Leaving on Thursday and going back on Monday. That gives me three full days of photographing in what looks like a very nice and old city. If anyone has any advice on what not to miss apart from the obvious things that is in every guidebook then please let me know.
Here’s a well written article with even nicer images of Istanbul. It’s in Swedish though. I did some googling on the photographer and found that there is a book out called Urban Safari by the same writer and photographer as this article. Actually this article is taken from the book. I made an instant order.
I will use the same setup as I used in India:
- Nikon D3.
- Nikon 17-35/2.8.
- Nikon 50/1.4.
- Nikon 85/1.4 (Might leave this one at home).
- Nikon 70-200/2.8.
- Acer Aspire One.
- Two Western Digital Passport 250GB (one backing up the other).
- Polarizing filter. 77mm and a step-up ring for the 50 mm lens so it will fit that one too.
- Neutral Density filter. Not sure there is a need for it but it takes no space.
- Lowe Pro Classified 200 AW (Shoulder bag).
- Tripod.
- A bunch of 4GB Sandisk Compact Flash cards.
I think that’s it. Have I forgotten anything? 
That sounds like an awesome kit. The only thing I can think of in addition, would be a flash.
Do not miss the Mosque Rustem Pasa. It is west of the Spice Market, not easy to find as it is in a busy market area with narrow passageways. if you are at the Golden Horn side of the Spice Market and look to the west across the square you will see where it is. It is the most colorful and mosque I’ve seen in Turkey and makes up for the Blue Mosque where all the tourists go. The shops around it and the and the Spice Market are also very colorful.
Have a great trip, you can’t miss anywhere in the old town and if you walk down to the sea from old town there is a lot of the old wall left. The Topkapi Palace is great for photography and when you come out walk to your left down the street will take you past the old walls along the water.
I find that any place in Turkey that has an entrance fee they won’t let you carry in a tripod. For my next trip I will get one that folds small enough to fit in my backpack. Thy don’t seem to check that. Cheers, Jim
Thank you Jim! I was thinking of emailing you since you recomended Istanbul in a comment for another post but you were faster to write a comment