When I lived in the City I had been told several times that I couldn't use a tripod without a permit, twice by NYPD and another time by a door man. If you can avoid the use of a tripod it would be best...and who wants to carry one around sight seeing anyhow?

I don't think you'll have any problems taking pictures in NYC as long as you aren't doing something really silly. I would pack light though because there's a lot of walking involved and to lug around a 2 or 3 pound lens that you barely use... it'll ruin your day.

Obviously, if you are going to bring a tripod, use some common sense, and don't be obvious about it. Don't stand in the middle of time square during prime time with and use a tripod. If an officer gives you grief, then be agreeable and put it away and walk away.

You don't need a permit to use a tripod in NYC. Let's not get carried away here. There are specific area where it's not permitted, but it's not illegal to use it.

You can bring the 70-200L and you'll certainly find uses for it, especially if you are into street candids, etc. However if you are on vacation, I am guess you'd stick with the 16-35L. It really depends on what you want to shoot here. I've lugged around my 70-200L plenty of times only to end up not using it or only taking a few shots with it.

I live in NYC, and I haven't used my 70-200L yet. (well excepts zoos, sports, etc.) I usually stick with my primes.

Yeah, the smart thing to do is to put it away and move on.
But there are plenty of stuff to shoot with a tripod, especially during nighttime.
Typical thing would be Brooklyn bridge during the night...

Sorry to resurrecting this thread, but i am worried about what to shoot and what not to shoot in New York, also if using tripod is not allowed in many places or just some certain places, also until what time is allowed to be out shooting.
I am not worry much about what gear i use as i think New York is full of photographers with expensive gear, so i will not be a special one with these pro gear anyway, i was in Geneva[Switzerland] and Paris before and i didn't have any problems taking photos here and there with tripod, also i use tripod only at night and very low light, but really i want to know the rules there before i go there, in fact i am an arabic guy which i look like someone who may be on target foe lots of people, so i don't want to make it more difficult with my pro gear and heavy load, i will use backpack ofcourse when i go out with dozen of gear including the tripod at night, but let's say, are there places with less people maybe and still not allowed to take photos there or not using tripods? i can understand if it is so crowded like a famous street in Paris then i will not use tripod, but at many places at night i can use tripod with no problem.
Also i want to ask about, how can i get to the highest floors to take top city views? are there rules and conditions for that? also where can someone use tripod on those roof or top buildings?

To be honest, i was not looking to visit New York as i am a landscape photographer, but a friend there wanting me [so badly] to visit him, so i accepted and i will go to visit him, and ofcourse i will do photography at best anywhere i travel if the life and rules are easy going [as nature and landscape].

Not for nothin, but I thought it was against the law to photograph NYC bridges....

Hi All,

I just spent Father's Day in Manhattan, from mid-town to in-and-around SoHo, and it was amazing to me just how many folks are out-and-about shooting with DSLRs these days! Everything from entry level to pro bodies, über-zooms to primo* lenses...it's not just a P&S world in Manhattan!

FWIW, Manhattan has always been a photo-friendly town in my experience (I've been going there since the 70s). Pack smartly (like you were going to any other city), don't leave your stuff unattended for even a moment, and go have some fun!

Peace,
Jimmy G

*http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=primo (definition 6)

Be careful of muggers in NYC at night - especially at lonely places - its one of the most dangerous cities in the world - so dont get mugged when shooting with such an expensive camera. Also - better carry some pepper spray, just in case.....

You didn't say what interests you, but you may want a long lens for some architectural details. You'll want a WA lens for street level (perhaps the park), the 24-105 as a general walk around, and if you could get away with a longer zoom I'd take that too, but the use may be limited. I used to work in the WTC (south tower) and only wish I could have gotten some large lenses up there. It would have been fantastic, but that's another story...

laupi wrote:
Be careful of muggers in NYC at night - especially at lonely places - its one of the most dangerous cities in the world - so dont get mugged when shooting with such an expensive camera. Also - better carry some pepper spray, just in case.....


And all this from Korea?

Prudence and caution are warranted any where, all the time, but since many of us do, or have lived there, one can't help but wonder "where did you hang out"?

laupi wrote:
Be careful of muggers in NYC at night - especially at lonely places - its one of the most dangerous cities in the world - so dont get mugged when shooting with such an expensive camera. Also - better carry some pepper spray, just in case.....

I live in NY (Manhattan), which is considered the safest large city in the United States. I have been shooting everywhere and anywhere in NY, with whatever gear I choose, for nearly 35 years and have never even come close to being mugged. Having traveled the world, I can not say the same for many other large cities and countries that I have visited, including yours.

In the cities walking around i use only wide and mid range lenses, only i use larger or longer lenses if i will shoot some birds or animals nearby or to shoot people or whatever for more DoF and isolating backgrounds, and i went to few places in the world including Paris and i never had problem to use whatever, these days many can have expensive gear.

NYC - every part - is one of the "safest" places in the world.

Your only fear should be when crossing the border and under the scrutiny of the arbitrary border service officers.

RedWhiteandRed wrote:
NYC - every part - is one of the "safest" places in the world.

Your only fear should be when crossing the border and under the scrutiny of the arbitrary border service officers.

I am sure of that, and in fact i will visit New York only for a friend there, and he will tell me what i should need to know then i can move, also i am mostly into landscapes and cityscape or urban, but as we know that New York is one of the most wonderful for street photography in the world so i will try to have my turn, and to be honest i always carry many lenses when i travel and pick up there as i need from 16mm up to 400mm, even one or two fast lenses and a macro, so what i will miss then?

I am very polite and i am keen enough to know where to shoot and how to shoot and even when to shoot, i travel mostly as a photographer more than as a tourist, so i pick locations and directions before i shoot, and i always try to avoid or be away from troubles and i don't make myself a troublesome as well.

laupi wrote:
Be careful of muggers in NYC at night - especially at lonely places - its one of the most dangerous cities in the world - so dont get mugged when shooting with such an expensive camera. Also - better carry some pepper spray, just in case.....

You're kidding right?! It's an objective fact that New York is now one of the safest cities in the world (for it's size). This isn't the 1970s or 80s any more. Some of the comments in this thread are just silly...

laupi wrote:
Be careful of muggers in NYC at night - especially at lonely places - its one of the most dangerous cities in the world - so dont get mugged when shooting with such an expensive camera. Also - better carry some pepper spray, just in case.....

What an ignorant comment, by all means keep yourself safe, stay in Korea while all the rest of us fight the street wars in New York, geez!

RobertLynn wrote:
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.

you must be mistaken, robert. faux news said that global warming is a pinko-backed attempt to hand over western civilization to the monkey-faced hun.