New York City Travel Kit?

We are going to New York City for a family vacation this summer. I would like to pack very light, but I don't want to be constantly saying to myself, "If I only had ...(insert lens here)... with me." I'm sure we will be doing a little bit of everything the city has to offer.

I'll be shooting with a 40D. My 17-55 is an obvious choice. Am I going to be hating life if that is the only lens I take? My gear list is small, but I am open to suggestions. I'll probably take the 580II too since it is somewhat small (no clue when I'll use it, but you never know - luck is that it'll probably stay in the room though).

The wife and kids will be using the Canon SD1100IS P&S.

Anything that is "can't miss" with middle aged kids?

When I was in New York, I took my 5D and 24-70, which is similar in focal length to your 17-55 on a crop camera. There were not many times I wished I had a longer lens. There were probably more times I wished I had an even wider one! That said, I don't think you'll have any regrets if you just take the 17-55. There may be a time here or there that you'll want to move a little closer, or out a little farther, but it's not a big deal. When you're on the streets between skyscrapers, you typically want to be shooting wide.

That being said, a good quality bag can make packing heavier feel like packing light. Just something to think about!

If you need anything you can always stop in at B&H

There are great things for kids, a ride out to liberty island, the empire state building, top of the rock. There are a TON of museums and cultural events, make sure you check out to see if there are any street fairs going on when you'll be there too!

As for NYC itself, I recommend the Rockefeller Centre over the Empire State Building. The Empire State Building is much more crowded and has a big grate up which makes it hard to take pictures. I also found the view a lot nicer from the Rockefeller Centre (outside at ground level is also nice). You'll also want to check out the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and wander around the more touristy areas of Manhattan on foot.

You will be fine with the 17-55. It should be able to tackle most, if not all of the things you throw at it, including museums, etc...

Definitely go WIDE. The 17-55 will be more than capable, but you might want to rent a 10-22. There may be only so much room you can back up to get the shot you want - especially if you're sight-seeing.

If you have a telephoto, you can leave it at home for the most part.

Depending on how old your kids are:
The Village
SoHo
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
South Street Seaport (just a dockside mall, but the view isn't bad)
Chinatown
Walk along Broadway(below 14th street)
Central Park and the Museums
Washington Sq. Park

Definitely the 17-55, but I would bring the 85 as well. Leave the 70-200 home. Those 2 lenses will fit in you 6 mdh with room to spare. Have a good time!

I'm going to NYC to later this one.
I'm going to take all of my lenses with me .

the 24-105 for walk around. The tokina for the wide stuf.
And the 50 for the night stuff.

I don't think I'll need anything else .

If anything you might want wider.Your 17-55 should be good for most. Check out the Top of the Rock for great views, highly recommend near sunset, sometimes during the day it is very hazey.

I am going to NYC & DC next month (July). I've decided to go with..
5D + XSI (backup body)
16-35 L
24-70 L (I have 24-105IS but I don't like distortion on buildings)
70-300 DO
580EX
Monopod & Tripod (both fit inside Domke 802)
Optech Rain Sleeves

I don't think I will carry all of them at once but take only ones that I need for the outing.
I'm crossing my fingers that it won't rain too much or overly humid.

You definitely don't want too much in your bag when your walking around the city in the summer - NY gets very humid, and with all of that concrete and steel you're gonna bake if you don't keep it light. You're better off not even having a bag on you (for more reasons than just heat). Just keep your camera sling mounted (over one shoulder and under the other) and shove an extra battery and memory card in your pocket.

17-55 will do you well. When we go into the city, I bring my 17-70 and dont often need more. A 10-22 would do you well though. I have one on order!

I am regularly in and out of NYC. I carry my 50L, my 85 1.8, and my 70-200 2.8L and of course my Metz flash.

I live here (well, across the river). Of all lenses I owned, I found 10-22 the most useful in the city. Then either 35 or 50mm primes for low light and personal shots. I also recommend bringing a flash because during daytime taking pictures in the shade of buildings can be difficult with the overly bright sky on the background.

Good suggestion. I think 580 should work better than 220.

swidjaja wrote in post #8038732
I live here (well, across the river). Of all lenses I owned, I found 10-22 the most useful in the city. Then either 35 or 50mm primes for low light and personal shots. I also recommend bringing a flash because during daytime taking pictures in the shade of buildings can be difficult with the overly bright sky on the background.