if you eat there, you'll probably cry next time you have to order Dominos or the like.

http://www.grimaldis.com/brooklyn.htm

Good luck with your trip and remember to have your camera ready all the time to capture all the scenes and characters of the city.

I know its been a while since this has been posted, but I completely agree with what you've said. Grimaldis is def. one of the best two pizza places in the city. No question worth a stop.

I would like to add that that same pier has the Brooklyn Ice cream factory which serves home-made icecream that is very very good as well.

To add something on a photographic note, the pier we are discussing is on the south side of the brooklyn bridge and has the great view described. If you walk a bit through the streets of DUMBO (the neighborhood in question) you can get to the another park which is along the water to the north and is between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. This will give you another vantage point on the skyline.

Just something else to consider.

[david lee]

I know its been a while since this has been posted, but I completely agree with what you've said. Grimaldis is def. one of the best two pizza places in the city. No question worth a stop.

I would like to add that that same pier has the Brooklyn Ice cream factory which serves home-made icecream that is very very good as well.

To add something on a photographic note, the pier we are discussing is on the south side of the brooklyn bridge and has the great view described. If you walk a bit through the streets of DUMBO (the neighborhood in question) you can get to the another park which is along the water to the north and is between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. This will give you another vantage point on the skyline.

Just something else to consider.

Brian
Are you speaking about this place?
http://360vr.com/
Click on the second from bottom link
June 2003 Twilight NYC from Fulton Landing pier in Brooklyn, NY (http://360vr.com/#)

I'm all booked up now and will be there for 4th, 5th and 6th of April.
I'm Praying the weather is kind to me as I will only get one shot at this.

[david lee]

Another way to get a shot of the Brooklyn Bridge would be from the Manhattan Bridge. There is a gap between the the railing and fence that is big enough to squeeze a lens through as you walk along the main span. It's a great view that I discovered during the transit strike, but was too lazy to carry my camera on the walk home at night. Very striking on those cold winter nights walking home, though.

Also, on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge there is a water taxi stand that has a direct shot at the South Street Seaport with Wall St towers to the left and the bridge to the right, whenever I'm there I see at least one wedding party getting the obligatory shots for the album.

On a non-photographic note, if you like pizza, check out the link below for Grimaldi's Pizza (not to be confused with the Patsy's chain which is so-so). It is right up Old Fulton St from the water taxi stand. It's the best pizza in town, IMHO. Fair warning, if you eat there, you'll probably cry next time you have to order Dominos or the like.

http://www.grimaldis.com/brooklyn.htm

Good luck with your trip and remember to have your camera ready all the time to capture all the scenes and characters of the city.
OK right I have been and come back with a whole bunch of photos to show you.
Had a great (But very tiring) 3 days stay in NY and managed about 90% of my intended itinerary.
In short I got straight off the plane at Newark and got the train to Penn. Walked to B&H and ........ (deep breath) spent over $5000 on lenses and equipment.. See Signature.
I had to do it fast before I chickened out.
The next 3 days saw me walking all over manhhatan taking photo's with my new lenses.
God was my back pack heavy! I had a computreker case with a laptop and a tripod and had to navigate about on the subway in rush hour. What a hard thing to do!
Imagine me just walking out of B&H with a backpack on my back and two really big heavy plastic bags with B&H all over them trying to fight my way downtown to 17th street to find my hotel.
Anyway I will post some of the photos on here as and when I prepare them.
This one was from brooklyn side as recomended by jwbker. I converted to B/W cos I like doing things like that LOL.
Ps I also tried Grimaldis and yest it was great.

[condyk]

OK right I have been and come back with a whole bunch of photos to show you.


You didn't keep some of them at the hotel is safe storage? Heavy carrying all that stuff around :-) Great shot. Seems you have a very rewarding few days!

[david lee]

You didn't keep some of them at the hotel is safe storage? Heavy carrying all that stuff around :-) Great shot. Seems you have a very rewarding few days!

Condyk
I was very reluctant to leave anything in the Hotel as I had only just bought it.
I calculated that with the Dell Laptop the lenses and the camera etc I had nearly $8000 worth of gear on my back GOD! and I was walking around on my own. :-(

[zacker]

don t buy from tri state... they suck! i was gonna buy from them and i asked if the item would ship the day i bought it because im in CT. which is the next state and im about 1hour to hour and a half away, they told me they could ship it to me but id have to pay 30 bucks for "over night" shipping! christ, if he got it in the mail that day, id'a had it the next day! So, screw tri state, next time im in the city, im gonna pee on their window!
lol
-zacker-