rrayrob Loc: Las Vegas, NV

Going to Antelope Canyon next month - taking Photographer Tour of Upper Antelope Canyon. Any suggestions on the lens I should use? Shooting Nikon D750. Have Tamron 15-30mm and Nikon 24-120mm kit lens. Know there's no changing lens once in canyon due to dust, sand, etc. Also, will be shooting Horsehoe Bend sunset. Stopping for 2 days at North Rim of Grand Canyon. Suggestions for any great spots to capture sunrise/sunset photos? All input welcome, especially from those who have been to these places. Thanks.

JFleming Loc: Belchertown, Ma

Inside the canyon you'll probably want the 15-30. A tripod is essential and possibly a right angle finder attachment (if you don't have a flip out screen) as you'll be shooting upward a lot of the time. Remember you do not want to change lenses in there if you can help it, too much dust in the air. Have fun, it's a really neat place.....

John

rrayrob Loc: Las Vegas, NV

Thanks JFleming - my D750 has tilt screen, which I love.

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

I use a 24-105 when I was there and was happy with the results.
The photography Tour is the way to go. Costs a bit more but it
was worth it.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

The 28-300 is a travel lens.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

This is on my bucket list and all images I've seen, it appears go as wide as you can, I'm looking for insights as well, therefore I think I'd take 2 bodies D500 with 11-16 and D5 with 17-35 both 2.8

breck Loc: Derbyshire UK

Doubt you will have time even on a photography tour to mess with 2 cameras. You get chased through ans have to shoot around loads and loads of non photography visitors who seem to enjoy walking in front of you just as you press the shutter, it is not the magical place it once was

breck Loc: Derbyshire UK

Doubt you will have time even on a photography tour to mess with 2 cameras. You get chased through ans have to shoot around loads and loads of non photography visitors who seem to enjoy walking in front of you just as you press the shutter, it is not the magical place it once was

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I have been there three times, take the 15-30 and call ahead and get the PHOTO TOUR.

manattee scrubber Loc: Inverness, FL

Depending on the season, the canyons could be mobbed. Upper is wider and tripod is no problem, in lower canyon tripod just gets in the way and I would shoot handheld with higher iso if really crowded. Also, try a lot of HDR's. Lenses from wide to tele, what you choose to shoot depends on your eye, have fun in there, I love the place.

Brent Rowlett Loc: Atlanta, GA

Your Tamron 15-30 is definitely the choice. Spend the extra $100 ($200 total) and take the photographers tour at 11:30 AM. Get there early as it fills up fast--this is the best time to catch the rays of light. The pro-tour guide will navigate you through the mass of humanity to catch the rays at the precise time of day. The guide throws up sand from the floor into the light beam, and after a few seconds you will proceed to take your shot. No need for any other lenses or cameras as you cannot change them inside the caves unless you like dust on your sensor. You will not have time to screw around before you are yelled at to move on. You want to go super light--just a sweatshirt regardless of outdoor temp. No need to show off with your backpack and array of camera equipment. Tripod and camera only. This is pure shoot and move activity.

Learn how to bracket your shots in the dark blind by adjusting your shutter up and down--no flash. Tripod a must for time exposures. You will only have about a minute per location to get your shot. I got my best shots by adjusting my tripod to shoot on my knees (a great tip from a local). I was the first to get set up at every location while everyone else tried to get positioned behind me. You will have your Ansel Adams wannabes with big 6' tripods and medium format cameras trying to take more than enough time per location, but people will be yelling at them to move. These are pressure shots--know your camera mechanics well. If you have shot weddings, no problem. If you have to screw around with your camera, you'll be wasting your money.

You want to take the tour of the Southern Slot canyon. The upper is not worth it. Did them both. All the beautiful pics in the brochures and magazines are taken in the Southern canyon. In case I am wrong, verify by the brochure flyer showing the ray of light on the canyon floor. With proper preparation for shooting in the dark, you will be pleased with your results. Another tip: the photos being shown frequently are adjusted in Photoshop using high saturation values. This brings out the rich yellows, purples, reds and oranges of the canyon walls. Good luck!

olsonsview

I have been to upper and lower Antelope some years (30?) ago. Spent most of two days there. I used a variety of lens, but this was in the film days with medium format, so I did not worry as much about dust as I would with my digital equipment. I remember using a wide lens at times, BUT when I went there, I was blessed with very few people with me. I remember maybe a van load of us, for the first hours, then more towards the end. I would work for 15 min or more and see no one else. I had the place almost to myself and spent 4-5 hours shooting! Shot Ektar 25 so long exposures made a tripod essential. Things have changed a lot since then it sounds like? If you shoot wide might other people walk into your shots? It sounds like their are tons of people entering these days. A 24-120 might be less frustrating to use? My widest lens was not even equal to a 24 on Fx format. I do remember that no matter the lens you choose, there will be views to shoot! When I was there it was also essential to have a flashlight with extra batteries, it got very dark in the deep recess of the slot canyon. Good luck finding something you dropped if you have no light. You will have a blast there!

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Relax and enjoy. You cannot take a bad photo! I've shot both canyons using a 5Diii w/ a 21mm Ziess - terrific. My daughter borrow my camera and to keep the weight down and simplify it for her I had her use a 40mm pancake lens - again the photographs were terrific. Besides the photographing enjoy the experience.

vininnj2u Loc: Whiting, New Jersey, USA

Be sure to make reservations for your tour. If not you will be very disappointed. Be ready for some very hot weather I was just there and the temps were well over 100 degrees. Have fun and enjoy.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I was there last fall and used an 18-55 with excellent results. I disagree with the tripod requirement. I didn't use one and got great shots without it. If you need a little steadying sometimes, the canyon is so narrow that you can always lean against the wall. You cannot use a tripod on a regular tour (which is what we took), and I heard a rumor that the photo tours were being discontinued anyway. Besides, you'll be fiddling with your tripod when you could be marveling at the beauty. I'd say to leave it in the car or some such. Weather--it was hot when we were there in late October last year, but they say that sometimes it's very cold from September on. Apparently, it's a crap shoot.

One other thing--we made our reservations by phone two days before and had no problems. Google Antelope Canyon tours and you'll find what you need. We used the Navajo one at the base of the canyon rather than the one in town (Page, AZ). They were great. Plan to get a little dusty; the 1/2 mile or so jeep ride to the canyon (whatever tour you use) is on a dirt road and rather bumpy at times. You need to hang on.