Do I even take the 70-200VR

Hello All,

This weekend my lovely wife and I are vacationing in NYC. We'll be seeing the sites and eating tons of food, and hitting a broadway while we're there. We are super excited about the trip.

We'll be taking both our cameras d70 & D200 with both our normal zooms firmly mounted. The question is, do I even take the 70-200VR?

I think I'd like the reach for picking things out of the busy surroundings, but my bag doesn't have room for it so I'd be carrying the case that comes with it around my shoulder as an extra bag, which sounds heavy at best, dangerous at worst (dropping/theft).

Let me know your thoughts.

our normal zooms are 17-55 and 18-70

Nate

We did a similiar trip about 18 months ago. The only time that I used it was on top of the Empire State Building. If you have the 12-24 bring that along instead also a fast prime for inside work. Here are some shots from the trip.

http://www.jkphotogallery.com/NYC/index.html
--
Jeff

Nathan Sapp said:

Check out my gallery at http://www.jkphotogallery.com

Click to expand...

I always want to carry mine but unless I'm sure I'll use it, I hate to wag it around. What I have found that makes carrying it easier is a lens case by Lowepro. It has a nice thick, stiff velcroed strap used to attach the lens case to a Lowepro bag or equipment belt.

I don't have a Lowepro belt (yet) but it attaches to a normal belt just fine too. On a couple of occasions I have used it to hold either the 70-200 or the 17-55 whenever the other was on the camera. Pretty sweet two lens kit, albeit heavy.

Here is the case I'm talking about.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/153242-REG/Lowepro_1954410_Street_Field_Lens.html

--
Chefziggy
http://www.pbase.com/chefziggy/lecream

Nathan Sapp said:

Hello All,
This weekend my lovely wife and I are vacationing in NYC. We'll be
seeing the sites and eating tons of food, and hitting a broadway
while we're there. We are super excited about the trip.

We'll be taking both our cameras d70 & D200 with both our normal
zooms firmly mounted. The question is, do I even take the 70-200VR?

Click to expand...

I wouldn't. Can't see myself lugging around the heavy beast all day on a sightseeing tour.

Nathan Sapp said:

I think I'd like the reach for picking things out of the busy
surroundings, but my bag doesn't have room for it so I'd be carrying
the case that comes with it around my shoulder as an extra bag, which
sounds heavy at best, dangerous at worst (dropping/theft).

Let me know your thoughts.

our normal zooms are 17-55 and 18-70

Click to expand...

Those two are probably a little on the short side, but ok for 85-90% of all situations.

I bought the super-light and highly capable 55-200 VR for exactly this type of trip, to have a lens in the bag for occasional long shots. My wife is fine with the 18-135 and leaves her 70-300 VR at home for such excursions.

Cheers

Mike

Take it from someone who lugged the 70-200 VR all around Thailand for a month and only used it once.

Don't bring it!

Here's the thing. You will wish you had it if you don't bring it. But suck it up. If you bring it you will be looking for an excuse to use it, only to find the lens isn't appropriate for the type of shooting you will likely run into in New York.

Have fun!
--
http://photos.unsavory.com/

I'd leave the 18-70 at home and mount the 70-200. After all, you spent all that money on it, right? It'll give you some nice candids in a place like NYC.

That or find a bag that works for you. My D70 with 17-55, 70-200, SB-800 and a few odds and ends fits nicely in a ThinkTank Speed Freak. Comfortable for all day walking around.

Actually, it depends what you want. I saw Jay Maisel speak recently - here's a link to some sample pages from a book of his on NYC. Have a look through and ask yourlself if he could have shot some of these with just a short zoom. He said sometimes he just goes out on his rooftop in New York with a tele lens and finds things to shoot.

John

Sorry, forgot the link:

http://www.fireflybooks.com/books/4960D.html

Spooner said:

I'd leave the 18-70 at home and mount the 70-200. After all, you
spent all that money on it, right?

Click to expand...

Weighing how much money you spent on a lens isn't necessarily a good method of determining whether you should bring it, especially if that entails leaving what is probably a more suitable lens at home.

If I spent $5,000 (or however much it costs) on a 200/2 lens, I shouldn't feel obliged to bring it on vacation.

Spooner said:

It'll give you some nice candids in a place like NYC.

Click to expand...

But you can get great candids w/o such a big lens. Legions of street photographers have proven this with 35mm and 50mm lenses. See in-public.com for examples.

[snip]

Spooner said:

Actually, it depends what you want. I saw Jay Maisel speak recently -
here's a link to some sample pages from a book of his on NYC. Have a
look through and ask yourlself if he could have shot some of these
with just a short zoom. He said sometimes he just goes out on his
rooftop in New York with a tele lens and finds things to shoot.

