Off to Paris for 6 days lens suggestions

[vinny29538]

Off to Paris on Monday for 6 days.Lens suggestions ,what would you take from my inventory
D200
50mm f1.4
85mm f1.4
20mm f2.8
18-70mm kit lense.

Hoping to take my tripod and wireless remote for some night shots..Any suggestions for shooting spots.

 

[Pradipta Dutta]

If I were you, I would definitely take a super wide. The 20mm would have plenty wide on a film SLR but even the 18mm isn't that wide on D200. If you don't want to buy one, you can rent a Nikkor 12-24 for a week. The weekly rental for this lens nowadays is running at about $60 per week.

--
Speed is significant and interesting but accuracy is downright fascinating
http://www.pbase.com/pradipta

 

[rochonchis]

Hi Vinny, I would take all four lenses, after all the 50 f1.4 and 20 f2.8 don't take up much space. When you get to Paris you can leave them in your hotel room if you don't plan on using them. Just make sure you hide them well, =;-).

Make sure to take your tripod. It will come in handy for night photography but you can use it at any time. Again, you can leave this in your room if you don't plan on using it but at least you have that option. By the way, to avoid any problems at the airport pack it in your luggage.

For beautiful night shots visit the Louve, Sacre-Coeur, Place del la Concorde, and the Trocadero.

-Rudy

 

[vinny29538]

Wouldnt even know where to rent a lense in the Uk.I live in Leeds maybe a London out let does this but i dont know of any where in the Uk where they rent lenses.

 

[Carl Buellwinkle]

A great inexpensive travel lens is the Nikon 28-200mm. Very sharp and excellent color. About the same size as the 18-70mm. Then I would take the 20mm in your pocket for indoor type sightseeing like museums and such. It's tough walking around with a huge assortment of lenses, it's heavy and a crowded city is not the friendliest environments to swap lenses.

 

[DPCan]

zoom outdoor, including night time (too many variable situations for primes)

85 1.4 in museums

I've visited Paris about 30 times and would have not taken as many pictures with fixed length lenses, thus I would have missed most pictures I found interesting. Don't forget that Paris is a lovely city where you will walk a lot, so the lighter the better. Furthermore, at this time of the year, weather might be rainy, so better have light monopod with zoom than continuously changing lens...

My prefered lens for such trip = 18-200 for max flexibility (BTW, there is another post today showing pics of Paris with the 18-200).

However, take my comment with a grain of salt since I'm a nature photographer more than city photographer, so when I travel to cities (for my work), my focus is more on taking "that picture" than on taking the "perfect picture". It is more the other way around for nature...

Best of all, enjoy your trip and maybe try both approaches "that..." vs "perfect..." ;-)

 

[Steve47316]

I was in Paris in December and bought the Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 right before I left. That was the best move I could have made. This lens was on my camera almost exclusively except in the Lourve where my 50mm f1.4 was handly.

Steve

 

[ewencameron]

Not a lens suggestions as such (I'd take all of them, personally), but if you get time, visit the Musee D'Orsay (near the Louvre - on which do not waste time). The photographic exhibitions at the D'Orsay are a unique tour of the great French photographers, and it's a stunning building. (formerly a very large railway station, tastefully and expensively converted to its new role).

Also stuffed with Rodin, and the largest collection of Impressionist painting I've ever seen (how many Monets do you want?). Also good around that area for "Paris Garden" photography. (can't remeber the name of the gardens across the bridge, but they are famous)

The Opera (Place de L'Opera) is also worth looking at - go in the day and you can usually get inside at not cost. Incredible interior.

Keep the kit concealed or discreet when you are walking around. Some black sticky tape over logos helps, as does a cheap/nasty looking neck strap. Paris, like London, isn't as safe as it used to be.

Oh - for night photography from tripod - visit the French Grand Prix (otherwise known as the Champs Elysee). Six lanes of Gallic petrol-head madness, with the L'Arc de Triomphe as a background - terrific for long exposure. Just cross with care!

