Russia travel equipment questions
Apr 29, 2018 13:06:48 #
I'm going on a river cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow starting next week. Some of the shore excursions will be apparently be guided tours, so I'm not sure how much time I will have available to stop and take photos. I am trying to decide what camera equipment will be best to take, and convince my wife that I need to take. I am taking my Nikon D850 and Nikon 18-35 zoom, and probably either the 50/1.4 or the 60/2.8 micro lens. I don't plan to take a flash since they seem to be discouraged in a lot of places.
I have the 28-300 ultra zoom but it is heavy and not sure if I will need a telephoto that much.
I have been on other vacations where I really missed having a tripod, so am debating on whether to take one on this trip.
Any suggestions about equipment would be much appreciated.
I have the 28-300 ultra zoom but it is heavy and not sure if I will need a telephoto that much.
I have been on other vacations where I really missed having a tripod, so am debating on whether to take one on this trip.
Any suggestions about equipment would be much appreciated.
Apr 29, 2018 13:47:46 #
JeffR
Loc: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
I'd skip the tripod and take the zoom. I think you'll really regret it if you don't have more reach. I agree about the flash so take your 1.4 for dim interior shots.
Apr 29, 2018 13:55:10 #
We were on a cruise and signed up for tours in St. Petersburg. In order to not be a drag on a tour, photographers have to be quick and efficient. One camera, one lens, no tripod and frequently no flash. See the shot, grab the shot and continue with the tour.
Some of the best travel photography has the locals in the images. Locals aren't always fond of having large cameras pointed at them.
Consider investing in a small, quiet but high quality travel camera. The trip may be better and the photography more productive.
Some of the best travel photography has the locals in the images. Locals aren't always fond of having large cameras pointed at them.
Consider investing in a small, quiet but high quality travel camera. The trip may be better and the photography more productive.
Apr 29, 2018 13:55:53 #
Don’t take pictures of the little girls dressed as nuns at the orphanage convent
I did and was thrown out
I did and was thrown out
Apr 29, 2018 14:11:58 #
Ron Dial
Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador
Think about a Minox camera (yuck, yuck). That is the camera you used to see spies using to take pics of documents.
Apr 29, 2018 14:21:19 #
No tripod, no big camera bag. Remember, you are on vacation and not a National Geography Assignment. Take a good Bridge Camera or Good point and shoot such as a Sony RX series or Panasonic . Travel light and without worry about equipment. The new Pocket point and shoot cameras give excellent results with great zooms with Zeiss or Leica lenses. Some are even touted as professional grade. They don't shout " i'm a tourist and steel me". You don't need your DSLR and 15lbs of equipment to get great photos. Check them out and enjoy the trip.
Apr 29, 2018 14:33:53 #
ORpilot wrote:
No tripod, no big camera bag. Remember, you are on... (show quote)
Couldn’t agree more. I would wager that very few travel photos, taken with full frame cameras by tourists, make it to the print stage. Or another way to put it: how much wall space is left?
Apr 29, 2018 14:52:48 #
ORpilot wrote:
No tripod, no big camera bag. Remember, you are on... (show quote)
That's what I tried to say!
Apr 29, 2018 16:01:11 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
Go light! fast prime, zoom. No flash, no tripod -- you wont have time to deploy it and keep up with your group. Your body will thank you
Apr 30, 2018 06:09:34 #
berchman
Loc: South Central PA
BenSanford wrote:
I'm going on a river cruise from St. Petersburg to... (show quote)
I took that trip with OAT seven years ago. At that time I had a Nikon D300 with the 18-200 lens and I found a use for the telephoto end of the zoom to capture architectural details and candid shots of people. If I were you, I'd buy or rent the Nikon 24-120 f/4 and take my 50 f/1.4 for picture taking inside the Hermitage. Be careful, especially in St. Petersburg. It has been known for thieves to remove the lens from your camera while the camera is on your shoulder. You don't need a tripod and won't be able to use it.
Apr 30, 2018 06:28:03 #
miked46
Loc: Winter Springs, Florida
around towns the 18-35 should be good, along with the 50, when on the boat, I would use my 18-135 on my Canon. You do not need to over load yourself.
It is an interesting cruise, especially Kitzi Island
It is an interesting cruise, especially Kitzi Island
Apr 30, 2018 06:54:52 #
BenSanford wrote:
I'm going on a river cruise from St. Petersburg to... (show quote)
I would bring a compact camera with a strong wrist strap. Whoops! The video linked below is no longer available. It shows a tourist in Russia being relieved of his photo gear in just a few seconds by a well-rehearsed group of thieves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YWaloz-Duw
Apr 30, 2018 07:24:03 #
ORpilot wrote:
No tripod, no big camera bag. Remember, you are on... (show quote)
My sentiments exactly.
Apr 30, 2018 08:08:12 #
Thanks for the thoughts on equipment. I think I will go with smaller prime lenses since they are less obvious - even the 18-35 is a fairly large lens. The 50/1.4 and an old 28/f2.8 AI lens should be fine for most shots and I'll use them in Moscow & St. Petersburg. I'll take the zooms, but consider when I carry them, and I'll leave the tripod at home.
Apr 30, 2018 09:04:53 #
BenSanford wrote:
I'm going on a river cruise from St. Petersburg to... (show quote)
Although I agree with other posters that you want to shoot quickly and not be involved in long setups,
there may be cases where you will want a tripod. If you feel it may be necessary, there are compact models designed
for traveling. They fit in a carry-on and are light weight enough to hang on a strap. Check the usual suspects: B&H ,
Amazon, and ebay. And BTW, Given your destination, be sure to take along lots of cash for bribes. >Alan
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