Click to expand...

But the exact same argument could be made for wide or normal focal lengths. If the OP has a tendency to shoot tele, then sure, the 70-200VR would make sense, but there are many, many excellent NYC photo galleries shot with wide and normal lenses.

larsbc

you don't want to lug that lens around the city, IMO
make yourself compose shots that don't require it
you would be better served with a wider angle/ low light inconspicuous lens

--
'there is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept'
Ansel Adams

http://www.mood.zenfolio.com

... and enjoy your vacation. If you want, maybe bring a small-ish prime or two instead. Given how you want to enjoy your trip here, I doubt lugging the 70-200VR would make much sense.

Another possibility would be to make B&H part of your trip to NYC -- and perhaps buy the 55-200VR to use on vacation instead (like someone else suggested). If you've never visited B&H before, it could be a nice little detour while you're in midtown. Only problem w/ visiting B&H is that you'll probably have to wait until Sunday since they're closed from 2pm Friday until mid-morning Sunday -- that and it might trigger some unexpected lens lust at your weakest moment. ;-)

Man

Nathan Sapp said:

Hello All,
This weekend my lovely wife and I are vacationing in NYC. We'll be
seeing the sites and eating tons of food, and hitting a broadway
while we're there. We are super excited about the trip.

We'll be taking both our cameras d70 & D200 with both our normal
zooms firmly mounted. The question is, do I even take the 70-200VR?

I think I'd like the reach for picking things out of the busy
surroundings, but my bag doesn't have room for it so I'd be carrying
the case that comes with it around my shoulder as an extra bag, which
sounds heavy at best, dangerous at worst (dropping/theft).

Let me know your thoughts.

our normal zooms are 17-55 and 18-70

Nate

Click to expand...

--



Just another amateur learning to paint w/ 'the light of the world.' (John 8:12)
'Cameras are for making photos, not war...'
See my profile for some useful resources.
As usual, YMMV + caveat emptor.
Contact me at [email protected]
Indulge my fancies at http://www.pbase.com/mandnwong

Hey if you dont take it wanna sell it to me
I am in the market for a long lens

leave it at the hotel if you must, and if you change your mind then just a few steps back to the hotel. It isn't that heavy. There are shots that you only can take with 70-200, reach wise.

have fun and a safe trip,
cheers
jacq

It all depends on what you are going to NYC for. If one of your primary objectives is to take photos (and depending on what you like to take), then bring it, or you might just regret it. Unfortunately I go a little overboard and always have about a minimum of 5 lenses with me regardless of where I go.

Some pictures taken in NY with a lens longer than 80mm...

















--------------------

Amateur Photographer, constructive criticism most welcome: http://www.pbase.com/kennethw

Catching the right light and right angle and exposure is more important than having to choose lens to bring. DSLR is not light to begin with, so for me I always bring the 70-200, SB800 and carry it in my Kata (R103) bag, plus 2 cameras (D80 and D200) one with either a 10.5 or 28 F2 (indoor) or 12-24mm (outdoor), plus ND filters (3 stop; for 12-24/70-200), a Polarizer, a Canon 500D (to fit on 70-200) and lots of SD/CF cards plus 3 batteries. How I use the lens is:

Always : One camera with 70-200 (in the bag), 10.5 to use when the perspective is right.

Indoor : D200 + 28 F2 ; D80 + 70-200 in my bag

Outdoor : D80 + 12-24mm (24mm for potrait by moving closer) ; D200 + 70-200 in my bag

Close Up : Canon 500D + 70-200 (my 'macro' set-up)

I find that quite often you will take out the 70-200 when your eyes catches on the right view. Most often than not, the great shots come on a casual travel trip.

--
Hun

kennethw said:

It all depends on what you are going to NYC for. If one of your
primary objectives is to take photos (and depending on what you like
to take), then bring it, or you might just regret it. Unfortunately
I go a little overboard and always have about a minimum of 5 lenses
with me regardless of where I go.

Some pictures taken in NY with a lens longer than 80mm...

Click to expand...

These are very nice pictures, thanks for posting!

However - all of them are taken in good light, and none required f/2.8. I believe you can take similar shots with the excellent 70-300 VR, or the even lighter 55-200 VR. Image quality wise you won't be able to tell the difference - the composition is much more important!

And after walking around the city for 5 hours, I won't be tired from lugging my heavy 70-200 around all day, so I'll still be able to take more photos

I would like the idea of leaving the 70-200 VR behind, and making a trip to B&H to buy the 55-200 VR.

Cheers

Mike

Mike Neary said:

These are very nice pictures, thanks for posting!

Click to expand...

Thanks.

Mike Neary said:

However - all of them are taken in good light, and none required
f/2.8. I believe you can take similar shots with the excellent 70-300
VR, or the even lighter 55-200 VR. Image quality wise you won't be
able to tell the difference - the composition is much more important!

Click to expand...

You are absolutely right. I was not so much referring to the f/2.8, but more from a focal lenth point-of-view. Question is whether the TS has any of the other lenses as an option.

Mike Neary said:

And after walking around the city for 5 hours, I won't be tired from
lugging my heavy 70-200 around all day, so I'll still be able to take
more photos

Click to expand...

hahaha...well, walking around with over 25kg of stuff on me is my only form of exercise (other than the wife and kid), otherwise I would probably be about 30kg heavier.

Mike Neary said:

I would like the idea of leaving the 70-200 VR behind, and making a
trip to B&H to buy the 55-200 VR.

Click to expand...

Yes, B&H. I spend too much time and money there everytime I'm in New York. Great store. Only thing is that if you are visiting for the first time, don't mis-interept their 'sense-of-humour' for anything else. I personally enjoy many of the sales persons dry and sarcasic humour. Service is great and the people there are knowledgable.

--------------------

Amateur Photographer, constructive criticism most welcome: http://www.pbase.com/kennethw

but I understand you don't want the bulk/weight.

With the 55mm and 70mm respectively max. lenght of your two zooms you will miss out on a lot of nice shoots only posible with a longer lens (200-300mm).

So I agree with other and propose to stop by B&H (don't go on a Sunday or late afternoon, you'll stand in line for everything) and get either the 55-200 VR, 70-300 VR or my absolute preference for traveling, the 18-200 VR (this will probably cover 90-95% of your travel photo needs in the forseeable future).

Anyway, enjoy your trip.
--
Archer
http://www.jh-photography.net

Central park you could get some decent 70-200 shots and maybe street candids of people. Midtown, times square and wallstreet you want W - i - i - d - e. Think of picking up a 12-24 or even 10-20.

Make sure you visit the West Chelsea galleries - I thought I'd mention since most people dont.
--
Jake

A telephoto lens will certainly help, but 70-200 VR is an overkill, at least for NYC. I rarely see anyone using that lens on the street.

12-24 might be more useful.

Nathan Sapp said:

Hello All,
This weekend my lovely wife and I are vacationing in NYC. We'll be
seeing the sites and eating tons of food, and hitting a broadway
while we're there. We are super excited about the trip.

We'll be taking both our cameras d70 & D200 with both our normal
zooms firmly mounted. The question is, do I even take the 70-200VR?

I think I'd like the reach for picking things out of the busy
surroundings, but my bag doesn't have room for it so I'd be carrying
the case that comes with it around my shoulder as an extra bag, which
sounds heavy at best, dangerous at worst (dropping/theft).

Let me know your thoughts.

our normal zooms are 17-55 and 18-70

Nate

Click to expand...

hi nate,

i will go with my widest lens. here is why--architectural shots. however, wide doesn't mean you're limited with buildings. there so much more about ny city than buildings and parks. wide lenses are also less inconspicous and light. wide zoom lenses are excellent indoor and outdoor(pj style). yes, 70-200 is a great lens but it will cost you time and energy (this translates to shots). unless, you're riding tourist bus all the time and shooting from the deck. but what is ny city without walking its streets and mingling with the natives?

here are some shots last time i visited (i only took my coolpix 5000 with me since i always visit ny city).







lower manhattan is such a dense area. some streets are very narrow so
that the skyscrapers make you feel claustrophobic as you feel
squeezed by them. however, amenities such as benches, chairs and
tables (restrooms are available in the restaurants--just order a cup
of coffee) are still plentiful without the tourists to crowd you.
these pictures were taken on a sunday afternoon at 70 degree weather.
this street is located a few blocks away from brooklyn bridge,
wallstreet and world trade center. thanks.

how long will you be staying in ny? this is very important because this will set the tone of your visit. there are a couple of places not to be missed. but you have to prioritize. starting from downtown manhattan--brooklyn bridge (you can walk on top of it--the thrill is worth it), statue of liberty and battery park, wall street and federal hall, a block away is trinity church (alexander hamilton's grave is in it's backyard), world trade center under construction (don't just stay in the front, go around it to see the entire site through glass windows). midtown manhattan--penn station/grtand union station, macy's on 34th street (leave wife for half a day to shop then head to b & h store on 34th and 9th), empire state building, rockefeller center, st. patrick's cathedral, central park and times square/broadway. uptown--bronx zoo is world famous. if you still have time--hudson river boat ride to west point academy! i missed a lot but this is a short list. but most of all--enjoy it with your family (i mean, do not obsess about photography. indulgence in photography will be waiting for you at the b & h store--but your wife will be shopping at macy's). thanks.