hello guys,
im off to new york for thanksgiving and am just about to buy the 1d mk3. i have a 16-35mm L2.8 (and a 70-200mmL 2.8 which i will most probably leave at home.)
im wondering if i should go out and buy a 50mm lens to take with. or what the best option is to fill my gap in focal range.

what would be the best walkabout lens for a NY or city break trip?

Having lived there for four years and in NY for my entire life I'd say the more inconspicuous the better. You can get away with a lot with just a 16-35 as a walk about but if its candids you are interested in you may want to look into something with a bit more reach as most individuals don't really enjoy having their picture taken. IMO something like an 85 or 135 is your best bet. Have fun

Hello,

Will you leave the 70-200mm home because it is a too big lens? A telephoto can be nice in a big city.

I have been to New-york twice last year, and each time I brought the following : 17-40mm, 50mm, 135mm. It covered pretty much all my needs, and all in all I have used the 50mm and the 135mm more than the wide angle.

yes the 70-200 is a bit long and heavy i think.
maybe my 100mm macro 2.8 will be a good choice with the 16-35mm for more wide angle stuff.
i wonder if there will be parades going on over thanksgiving. anything i should look out for that time of year?

Can you bring a lesser camera? A 1D series will make a tempting target.

The 16-35 is useful. I don't suppose you have the money for a 24-105L? That would be a great "one-lense" solution. Do leave the 70-200L at home. It is heavy but that's not the real problem. It's white, it will definitely attract the wrong type of attention from police and thieves.

Be aware that the cops are looking at picture takers. It's not so bad in tourist areas, that's expected. However, try to refrain from taking pictures at major transportation hubs like underground stations, tunnels and bus stations. The police are still twitchy even though it's been over 7 years.

Dave

The 24-105 is a nice one lens solution...as long as you have the light to use it in that is. I'd definitely have something fast, aperture wise, with me if I were you and not only for use in low light but to kill the busy city backgrounds as well. As for the 1DIII being a tempting target--it is but not in Manhattan in broad daylight...Just try and have a bag with you if your planning on using the subway is all. The only thing I can think of event wise is the Thanksgiving Day parade, then again there's always something happening.

thanks for your advice guys, didnt even cross my mind about police and photography. Am worried now about taking a brand new 1d3 with me now is it that bad in NY? i thought it had got a lot better there now.
I was thinking of getting into primes rather than another zoom. think the 16-35mm will be good for street scenes and parade scenes. the 100mm for candid shots.
i always use a back pack when travelling so wont be a problem. i hate carrying a camera around my neck wherever i go.
might have to find a good jazz bar or something to try out the high iso of the camera.
am really looking forward to putting the camera through its paces.

jaypod wrote:
thanks for your advice guys, didnt even cross my mind about police and photography. Am worried now about taking a brand new 1d3 with me now is it that bad in NY? i thought it had got a lot better there now.
I was thinking of getting into primes rather than another zoom. think the 16-35mm will be good for street scenes and parade scenes. the 100mm for candid shots.
i always use a back pack when travelling so wont be a problem. i hate carrying a camera around my neck wherever i go.
might have to find a good jazz bar or something to try out the high iso of the camera.
am really looking forward to putting the camera through its paces.

No, its not that bad in NYC...at least not as bad as some would make it sound. I'm assuming you'll mostly be in Manhattan during the day (?) and if so there is no need to worry. That's not to say its a good idea to travel into Harlem waving your camera around or travel into the middle of Brooklyn for a night shoot. Like I said as long as you've got yourself a backpack/bag to drop your camera into when riding the subway you will be fine. Also, if your planning on shooting indoors f/2.8 may not cut it...something along the lines a a 50/1.8, 50/1.4 or an 85/1.8 would benefit you best in such situations.

A really good P&S is probably what I'd take to NYC when I go there next - nothing too heavy or conspicuous.

I would take the 70-200, 50mm of some sort and the 16-35. That with the 1dIII is what I just came back from Chicago with. Have a nice bag to carry everything and use your head. I have never had a problem in NYC. I get more trouble from cops in Santa Monica.

jaypod wrote:
thanks for your advice guys, didnt even cross my mind about police and photography. Am worried now about taking a brand new 1d3 with me now is it that bad in NY? i thought it had got a lot better there now.
I was thinking of getting into primes rather than another zoom. think the 16-35mm will be good for street scenes and parade scenes. the 100mm for candid shots.
i always use a back pack when travelling so wont be a problem. i hate carrying a camera around my neck wherever i go.
might have to find a good jazz bar or something to try out the high iso of the camera.
am really looking forward to putting the camera through its paces.


