bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Concorde too.

hisoy

Went to Washington last fall and had a great trip. I used mostly a 70D Canon with a 18-135 lens and it worked well for most photos that I wanted. I carried a small backpack and had no trouble with any of the museums, the capital or House offices. Plan, however, that they will probably search your bag at each entrance, so be prepared. No cameras or cellphones are allowed at the White House, so if you are lucky enough to go, leave your stuff at the hotel. We were there right after the fence jumper and all WH tours were on hold.

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

I live in the Baltimore area and visit DC regularly, particularly the museums. No one has ever stopped me from bringing in a monopod or tripod, although I do not often do that. You can bring it in, but they will not you to actually use either one. The concern is over other visitors tripping over them. As for bags, I usually carry a small bag with a camera and a short lens attached, as well as a 70-300mm lens. Sometimes, I carry my full bag, which is a rather large one, with two camera bodies and attached battery grips, and three or four lenses. It is heavy and a pain, but security has never stopped or questioned me, other than to insist on inspecting it when I enter the buildings. This is common for any bag, purse, etc. One of the bigger concerns may be that some museums, (and I do not remember whether this is the case with Washington museums,) will not allow you to wear a bag on your back. They want it on the side or front where they are sure you will be more aware of the bag, in relation to other visitors and museum pieces. They don't want yo to back into a Van Gough, because you were not aware of how far back the bag protrudes. An even larger concern is the nature of the crowds. Wearing or carrying a bag of any size, you will certainly be jostled. And the bigger the bag, the more of an impedance you will create in large crowds, and sometimes smaller rooms. The National Gallery of Art is one of those that is most difficult. National Archives is another. And finally, in those two places, you will not be permitted to take photos, anyway. In Europe, that is not usually an issue; in the US, it most definitely is a consideration. You may want to check individual museum Web Sites on that. Finally, when you are there, Archives normally has at least one, terrific photographic display. The other place to see is the Newsuem, which is about the history of the media. They have ongoing displays of press photography, (among other interesting exhibits,) that include Pulitzer Prize winners. Have a great trip!

tjphxaz Loc: Phoenix, AZ

I was just there for five days in early March with our 10-year old grandson on his first trip to DC. I use a small Merrell backpack not designed for camera gear. You can get in to everyplace with a small pack and you want one that is easy to put on and off but that you can walk with for hours and sit on a bench with it on. Good for water, snacks, a plastic poncho, lens cleaning gear.
Keep your camera at the ready all the time - suggest a shoulder or cross-body sling rather than a neck sling. A fast, fixed lens is best for the museums and indoors so you don't have to use a flash (50 mm f/1.4) and a telezoom with some reach is surprisingly useful both outside and in (28-300 mm). The size and scale of the mall and monuments are much greater than they seem on TV.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

I would go very light, as in one small camera with a very fast lens and another small camera with a moderate zoom. My current travel kit is a Leica X (typ113) and a Leica X Vario, but cheaper and equal options exist from Fuji and Olympus.

The X is all that is needed indoors, with a 35mm (equivalent) f/1.7 while outdoors the 28-70mm (equivalent) slow zoom on the Vario covers just about everything. The two cameras together weigh less than the smallest and lightest full-frame DSLR with just a single zoom.

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

I routinely visit Smithsonian museums with a modest daypack (Kelty Glacier) that's about 20 inches tall, 14 inches wide, & 10 inches deep. It often carries the camera, two to three lenses, lens cleaning stuff etc., and a lightweight tripod. They always check inside the bag upon entry, but have never objected to my carrying it around in the museums. As others have noted, no monopods or tripods can be used inside the museums, but I believe you can use them in the sculpture gardens and other gardens, and generally on the Mall.

Bob97 Loc: New York

Thanks hi soy. Good advice.

Bob97 Loc: New York

Thanks d2b2. I live in NY. They allow only very small backpacks in the Metropolitan museum and they have to be worn around front or on your side for the reasons you noted.

Bob97 Loc: New York

Thanks tjphxaz. I will probably bring my 50mm 1.8, 24-70 2.8, and 70-200. This should cover what I need.

Bob97 Loc: New York

I was thinking of bringing only two lenses but always regret not bringing the third (or fourth...). Thanks asiafish.

Bob97 Loc: New York

Thanks cbtsam. My backpack is 20x11x9. It is very comfortable, but all of the museums in NY ask me to check it.

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

I was in DC the week before Christmas, and I kept everything in a Gregory Z30 backpack

http://gregorypacks.com/en/GM393_cfg.html?dwvar_GM393__cfg_gmp_color=spark_red#start=10

And I had no problems anywhere with it.

Bob97 Loc: New York

Thanks Mark!