New York

JRJ

JRJ

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Jas
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Afternoon All,

I've had a quick search but cant find any up to date threads.

I'm travelling to New York on Wednesday, my first visit to the states and I'm just sorting out my camera bag, kit as follows:

Gripped Canon 550d
18-55 kit
55-250
Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6
Sigma 30 f1.4

430 EXII
wired remote and Youngnuo 603
various filters for the above
konig mini tripod
Crumpler Muffin top 7500

Last thing I want to do is be dragging excess weight around with me, reading threads and advice I think I'm settled on the following:

Gripped Canon 550d
Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6
Sigma 30 f1.4

Youngnuo 603 as a remote (for group shots 4 of us travelling)
Nd filter, CPL and a step down ring
konig mini tripod
spare cards, batteries, lens cloth, lenspen
packed into my Crumpler Muffin top 7500

This should give me space for everyday bits and bobs too.

I cant see any reason to take flash?

Will I regret not taking the 55-250?


Lastly any advice on nice locations to shoot? and places to eat? we're right on the edge of central park upper westside near to the natural history museum.



Cheers
 
I'm heading Wednesday too! Early in the morn, will be in Time square before lunch time [their time at least]

I've been pondering over what to bring and what not to bring too. Think I'm going with the D800, 24-70 and 105mm with a 1.7x TC, think tank sling o matic bag, with room for 1 sb900 in there too and the usual blower/cards/cloths.


Leaving behind the 70-200 and 50mm, with my other flashes - no need to take all those. Leaving the heavy tripod behind too, I bought a joby gorilla pod focus a while back, that will do.

The missus will look after my Rx100 for lighter street shooting and video.

It was the 70-200 option that was bugging me most. I know I'll miss having a bit of reach if I don't bring it. Then remembered the TC works just fine with the 105mm, and I'll have that macro option too. Much lighter!!

Have fun ;)
 
Isn't the 55-250 a pretty compact light lens, I'd take it :)
As for flash, what about those night shots in Times square to illuminate the people :)
 
I'm definitely taking one flash at least, I want to get some nice shots of my girlfriend with the city as a backdrop. A little fill flash will be great. Fired by on-cam cls. SHould be set-up-able anywhere.
 
If you get the chance go up the Empire State Building amazing views of the whole city and also
Try the round the island tour on a boat brilliant
Take your widest lens and have a great time
I went in August for 6 days wish I was going back amazing city
 
Would you get away with taking a gorillapod up the ESB?
 
I don't know I wouldn't of thought it would be problem all I do know is it gets really busy
 
Sorry posted that without finishing lol

They do check bags with those airport style machines and a quick body check

Worth trying to email them and ask

Hope you have a great time
 
I'm arriving there on Tuesday! Taking the camera body, 16-35 and 85mm.
 
If you're going up the ESB go late (after midnight, it's open til 2am) - no queues and the best views. Don't bother with tripods, you can rest your camera in the diamonds of the mesh grille to get steady shots. If you go up to the 102nd floor, the glass is thick and not the best for shooting through, and the whole thing sways enough to make most shots blurry anyway.

I'd recommend Top of the Rock over the ESB anyway, far better views, much more spacious observation deck and you can see the ESB in all its glory.

When I went, I took a D300s and Sigma 10-20, Nikon 35 1.8 and 70-300 - 95% of the shots were with the Sigma. I needn't have bothered with the 70-300 really, it hardly got used at all.
 
Having been up them both, I agree that Top of the Rock is better than ESB. Best to go up about 30mins before sunset, that way you get day, sunset and night shots all in the same trip up. Better views of Central Park from there too.

As for other places, take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and into Brooklyn Heights - good views of the financial district and Statue of Liberty from there. Grand Central Station is well worth a look, Central Park is just huge! You're best seeing the city by walking around it - we average about 5-6 miles walking a day each time we go!

Also make sure you go up to the bar in the reception/lobby of the Mandarin Oriental - you're about 40 floors up looking over Columbus and Central Park - lovely night shot with light trails if you can avoid the reflections from the glass (I put my lens flush with the glass, then covered the whole camera and lens with my bear trapper hat - did the trick). Their cocktails are pretty good too.

So much to see around the city - doubt you'll be bored! General rule of thumb for food is that if the restaurant looks half decent, the food probably will be. I would recommend eating away from Times Square though as its just a tourist trap and either overpriced or not as good quality. Plenty of Irish bars everywhere - food and drink tend to be fairly good in them.

As for what camera gear to take - one word - WIDE! First time there I took my 24-105L - it wasn't wide enough on a crop body! I bought a Tokina 12-24 my 2nd day there which then spent pretty much the rest of the holiday on my camera.

I've always felt really safe walking round NY, even with a really expensive camera and lens round my neck. I haven't seen any trouble there, but I always keep a watchful eye out wherever I am. As there's so many people there, if something doesn't feel right, just cross the road or get to a street with more people on it. Better to be safe than sorry, but as I say, I haven't seen any trouble there.

Last thing - wrap up warm as it gets very cold this time of year. I've only been in January and its rarely above freezing - the grid system means that you can turn a corner - you walk head first into a wind and its like walking in a freezer! It was -15 last time I was there and I've never been so cold (even wrapped up!) and I never feel the cold!! Had to keep popping into a bar for a beer and a pee every other block to warm up!

Have a great time! I'm sure you will.

Don't forget to post up some pics when you get back

P.S. almost forgot to mention, have a look around B&H Photo (a few blocks away from ESB), but leave your credit card outside! It's not open Saturday's though as its owned and run by a Jewish family
 
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Great advice, I'm taking note here, not my thread but it's been very helpful :)

I'm reminded of the Pogues & Kirsty McColl - "Where the wind blows right through you, no place for the old" - Will definitely bring some wooly undies :D
 
I agree I felt very safe with my wife and 2 little girls ,also walking round is best you can't get lost its so easy to find your way around

I couldn't go up esb when it was dark cause of the time of the year I went it would of been really late needed to get back to the hotel to get the kids settled. shame cause I really wanted some night pics

Keep your eyes open for some good candid shots cause your see some real characters out there lol
 
Appreciate all the replies guys, not being ignorant been stuck on nights and the tp forum app has been busted! So a quick reply of thanks while Im on my phone and I'll reply properly once I get some sleep!!

Cheers
 
jpw said:
I'd recommend Top of the Rock over the ESB anyway, far better views, much more spacious observation deck and you can see the ESB in all its glory.
Click to expand...

I agree with that, it's a far nicer place to be, plus it has nice big flat stone surfaces perfect for resting your camera (see pic #2 here.) The benefit the ESB Observatory has is that it's easier to get angles pointing downwards
 
I'm going with the wife in Feb, I was planning on taking the 5DIII, 16-35, 50 & 85, prob chuck a flash in too. Hadn't thought too much about the top of the rock, but just added it to the list.
 
2 more sleeps!! we're off in the early hours of weds morn so I'm not really counting tues night, as I know I won't sleep much.

Top of rock added to the to-se/do list here also. Great pics ukaskew. I'll be happy if I come away with anything close.
 
My missus would love that! She's a big GB fan.

I'm hoping NYC gets me into the Christmas spirit too, as I've been a bit of a Humbug lately :D
 
Well I'm not going to NY... not jealous... honestly.... ****ards!
 
Hehe, well, it's only taken me 10 years of wanting to go, to finally be able ;)

It'll be the first proper get-away for myself & herself, without the kids hanging out of us, in almost 7 years too.
 
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Cagey75 said:
My missus would love that! She's a big GB fan.

I'm hoping NYC gets me into the Christmas spirit too, as I've been a bit of a Humbug lately :D
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In that case get yourself to the NY public library as well.

If you want to go see the statue of liberty make sure you are there first thing.

Also, make sure you visit Katz Deli!
 
Statue is on the list, if it's easy enough get out to? We have 5 days, well 4 full, last day will be check out.

Staying at the Intercontinental, so in reach of everything near Time square.
 
Forgot to mention The High Line, really nice park to take a stroll along, even at this time of year, plus if you go north to south you end up in quite an interesting area that you probably wouldn't otherwise notice.

