RJNaylor Loc: Delmar, New York

Any advice on photography in Moscow and/or Saint-Petersburg? I'm trying to decide if I should just take my D7000 with 17-50 walkaround lens or my two camera set-up including D5100 and either 55-200 or 105 f/2.8. I'm concerned mostly about standing out. (I also have a Sony RX100M that I thought I'd stick in my bag, or pocket).

amehta Loc: Boston

This might be a situation where "less is more".

RJNaylor Loc: Delmar, New York

Thanks, you are leaning me in that direction. Unless someone tells me they have been and had no problems ...

I think there is maybe a fair bit of paranoia.

amehta Loc: Boston

Things might be a little testy right now, so you might not want scream, "I'm an American tourist!"

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

take it all and let us know how it turns out..

RJNaylor Loc: Delmar, New York

Right -- don't remind me. We already paid our money -- so as Popeye says "You pay your money and you take your chance"

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I would avoid taking both cameras, primarily as a convenience factor. If security is a real concern, take the older and cheaper 5100. Also depends on what if any insurance coverage you would have away from home (far away).

In either case, I'd be looking at your lens situation. I don't see your 17-50 as being a good walkaround for this type of trip. On the other hand you could go with the 17-50 and your 55-200 and be okay. Even better, invest in the 28-300mm lens that's being talked about now and not have to worry about extra baggage or lens changing.

amehta Loc: Boston

I understand, which why I didn't say anything about going. But since you're going, I would keep things simple. The RX100 may be used the most, it has a slightly bigger zoom range than the 17-50mm, though it is f/4.9 at the long end. The sensor may not match the D7000, but it's not too big a drop off.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

p.s. - Your Sony is more than adequate as a backup or even if that's the only one your take. :)

Sheila Loc: Arizona or New York

Not been to Russia but I suspect like every other large city I have ever been in, there will be moments when carrying too much will just be a pain. If you take one DSLR and the pocket camera, I suspect you will be able to cover most things. I wounld not even consider the 105 and this is one of my favorite lenses. The 17-55 should be good for buildings and street scenes. If you were up to carrying the 55-200 as well but only one camera body, this would certainly be sufficient. I have an 18-200 and if I were on this kind of a trip it would probably my only lens unless I put a faast 50 or 35 mm in my pocket.

RJNaylor Loc: Delmar, New York

Thanks, everyone! I will definitely slim down. Since I love my Sigma 17-50 f/2.8, that will be my main thing with the RX100M as a backup. I have found that 95% of my photos are with that lens anyway. I'd put it on the D5100 but ever since I adjusted the focal distance on the D7000 everything has been better and the D5100 can't do that ...
Much obliged to all!!!

GC likes NIKON Loc: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

If the strap on your D7000 is black with yellow words "NIKON" on it you may want to consider getting a less obtrusive all black OpTeck for $20 that doesn't stand out as much and sceam "expensive camera attached"...............

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

If you are travelling on public transit be very careful. If you are going on the subway in St Petersburg I would suggest you put your camera in a plain and simple camera bag. I also suggest you paint out the word "NIKON" on your camera and lens cap or cover them with gaffer tape. If you can get one of those camera straps that has the steel cable running through it I would recommend that too. The thieves are very clever and have special tactics for snatching cameras in crowded public places. One trick is that they will double team you - one chap gets behind you and cuts your camera strap while the second guy grabs your camera and runs - and usually hands it off to a third guy and soon as he is out of sight. On one trip in St Petersburg my wife and I and a female guide were getting on the subway. I let the ladies get on first and before I could get on two very burly guys jumped in front of me, then two more very burley guys jumped on behind me and the four of them put the squeeze on me. I thought I was in real trouble because these guys were at least six inches taller than me and outweighed me buy at least 50 pounds. I think the only reason I got out of it was that I spoke to the guide saying something like "it's really crowded in here". She spoke back to me in Russian and told the two guys in front of me that they could move up a bit if they needed more room. Once they realized I was with someone who could identify them and report to the police, they backed off. There is no way you can avoid crowds at the Hermitage, so be careful.

Tpharm Loc: Central PA

I think what you choose also depends the size of your groups as far as safty and if your itinerary includes the villages and rural areas along the waterways connecting the two citys. Four years ago we had no trouble in the citys but then I just had a bridge camera. I would think keep it simple with 55-200 walkaround and a good other smaller camera. Moscow has many opposites as you will see.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I was really not aware that there are those problems in Moscow. I guess that's why I prefer mail order brides. But still I have a couple of friends who have had warranty problems with those. :)