Am I crazy? Slightly OT

[mrsbug]

Not heading to Disney but am heading to Vegan in a couple weeks. In the past I've just taken my little p&s and taken typical snapshots while leaving my D50 at home. I just got a D5000 and love it! I want to take it with me to Vegas this time. I've got a great bag I bought at Target (Golla, new one, shoulder bag, very cool and roomy, but not as bulky as my Crumpler 5mil) that I can throw my neccesities in while bumming around the strip during the day.

My question is which lens to take. I've got the 18-200 VR and the 35mm prime. Love, love, love the prime, which I just got. I'm considering just taking that lens and leaving the 18-200 at home. Will I totally regret that? I just don't want to be lugging that big clunker around the strip all day. So, what's your opinion? Will I totally miss the zoom?

 

[wenrob]

Well, as a Las Vegan I can say you're crazy for wanting to hang out on The Strip all day... J/K

Are you a zoomer? If you are in the habit of always zooming you may find yourself frustrated. If you've learned to zoom with your feet then you'll have no problem with the 35mm. Why not bring both and switch them on a break? I've lugged the 18-200 all day every day for several days in a row and never found it much of a problem, it's actually fairly light compared to some zooms. One of these days DH is going to take me down to shoot The Strip at night (never have, sad isn't it?) and I plan on taking only my Sigma 30 and a tripod.

 

[disneyboy2003]

I was just in Las Vegas last month, and it was really really fun. I've got the 17-55mm lens on pretty much all the time. You can probably get away with using only your 35mm lens, as long as you're taking pictures of nearby things or if you're trying to take a picture of the overall buildings / Strip.

You'd benefit from having the 18-200mm lens if you like to take pictures of details of buildings / casinos.

I, personally, would bring both lenses. I'm one of those "just in case I need it" people. You can always leave the lens in your room and use it the next day.

 

[racreel]

I would definitely take both lenses, you never know which lens you need until you need it.

Besides, if I'm carrying my camera bag, it will contain my camera equipment. Those are my necessities.

 

[WillowBelle]

I would bring both because, you just never know.

Make sure you leave the strip one night and head to Freemont Street. You will not be sorry! Freemont Street is "old" Vegas now with casino classics like Binions (sp?). They put on one heckuva light show overhead - you will be in photography heaven .

 

[Shutterbug]

Definitely both lens'!
Also dont keep yourself limited to Las Vegas itself.
Head out to Red Rock Canyon in the early morning sunlight or even better yet Valley of Fire. awesome scenery there

 

[GrillMouster]

... (I) am heading to Vegan in a couple weeks...

I dated a vegan once. Worst six months of my life.

Seriously, though...bring both lenses. The 35mm is so small that you can practically carry it in your pocket; There's no reason not to bring it along. Besides, it may come in handy for night shots on the strip. Lost Wages, I mean, Las Vegas is all about lights. That and the flyers all over the sidewalks.

 

[WillowBelle]

That and the flyers all over the sidewalks.

DH and I couldn't believe the sidewalks. He kept wondering if those girls were really the ones who would 'arrive' if called. Kept asking me if he could try it "just one time" ! He's so funny, my DH .

 

[Shutterbug]

DH and I couldn't believe the sidewalks. He kept wondering if those girls were really the ones who would 'arrive' if called. Kept asking me if he could try it "just one time" ! He's so funny, my DH .

ha! I have wondered the same thing too

also back to the OP:

Make sure to bring a tripod if possible, this will help with taking some nice night shots.

 

[GrillMouster]

DH and I couldn't believe the sidewalks. He kept wondering if those girls were really the ones who would 'arrive' if called. Kept asking me if he could try it "just one time" ! He's so funny, my DH .

LOL
Last time we went to Vegas we didn't have any kids, but I remember wondering whether I would ever take my future children there after seing all the flyers on the sidewalks. While the flyers were saucy and showed lots of skin, the "naughty bits" were covered up. Then again I tried not to stare too much; I was there with my wife. I remember a while back when Vegas tried to be a little more family-friendly, but it didn't work out too well. Vegas finally embraced its reputation as Sin City / America's playground and came back with its "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" campaign. In the end, I think that was the right move for the city. Let Disney be Disney and let Vegas be Vegas.

Back to the OP... A tripod is a good suggestion for night photography, but I think if you're questioning whether you should bring the little 35mm lens, then a tripod might be out of the question. Besides, there's a lot of foot traffic on the strip, and a tripod might not work out well. Perhaps a monopod would be getter (but few people really know how to use a monopod). Or just learn to use what's around you to help steady yourself and your camera (eg lampposts, buildings, railings, parked cars, trash cans, etc).

 

[DawnM]

I was a vegan for about 6 months.....!

but yes, take all necessary lenses.

Dawn

I dated a vegan once. Worst six months of my life.

Seriously, though...bring both lenses. The 35mm is so small that you can practically carry it in your pocket; There's no reason not to bring it along. Besides, it may come in handy for night shots on the strip. Lost Wages, I mean, Las Vegas is all about lights. That and the flyers all over the sidewalks.