Do I really need long zoom for New York trip?

**wtlwdwgn** · 09-01-2015, 10:54 AM

I think something between 10 and 20mm would be really useful. Then a 24-70/35-70/35-105 would cover the rest. I wouldn't bring more than 2 or at the most 3 lenses otherwise you'll be weighted down while hiking around the city. And don't forget that B&H and Adorama will be nearby to feed your LBA!

micromacro · 09-01-2015, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

I think something between 10 and 20mm would be really useful. Then a 24-70/35-70/35-105 would cover the rest. I wouldn't bring more than 2 or at the most 3 lenses otherwise you'll be weighted down while hiking around the city. And don't forget that B&H and Adorama will be nearby to feed your LBA!

Nope, I'm not hiking with the whole setup, I'm just flying with it.

**robgski** · 09-01-2015, 03:33 PM

I don't think you'd need a zoom from the boat, it's more about the panoramas. I've almost never regretted not having a zoom, but I have regretted not being able to take in a whole vista.

There is something to the idea of being close to B&H. If you are thinking about buying a lens in certain range, at least you can get a hands-on experience with it before you buy.

jddwoods · 09-01-2015, 05:12 PM

As an ex- New Yorker the best combo would be the DA 21 and DA 70. Smaller is better here. Also consider scaling down dinners in expensive restaurants and take your savings to B&H or Adorama and get a DA 40 Limited. Two dinners for two in an average restaurant can easily cost more than the DA 40. Have a great trip. Your DA 21 will likely get the most use except on ferry or circle line where the DA 70. Or your new Da 40 will come in handy.

SpecialK · 09-01-2015, 05:17 PM

I spent 8 days in NYC with a 10-17 fisheye, 12-24, and 17-70. Only once or twice did I wish I had something longer.

12-24 @ 12mm.

26mm.

70mm.

10mm.

17-70 @ 17mm.

10mm.

26mm. I goofed the WB (cool fluorescent) but decided to leave it.

31mm.

**UncleVanya** · 09-01-2015, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

I spent 8 days in NYC with a 10-17 fisheye, 12-24, and 17-70. Only once or twice did I wish I had something longer.

Great example shots!

SpecialK · 09-01-2015, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by robgski

Also, I recommend the Circle Line Boat tour around Manhattan Island to everyone who visits NYC. You get to see almost everything from the boat, without having to take subways and taxis all over, in about 3 hours. You get to see places you might not want to spend time on otherwise.

Enjoy!

That was nice and relaxing in the late afternoon. Gave my walking blister a rest :-)

Chelsea Pier, near a golf driving range (enclosed by netting.)

The commute to Roosevelt Island.

Had to slow way down to not swamp the boathouse.

George Washington bridge and Little Red Lighthouse. You go under 20-something bridges.

When I went, I had the NYPass. It gets you in a long long list of places. I was a bit skeptical when I bought it for $239 as I recall (which included a choice of 3 of 4 open-top bus tours - very fun!). I planned 90% of my activities around it. Even the tour guide for the walk-across-Brooklyn Bridge had a portable card reader, and many attractions have a special window or line for you. When I got back I added up the entrance fees I would have paid - over $500, so it worked out well for a longer vacation.

The Metro Card was $30 for a week, unlimited 6AM-Midnite. It's normally about $2.25 per ride. I could and did go from the northern tip of Manhattan, across the river through Brooklyn to Coney Island in something like 45 minutes.

Last edited by SpecialK; 09-30-2015 at 09:01 PM.

micromacro · 09-01-2015, 09:52 PM

SpecialK,
what a great vacation! And your report is wonderful as always!
I hope to bring at least a few nice picturesl
Thanks to all of you, guys.
I keep sigma zoom anyway, and because I've been promised to spot young cardinals. It's never enough birding anywhere

Everything is packed, I'm ready to fly.
With right lenses, or wrong lenses it will be fun one way or another. BH and Adorama are mandatory to visit.

