Is it worth taking a 70-200mm f2.8 away? also bags and insurance...

Twizzel

Twizzel

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Rach
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Sorry for vague title, wasn't really sure what to put ;) I'm going to New York on a uni fieldtrip (I'm studying geography, not photography). Am definitely taking my camera, and the kit I've decided on taking so far is:

Canon 350D with grip
Kit lens
Sigma 10-20mm

I've also got a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 and to be honest I'm torn as to whether I take it or not :thinking: I don't think I'll have a whole lot of time to set up photos as I will have to focus on lecturers and being a geographer :( and I'm not sure whether it would be worth lugging it across the sea and all around New York? For me, it's a heavy lens to carry on my back all day... (I'm only 5ft3 and not very strong!!)

Whether I take this lens influences what camera rucksack I buy to take with me. I want a split bag so that I can carry money, food etc in one half and also have my camera to hand.

If I buy the lens I'll probably have to go for the Lowepro Primus bag...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000TWUR48/400001841-21/?m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

But if I don't, I'm looking at either the Tamrack Adventure 7 or the Kata DR465 (in pink!!! :p)

So, anybody who has been to NY, is it worth taking the Sigma or should I leave it at home and take a smaller bag?

Ooh and whilst I'm here, how do you guys insure your kit when you go away? Mine is travelling as hand luggage, but my travel insurance only covers up to £1500 in a single claim, and only £400 per item... so I'm going to need a bit more than that cover!!

Cheers.
 
Leave it at home, you won't use it much :thumbs:

Edit: Didn't give you much justification :p

Basically, New York, for the most part, isn't a very bright place. It's overcast most of the time, due to not only clouds, but smog too. It's too dark to use at night (except in times square, that place is BRIGHT!) and I struggled with slow shutter speeds at ISO1600 with my 24-60 f/2.8, let alone a telephoto. My 40d and 24-60 (not the heaviest combination) really wore me down after a few days of being there, and personally I think that you're pushing it with 2 lenses! But obviously the interchangability is a godsend.

Check out my flickr for some examples of what you can get with a standard zoom.
 
I took my 70-200 (and 17-55) on holiday last year and hardly used it, it's not worth the weight unless you intend taking specific subjects whilst over there.
 
Definitely take it.10-20 is very limited as a walkabout.If you have a kit lens that would be ideal but failing that you will need something longer particularly at the top of buildings where everything will be thrown too far back.
Pete.
 
When I travel I always take my decent glass.

TBH if I start thinking about leaving stuff at home, it makes me question whether I really need it...
 
I would take it. :)

I did a 10 day fieldtrip (geology) with uni to the US in November and I took all my lenses (and a 055pro, which was fun seeing the faces of people when I got that out :p). We did a lot of walking in the middle of nowhere and even with lecturers talking and stopping there was time to take the occasional sneaky picture, although it was sometimes a pain to not be able to spend a while composing.

And on the bag front I would strongly advise against getting a photography bag. If your course is anything like mine you have lots of stuff to carry anyway (notebooks, clipboards, food, waterproofs etc.) you probably won't be able to fit it all in and it will weigh a ton. Go for a walking bag from somewhere like Cotswold, wrapping your kit up either in their own kit bags or you spare clothes and that will protect it. You also need to remember weight issues with hand luggage, who are you going with? As Virgin Atlantic only allow 6kg for hand luggage, which will probably be taken up just by a photography bag.

Bag wise depending on how much you want to spend, Osprey do a nice set of bags for arounf £80-£90 and they are all day comfy and come in a range of sizes, I guess you would want around 30ish. :)

EDIT: Having said that are you doing human geography and going to be spending your time in NYC? If so then the last part will probably be incorrect.
 
how often are you going to go to New York?

take it, you can always leave it in the safe in the hotel (etc...)
 
Cheers :) I'm still in 2 minds whether to take it or not. Won't leave it in the hotel as we're staying in a hostel, just don't trust leaving any valuables in there!! I'm going for a week, this is a one off trip and I doubt I'll be going back anytime in the near future...

Amp34 yep am a human geographer, so won't be venturing far out of NYC if at all, so not sure I'll need to carry spare clothes etc around, probably just some paper and a pen :)
 
I'm going to NYC at the end of the month too, and I'm in the same dilema.

I'm going to take my 1D2 with 16-35 as a walkaround and the 50 1.4 since it's so small. I got an EOS 500 from eBay to replace my 1N HS for NYC and then I can just chuck it, I only paid £1.82 for it! I'm in two minds as to whether I should bring my beloved 80-200 2.8L/Magic Drainpipe, I never let it leave my side usually, but all that weight for the occasional photo, and I'm not sure it would be practical in NYC either, am I really going to need the reach? I'm a first year on Doc Phot at Newport.
 
I took my 70-200 when i went NYC. Although not used too often, it definitely gave me some of the best images of the trip...

NYC2008-161.jpg


NYC2008-83.jpg
 
Take it - I use my Canon 70-200mm L lens as a walk about lens in Birmingham around the Bullring and it is great for portraits, there are some great characters about.
 
take it, without it you don't have any real telephoto capability, and for a lot of things that is what you want. If you had the money I would leave the kit and take a nifty 50 with you, i have one and for 70 pounds its the ultimate snapshot lens and will be fine in most low light scenarios.
On the bag front I have just bought a lowepro fastpack 350 and very much like it, however it is heavy especially loaded up. Do you intend to take a lappy with you ? because thats why i bought the fastpack.
For insurance do you have your kit insured at home? they might cover you for up to 30days abroad or something. I am with Endsleigh (came with my halls and I just added camera kit) and they do have short term foreign cover. You might need to notify your insurer of your trip though (no idea if I have to).
 
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