Empire state and top of the rock

[Bungleaio]

I'm off to New York tomorrow and I've noticed that these two buildings don't allow tripods. This is fine as I haven't got one but I do have a gorilla pod.

Has anyone got any experience of getting these through the security. I don't want to have to leave it in the hotel if I can avoid it.

[theRossatron]

Though I've never tried to lug a tripod up either building their security are more interested in harmful items and your gorillapod should be fine, especially if it's small and fits in your bag.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

I used a very small tripod at the Top of the Rock with no problems - just had to be a bit assertive to get to the edge of the viewing deck.

Biggest problem was flare from the spotlighting they use - at night in a murky conditions is not the best time to shoot.

[Crafty_]

Empire state took mine off me, you leave it with them and pick up on your descent. There isn't anywhere to use it anyway.

The rock will let you use it. The building has 3 viewing floors, the first and second have sheets of glass that have gaps between them big enough to poke a lens through, no place to use one here. The third has pedestals where you can place the tripod for a shot. Out of courtesy I asked the guard and he said it was ok.
I was up there at night, so it was pretty quiet.

Enjoy your trip!

[clived]

Consider going on a Monday morning - we were on top of the Rock at 8:30am on Monday this week, pretty much on our own - perfect for undisturbed tripod use. I did see someone with one by the way...

[Bungleaio]

Chhers guys, I did the top of the rock today and they didn't bat an eyelid. Spectacular view from the top but it was a bit hazy.

I will try and catch a sunrise or sunset from the empire state in the next couple of days.

[Garymidtown]

Thanks for the info. Just so I'm clear before I take my stuff with me next week, are we talking gorilla tripods or full size tripods? Also what are the pedastals that you can put your tripod on.

[neilbauer]

I went up both a few weeks ago and don't remember there being much security at all for the Rock, unlike the Empire State Building where a full strip search was nearly in order!

[neilbauer]

Top ot the rock has tall glass screens!

[checkmate91]

neilbauer said:

Top ot the rock has tall glass screens!

And they're quite dirty! But fortunately they have gaps wide enough to allow you to stick a lens through. I found when I was there last June that you could get some decent support from them so the need for tripod was minimised to an extent...

[raptor600]

Top Of The Rocks is much better than Empire IMO.

Here is a photo I took with a rubbish 5 year old compact...

[XB70]

neilbauer said:

Top ot the rock has tall glass screens!

But the level above (to the upper right of the photo) does not and you can balance your camera on the ledges.

With the lower one, the gaps are just the right size for a 17-40 or 10-22

We thought the Empire State was hugely overrated and the Top of the Rock far better

[MikeGTi]

XB70 said:

But the level above (to the upper right of the photo) does not and you can balance your camera on the ledges.

With the lower one, the gaps are just the right size for a 17-40 or 10-22

We thought the Empire State was hugely overrated and the Top of the Rock far better

Managed to get my 16-35 through the TOTR glass.

Went up on 11/09/11 too.. Extreme tourism.

[Bungleaio]

I ended up not visiting the empire state but I had no issues with my gorilla pod at TOTR. There's three levels at the top, the 1st is mostly indoors but there is sections at each corner of the building which are external. The next two floors are all external the 1st has glass around it but the very top is completely exposed, the photo below is from the very top, if you are shooting at night you could set your camera up on one of the stone blocks.



On a side note the lift that takes you up is the smoothest and fastest one I've even been in!

[raptor600]

Bungleaio said:

On a side note the lift that takes you up is the smoothest and fastest one I've even been in!

It is an awesome lift! Love how the thing goes pitch black and the shaft lights up.

[Crafty_]

Garymidtown said:

Thanks for the info. Just so I'm clear before I take my stuff with me next week, are we talking gorilla tripods or full size tripods? Also what are the pedastals that you can put your tripod on.

gorilla pods only, full size tripods aren't allowed.

I'd agree about top of the rock - from empire state you don't really get to see Central Park etc.
On the other hand you can't get this sort of shot from top of the rock:

Empire State Building by c20let, on Flickr

Central Park from TOTR

Top Of The Rock by c20let, on Flickr