They keep adding new artwork etc along the line, and the area is very 'up and coming' due to the park.
 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is well worth a visit, if you get the chance.
Right next to Central Park on 5th Avenue.
Everything from the old masters to Warhol and Hirst.
Fantastic views of the park from the roof too!
 
Not photography related, but if you are going to JFK, brace yourself for potential queues!!!!

AND don't forget to file your ESTA!!!!!

Dav
 
Sat in Manchester Terminal 3 now! Camera next to me with 16-35 and 85mm. Next stop.....erm......Amsterdam actually, but then on to New York! :)

Also there for 4 days, but the we collect the car and have 10 days to mooch about. Heading for Canada and lots of hockey related stuff. As long as we're back at JFK for the flight home.
 
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Emigration checks are perormed in Dublin, as opposed to upon arrival when you travel from the UK. That'll jump a queue for us once we arrive. Our ESTA all checked online.

I packed my camera bag up last night. 24-70, 50 and 105 with TC & gorillapod. Weighs below 7kg so all good for carry on.

Just found out yest my cousin is heading over the day after I come back - seems everyone is going there, wondering wh I'll bump into :D
 
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Oh yes, also put a manfrotto tripod and head in the case and was still 6kg lighter than allowed!
 
Just finished packing ready to head up to Heathrow for tomorrow mornings flight! Cant wait, ESTA checked and approved, online check in completed.

Camera gear is coming in at 3.5kg and I chose to go with the 550d, 10-20, 30 and my 430exII, and the usual bits and bobs.

Top of the rock just before sunset is on the plans, as well as Times square at night hopefully in the same evening.
Ground zero, Brooklyn bridge and Staten Island ferry, Grand central terminal are the other musts, other than that and shopping, hopefully try and get everything else in between these.
 
I've downloaded an app called Guide pal city guides. When you open it and select new York it'll say it's €2.39 or the equiv in £, but of you share to FB you get it free. Handy, simple app. You can add bars and stores and sites to your "my trip" for handy reference. It has a built in map too.
 
New York's my favourite city but I hate the midtown and Times Square area. Too busy and too many tourists for me. Greenwich, East Village, Brooklyn etc are all worth spending time in. I'd only just bought my SLR when I visited so I'd love to return and improve on the photos I took when there. My sigma 10-20 was probably my most used lens.
A walk over Brooklyn Bridge is a must and if you have time I'd catch the PATH over to Jersey City or Hoboken for an amazing view of downtown and midtown Manhattan respectively.
 
Katz Deli is a must and check out Brother Jimmy's. The food is fantastic. There are a few of them around.

Avoid Wall St area at weekend its dead! Worse than the city in London.
 
Top of the Rock (Rockerfeller) at sunset, then stay til it is dark.

KvJui.jpg


I travelled with 5Diii and 35L.

Gorillapod for this shot.
 
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Awesome picture that's exactly the sort of shot I was after but didn't get it maybe next time
 
Quick check in before heading out into the madness. Those saying you want wide here weren't exaggerating. Wish i had a 14-24, for the first time. 24 even on fx just about does the job.

Surprisingly it's warmer here than back home. Sun was shining yesterday evening and again this morning. That is due to change though, going by local news.
 
Cagey75 said:
Quick check in before heading out into the madness. Those saying you want wide here weren't exaggerating. Wish i had a 14-24, for the first time. 24 even on fx just about does the job.

Surprisingly it's warmer here than back home. Sun was shining yesterday evening and again this morning. That is due to change though, going by local news.
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Have fun!
 
Having a ball, cheers.


It's that type of city you'll use your phone cam as much as the dslr for photos. I think I've used mine more over last few days than have in a year at home.

But, i've done top of rock and got what i wanted.
 
Cagey75 said:
Having a ball, cheers.

It's that type of city you'll use your phone cam as much as the dslr for photos. I think I've used mine more over last few days than have in a year at home.

But, i've done top of rock and got what i wanted.
Click to expand...

It certainly is an amazing place. I was sorry to leave yesterday. Drove 370 miles to Montreal. Just about to head out and explore. Did top of the rock but don't think I got anything decent from up there.
 
When I went to New York I didn't take many photos but I'd recommend taking a wide angle lens. With all the tall buildings around your so close to them. Depends what your going to take photos of.
 
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