Gonna be there tomorrow, yeah!

pathdoc · 09-04-2015, 04:27 AM

Great! Let us know how it all worked out for you (and what, if anything, you bought in the camera stores. Nearest decent one to me is 400km+, so I sort of envy you right now).

micromacro · 09-08-2015, 09:35 AM

I am back. The lesson learned, all I needed were 21mm and 70mm for Pentax, and 40mm for Canon. Actually, I wanted 10-20mm, or at least 15mm. Nothing else.
70mm was very good to spy

on people in Central park. 21mm worked well, but as I said, I wanted wider almost all the time.

I stopped by BH, and finally!!! I could test K3 (loved ergonomics!) and searched for hiking tripods. The winner was Gitzo for almost $900

, I need to win a lottery! For the realistic one it was Sirui T-005X Aluminum tripod. It collapses to fit my bag, and it is a bit heavier than carbon fiber same model, but $100 less, and it seems a bit sturdier that carbon fiber. No matter how many reviews are online, to search in person is the best way to find the right stuff.

The only thing which disappointed me at BH was the lack of merchandise in their showroom. I bought Think Tank TurnStyle 10 Sling (medium size) only because I saw the other customer requested it to test from the warehouse. So, I requested one for me to test as well, and the medium size was ideal to fit two cameras with small lenses, and the extra lens. Without seeing it in person I would miss it. Anyway, BH is wonderful!

I brought so many pictures, it will take forewer to edit all of them

Here is the quick one.

pathdoc · 09-08-2015, 09:49 AM

Thanks for reporting back! That's a great shot, by the way.

micromacro · 09-08-2015, 10:01 AM

Thanks, it was a pure pleasure to watch those kids! New York took away my fear to shot people. I completely unleashed myself, and it worked. I still need to be careful in some situations, in case someone does not want me to take pictures, but I got that freedom to see and to take what I like, and that feeling is so amazing.

09-01-2015, 05:17 PM	#35
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	I spent 8 days in NYC with a 10-17 fisheye, 12-24, and 17-70. Only once or twice did I wish I had something longer. 12-24 @ 12mm. 26mm. 70mm. 10mm. 10mm. 17-70 @ 17mm. 10mm. 10mm. 26mm. I goofed the WB (cool fluorescent) but decided to leave it. 31mm. Last edited by SpecialK; 09-01-2015 at 05:35 PM.

09-08-2015, 09:35 AM	#40
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722 Original Poster	I am back. The lesson learned, all I needed were 21mm and 70mm for Pentax, and 40mm for Canon. Actually, I wanted 10-20mm, or at least 15mm. Nothing else. 70mm was very good to spy on people in Central park. 21mm worked well, but as I said, I wanted wider almost all the time. I stopped by BH, and finally!!! I could test K3 (loved ergonomics!) and searched for hiking tripods. The winner was Gitzo for almost $900 , I need to win a lottery! For the realistic one it was Sirui T-005X Aluminum tripod. It collapses to fit my bag, and it is a bit heavier than carbon fiber same model, but $100 less, and it seems a bit sturdier that carbon fiber. No matter how many reviews are online, to search in person is the best way to find the right stuff. The only thing which disappointed me at BH was the lack of merchandise in their showroom. I bought Think Tank TurnStyle 10 Sling (medium size) only because I saw the other customer requested it to test from the warehouse. So, I requested one for me to test as well, and the medium size was ideal to fit two cameras with small lenses, and the extra lens. Without seeing it in person I would miss it. Anyway, BH is wonderful! I brought so many pictures, it will take forewer to edit all of them Here is the quick one. Attached Images

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09-01-2015, 10:54 AM	#31
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,838	I think something between 10 and 20mm would be really useful. Then a 24-70/35-70/35-105 would cover the rest. I wouldn't bring more than 2 or at the most 3 lenses otherwise you'll be weighted down while hiking around the city. And don't forget that B&H and Adorama will be nearby to feed your LBA!

