DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

We are going to be spending 4 days each in Charleston and New York City, and about a day and a half in Savannah in a couple of weeks. We spent 4 days in Charleston in June 2016 and the same in New York City last September; we have never been to Savannah. When we went to Charleston I only had my Canon SX 40 HS (superzoom/bridge camera) and I decided to go minimalist in New York and only took a Canon SD 1100 (~10 years old, compact, 8 MP, 3x optical zoom) and my wife had her iPhone X (which she will have). This time I'm going to bring my Canon 80D, along with the SD 1100. I'm planning to bring my EF-S 10-18 and 18-135 lenses, but am seriously considering leaving my EF 70-300 at home to lighten my load and because I don't think I will need it. I use a sling bag for the 80D. I don't plan to do any wildlife photography.

Does my plan make sense?

We're planning to go to Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and Central Park in New York and will be staying in mid-town Manhattan. We didn't go up to the observation deck in either Rockefeller Center or the Empire State Building in September; which one should we do? Our B&B in Charleston is at the Battery and our B&B in Savannah is near Forsyth Park. We are planning to go to a plantation in Charleston (we didn't in 2016) and focus on the city in Savannah and probably take a walking tour. I am planning to visit the USS Laffey (and possibly the Yorktown) in Charleston. Is there anything else we "must see" in any of the places?

I appreciate any suggestions.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The 10-18 and 18-135 sound like a plan to me.
Maybe just the 18-135....
(To be light I would only take my 18-200. I would do little after sunset.)
The Yorktown was NEAT!

CO

A 10-18mm is such an extreme wide angle lens. I wouldn't bring it. It can make mountains look like small hills in the distance. Also, if you use that lens in the city and point it up, you will get significant keystoning (converging verticals). Maybe rent a Canon 17mm, 24mm or 45mm tilt/shift lens from LensRentals.com. It can correct the converging verticals for your city shots. LenRentals.com is very good. I've rented from them numerous times. They include a pre-paid return shipping label in the box.

Bring your 18-135mm lens also.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Thank you Longshadow. Visiting the Yorktown will depend on how much time I can spend (my wife isn't planning to go visit the ship(s)). I live about 30 miles from the USS Hornet in Alameda, so the Laffey is my priority.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Having visited Charleston recently I found my Canon 10-18mm and 24-105mm very useful and used a lot. Your choice of the 10-18mm and 18-135mm will be eminently useful there. You will find the same for NYC. Been decades since in Savannah so no comment there.
The Battery is in the park (White Point Garden). If near the battery is your stay at Two Meeting Street Inn? If so the 10-18mm is great for that B&B and the hosts are wonderful. I have not stayed there but we know them socially.
Bottom line is the 2 lenses you have chosen (No Wildlife) will be excellent lenses with your excellent 80D and you should not feel short changed in any way. (PS, I did take my 100-400mm and did use it a lot on the way to Ft Sumter with some great unexpected shots of wildlife. But the 135 would have done pretty well then as well.
Have fun.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Thank you CO. I've never used a tilt/shift lens; I'll check it out. The 18-135 is on my camera most of the time, so it's definitely going. The 10-18 is small and light and is good for panorama shots (and it's very sharp), so I'll probably take it.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Thank you Architect. We stayed at Two Meeting Street in 2016 and are staying there this time; it's a special place.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

It's been years since I have been to Savannah, GA and Charleston SC. The two cities are about a 2 hour 15 minute drive from one another. And have that Southern look, with the styles of the houses, etc.. Many very old, and considered historical landmarks. I've been to New York State, but never the Big Apple. For your Southern trip, I would recommend at least an 18mm wide angle lens to capture those old houses there. Southern Cuisine is great in Georgia and South Carolina too. I didn't see Fort Sumter when I visited Charleston. I certainly would want a lens with a focal range of up to 300mm, to capture those high skyscrapers in NYC, and of course, the Statue of Liberty. Have a good trip.

Bill_de Loc: US

As long as you'll be in NYC, just bring a credit card. Stop by B&H and let Hershel set you up with exactly what you need.

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DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Thank you mas 24. We're flying into Charleston, driving to Savannah, then flying from Charleston to New York.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Thanks Bill_de. New York is our last stop, and we'll be staying within about a 15-20 minute walk from B&H so I'm going to try to go there.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Then you know that this place and all along Meeting Street the 10-18 is really called for.
I leave enough room at top and side so I can do perspective correction of the Architecture and beautiful homes as well as other historic buildings.
I really think that will be your go to lens in the many tight places.
I actually used a FF fisheye as well in some really tight spaces.

First is the Calhoun Mansion used for basis of Gone With the Wind using a FF Fisheye lens. I wanted the building and the garden together.
Second is Two Meeting Street Inn with the 10-18mm at 10mm

Calhoun Mansion

(Download)

Two Meeting Street Inn

(Download)

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Beautiful photos! Our room in 2016 was upstairs, just to the left of center in your photo. We're staying in a room downstairs this time. You have reinforced my decision to bring the 10-18.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Excellent choice to bring.