Travel to NYC / Need advice

[ejg1890]

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I have been too NYC many times and what to bring all depends on: what you plan to shoot; when you plan to shoot; how you want a shot to look. Standing on a street corner for street photography a small fast 28mm will be good; but shooting from the Top of the Rock, Empire State or from Brooklyn to Manhattan then a 35m or 50m may be too short. I have taken a number of longer exposure photos at various times of the year at many locations, it this is the case then a tripod is a must (lower Manhattan from Dumbo, bow Bridge reflections, movement of people and cars, etc.). Several years ago I set up a tripod at Rockefeller Center for skating and got several nice photos before kicked out (didn't know tripods were not allowed).

Based on what and how I shoot I would take:

1. tripod
2. 28m Elm
3. 35m Summicron
4. 50m APO
5. Polarizer filters
6. ND filters for longer exposures

Also very important to bring warm cloths - layering approach is best. I have experienced mid 40's to the teens in December/January.

Hope this helps.

[Herr Barnack]

On 12/2/2019 at 11:42 PM, james.liam said:

December is dark, rarely too cold; February is generally the coldest of the winter months. If you can bear lugging around the 28 Summilux, you won't be disappointed; I'd say better than a 35 at capturing street scenes and activities. The 50 APO will give you a little added reach along with the spectacular resolution. Those are the two I would grab. 

Alternatively, travel with one and rent another if needed. Adorama rents several Leica RF lenses, if you need, say a 50 Noctilux for the day.

If it were me, I would also take the 28 Summilux and the 50 APO. 

What's the point of owning two such magnificent lenses if they are left at home gathering cobwebs while you and your M10 are visiting one of the most image rich cities in existence ? 

Edited December 5, 2019 by Herr Barnack

[OttoWitte]

On 12/3/2019 at 12:56 PM, dugby said:

Depending on where you are staying...... you may find that your outings may turn into long days, and tiring to carry too much, along with multiple layers of clothing & coat.

I usually now only carry either a 35Lux FLE or 50APO,  sometimes when I'm tired or it's too cold for me I'll just resort to my backup camera which is always on my belt : Hasselblad Stellar for convenience.

The tips on a hat and waterproof shoes/boots is useful. I wear my black Columbia Davenport XTM Omni-Heat boots, which look quite OK for a multi-purpose boot.

Thank you for the tips dugby, In fact, weight plays a role in the journey. I put the 28 Summilux, the 50 APO and the 15 Voigtländer into the Domke bag for a try. That's enough to put some pressure on my shoulder. And I don't want to leave the equipment in the hotel. Shoes and warm clothes are a completely different topic. There I wait for the weather forecast. But good footwear is a must and I am bald 😉

[OttoWitte]

22 hours ago, ejg1890 said:

I have been too NYC many times and what to bring all depends on: what you plan to shoot; when you plan to shoot; how you want a shot to look. Standing on a street corner for street photography a small fast 28mm will be good; but shooting from the Top of the Rock, Empire State or from Brooklyn to Manhattan then a 35m or 50m may be too short. I have taken a number of longer exposure photos at various times of the year at many locations, it this is the case then a tripod is a must (lower Manhattan from Dumbo, bow Bridge reflections, movement of people and cars, etc.). Several years ago I set up a tripod at Rockefeller Center for skating and got several nice photos before kicked out (didn't know tripods were not allowed).

Based on what and how I shoot I would take:

1. tripod
2. 28m Elm
3. 35m Summicron
4. 50m APO
5. Polarizer filters
6. ND filters for longer exposures

Also very important to bring warm cloths - layering approach is best. I have experienced mid 40's to the teens in December/January.

Hope this helps.

Thank you. Your suggestion is good and would limit the weight. I don't want to take a tele like the 90 or the 13 with me. A small Manfrotto tripod and ND - filter for the skyline. Good idea. At first I had flirted with the 28 Summilux. The image effect of 1.4 was tempting.  But to carry 6 days this fat child, the 50 and maybe the 35mm, that seemed a bit crazy to me. Normally I am in the European cities only with the 35mm on the way. Thanks a lot. Your advice makes my decision easier

Edited December 5, 2019 by sushiotto

[OttoWitte]

3 hours ago, Herr Barnack said:

If it were me, I would also take the 28 Summilux and the 50 APO. 

What's the point of owning two such magnificent lenses if they are left at home gathering cobwebs while you and your M10 are visiting one of the most image rich cities in existence ? 

Regarding the 50APO, I'm sure I'll take it with me by now. With 28Summilux I still have some problems. I have the hope that the light conditions are sufficient for the tiny 28EL. I still have a few days to plan. It's fun too. Thanks for the support

[M11 for me]

Considering 28 or 35 I would go for 28. The 2 focal lengths are quite near together. I just went into Lightroom and I selected my NYC pictures (taken with Canon 5D Mk ll and lll). Indeed I used mostly around 24 to 50mm. A few longer but when I look at those pictures 50mm would have done too. Considering the speed I believe that no Summilux is needed even at night time. F/2.0 would be fine (in my opinion). Use 1/40s with f/2.0 and ISO 800 or 1600. That you can easily hand hold with 28mm lens.

Edited December 5, 2019 by M10 for me

[OttoWitte]

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Hello, everyone. Thank you very much for the explanations. I have now received some advice. I think I will indeed take the 28 Summilux and the 50 APO with me. Also at the risk that it will be a little more bulky than a small combi. The 28 Elmarit would be an alternative, but I think I'll have some nice twilight situations where I can play with the background sharpness at 1.4. I leave the 15mm Voigtländer at home. Thanks again for your advices that supported me in my decision. I will post some pictures after my return.

 

 

[albertknappmd]

lifelong New York with the exception of many years in Boston/Cambridge.... The 28 and 50 will be quite adequate.

Albert

 

[albertknappmd]

My comment above is for street photography... If you are ding more, then bring other lenses and TRIPOD/ND filters etc depending on your projects..

[farnz]

I was in NYC in April and I'm a 50 mm shooter with my M10 normally so I took my 50/1 Noctilux for shooting after dark and my tiny Rollei 40/2.8 Sonnar for shooting during the day but had loads of fun also shooting with my Voigtlander 10/5.6 Ultra-Wide Heliar, which is great for shooting sky scrapers from street level.  Whatever you decide to take you I recommend that you also pack your Voigtlander 15/4.5 Heliar.

Pete.

Edited December 7, 2019 by farnz

[OttoWitte]

8 hours ago, farnz said:

I was in NYC in April and I'm a 50 mm shooter with my M10 normally so I took my 50/1 Noctilux for shooting after dark and my tiny Rollei 40/2.8 Sonnar for shooting during the day but had loads of fun also shooting with my Voigtlander 10/5.6 Ultra-Wide Heliar, which is great for shooting sky scrapers from street level.  Whatever you decide to take you I recommend that you also pack your Voigtlander 15/4.5 Heliar.

Pete.

Thank you. You're not making it any easier for me to make that decision.:-)