Should I pack everything!?

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joe1978

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Joe
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I'm heading off to NYC tomorrow and since my last 'outing' to Japan my bag has increased in weight a little. :thinking: My quandary is do I take everything just in case or leave some bits behind? Arghhh!! :bang::bang:
Kit list ( all in Kata 33n1 bag):
D90 (replaced D40)
Nikon 18-70mm 3.5-4.5
Nikon 35mm 1.8
Nikon 70-300mm VR 4.5-5.6 (replaced Sigma same range)
Sigma 10-20mm 4.0-5.6 (new)
SB600
Velbon Ultra Maxi L Tripod

I carried everything all the time in Japan, we were travelling around alot, but this trip is only for 5 days so I'll always be fairly local so could leave stuff in the hotel. :shrug:

Joe
 
Id take it all tbh, if I were going the whole lot would. i only leave things at home when I know I don't need them as I'm local but over there Id want to try different lenses ect ect.
 
Sod's law states that anything you decide to leave at home will be wanted while you don't have it available.
However, you may find yourself running up against the hand baggage size or weight limit.
 
Nod said:
Sod's law states that anything you decide to leave at home will be wanted while you don't have it available.
However, you may find yourself running up against the hand baggage size or weight limit.
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Flying BA so size and weight (well 23kg hand luggage I think I should tip in below that ;)) not an issue thankfully.

Joe
 
Maybe leave the 18-70 zoom behind and just use the 35mm instead?
 
What are you taking the tripod for? You are not allowed to use them at the empire state building or the rockerfeller centre, I also think its going to be awkward to use one on the streets.
Might be of use if you wanted to do long exposures in central park or battery park but thats about it I think.

Half tempted to say leave the 70-300 too - I think the only real use for this will be pictures of the statue of liberty, but if you are going there anyway I think you'll get close enough with the 18-70.

Not sure what use the flash would be either ?

If you are happy to leave stuff in the hotel then I guess just take it all, just don't be surprised if you don't use some ? From what I read most people spend 90% of the time using a UWA lens.
 
you wont need all of it go light and enjoy your time out their
 
If you decide to only take some of your kit, I'd take the 10-20 and 18-70. That should cover the majority of scenarios in NYC.

However, if it were me, I'd take it all and leave the other lenses at your hotel so that they're not to far away if you decide you want them.
 
Cheers folk, think I'll leave the flash at least, I was hoping to get a few night shots of bridges etc but I can leave the tripod in the hotel.
 
I'd say no harm in taking all the kit but I think it's best to "travel light" once you have arrived and are shooting. I would only carry the bare minimum (ie 1 body + 1 lens) when actually out shooting.
 
I took as little as possible when I went. In NYC you will do a LOT of walking. You don't want to have loads of kit on you. Also some parts are a little dodgy so dont have your gear on show if you're not using it.
If you think you'll leave it in the room, why even take it. Personally I would take the 10-20mm, the 35mm and a couple of batteries. Also throw in a circular polariser for each lens.
Hope you have a good time.
 
If it was me, I'd take the 10-20mm and the 35mm. With a polariser for the 30mm.

I'd possibly take the tripod if I thought I'd get a chance to use it at night (and never underestimate the potential for a good shot from a hotel window). But that depends on who you're travelling with and how your photograpy works in that relationship, as well as your planned schedule.
 
I'm going early next year and was planning to take the 10-22 & 24-105 only.

Make sure you post some pics when you get back!
 
I've taken heed, sort of.
It would be very impractical to lug the full bag around all day so I'm taking it for carriage but also my crumpler messenger bag for when I'm there. Then I can choose what I want to bring out each trip. :)
Must be more decisive.

Cheers.
 
Alastair said:
If it was me, I'd take the 10-20mm and the 35mm. With a polariser for the 30mm.

I'd possibly take the tripod if I thought I'd get a chance to use it at night (and never underestimate the potential for a good shot from a hotel window). But that depends on who you're travelling with and how your photograpy works in that relationship, as well as your planned schedule.
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I know!! The best photo I got from 3 weeks in Japan was from a hotel roof in Tokyo resting on a railing!!


DSC_5499.jpg by joett1978, on Flickr
 
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spaniel said:
Nice shot Joe :), whats the 'carrot' shaped object?
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Apparently it's locally known as "the golden turd". Modern art on top if the Asahi brewery. :)

Joe
 
Mark G said:
I took as little as possible when I went. In NYC you will do a LOT of walking. You don't want to have loads of kit on you. Also some parts are a little dodgy so dont have your gear on show if you're not using it.
If you think you'll leave it in the room, why even take it. Personally I would take the 10-20mm, the 35mm and a couple of batteries. Also throw in a circular polariser for each lens.
Hope you have a good time.
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Sorry don't see the point in getting a nice kit,then when you get great op to use it leave it at home because it's to heavy or it might get nicked :shrug:
 
Personally having travelled a lot carrying lots of kit I now only take what I need. If the purpose of the trip is photography then obviously take it all.

If it's for recreation or you're going with family then take only the barebones. I usually find a body, flash and zoom lens are good for what I want on holiday. Hate having to worry about having thousands of pounds of gear on me and lugging it everywhere. It does get in the way. Also take a compact as a back up.
 
simonblue said:
Sorry don't see the point in getting a nice kit,then when you get great op to use it leave it at home because it's to heavy or it might get nicked :shrug:
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Because he has a few lenses that all cover the same focal length. Also, If you limit your kit you will be more creative and use what you've got to maximum effect. I don't really see a need for a 70-300mm lens when in NYC, and why lug around a tripod if you can rest your camera against one of the many sign posts or rest it on a wall/bag etc.

I've never walked so much as when I went to New York and If I went again, I'd leave more than half of my kit at home.
 
simonblue said:
Sorry don't see the point in getting a nice kit,then when you get great op to use it leave it at home because it's to heavy or it might get nicked :shrug:
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You'll try it once, and then realise that no matter where you go you'll use the same lens 80%+ of the time. It's a matter of identifying the right lens for the trip, and perhaps one other that will give you some flexibility.

You lose more shots wasting time changing lenses than you gain carrying them all around everywhere. And it tires the patience of travelling companions.
 
Mark G said:
Because he has a few lenses that all cover the same focal length. Also, If you limit your kit you will be more creative and use what you've got to maximum effect. I don't really see a need for a 70-300mm lens when in NYC, and why lug around a tripod if you can rest your camera against one of the many sign posts or rest it on a wall/bag etc.

I've never walked so much as when I went to New York and If I went again, I'd leave more than half of my kit at home.
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Sorry were going to have to disagreed on this one,all I am saying why bother to buy a large kit,if every time you go somewhere,you just leave it at home,me I would have at least 2 bodies one with grip,5 lens and a small flashgun,and a good compact as a backup,but I have never just been on holiday,it alway has been a photographic trip :)
 
Alastair said:
You'll try it once, and then realise that no matter where you go you'll use the same lens 80%+ of the time. It's a matter of identifying the right lens for the trip, and perhaps one other that will give you some flexibility.

You lose more shots wasting time changing lenses than you gain carrying them all around everywhere. And it tires the patience of travelling companions.
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I used to be a pro,before the days of zooms and digital,my kit in them days for a trip away,would be 3 Nikons pro bodies with + 6 Nikon prime lens,a Leica M6 and 3 prime lens a flashgun,plus tons of film,and a few bits & bobs :)

ps I try I travel alone
 
I know I'm just a newbie, but the advice I was given once was never take two lenses that overlap or you'll waste time trying to figure out which of the two to use. Only used one SLR over a weekend but found this to be true.
 
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