jdfdave

Hey folks,
I am taking a 5 day backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon next May. My hike will start from the North Rim. Since weight is going to be factor, I need to limit my camera equip to a backpack style tripod, a camera body, and 2 or 3 lenses. I have a Panasonic G5, which is older, but I like it. The question is which 2 or 3 lenses to take. I have the kit lens 14-42 and the 45-150, but I was thinking of adding a wide angle zoom. I have put aside a little cash for a new lens or lenses, around $1000. What do you guys who have been there recommend?

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

You will most likely be able to capture very memorable images with what you have, but the Grand Canyon is a very big place. My guess is that you will find yourself in at least a couple of spots where you would like to be able to bring back a really big picture. For me, the wide angle would be a good addition. But I know that a lot of folks don't ever fully adopt really wide angle lenses...there are many used ones for sale.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

My experience with the Grand Canyon is that is more landscape than wildlife, so the lenses you have should be fine. If I just had to add a lens, it would be a 35mm, f/1.4 sigma art lens, great landscape lens. If you purchase, look at KEH for a nice used lens, they usually sell with a warranty, so pretty safe place to buy used equipment from and save a few dollars. Enjoy your trip in the spring.

Lieb Loc: Idaho

From having hiked Grand Canyon twice, I would go as light as possible and minimize the number of lenses you take. Two lenses max. One should be a good wide angle lens. Have fun. What a great place.

jdfdave

I guess we are thinking alike when it comes to wide angle. I am thinking about purchasing a used Panasonic 12-35mm 2.8. Opinions on that lens? Is it wide enough?

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I've done several hikes into the Canyon. My advice would be to carry 1 (that's right, ONE lens). It's a LOT easier to be able to simply grab your camera already set up than to stop, set down your pack, find additional lens and mount it. Also, the trail can be dusty and the breeze will kick up around the corners and send dust onto your sensor. If you feel you need a really wide range of focal lengths, it would be better to carry two cameras. But now you're adding extra weight. I did it once with a 28-200 and had all the reach (both directions) that I needed.

Also, I recommend that you do NOT carry your camera around your neck. I used caribiners to attach my camera to d-rings on the front of my pack (on the shoulder straps). And I did NOT carry a tripod, but then I was a lot steadier then than I am now. Remember carry weight is crucial. The first time I went, my companion dumped out a lot of what was in my backpack before we took off! When hiking out that 25-pound pack will feel like 100 pounds!

Enjoy your trip and take time to enjoy the Canyon. It's an experience like no other.

jdfdave

Thanks for the tip about how to carry the camera. One lens? I'm glad I have 6 months to prepare. Much to think about. This is one of my bucket list trips and want to do it right. I am already working out trying to get in shape physically. Thanks guys!

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

I've backpacked to the bottom twice in the past, both times from the South Rim. I'd only take one lens, and it would be a short telephoto lens, like a 24-105mm. That's all you really need. Or just carry the 2 lenses you already have.

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

I've backpacked into the canyon twice, both times from the South Rim. If it were me, I'd only take one lens, and would prefer a short telephoto like a 24-105mm. If you're going in May, it will be hot down in the canyon; take one lens and an extra liter of water.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Why wouldn’t you just take a Sony rx100 mark vi or a Lumix zs100 or something similar? Do you really believe that the shots you take with a DSLR and a bunch of lenses will be materially better than with a lightweight easy to use all-in-one? Travel light-travel right and enjoy the surroundings rather than trying to take a spectacular, unique, once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece which you probably won’t do anyway, regardless of equipment.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I second @AzLady on multiple points. I had a backpack full of lenses the first time I went to the Grand Canyon, and found that I pretty much stuck with the 18-140mm kit lens that came with my D7100 (now upgraded to a D7500). It's a great "walking around" lens, and covers pretty much every focal range from medium wide-angle to medium telephoto. I have since purchased a chest retention system for my camera, which lets me get hand-holds on rough terrain, and keeps the camera from swinging too and fro, or from bumping against rock outcroppings, etc.

I can't speak for others, but swapping lenses all of the time takes me away from the composition and search for interesting subjects.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

I've done over a dozen week long backpacks into GRCA from the North Rim. Once, early on, I took a tripod. It was the last time I took a tripod. One camera and two lenses (a wide angle prime and mid-range zoom). The remainder of my 40 pound pack consisted of stuff needed to stay alive. There is a Grand Canyon Hikers Forum you should begin to frequent. Members will be able to tell you where water is available.

jdfdave

Hey thanks for the info about the Hikers forum

grandpaw

I recently went to the big five national parks in Utah along with going to Yellowstone and a few other parks. One thing that I found was my widest lens was not wide enough so I did several Panos which are now very simple to do in Photoshop. I did a handheld 15 shot pano and it took me less than two minutes to put it together in photoshop and it turned out great. My point is that whatever you end up taking, at some time, will not be wide enough so don’t rule out shooting a pano. I did lug around my tripod but never used it. You might consider a Joby tripod if you really think you might need one.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

When I went to the Grand Canyon back in the 70s I had just gotten my first 35mm camera (film, of course). I had only 1 lens, the nifty 50. When I got to the Hoover Dam I was fortunate to encounter another person with the same brand camera. He allowed me to use his wide angle, a 17mm. You can see the results as scanned from 4X6" prints at https://phrubin.smugmug.com/Honeymoon

Before you go, you might want to study stitching photos together for panoramas.