A Trip to New York City... a few questions

[PeezieCP4]

As my girlfriend and I are preparing to go to NY for the 2nd time this weekend i was thinking a few things.

1) Should i bring a tripod?... for thos of you who live there or have had such experience, i am going to the Empire State building at night will a tripod be allowed up there? will i need it for anything else?

2) Will my 18-55 IS kit lens be suffice for landscape shooting or will it restrict me w/ such big buildings, time square?... I was considering buying a wide angle lens as this is a perfect reason to now buy the 10-22 EFS for my XSI or should i just replace my kit lens for a 17-55 IS USM f2.8?

3) How about the 70-200 IS f4 or f2.8 will i need it?... as i am contemplating this lens over the 10-22 EFS. There is just so much character in the people there i would like to have a lens that could take intimate shotswith out being to close. Ialso know that this lens is way more expensixe that the 10-22.

4) This will be my 5th visit there but 3rd as a vacation. The other 2 times was for business and didnt have a chance to wonder around but go to a few shops before hoping on a flight back to Toronto. Empire State i will finally visit but any other places i should really check out while im there?

I know its 2 complete different lenses im after or wondering about but its a great reason to spend money on a lens as well. I own the kit lens 18-55 IS, 24-105L f4 and the 50mm 1.8.

Thanks in advance

Christian

[m.c.adams]

I was in NYC a while back and went up in the Empire State building. No tripods or monopods allowed. As for the lens questions, I think the 10-22 is a great lens and would love to have one myself and I think it would be my choice, especially for landscape shots.
Mark

[prrs4me]

I went to the city last year with the 10-22 and 24-105. The 10-22 was on the camera most of the time. Are you going to the Top of the Rock? Excellent 360° views of the city.

[jdepould]

Last time I checked, you needed a permit to shoot with a tripod, so that's out. Picking people off from far away is lame, get closer, use a 50.

[prrs4me]

I think the rules have been changed about tripods in NYC.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/downloa...s_QA_final.pdf

[PeezieCP4]

Thanks for the reply guys. I have googled about tripod not allowed and have found some of it confusing. Some blogs have said that tripods are not needed for a hobbyist but only for commercial use. But since no tripods allowed on the Empire State building i will not bring one anyway. it might be hard to carry around as we are going there to do shopping and site seeing for my gf brother and fiance.

I might decide to visit The rock as some might call it, but it calls for rain in NY this weekend.

Anyone have any other suggestions for places to see.

[karsta01]

Hi There - I just got back from a week in NYC (lived there three years - this time a tourist). I had my 18-200 mm lens on for the entire week. You definitely want a wide angle but having a good range will be best - nothing is worse than trying to change lenses with a crowd of people or bad weather! I would definitely recommend visiting the Top of the Rock (the best view in town) - especially just before sunset. I think you'll be okay without a tripod - you'll regret lugging it around during shopping and eating!

I would highly recommend doing the Circle-Line Harbor Lights tour - the tour boat takes you down and around manhattan - with gorgeous views of NJ, manhattan, statue of liberty, brooklyn bridge, etc. I have a few photos and the link in my blog. You could also do some amazing shots in central park of the bridges and the buildings above the trees - gorgeous!

Have a great time and hope the weather holds up!

Originally Posted by PeezieCP4

Thanks for the reply guys. I have googled about tripod not allowed and have found some of it confusing. Some blogs have said that tripods are not needed for a hobbyist but only for commercial use. But since no tripods allowed on the Empire State building i will not bring one anyway. it might be hard to carry around as we are going there to do shopping and site seeing for my gf brother and fiance.

I might decide to visit The rock as some might call it, but it calls for rain in NY this weekend.

Anyone have any other suggestions for places to see.

[theArchitect]

You probably won't be able to use a tripod on private buildings like Empire State or Top of the Rock - and security are very quick to remind you about this. (Despite their staff using tripods to take souvenir shots at $$$ a time).

I'd suggest taking a gorrila pod - there is a good viewing area at the Top of the Rock with a surrounding wall which is gorrila pod sized. Worst case - you could try using the metal viewing telescopes as a stand.

Elsewhere, you might find some good places to do light trails etc. so if you've got a light-weight tripod, it might be worth it.


As for lenses, you've already got a bit of range on the 24-105 so I'd probably lean towards the 10-22. Also, might you wish later on that you'd saved for the IS and/or f/2.8 version of the 70-200?

Regarding the 10-22, it's an EF-S rather than EF lens so you might want to consider compatibility if you're planning to upgrade to a full frame body in the future. If you're willing to consider third party lenses, Sigma do a 10-20mm which is cheaper than the Canon but a little slower.

HTH