09-01-2015, 01:13 PM	#32
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722 Original Poster	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn I think something between 10 and 20mm would be really useful. Then a 24-70/35-70/35-105 would cover the rest. I wouldn't bring more than 2 or at the most 3 lenses otherwise you'll be weighted down while hiking around the city. And don't forget that B&H and Adorama will be nearby to feed your LBA! Nope, I'm not hiking with the whole setup, I'm just flying with it.

09-01-2015, 03:33 PM	#33
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,796	I don't think you'd need a zoom from the boat, it's more about the panoramas. I've almost never regretted not having a zoom, but I have regretted not being able to take in a whole vista. There is something to the idea of being close to B&H. If you are thinking about buying a lens in certain range, at least you can get a hands-on experience with it before you buy.

09-01-2015, 05:12 PM	#34
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	As an ex- New Yorker the best combo would be the DA 21 and DA 70. Smaller is better here. Also consider scaling down dinners in expensive restaurants and take your savings to B&H or Adorama and get a DA 40 Limited. Two dinners for two in an average restaurant can easily cost more than the DA 40. Have a great trip. Your DA 21 will likely get the most use except on ferry or circle line where the DA 70. Or your new Da 40 will come in handy.

09-01-2015, 05:50 PM	#36
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,400	Originally posted by SpecialK I spent 8 days in NYC with a 10-17 fisheye, 12-24, and 17-70. Only once or twice did I wish I had something longer. Great example shots!

09-01-2015, 06:39 PM	#37
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by robgski Also, I recommend the Circle Line Boat tour around Manhattan Island to everyone who visits NYC. You get to see almost everything from the boat, without having to take subways and taxis all over, in about 3 hours. You get to see places you might not want to spend time on otherwise. Enjoy! That was nice and relaxing in the late afternoon. Gave my walking blister a rest :-) Chelsea Pier, near a golf driving range (enclosed by netting.) The commute to Roosevelt Island. Had to slow way down to not swamp the boathouse. George Washington bridge and Little Red Lighthouse. You go under 20-something bridges. When I went, I had the NYPass. It gets you in a long long list of places. I was a bit skeptical when I bought it for $239 as I recall (which included a choice of 3 of 4 open-top bus tours - very fun!). I planned 90% of my activities around it. Even the tour guide for the walk-across-Brooklyn Bridge had a portable card reader, and many attractions have a special window or line for you. When I got back I added up the entrance fees I would have paid - over $500, so it worked out well for a longer vacation. The Metro Card was $30 for a week, unlimited 6AM-Midnite. It's normally about $2.25 per ride. I could and did go from the northern tip of Manhattan, across the river through Brooklyn to Coney Island in something like 45 minutes. Last edited by SpecialK; 09-30-2015 at 09:01 PM.

09-01-2015, 09:52 PM	#38
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722 Original Poster	SpecialK, what a great vacation! And your report is wonderful as always! I hope to bring at least a few nice picturesl Thanks to all of you, guys. I keep sigma zoom anyway, and because I've been promised to spot young cardinals. It's never enough birding anywhere Everything is packed, I'm ready to fly. With right lenses, or wrong lenses it will be fun one way or another. BH and Adorama are mandatory to visit. Gonna be there tomorrow, yeah!

09-04-2015, 04:27 AM	#39
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Great! Let us know how it all worked out for you (and what, if anything, you bought in the camera stores. Nearest decent one to me is 400km+, so I sort of envy you right now).

09-08-2015, 09:49 AM	#41
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Thanks for reporting back! That's a great shot, by the way.

09-08-2015, 10:01 AM	#42
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722 Original Poster	Thanks, it was a pure pleasure to watch those kids! New York took away my fear to shot people. I completely unleashed myself, and it worked. I still need to be careful in some situations, in case someone does not want me to take pictures, but I got that freedom to see and to take what I like, and that feeling is so amazing.

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