Have a great time

Regards

Ewen Cameron
Kent, UK

 

[lukep]

18-70 should do fine for the wide

but watch out for paris syndrome, its serious i hear

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15391010/

luke

 

[Greg Salter]

50mm f1.4
85mm f1.4
20mm f2.8
18-70mm kit lens

Take all four if you can, but if you HAD to leave one behind, it should be the 20mm. The 18-70mm is so good, a bit wider, and only 1/2 a stop slower.

Consider having fast lenses like the 1.4's for museums as an absolute necessity. Unlike some museums, you're allowed to shoot almost anywhere at places like The Louvres.

My lens collection was much smaller last year when I went to Paris (with just the 18-70 and a 50mm 1.8), so you should do better with yours:

http://www.gregsalter.ca/photogallery/20050709_paris.htm

Greg

--

 

[Mike Neary]

I just went to Italy (Venice, Tuscany) with 4 lenses - Tokina 12-24, Nikon 18-70, Nikon 35/2, Nikon 55-200.
I never used the 55-200, so you probably don't need a long lens.

The 12-24 was on the camera about half the time outdoors - pick one up if you can! Great for architecture in tight spots.

The 18-70 was a great all-round lens. Definitely take it along!

The 35/2 was used in museums and churches. Since you don't have it, I'd say take your 50/1.4 instead.

The 85/1.4 ? Not sure on that one...

Cheers

Mike

Off to Paris on Monday for 6 days.Lens suggestions ,what would you
take from my inventory
D200
50mm f1.4
85mm f1.4
20mm f2.8
18-70mm kit lense.
Hoping to take my tripod and wireless remote for some night
shots..Any suggestions for shooting spots.

 

[josephho]

take them all

you will want the zoom for bumming around but for your keeper shots, get out the primes.

all are small light lenses, just bring them all so you dont have to choose. its not like you have really heavy ones to drag you down.

 

[Greg Salter]

...visit the Musee D'Orsay (near the Louvre - on
which do not waste time).

The Louvres a waste of time?

Well, that's your opinion. I couldn't disagree more.

--

 

[Carl Buellwinkle]

I saw that a few days ago, it's hilarious. If Paris sends them to the shrink i would hate to see what NYC does to them

18-70 should do fine for the wide

but watch out for paris syndrome, its serious i hear

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15391010/

luke

 

[ewencameron]

Variety of opinions is a nice thing to see!

I find the Louvre stuffy, claustrophobic, overcrowded, ill-lit and largely full of work of little merit (with the occasional and well-known exceptions, of course).

The Mona Lisa looks much better in photo-repros than through a throng of excited tourist heads (and a sheet of glass, from 15 feet away)

Each to their own - I will wave to you from the D'Orsay!

Regards

Ewen

 

[Kaj E]

...if would be easier to give a recommendation. ;-)
--
Kind regards
Kaj
http://www.pbase.com/kaj_e
WSSA member

 

[brick33308]

If you want to travel light, just take the 50/1.4 and 20/2.8.

I've got both the 50/1.4 and the 85/1.4, and although I love the 85/1.4, it just wouldn't see that much action on a trip to Paris.

Although unsolicited, I recommend that you pick up the Sigma 10-20 (it's about $550 and is far more useful than the 20/2.8) and use only it and the 50/1.4. Here are some recent shots using the Sigma 10-20:









--
http://brick.smugmug.com/

 

[Robert Meade]

Hi Vinny,

You've got some very good lens recommendations, but for shooting recommendations I'd recommend the Pont Alexander III, and side streets around Sacre Coeur, at twilight. Also Pont Alexander III after its lights are turned on, with Tour Eifel. Take some good walking shoes, too!
Hope to see your photos when you return.
Robert

 

[Robert Meade]

Vinny, I was not aware there is a wireless remote for D200. Can you give more details?

 

[e268]

No, just kidding. I think the 18-70 plus 50/1.4 is sufficient if you want to go light. I was there in June this year, but I only have my Canon S230 P&S (before I bought the D80). Here are some of the better ones (I know, this is a Nikon forum, but I thought it might give you an idea of where to shoot):



Pont Alexandre III







Luxemberg (sp?) garden



Notre Dame



Louvre



"Opera House"



Shopping at Lafayette