What and how much to take to Russia (Page 6): Probably safer than Detroit or Chicago. If I'm going to get shot or mugged might as well be in an exotic location. If I get mugged for my...

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

dpaden wrote:

I've been to St. Petersburg, Moscow and some very remote parts of Siberia and in Moscow and Siberia, had a camera backpack, Canon 5DIII and L series lens. I felt just as comfortable there as any part of U.S. I was always with a group similar to you. Only issue was when two of us took a cab from Bolshoi theatre to hotel a few blocks away, what should have been a $10 cab ride was $100.

Probably safer than Detroit or Chicago. If I'm going to get shot or mugged might as well be in an exotic location. If I get mugged for my camera equipment I'll ask nicely if I can keep the memory card. :thumbup:

Tpharm Loc: Central PA

dpaden wrote:

I've been to St. Petersburg, Moscow and some very remote parts of Siberia and in Moscow and Siberia, had a camera backpack, Canon 5DIII and L series lens. I felt just as comfortable there as any part of U.S. I was always with a group similar to you. Only issue was when two of us took a cab from Bolshoi theatre to hotel a few blocks away, what should have been a $10 cab ride was $100.

We also had trouble with cabs, we had no choice and took what was available (small and old) Try and get a metered cab if possible.

RJNaylor Loc: Delmar, New York

Very nice work, Robert!

Robeng wrote:

Hi RJ,

I've been very fortunate to be able to travel and shoot. My opinion is to carry just what you need. I would take both camera bodies and get a 18mm-250mm & a 50mm and go have fun. You can check my website and see what equipment I used.

WORLDBROWSER

I've been to Russia maybe 5 times during the last 8 years. It is an incredible destination.
I did not have any problems. I was carrying a Sony hand-held digital video camera and I went everywhere with it, and took pictures everywhere...without harassment from anyone.
This is especially easy to do if you're traveling around in groups which you must do anyway to get into the really popular places (Kremlin Museum in Moscow, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Catherine's Palace in Pushkin).
For still photography I took another hand-held unit: A Nikon Coolpix 9100 which has a great little telephoto on it and takes excellent photos. That fit in my shirt pocket.
I wouldn't worry about politics. Russian people are wonderful. It's not about the leaders politics, the state of their roads, or anything else. Russians are the kind of people who'd give you the shirt off their back. The only caveats would be the ones I'd give for your traveling anywhere else. Be alert. All of this, said, however, the earlier advice is still worth heeding; don't advertise yourself.

RJNaylor Loc: Delmar, New York

Thanks, Worldbrowser! Thanks for sharing about your hassleless travel. I will take my D7000 with 17-50 lens because I really like it but also my SONY RX100M which should be just fine for most things.

WORLDBROWSER wrote:

I've been to Russia maybe 5 times during the last ... (show quote)

aammatj Loc: Zebulon, NC / Roscoe, Ill

I have been to Moscow 3 times in the last 8 months. The museums and kremlin are beautiful and issues have been thoroughly discussed in previous posts. What I did not see mentioned is that it is VERY beautiful at night. You might want to try to get out at night with a monopod.

RJNaylor Loc: Delmar, New York

Thanks, I have a small Giotto base for my GX100M so I will try that! Again, I love to hear from people whop have been there!
Richard

aammatj wrote:

I have been to Moscow 3 times in the last 8 months. The museums and kremlin are beautiful and issues have been thoroughly discussed in previous posts. What I did not see mentioned is that it is VERY beautiful at night. You might want to try to get out at night with a monopod.

WORLDBROWSER

When I get back from Mongolia in mid-July I will have a report on that. WB

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

RJNaylor wrote:

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).

as little and as small as possible. Moscow, especially at night, is poorly patrolled and there is a lot of criminal activity. do not take jeans, go with cotton trousers. a small cheap camera, no zoom lens, except during the day. focal length of 28-150mm will serve nicely, if a zoom you must use. keep goodies in jacket or pants pockest. avoid gadget bag. Russian people, by and large, are warm, friendly, and love meeting folks from other countries.

so, go, have fun and don't be surprised when you see a lot of wooden buildings!