Film advice for my New York trip

The tree goes up in Rockefeller sq. Not Times sq. I think November 28th might be a little too early. In any case you are not missing anything. You will be stuck for hours there. Much better things to look at in NYC.

DRESS WARM. The wind can get brutal with all the building funneling it. I lived in upstate NY for a long time where temperatures drop much lower than in NYC but didn't feel as cold.

will definitely wrap up warm, though being brought up in the Scotish/English borders l am quite hardy when it comes to cold weather
 
Not sure if you will be in transit on that date, but 11/28 is American Thanksgiving. The following day, Black Friday, is a major retail day that's one of the busiest shopping days of the year. B&H and other retailers typically have major sale promotions around that time, so the store may be busier than normal.

Thanksgiving, I never thought of that when booking the holiday:D
 
off topic, I will be landing at Newark and my hotel is the Plaza times square, what the best way to get from the airport to the hotel, taxi or shuttle,
 
I'd use HP5 since you're familiar with it. Bring one or two rolls with you, buy more in NYC. Differences between it and Tri-X, others, are mostly inconsequential; HP5 pushes better in my opinion if you want to uprate it to 800 or 1600 too.

Lenses are a personal choice and depend on where your head is at. At present, for 35mm film, I'd take an ultra wide and a 50mm, maybe a 75 or 90 mm too. I find I do most of my shooting with the 50mm when traveling.

G
 
off topic, I will be landing at Newark and my hotel is the Plaza times square, what the best way to get from the airport to the hotel, taxi or shuttle,

I say Taxi. You can catch a train into Manhattan, but, You would need to catch the shuttle from terminal to train, train into Manhattan (30 minutes), then that leaves you off on 34th street, either a little walk or another subway/cab to times square. Cab from Newark to times square would probably cost about $100 dollars, but, with luggage, etc. makes life muuuuch easier. Depending on the time, maybe a 45 minute drive.

Just my 2 cents...
 
l shall be travelling november 28th, out of interest will the Christmas tree be up in times square buy then

To answer your question, each year the world's most famous tree is lit the week following Thanksgiving. The The 2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will be on Wednesday, December 4th.

Since you are arriving on November 28th, I'm guessing you will still be in NYC after it's lit and will be able to see it.

As others have said, November 28th is Thanksgiving this year. (It's always held on the fourth Thursday in November). Pretty much everything is closed on Thanksgiving so everyone can have turkey dinner with their families at home on that day. It's kind of like your Boxing Day, where everything is closed, as I found out when trying to get a cab to Heathrow on that day :)
 
off topic, I will be landing at Newark and my hotel is the Plaza times square, what the best way to get from the airport to the hotel, taxi or shuttle,

The train may be a bit confusing and the cab a bit pricey. There are buses that got to Grand Central and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, both a subway ride or a short walk from Tines Square
 
B&H is dead center of Manhattan. Dont bring film, get it here, one less xray to go through.


Others here have said al that needs to be said. B&H should be on all photographers' itineraries when visiting NYC. Remember that they are closed Friday afternoon and Saturday, but are open all other days, except Jewish holidays, which they post about on their site. It is an experience.


I've had good luck shooting with 400 speed film even at night in brightly lit areas like Times Square (which about half an hour exhausts), but it's probably good to have a roll or two of faster film for shooting in less bright situations, like walking the Brooklyn Bridge or the High Line at night.


From Times Square you can get almost anywhere by subway, which is the best way to get around. Check out cool booths and people at the Christmas Market in Union Square Park on 14th St, reachable directly fron 42d St subway hub in Times Square. I'm sure New yorkers here can suggest other less known things to see at that time of year too.



Have fun.
 
Thanksgiving, I never thought of that when booking the holiday:D

In addition to being public holiday (as in day off of work, not vacation), American Thanksgiving is usually a busy travel day. On the other hand, you may find some good Black Friday sales at B&H. Like others have mentioned, it's similar to Boxing Day in Commonwealth countries, at least in terms of commerce and retail.

how do you find this film, l usually use HP5

You're in luck! B&H carries Japan Camera Hunter Street Pan 400 in 120 and 35mm:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...camera_hunter_163600_street_pan_film_400.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...camera_hunter_163500_street_pan_film_400.html

I've never used it, and you may want to do some research before trying it. Some reviews say it's re-badged this-or-that film, but who knows?
https://www.myfavouritelens.com/jch-street-pan-400-35mm-film-review/
https://www.casualphotophile.com/2017/01/28/japan-camera-hunter-street-pan-400-six-months-in/
 
I would avoid B&H (and every other store) on Black Friday. People literally get trampled to death to save a few bucks. It's the apotheosis of consumerism and a real sh*t show.

Do yourself a favor and and go for a stroll in Central Park instead. Similarly I'd avoid the area around the tree unless you absolutely need to see it. It's a complete mob scene from when they light it till X-Mas.

Might be worth a walk over late at night or early in the morning but you could be stuck around there and 5th avenue for a long time walled in by people. Not for the claustrophobic.

There are so many amazing things about New York from the museums and galleries to the food and architecture and people but being crushed by crowds of mostly tourists near the tree and on 5th Avenue are definitely not among them.
 
The train may be a bit confusing and the cab a bit pricey. There are buses that got to Grand Central and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, both a subway ride or a short walk from Tines Square


This is what I did when I visited. The bus (coach) was easy (direct) and affordable.
 
I would avoid B&H (and every other store) on Black Friday. People literally get trampled to death to save a few bucks.


The incident to which you refer in fact occurred not in New York City but in suburban Long Island.

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/black-friday-brings-pain-family-walmart-worker-killed-article-1.2447949

I was actually driving past the store after work while it happened.
I knew better than to go in, knowing it would be a mob scene.

I still feel terrible for that Walmart employee who died.
Imagine emigrating in hopes of a better life, only to be crush to death by greedy shoppers... :(

Chris
 
While it’s fun to try and outrun B&H’s extraordinary conveyor system (you won’t), if you know what you want to purchase pay ahead on-line, and pick it up at the special counter up front so you won’t get trampled. Which won’t happen because armed & uniformed off-duty NYPD officers are hired to keep watch during heady shopping times. It is a busy but very controlled environment even at the worst of times.
 
off topic, I will be landing at Newark and my hotel is the Plaza times square, what the best way to get from the airport to the hotel, taxi or shuttle,

Personally, I'd go with Lyft or Uber. A Lyft ride from Newark Airport to Manhattan costs $67.
 
Check out cool booths and people at the Christmas Market in Union Square Park on 14th St, reachable directly fron 42d St subway hub in Times Square.

I heartily second the suggestion of visiting the Holiday Market in Union Square while you're in New York City. Check out this link:

https://www.urbanspacenyc.com/union-square-holiday-market

No doubt you will enjoy visiting the many vendors and finding unusual items there. You might even find an unusual gift to buy for yourself or a friend or relative.

I went a few years ago with my daughter and had a great time. There's also a variety of foods you can sample when you're there. Highly recommended and it WILL be open when you're in NYC.

That's my two cents,

Ellen
 
I agree with the above poster about developing your film in New York before you leave. It will save you worry about x-rays at airport screening. I've used LTI Lightside when visiting, but most of the time I mail film to Praus Productions (4photolab.com) in Rochester before I leave. The proprietor, Edgar Praus, provides excellent service. He mails developed film worldwide.
 
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