John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

I worked there in the early 90s and tho a bit out of date can offer some info to consider. Both cities are on a very large scale. Wide streets and large buildings. Moscow other than red sq is not walkable. Red sq early or late in the day is where you'll get your keeper. st pete has wide streets also and Nevsky prospect from the airslty to the station can be walked. The markets are typically in side buildings and crowded and the locals don't like to be photographed. Watch out for pick pockets and begging gypsies that work in gangs. Do not miss the Russian Museum very close to the Europa Hotel. Hermitage of course with its great square. The wayerfront too and canals. It is called the Venice of the north for a reason.
If you have a good bag that does not look to fancy and don't mind carrying it I vote for one Nikon, both the lens and the Sony as back up or when you don't want to change lens. Two last bits - both cities are dirty with bugs in warm weather. Be cautious changing lens. Don't leave anything of value in your hotel room even with a safe.

Now I am off to Cuba in April and need the same advice.
Have fun and be safe.

jpanar Loc: Reston, VA

Why not just go somewhere that looks like Russia? There's parts of the the Bronx like that.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Have you created a shot list? That will be a huge help in determining what goes and stays.

If your worried about equipment being "confiscated" make sure you have lots of cards and rotate them every few hours and keep them away from your equipment. Also, every time you have a few minutes back them up to the cloud or some other place.

Don't allow your fears to govern your memories.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I would certainly want to make sure that I didn't end up short on lenses. Keep the ones you're not using in a pocket or somewhere else inconspicuous.

Call me Ishmael Loc: Witness Protection Program

Take your 55-200 and don't worry. We went to Russia recently and had no problems at all. Having said that, any time you travel to a large city you should be very cautious. Being a member of a tour group is a good idea. Buy an anti theft strap (I use a shoulder sling)and keep the camera in your hands. Thieves prey on the careless all around the world, not just in Russia

londonfire Loc: NY to NC

I wouldn't do that here in the US, except in NY, LA, Boston, DC, etc...

photocat Loc: Atlanta, Ga

ahmen

"Thieves prey on the careless all around the world, not just in Russia"

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

What ever you take with you, just be sure to get insurance for it so in case it gets lost or stolen, you have recovery of funds.
I'm more concerned about baggage handlers in the USA than those in foreign countries though and I always try to keep my camera equipment in my carry on bag for tourism trips.

Itpurs Loc: Carson City, NV

We went to Russia (St. Petersburg and Moscow) two years ago. Did not find the people friendly, but did not encounter any situation that was scary. If you are on a tour, you are not going to have a lot of time for lining up your shots, so if I were you, I would take something like a Tamron 18-270 or a Bridge camera. I took my 24-105 and 70-200 along with a Panasonic 200. I ended up using the bridge a lot of the time, and wished I would have had my 18-270 lens. There is a lot of walking to do on this trip, so go light as possible. The Hermitage and the summer and winter palaces are just breathtaking. Enjoy, it's a once in a life time experience.

Alois

Don't look too flashy.

mickeys Loc: Fort Wayne, IN

bullet proof vest, sign saying your not from the ukraine

cygone Loc: Boston

I just cancelled a trip to that part of the world. And I could care less about the money. WW 1&2 started exactly this way. But who knows. You'd probably be safer in Russia than Ukraine or somewhere else. But I've been stuck before in situations like this and I didn't like it at all. And I have options now so I do what I want regardless of money.

Expecting Obama to watch my back, as an American citizen, does not make me feel safe today.

Jiminyclicket

I'd have second thoughts about visiting Russia right now. The political climate is getting pretty bad and Russions in general aren't looking at Americans in a kindly way. With the sanction type moves that BO is making now you could get caught in Russia as a person non-grata. If you must go take the absolute minimum in gear you feel you can get away with. Russia is not anything like the US concerning individual rights.

NYKen Loc: New York

I would be very careful with your equipment in Russia, especially in Saint-Petersburg. I was there about 6 years ago and had a lens taken right off my Nikon while I was walking with my partner and a guide. Make sure that your camera is hanging in front of you and not towards your back.

MtnMan Loc: ID

You'd want the 18-300 for your DX cameras. But I also disagree with the suggestion. The telephoto isn't very useful in cities and touristing you'll appreciate the much lighter 18-55.