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Vcook wrote:
I'm headed to China on Thursday of next week. I'll be there 10 days with the wife on a mix of business and tourism. Will be spending a couple days in the Shanghai area as well as a couple days in Beijing with some factory trips peppered about for the work aspect.
I like to go light when I travel, lugging tons of gear I find frustrating and takes me out of the experience somewhat. I had planned to bring only my 24mm and 50mm lenses for my D800. As we get closer to departure date I'm starting to worry a little that I'll be frustrated by my limited focal range.
Thoughts? Bear in mind I'm not viewing this trip as a photography-centric one, but I'll probably never be back in China again either....Show more →
Can you give us a little more info on your itinerary ?
I've lived as an expat in Shanghai for the past 20 years so have a very good idea of what you'll require depending on which cities you will be visiting.
24mm is a little narrow for Shanghai - simply because the high rises are enormous and there are thousands of them ! Lujiazui (shortened to LJZ by most expats) alone has 3 of the world's Top 10 highest towers (#2, #7 - I believe - and #10) standing right next to each other, I'd say 18-21mm is near perfect but even wider will get you shots you couldn't otherwise (without stitching but that's not always possible with flashing neon coloured lights everywhere). Ditto inside BJ's iconic sights and the wall. 24mm & 50mm are also just fine for most of the industrial cities/towns you may be visiting.
For Street and River shots then your 24 & 50 are just fine. You may want something longer for detail (70-200 but if you want to keep the weight down then a sharp 90-100). A tripod is an absolute must since so much of Shanghai is best seen at night. Keep in mind most of the lights on the iconic buildings in both LJZ and on The Bund (either side of the river) will be switched off at 22.00 (I think - it could be 23.00).
I typically shoot 21/55/100 in Shanghai but also on occasion 15mm and 70-200mm.
Don't be afraid to use the Metro (it's excellent and very easy to use with everything in both English and Chinese - even the ticket machines). Download a Shanghai Metro app that will tell you the route / cost and time it'll take. Take note of the last train (usually around 22.30-23.00). Taxis are also cheap and there are hundreds of them. Make sure you have the hotel card to return to, and the addresses in Chinese of any places you want to visit. Search for many of the free apps on visiting Shanghai and download them ! Including an easy translation app to show people (note they are not good with maps - most taxi drivers can't read them, but everyone uses GPS apps anyway) !
Most Chinese are just fine with being photographed (unlike in say Europe or USA). Many will actually proudly hold their children/babies up for you to get a better shot ! Just flash a smile and wave or show them the shot afterwards (they'll then want a 'selfie' or three taken with you)
Finally Shanghai is considered one of the safest cities in the world (do watch out for pickpockets in crowded places though, and ignore anyone who wants to 'practice English' and maybe 'have a cup of tea with you both', that tea will cost you hundreds of dollars) so just go anywhere you want to - there are always people around and in 20 years I've never ever felt threatened here, at literally any time of day or night and in any location.
Drop me a PM if you require any info on what to see and where to go in and around Shanghai and the amount of free time you'll have.
Apps : Shanghai (Metro) by Mapway), Waygo (to instantly translate signs & menus into English), Air Matters (air quality for many cities in CHina), HiShanghai, That's China (then pick your city from inside the app), Hi SH Taxi, That's Shanghai, China Business and Pieco is an easy, accurate and substantial translation app.
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