New York - What to take? Any problems?

It's my birthday next weekend and my girlfriend has surprised me with a 3 day trip to New York! I plan to take my camera along with my Sigma 17-70 and Pentax 12-24.

I've never been before so will probably do a lot of the touristy stuff like visiting the Empire State Building, etc but wondered if anyone had been there that can make any recommendations (there is just too much on Google!) and if they had any problems with the higher security in the last few years?

I was a little worried incase I wasn't allowed to take my camera in many some places and thought I may be better off with a point and shoot (not that I own one!).

Thanks

I went last year, no security problems.
You must go to central park, apart from that where ever else you go will be amazing. Try shopping at B+H photo, very different from UK shops.
Your lens choice will work fine.
Enjoy your trip.

Davex.

When I went over for my K-x [ Dec 2009 ] I was wandering about with it hanging round my neck

Mind you I only had one day in New York .

The cops in Grand Central in their wee electric buggies don't mind you taking their pics - they'll even ask you how you want to take it

I took pics in the Subway - no hassle

I took pics on the grounds of West Point [ their Military Academy ] no problem but I'll admit that the car I was in was searched as we entered - twice in fact .

Despite all you hear they are much more relaxed than we are

OH - take an empty case for the stuff you are bringing back and for goodness sake try Juniors Cheese cake - it's to die for [ I had some mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ]

Thanks for the replies

Juniors Cheese Cake has been added to my itinerary!!!

Check your insurance. Some companies inisist you let them know in advance before you're covered.

The other thought is you might want a long lens for candid shots. And lots of memory cards. NY is probably the most photogenic (and photographed) city in the world.

But you can get those there - 16GB sandisks were $50 when I looked very recently

Bret

Which is why I said take a case for the goodies

Make sure that if you get electronic stuff that it's actually in use before you bring it back .

Flatten any boxes that need to come home and send them by post .

Make sure your credit card folk know when you are going and when you return - add on a day or two at either end in case of problems . There's no chip and pin there and our CC folk think this makes for high risk of fraudulent use so they'll stop your cards at the slightest whiff of what could be a problem.

I was in the Apple Store there [ and I'd told them before I went what I was buying and where ] and after the first purchase my card was declined and I had to use one of the spare ones . Make sure you have the CC Companies phone numbers .

My biggest quandary wouldn't be what to take so much as... what to bring back!

You'll have no problems in terms of being challenged with an SLR. I recommend the Empire State at dusk, the Staten Island ferry for a free trip past the Statue of Liberty and views of Manhattan from the water, MOMA, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum, and restaurants in the side streets around Union Square. If you're going to JFK, the subway is quite good and much cheaper than a cab.

Have a great time!

Jon

they went up. Big time. Don't understand why, because I looked yesterday...

Bret

Empire state, Statten Island ferry, Union Square farmers market on Sunday morning, Manhattan skyline at night from the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge. Shopping list!!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone