Antelope Canyon: We are headed out to Southern Utah and North Rim of Grand canyon in a coupl e of weeks. Probably be in the Antelope Canyon area around 8/19. Is this a good time to...

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

We are headed out to Southern Utah and North Rim of Grand canyon in a coupl e of weeks. Probably be in the Antelope Canyon area around 8/19. Is this a good time to grab one of the photography tours? Will the light still be good? Also, which lens would you use, Tokina 11-16 or Tamron 18-270?

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Probably the best due to light. I took Ken's Photo Tour of the Lower Canyon (2 hours with Photographers having preference moving through cramped spaces @ $50 - don't forget to take your tripod as one is required along with DSLR camera otherwise the Navajo owners will not allow you on Photo tour). Space is nearly camped and you will probably use the 18-70 section of the Tamron. There were 6 in my group and all were using lens in that general size. Also, less than 3 miles out of Page is the famous Horseshoe Bend in the Colorado River. I went in the morning and shadows precluded me from getting great pictures. Suggest Noon or later. Enjoy your trip!

Kevin M

I will be going there October, looking forward to any pictures you might post and any photographic insight you developed as a result of your experience.
I would guess if you can only bring one lens, stick with the Tokina. In a place like that the wider the better.

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

Kevin M wrote:

I will be going there October, looking forward to any pictures you might post and any photographic insight you developed as a result of your experience.
I would guess if you can only bring one lens, stick with the Tokina. In a place like that the wider the better.

I read some advice to not change lenses in there due to massive amounts of dust

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

MarkintheHV wrote:

I read some advice to not change lenses in there due to massive amounts of dust

Considering the tight quarters, the wind gusts, and people moving around there is a lot of dust.

MT native Loc: Big Sky Country — Montana

Went there two years ago. One of the best times ever for this amateur. Took the Antelope Canyon Tour (Navajo Owned & Operated)1-866-645-9102. $35.00/person. They do have a photographers tour $80.00/person. The guide was great...he even recommended a white balance setting for me. As stated earlier, don't change lenses...too much dust. Do not forget Horseshoe Bend. Just a few miles south of Page. Your wide angle should work well in both places. Good luck.

vinnya Loc: connecticut

Was out there in June, took a photography tour in 3 of the canyons. used a telephoto in owl canyon, just for the owls everywhere else a 16-35. there is a lot of dust as they throw dirt in the air to highlight the sunbeams in upper antelope canyon. If you have the chance do a night tour, adventurous canyon tours has them, grate for star photos

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

MarkintheHV wrote:

We are headed out to Southern Utah and North Rim of Grand canyon in a coupl e of weeks. Probably be in the Antelope Canyon area around 8/19. Is this a good time to grab one of the photography tours? Will the light still be good? Also, which lens would you use, Tokina 11-16 or Tamron 18-270?

18-270. Tripod. Cable Release. Mid-day tour. Set camera to spot metering. The lighting is tricky. Many types of exposures. Shoot and shoot and shoot some more. Bracket all shots. Indians offer two tours. Photo tour and regular tour. Photo tour start 1/2 half hour before the other tour. Be sure and check in and let them know you are there.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

MT native wrote:

Went there two years ago. One of the best times ever for this amateur. Took the Antelope Canyon Tour (Navajo Owned & Operated)1-866-645-9102. $35.00/person. They do have a photographers tour $80.00/person. The guide was great...he even recommended a white balance setting for me. As stated earlier, don't change lenses...too much dust. Do not forget Horseshoe Bend. Just a few miles south of Page. Your wide angle should work well in both places. Good luck.

Not only don't change lenses, be very judicial about zooming. Sucks dust right into your lens. Upper is worst for dust because you will be in there with about 200 of your closest friends.
Lower Ant Canyon much more leisurely, tighter spaces, but fewer people and less dust. can get some great shots even handheld. I used a monopod and was fine. First day used 24-70 on a DX camera and felt it was too tight. I used 11-16 Tokina second day and got many pleasing shots. My wife used 18-55 kit lens and did as well.

Outdoorsafe Loc: Colorado Springs

I was there in March and tried to get on one of the "photography tours" but they were all booked up for several months so I suggest calling ahead and booking your tour so as to ensure that you get to go on "photography" tour. The tourist tours can be joined whenever you arrive. Horseshoe bend is well worth your time and is only a short distance from Page. There is a bit of a walk from where you park to the edge of the canyon. Great place to do some panoramas,

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

Outdoorsafe wrote:

I was there in March and tried to get on one of the "photography tours" but they were all booked up for several months so I suggest calling ahead and booking your tour so as to ensure that you get to go on "photography" tour. The tourist tours can be joined whenever you arrive. Horseshoe bend is well worth your time and is only a short distance from Page. There is a bit of a walk from where you park to the edge of the canyon. Great place to do some panoramas,

Yea, I am told that the Upper Antelope photo tours are booked into October, but got a reservation for a photography tour on the lower antelope. :)

brucebc Loc: Tooele, Utah

MarkintheHV wrote:

We are headed out to Southern Utah and North Rim of Grand canyon in a coupl e of weeks. Probably be in the Antelope Canyon area around 8/19. Is this a good time to grab one of the photography tours? Will the light still be good? Also, which lens would you use, Tokina 11-16 or Tamron 18-270?

Probably the widest lens is best. Most places you can touch both sides of the canyon with out stretched arms. The bottom of the canyon is 20+ feet deep and the only light bounces two or three times before getting down to you. I often used two legs of the tripod and leaned it into one of the walls. It is an incredible place, best light is middle of day as more gets down to you. Happy shooting!

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

MarkintheHV wrote:

We are headed out to Southern Utah and North Rim of Grand canyon in a coupl e of weeks. Probably be in the Antelope Canyon area around 8/19. Is this a good time to grab one of the photography tours? Will the light still be good? Also, which lens would you use, Tokina 11-16 or Tamron 18-270?

The two slots canyons are heavily traveled by the public. The tours are large. There are private tours to private canyons such as Canyon X where you can shoot for a half day. These tours cost more but far less people, less dust and individual instruction from professionals. Late May early June provides the best light as it is directly overhead. The dust is not bad, in fact the guides kick it up so that you can capture the sun's rays.

As for the camera lens, a 24-70 Full Frame, DX would be wider) will work just fine. An ultra wide and big zoom is too much. You are so close that even a 50 mm will work.

photobyal Loc: Canton, Ohio

A great place you soon will not forget, all answers you received are very true. use your wide angle lens 2.8 preferred. 11-14, 14-28, 16-32. in this range. A good place to start ISO 200, F-11, 3 sec. a dust cover also is a good choice. Also your ride to the location will be a dusty one open truck and traveling through a dusty river bed. Keep your camera WELL protected dust, dust, dust. camera ,tripod, time release cable, photo tour book it on line get as close to sun at zenith as possible . Good Luck

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Haven't done it, Mark.
But I am :mrgreen: with envy.

Just want to wish you a Wonderful trip and great lighting! :-D :mrgreen: