Lenses for China Trip

[Tim T]

I am going on a business trip to China in mid-Jan and would like recommendations on which lenses to take. I just bought a 17-40 for the trip but don't know if taking my 70-200 F4 makes sense or not. I would appreciate any feedback from those of you that have been to China. Also any recommendations on photo op's in Beijing or Shanghai would help too.

[venchka]

I would take those two lenses, the 50/1.8 and the 580 flash ANYWHERE!

[CaptainTom]

Take what you've got, or buy a G9 and save the space.
Wide angle, telephoto, flash, tripod if you can take one.

[LoungeLizard]

Been there several times. No need for the 70-200. I've taken my 24-70 f/2.8 L and my 50 f/1.4 (didn't use it) and my 15 f/2.8 (didn't use it).

I've taken my tripod but done my night shots without it.

In Shanghai, go take a tour (private if you can - more expensive but worth it for the leisurely pace) of the water towns. XiTan was the nicest. There is an antiques district in Shanghai that has some great alleyways to explore and capture street life.

It will be cold and a lot of people will not be out. You can check out some of my galleries from my trips there in 2005 (most all shot with a 28-135 I used to own) and a much better gallery shot in 2006 (with captions). Most all shot with the 24-70.

I don't have any of my Beijing or Tianjin photographs any longer. They were film and were accidentally discarded before being scanned.

Enjoy. I absolutely love Shanghai.

[Tim T]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

Been there several times. No need for the 70-200. I've taken my 24-70 f/2.8 L and my 50 f/1.4 (didn't use it) and my 15 f/2.8 (didn't use it).

Thanks Jesus. That's exactly what I was looking for. I don't want to lug around too much gear if I won't end up using it. Also, great photo's in you gallery.

[LoungeLizard]

Not sure when you're going, but I can try to find a couple of cards for places that may be of interest - like that old art/antique area. Shanghai itself is TOO modern, but there are a couple of areas that are worth going to. I have only been to one "touristy" place (the Jade Temple) and while it was interesting, the number of beggars outside (about the only place I was hounded) was too much.

Not sure where you'll be staying. When there on business, I always stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Pudong - a short walk from the river promenade. I have stayed at a local Chinese (somewhat western style) hotel when I've been on my own - a suite for $36 a night!

Food wise, great restaurants. Next door to one of the larger Holiday Inn hotels is "Bubba's Barbecue" - owned and run by an ex-Austin resident. Lots of good stuff - Chinese as well as western. Local eateries are excellent - and cheap (how's a five course dinner for two for about $12 sound?)

Taxis are plentiful - except if the weather turns. Spent over 30 minutes waiting for one in the rain at the Xin Tian Din one night! By the way, that is a nice place to walk around and see some of the old architecture, but the restaurants are WAY overpriced.

The Bundt is nice for a view of Pudong at night time (and from the Pudong side for a view of Puxi) but not much else there.

Don't expect any shopping bargains - except in commodity type of electronics. As a local friend told me "the only stuff that's cheap is the stuff we can copy".

Custom tailored clothing is incredibly inexpensive. On my April trip I returned with one suit and six trousers for a total of $240! Stopped in on Wednesday afternoon to pick out the material (all lightweight wool), on Thursday for a final fitting, and Friday to pick it all up!

Beijing I spent a short time at. Tianamen Square, Forbidden City, Silk Alley, and a tour to the Great Wall. Never went back so never got enough of a feel to get comfortable in.

Let me know what you're interested in seeing/doing and I can help you out. I will be at the office for a short period of time on 12/31 and that's where all the stuff is.

I took another position within my company in June and I won't be traveling there again. I miss it BIG time. I used to spend anywhere from 4-16 weeks a year there or in Taipei. I felt very comfortable at either place and made some very good friends over the years.

[venchka]

Maybe you could find a good deal on one of the large format cameras made in China.

[Tim T]

Thanks again Jesus for the detailed info. This helps a lot.