Paris - lens choice, safety issues

For what its worth, I've always felt considerably safer walking around New York, Washington DC (well most of it!), Boston, Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville etc etc than I have walking around Rome, Paris, and particularly London. Its all about perception I guess.

The only time I ever felt really worried in the States was in February 2003 when I got caught in an enormous blizzard in NYC. I was worried about freezing to death as opposed to being mugged!

Travel light and try not to look too much like a tourist--Paris is a European city; try to blend in. Have a look at how the local Parisians dress for a warm, slightly muggy summer when you arrive and adjust your appearance accordingly (of course, no need to rush out and buy a whole new wardrobe unless your own clothing is drastically different).

You do not need to carry a D300 and a D700 if you're just taking photographs around Paris, its buildings, people and landmarks. Try to choose from your equipment the pieces which will give you the most flexibility (D700 over the D300--it's not much heavier) and 1 or 2 lenses at most. A wide angle zoom and a short telephoto zoom or prime lens is plenty. External flash if you think you'll be able to use it often enough to justify it (EG-- it's part of your style or check to see if museums or other public access buildings will let you fire a flash). Less is more.

--
Mike

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mking/

I agree. I have been in every single major city and most of the smaller cities in the US. I have seldom felt like I was in danger. But I also didn't go into dangerous areas. For example, when visiting St.Louis I didn't go into East St Louis at midnight. I might be dumb enough to get pick pocketed in Brussels, but I won't go into the areas in Paris where the riots happened a few years ago at night either.

I just think that comparing the US crime to European crime was uncalled for. It had nothing to do with the post.

jerrycambuk said:

For what its worth, I've always felt considerably safer walking around New York, Washington DC (well most of it!), Boston, Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville etc etc than I have walking around Rome, Paris, and particularly London. Its all about perception I guess.

The only time I ever felt really worried in the States was in February 2003 when I got caught in an enormous blizzard in NYC. I was worried about freezing to death as opposed to being mugged!

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--

“I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.”

“Showing off is the fool’s idea of glory.”

Chris, Broussard, LA

Thread update: I've been in Paris for the past 5 days, the weather is fine, definitely not too hot. Carrying all my gear hasn't been an issue so far, however in the first too 2 I walked non-stop for about 15-18 hours per day, until I couldn't feel my legs lol, this was a dumb thing to do but I covered most of the popular attractions.

I have seen a lot of Nikons and Canons, but to my surprise most of the people were using entry level cameras with kit lenses or 3rd party super-zooms. I did see a few full frame cameras here and there (mostly 1d's, 5D's and D3's).

Regarding the safety issues, so far so good. People have been friendly and it helps a lot if one knows how to speak French.

Paris can be overwhelming, I had a pretty hard time in shooting some decent photos, next week I will post some photos since now I'm still in Paris and a lowly notebook is all that I have with me.
--
http://haf.cc

And was it about right ?

Keith

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. . .

Marla2008 said:

I was born and raised in Paris and live not far away, my family is still there. As somebody else put it, being "sensible" should prevent you from any serious problem.

Paris, like NYC, is tricky in that one street can still be safe, but the next fall into risky territory. Avoid any environment that looks deginitely seedy, and keep your senses keen. No need for paranoia though, globally you should be doing fine.

Do yourself a big favor and make sure you visit the Opera Garnier, it's the most beautiful building in the city.

As much as I love primes I would bring only a mid range zoom, and like a 35 prime with the D700.

But that's only me, carrying a lot of equipment only means more fatigue, more potential trouble, and less enjoyment of the place, which would ne a shame, Paris is gorgeous.
Marla.

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I agree with this completely. One exception, I would avoid carrying conspicuous camera gear in the Pigalle area. I also agree that carrying too much equipment is counter productive. Although I have used my D300 , 17~35 and 70-200 on a trip to Paris. My most fun and in many ways photographically productive trips to Paris was in 1997 when all I carried was my old film FE, 50/ f1.4 and a 35-105 AIS. Hardly noticed the load and was able to get most of the shots I wanted. I did also carry a small, plastic strapable tripod that would fit in my jacket pocket.

Enjoy your trip as Paris is one of the most magical cities on earth. And, contrary to some peoples opinion, the people of Paris can be among the most welcoming provided you show courtesy and respect to them in return.
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Regards,

JR

Don't dress like an American and don't act like a tourist and you will be safer wherever you go.

Lens favorites of mine for Paris with a DX camera are the 17-55mm and the Sigma 50-150mm f2.8. I find the 70-200mm too conspicuous for candid shots (and the 70-300 would be too slow a lens).

I like fisheye lenses for cathedral interiors where the lens is great but it is not a general purpose lens. For DX I would take the 10-24mm or a comparable lens instead.

What I like in part about the 10-24 is that it uses the same 77mm filters as my 17-55mm zoom which simplifies things.

For photographing people I have much more success with a less conspicuous lens than the 70-200 which has become my wildlife lens for the most part. Not much wildlife in most of France to photograph.

Test drive the Nikon 28-300 VRII.

Great lens for light travel ... (and FX lens too).

See some samples on a D300 (all hand-held) here:

http://www.mundy.ca/Miscellaneous/Tests

--
Steve
http://Mundy.ca
D300
14-24(2.8), 24-70(2.8), 70-200VR(2.8)
50(1.4), 105VR(2.8), 300VR(2.8), 28-300VR
TC-14EII, TC-17EII, TC-20EIII