I'd really worry less about the cops and what they think about you taking pictures, and more about being in the "wrong" place, at the "wrong" time. You don't want jacked, that's a fact.

However, you say you're leaving the 70-200 at home, and taking the 16-35 and are thinking about picking up a 50... I wouldn't, because I'd just move closer with the 35 (i know not always possible).

If you're carrying a back pack, just try to have it on BOTH shoulders, and not slung on one...easier target that way.

You guys are ridiculous. I spend several days a month in NYC and Brooklyn, with gear, including big white lenses, and have yet to have a problem. Just don't be stupid about it, but that's true of anywhere. Go take pictures and have fun.

The 70-200 is an awesome lens to use in the city, but if you don't feel like carrying it, then don't. Definitely have a wide angle choice at hand. And may I suggest a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to give your camera a stretch... its a different view...

jaypod wrote:
thanks for your advice guys, didnt even cross my mind about police and photography. Am worried now about taking a brand new 1d3 with me now is it that bad in NY? i thought it had got a lot better there now.

I didn't have any problem when I was there, not once did I feel threatened, and I spent alot of time walking around at night. It felt much more secure than Paris, by example. But I stayed all the time at Manhattan. I wouldn't be worried about the 1D3

You don't need the 70-200.

Wide fast lenses, and maybe a fast 50 and 85 is all you need. Maybe a 135.

If you want to draw attention to yourself bring your 70-200...if you want to be able to shoot on the DL don't. Its simple. And its not just about attracting the wrong person, but its about attracting nearly every person...its no secret that a large white lens doesn't make the best inconspicuous lens. Also be sure to visit the promenade in Brooklyn heights (just over the Brooklyn bridge)--it makes for one of the most beautiful vantage points of the city...specifically at sunrise/sunset. While your there hit up 'Sea Asian' on Clark St, that is if you enjoy Asian cuisine

RGS65 wrote:
You don't need the 70-200.

Wide fast lenses, and maybe a fast 50 and 85 is all you need. Maybe a 135.


Why would you say you wouldn't need the a 70-200?

I think the 100 macro could work out great. So long as your not focusing on anything really close, or shooting through obstacles, then that lens is pretty capable AF wise.

"Also be sure to visit the promenade in Brooklyn heights (just over the Brooklyn bridge)--it makes for one of the most beautiful vantage points of the city...specifically at sunrise/sunset."
thanks for that advice, hope the weather is great when im there. should make some good pics. will be staying in manhatten. don't think ill be going to harlem or the bronx. will definatly take the advice above and visit brooklyn heights. Is that a safe area?
I always have been very saftey consious. just good to get the feedback from people that live and travel there (and not listen to what the media says)
definatly taking the 16-35mm may just take the 100mm macro (which is a nice go between the 85 and 135.
will have a look at some primes ie the 50mm.

Of the 4 years I lived in the city 2 of them were spent in BK heights. It is a very safe area and I'd even go as far to say that it felt safer than when I lived on the upper west side of Manhattan, and the upper west side is very safe.

A 16-35 plus 85 1.8 would be a good combo.

16-35L seem wide on mk III, sure not as on FF but OK. I would take it and some mid size telephoto too.

M Vers wrote:
Of the 4 years I lived in the city 2 of them were spent in BK heights. It is a very safe area and I'd even go as far to say that it felt safer than when I lived on the upper west side of Manhattan, and the upper west side is very safe.

Brooklyn Heights is a very well to do area where you will have no issues. Generally, Manhattan below 96th St and Brooklyn Heights are totally fine, but like any big city, you have to keep your wits about you. There are millions of people here and not all of them want to wish you well.

With all the global warming and stuff, does it still snow in NYC? I mean like proper thick white snow blanketing the city, not just some grey muck with a hint of ice on the ground.

n0b0 wrote:
With all the global warming and stuff, does it still snow in NYC? I mean like proper thick white snow blanketing the city, not just some grey muck with a hint of ice on the ground.

The theory of global warming, is that the winters will actually get colder, with the glaciers releasing fresh water, and messing up the balance of the salt vs. fresh water, and then temperatures on land, get colder.

:P

I'm assuming that it's worse in NY than it is in PA being further North and all...and our Winters suck.

any of you got a good 50mm. looking at all 4 of them and the 1.2L seems best of bunch. think that may be best option. its small and will be good for general shooting.
will give me effective focal range of 65mm. Bloody expensive though