New York City Travel Kit?

Great responses! Sounds like I am on the right path by leaving the 70-200/2.8 at home. I definately want to travel light during the summer. I assumed I would need my 17-55 and 580II. I hadn't though about the 85 though - I'll have to give that one some more thought. Very interesting that many folks are thinking wider (10-22).

Other than a one night visit to see a show 14 years ago, it has been ~30 years since I've been to the city. My kids now are about the age I was when I was last there. I'm really looking forward to the trip!

When you get here, I'd leave the tripod in the hotel. You probably won't need it til you get to DC

And not that you asked - but in DC I'd recommend:
Georgetown
The Smithsonian
The Smithsonian Zoo(great for animal shots)
Adam's Morgan
Chevy Chase
and of course the monuments

Tripod would be nice if you want to take some some nighttime cityscape shots. UWA would be a nice option, however probably not critical. As for the 85 1.8, I am not really sure where this would be useful, unless you need the extra 30mm for street candids from a distance for instance.

Thanks.

BTW, Adam's Morgan and Chevy Chase? Never been there. Is it safe? What's there to see?

Hangbot wrote in post #8039621
When you get here, I'd leave the tripod in the hotel. You probably won't need it til you get to DC

And not that you asked - but in DC I'd recommend:
Georgetown
The Smithsonian
The Smithsonian Zoo(great for animal shots)
Adam's Morgan
Chevy Chase
and of course the monuments

I was just there last week and had my 17-55 on the camera 90% of the time. The only time I using my 85 1.8 was when I was on top of buildings or on the other side of the river. I found myself using the 85 1.8 sometimes when shooting things across bigger streets like Broadway though.

But I think the 17-55 will cover most shots you will be taking.

Yeah the 17-55 will be the choice lens from your collection. As others have mentioned, if you can rent/borrow/buy the 10-22 that will come in handy for the squeezing in the architecture-type shots. I think I would leave the tripod at home as I saw a few of the NYPD boys in blue tell a number of photographers in TImes Square that if you're going to use a tripod, you need a permit from the city (the permit is to allow a professional photographer to take shots in TImes Square.) Apparently, this bylaw is only enforceable in Times Square. You'll just have to make-due with the IS The only time I wished I had a longer lens was when I was at Battery Park and I got rained out for the Statue of Liberty boat tour... From Battery Park, you can see the Statue of Liberty, but you'll need to be able to zoom in (that was the only time I wished I had a longer lens with me).

And yes, add B&H and Adorama to your list of 'touristy' places to visit when you're there.

Think about the 10-22 - you'll use it more than you think -

1.

Taking along the versatile Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens is a good move. I use this particular lens more than any other in my arsenal. Yes, definately consider an UWA lens such as the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens or even the Canon 10-22mm for the trip. There will be times that you wish you had.

I guess there isn't a lot to see in Chevy Chase. I like the old homes - most of which are actual Sears Catalog Homes. Adam's Morgan has good ethnic eateries if you're into trying Ethiopian, Thai, Indian, etc. Both areas are safe

As for tripods in NYC, I live in Chinatown by Central Booking(aka 'The Tombs') and have seen a number of tripod users hassled by police. When I asked a cop about tripod laws, he told me "You have 10 minutes, including your setup and breakdown time in total, if you use a tripod." Monopod would ensure a more hassle-free experience.

If you can't get to the Statue of Liberty, you can take the Staten Island Ferry. It's a free ferry ride (30 minutes each way) that passes the statue on it's way to Staten Island. You can get some good shots if you have a medium telephoto.

Oh, also, if you are in Chinatown - you can get a good photo of lower Manhattan from the Manhattan Bridge. There's an entrance to the walkway near the corner of Canal and Bowery(on the east side of the street.) From the halfway point you can get a shot of lower Manhattan with the Brooklyn Bridge. No cops on it, but it's safe and tripod friendly.

I got all my equipment in my first two hours in NY. I had to backorder the Sigma 10-20mm so I shot the first two days with the kit lens. Focal length was ok... plain ok. As soon as I got the Sigma I put the kit lens in the bag and it is sitting there since then (6 months exactly today).

Rent (or buy) an ultra wide angle, definitely!

PS: d44, I have a picture from Grand Central that is almost exactly like yours!

That is a good point regarding the use of a tripod in the Big Apple. You will find that you have a better chance of using a monopod when in a museum too.

Hangbot wrote in post #8041530
Oh, also, if you are in Chinatown - you can get a good photo of lower Manhattan from the Manhattan Bridge. There's an entrance to the walkway near the corner of Canal and Bowery(on the east side of the street.) From the halfway point you can get a shot of lower Manhattan with the Brooklyn Bridge. No cops on it, but it's safe and tripod friendly.

If I only knew that when I was there...

Would you mind showing a picture shot there?

Great info. Hangbot.
Thanx

No problem guys. Whenever I go someplace, I try to look up things to shoot - but it's not until you ask the people who live there that you find something off the beaten path.

Nicolas - this is NOT my photo, but was taken from the same spot I'm referring to. Maybe I'll shoot it tomorrow