gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Gonna head for the Canadian Rockies next month. Car touring, no backcountry. My basic outfit is a D7000 with AF-S 18-200 3.5-5.6 lens, 2X converter, UV and polarizer filter, Bogen tripod, SB600 flash. Do I need to consider taking anything else? Renting a different lens? Will also be hitting Vancouver and Bouchart Gardens on return trip. Your advise would be appreciated.

Urban Landscape Loc: Basement of the Internet

May want a 600mm F4, because you never know.

TheDman Loc: USA

Heading there in 2 days! Taking my 5D Mk III, Canon 16-35 f4, Zeiss 21mm, Canon 24-105, Canon 100-400, tripod, backpack, camping gear. :)

I think your 18-200 + TC should cover all the bases.

Samuel L Jackson Loc: Chicago, IL

I'd advise renting a more powerful flash unit if you want to properly light mountain. The SB800 and SB900 offer at least an extra stop of light over the SB600, though the SB600 is a great flash. (I have one myself)

Urban Landscape Loc: Basement of the Internet

Shame the D7000 does not have a leaf shutter. Imagine if you shot this scenario at 1/4000th.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

If you are going the route from Banff to Jasper, I recommend Darwin's Wiggett's inexpensive and excellent ebooks which give you so much information about shooting locations for car touring.

Vancouver Island is wonderful, especially the wilder parts, but you may not have time for all that.

You're headed to a photographer's paradise. I'm jealous.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I have an 11-16mm ultra wide angle that comes in handy and I carry it with my D7000 whenever I travel. My zoom is the 28-300.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Hope you don't expect to find Butchart Gardens in Vancouver?
Although Van Dusen Gardens in Vancouver are very nice to visit as well. Assuming you will be taking the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay to visit Butchart Gardens in Victoria? Make sure you have your camera ready while on board the ferry as well, and go on deck with it. There are some spectacular views you will be passing by, very worthy of a photo.
In the Rockies you'll likely be travelling the Columbia Icefields Highway between Jasper and Banff. In either of those two towns stop at the tourist information office and get the scoop on what there is to see. Just recently I talked to several people who didn't and three of them completely missed the Athabasca Falls (abt 20m south of Jasper).
Share some pictures in the Gallery when you get back, OK?

Finewoody Loc: Near Canberra Australia

I have just returned to Australia after spending 4 weeks in the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver and the Bouchart gardens. My camera kit was a Sony NEX-6 and a collection of lenses. My most used Lens in the Rockies was a 35 mm prime for landscapes for a few photos I used 16-50 and 55-210. I found the 55-210 was very short for the bears and birds, 400 mm would be closer to ideal although some bears near the road were so close to the bus 35 mm was too long. The Bouchart gardens was difficult due to the large number of people. I used the 55-210 to isolate areas and exclude the crowds and abandoned wide angle shots.
Check the cruise ship schedule and avoid the Bouchard gardens when ships are in Victoria port.
Enjoy this beautiful area of Canada.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

The same is true for the city of Vancouver, there can be 3 or 4 cruise ships in the harbour at a time. Good for the economy, not so much for sightseeing. But with your own transportation, you have the opportunity to visit locations that are "off the beaten track."
Woody, will you be posting some of your pictures? I'd love to see them!
Oh, by the way, that park in Victoria is Butchard Gardens.

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

As mentioned, Butchard garden gets crowded, the only way to beat that and get great shots without any people in the way is, be the first one there in the morning, I always wait at the gate before opening, never failed me. If you love flowers it is a must.

NeilL Loc: British-born Canadian

I'm sure you have heard of Lake Louise. At this time of year the colour and setting is so beautiful you'd think that Disney Productions did all the artwork. About 20 miles away is Moraine Lake. Don't miss this one! It's even more beautiful.

jonsommer Loc: Usually, somewhere on the U.S. west coast.

Where you are headed is a national treasure, as you drive from Lake Louise northward to Jasper, every curve in the road will offer a vista and view that is, amazingly, more beautiful than the last. Wildlife abounds, depending on the time of year - I have seen herds of rutting elk so oblivious to their surroundings that the Mounties have to post patrols to chase them off the highway (and sometimes into camps), just a mile or so north of Jasper, big horn sheep and mt. goat can regularly be seen walking at the side of the road. Expect to see the occasional bear (from my experience they are the most weary of humans and you will need a long lens for any meaningful shot. A couple of years ago, while eating breakfast, I saw a moose cow and young calf come wandering out of the forest and spent a half hour in the marsh about 50 yards from our table pulling food out of the shallow water. Waterfowl abounds, wow! so if you like shooting birds you won't be disappointed. When you come out of the mountains you notice something, you're not the same as when you went in, after dozens of visits I can't wait to go back for more, this place changes you, it has that much visual beauty to enjoy. You also come to understand why, in the days of old, when God spoke to His prophets, it was always in the mountains, never at the beach.

So, what to bring? Well, a 70/200 seems like an obvious choice, as would be a sturdy Tri-pod, a longer lens (or a good tele converter) to take your equipment to the 400mm level will be frequently used, as well. I would also bring a 14/24 wide angle to give you flexibility with your landscapes (have I mentioned the breathtaking scenery, the majestic mountains, the beautiful rivers and streams) in a pristine, clean, well kept and cherished environment. A 24/70 will give you some added flexibility, of course, but will probably be your least used lens if you're looking at this amazing part of the world the way that I do. But, if room and weight are not a problem, bring it.

One last suggestion, at the little bookstore on the right hand side of the road, just off the highway as you enter Lake Louise, stop and pick up a book of poetry written by Robert Service, written during his experience at the Yukon Gold Rush. It will transform your state of mind from a bus-riding, picture-taking tourist into an enlightened connisour who has a feel for the eternal nature of the area and understands a little of what happened there before you arrived. Without it, your trip isn't complete. Trust me on this one.

Enjoy, you're in for a maximum treat.

Thanks for reading.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Actually the distance from Lake Louise is only half that, just short of 10 miles. If you want to walk on the trails around the lake, definitely check with the tourist office in Lake Louise first, as some trails may have restrictions and others be completely closed due to bear activity. It's spring, the bears are coming out of hibernation and they are hungry!

tisrjtisrj1 Loc: Kissimmee, FL & Alexandria, VA

Gvarner,

Flew to Calgary, rented a car, drove to Pr. Rupert to the
Alaska Ferry to Sitka, etc. then back to Calgary. Have some wonderful photos of the Picasa Web site if you wish to view. You are going to a photographers paradise.

tisrj@me.com