Trip kit

[JulesP]

Hi folks

Left this a bit late really. My boy is off to New York for a school trip on Monday morning for his photography GCSE.
He has a Nikon D7100 and a choice of the following lenses.
Nikon 35mm 1.8
Sigma 10-20
Nikon 16-85
Nikon 18-105
Nikon 55-300

Which would you take and why?

He is visiting Ground Zero, Central Park, Staten Island ferry, Empire State Building, MoMa, Highline walk and a couple of other places too.
I think I know which of those I would take but I've never been there.

Thanks

Julian

 

[coddy72]

Personally speaking, i'd only take the 35 1.8 and the 18-105, one a great low light prime and the other a fantastic all rounder.

 

[redhed17]

I think the Nikon 16-85mm is one of the best all round lenses. If you didn't have the Sigma 10-20mm, or were just taking one lens, I would say take that. But from my limited knowledge of the places you mention, and from what you list, I would take the Sigma 10-20mm and the 18-105mm.

I coincidently bought the Sigma 10-20mm today, but I think it will be an occasional lens for when the 16-85mm is not wide enough. Until recently I was using the 16-85mm 90% of the time, with the Nikon 70-300mm used the rest of the time. It will be pressed into service next week for my holiday. I know it will be useful because I visited the locations before, and know a wider lens will get some use because of the closeness of the buildings and know there was not the option to move back to get the whole scene in. I think New York could be similar.

 

[gad-westy]

I've only been to NYC very briefly (a few hours) but I only used a 10-20 when just walking about at street level. It worked pretty well. If I were going for a proper trip I'd definitely take that. The 35mm is tiny and you never know when you might need it. I personally don't think I'd need anything else. It does rather depend on what and how he likes to shoot though.

 

[Nod]

It does rather depend on what and how he likes to shoot though.

^^^ This - and what the assignment is for shooting there.

If it were me, I would go wide so the 10-20 would have to come. The 18-105 would cover most other bases (although an 18-200 might be a better choice given its extra reach if he wants it) and the 35 would probably be handy as a fast standard lens. Some sort of support would be a must for me, especially if he's planning any longish exposures (lights etc.) so something like a Pod (bean bag with a tripod screw) if he doesn't want to take a tripod.

 

[JulesP]

So it seems everyone is having roughly the same thoughts as me - wider rather than longer.

He wants to use my 16-85 rather than his 18-105 as it's a better lens so between us we decided 10-20, 16-85 and 35. He has a varying list of assignments but I think as it's GCSE level they seem aimed at a more 'kit level' lens but he wants to do his best for it.
He is also taking my tiny travel tripod, remote release and he has a 10 stopper so he's pretty much there kit wise.

Thanks for the advice folks [emoji106]