What camera gear to bring on a trip to New York?

When I’m not writing about my passion for New York on this blog 🙂 , I work as a journalist and photographer in real life. My photos appear regularly in publications around the world, including major outlets internationally. So I can share some professional tips with you. 😉

1/ Camera bodies

• New York is one of the most photogenic cities in the world. The geography, atmosphere, views, and people offer endless photo opportunities. Bring your best camera equipment.
• If you have multiple camera bodies, bring them all. A DSLR or mirrorless camera lets you explore the city throughout the day, while a compact camera is perfect for candid shots when you want to travel light. A compact is especially useful late in the day when you’re tired of carrying gear. If you have two DSLR bodies, bring both—one with a wide-angle lens and one with a zoom.

2/ Lenses

You need two types of lenses in New York:

A wide-angle lens

• New York’s towering skyscrapers demand a wide-angle lens. I recommend 17–40 mm lenses, which let you fit the Financial District towers in your frame and capture broad skyline views.
• A 24–70 mm or 24–105 mm works well if you’re traveling with one body and don’t want to change lenses constantly. Avoid anything shorter than 50 mm—you’ll end up frustrated that your subjects don’t fit in the frame.

A telephoto zoom

• A telephoto zoom is essential in New York. It lets you capture the Statue of Liberty or details on the Chrysler Building, and it’s great for street photography too. A maximum of 200 mm is a good compromise—going longer isn’t usually necessary.
• Professional zooms like 400 mm or 600 mm can be excellent, especially for shots from New Jersey and Staten Island. Just be prepared to carry them.

A fisheye lens (bonus)

• If you have a fisheye, New York is the place to have fun with it. The distorted perspectives make this extraordinary city look even more dramatic.
• Three great New York locations for fisheye shots: the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, and the Financial District.

3/ Memory cards and backups

• You’ll take thousands of photos in New York, so plan your backups in advance. Bring high-capacity memory cards and an external hard drive. Always back up your files twice to avoid losing anything.
• Tip: Memory cards are much cheaper in the United States than in many other countries. It’s a good opportunity to stock up while you’re here.

4/ A tripod

• A tripod is essential for night photography. I especially recommend it for Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, and New Jersey viewpoints like Paulus Hook.
• Note that tripods are not allowed on observation decks. This includes the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, One Times Square, and One World Observatory. Don’t bother with a tripod on the Staten Island Ferry or other cruise boats either—the movement will blur your shots no matter what.

Missing camera gear?

You’re in New York and need something? No problem—you’ll find everything at camera shops in the city. Check our shopping guide for the cameras and photography equipment section.