dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

On my trip to St. Petersburg, Russia I took my D800 and a 24-85 zoom lens. It did just fine all by itself. Only occasionally did I wish for a wider or longer lens. I have done the, carry everything but the kitchen sink lenses and two DSLR bodies but I usually carried it all but used only a couple of lenses. If I had to do it over again I would switch to the 24-120 lens and maybe a wider angle such as the 16-35 f2.8. That would be plenty for me.

Dennis

shutterlab Loc: Jersey Shore

Buy an old Zorki or FED film rangefinder and a Jupiter 50mm; they take great pix, have a vintage “feel”, and won’t be
Stolen.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

I have a Nikon S7000, it has a 20X optical zoom with IS. It is small enough to carry in a pocket. Takes really nice pics.
That's something I would take on a trip like your's.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Yes!! Excellent advice! I know of two couples who watched a portion of their luggage get on the bus at the airport but didn't get delivered to the boat! I don't know if it made any difference or not but in both cases, the luggage was new and looked expensive. Also, it never hurts to take a picture or two of everything that goes into your suitcase. It's not that luggage thievery is a common occurrence, but a little caution never hurts. Word to the wise!

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Another favorite tactic is someone asking if you want your picture taken with your traveling companion. You hand the person your camera to take the picture and watch them run into a crowd. Not that Russia is being singled out here, this can happen anywhere on the globe.

Selene03

I don't really know what you like to photograph, but in general when we have wonderful cameras like the d850, it makes sense to me to take it with you. Why not get the best photographs you can of interesting places? Do we save these cameras for our backyard photos??? That being said, St. Petersburg especially is notorious for its camera (and other item) thieves. I never had any problems, but I was careful. Also, you can photograph pretty much everywhere, but you may need to buy a special permit (seems like I did almost everywhere) to take pictures with no flash or tripods allowed in major tourist spots like the Hermitage. Given the iffiness of avoiding thieves, I would not want to be walking around with a tripod and I would recommend being in at least somewhat organized tours, where your probably would want to take pictures somewhat quickly (though I have always been able to wait for the right shot in such groups if I am willing to walk really fast to catch up).

When I was there I had a Canon bridge camera. It was ok, but I actually decided to get into dslrs after that trip because, while it was good on the long end, I really wasn't taking that many shots at the long end, and I couldn't get a lot of shots I wanted because the lens wasn't wide enough. Being on a cruise, you might want the longer lens for shots from the ship, but for trips inside cities, you might be happier with a wider lens. But everyone has a different eye and a different idea about what is interesting to photograph, so this is no more than a suggestion. In any case, enjoy your trip. I would love to go there again one of these days.

jcboy3

If you're not going to take your expensive photo gear on a trip, then what do you have it for?

kmanske2

I just looked at my St.Petersburg pics. 90% of them were taken under 70mm - and I traveled w/an 18-300. I have a D500 and a Lumix zs100. The lumix is in my purse and goes with me everywhere. I travel a lot and couldn't imagine not taking my D500 with me on my international vacations. Definitely no tripod - if you're in a group you won't have time to mess with it. Loved St. Petersburg and hope to take the Moscow-St. Petersburg cruise one day.

dougbev3 Loc: Pueblo, Colorado

A monopod,,,, would that be out of line... Quick to use and move on.... I use mine more than a tripod. Unless I really need a tripod.

anotherview Loc: California

Looking back on my three guided tours of Europe, I cannot recall seeing even one photographer anywhere using a tripod.

In addition, I have visited the national parks in the Southwestern U.S. many times. While there, I have seen only one photographer, at Yosemite, about a dozen years ago, setting up a big box film camera on a large tripod. I cannot recall seeing any other photographers doing landscape photography with a tripod.

At the Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon, I saw a young man wearing a backpack full of gear while he lugged a tripod around, just like models and shills in magazine ads. He had the fixed smile of a male model, too. I have not seen one like him before or since in the field.

I scoff only so much at the use of tripods, however, because some conditions call for a tripod.

On the whole, though, I agree with Ken Rockwell re tripods: https://kenrockwell.com/tech/digital-killed-my-tripod.htm

In short, tripods have become passe since the inception of image stabilization in digital cameras.

lightyear

I have also taken that river cruise: 1. No tripod 2. Use your oldest beat up luggage so that it will not get stolen at the airport or before it gets to your room. 3. I used my Nikon DSLR 24-105 VR lens outside, and 50 mm f 1.8 VR lens in museums, Kremlin, churches. 3. I used an old shoulder travel( not camera gadget bag) bag to hold my other lens, flash, extra items, etc. 4. I wore jeans every day, cheap Timex watch, no jewelry. No one bothered me, even on Moscow and St. Petersburg subways and buses. Some others on the trip were not so lucky . 5.Take extra memory cards because you will use them.
Stan

Al Freeedman

Ron,

Some of the best pictures Ive ever taken in the film days was with a Minox 35 GT, a full frame 35 MM camera
with a lens made by Leica. Still have it.

Captain Al

pjarbit Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Always take a tripod. This is a tiny one that fits in my pocket. I've used it all over the world and it has been amazing. My goto lens on a Canon 5dIII is a 16-30 L. Travel photography, I prefer wide angle.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/799983-REG/Cullmann_CU_50081_Copter_Mini_Tripod_with.html

Here a few pics of Moscow and St. Petersberg. Make sure to see the subway. The Winter Palace is amazing for photography. Enjoy your trip.