djsteul

So I'm going to be in Arizona for a two week vacation. I plan to be all over the place. North, South, East and West. I'd like to say it is a two week photography trip but alas it is a vacation with my wife so... she won't tolerate me taking hours to photograph a site. Nevertheless, I will be carry way too many pounds on my back. I plan to bring the following:

Peak Design 45 liter bag
Nikon D-850
Nikon 16-35mm f/4
Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8
3-Nikon Camera batteries & chargers
2-Head Torches plus plus extra batteries
Small flashlight plus extra batteries
Hard case with extra Memory cards
Nissi Filter kit plus 6 filters
iPad Pro 12.9"
Card Reader
Tripod (about 4.5 lbs)
Plus plugs, cords, and other assorted accessories

I'm near 70 years old. I don't know what the pack weighs, but my back says way too much. Arizona just screams - landscape photography with wide vistas. I'm think or leaving the 16-35 or the 24-70 lens home. If I just use the 25-70, I can always do panos to cover the missing FOV the 16-35 affords.

What's your opinion or suggestions? If push comes shove, I can somehow manage to carry it all. Ouch - I hear you lower back.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you're talking about backcountry backpacking, not a single item on this list should be in you pack beyond 1 flashlight. Instead, get a pocket sized model you can keep in your front shorts pocket for easy reach and immediate access without removing your pack. I used a Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II on my 100 nights on the trail on the AT a few years ago. The camera captures in 20MP RAW so you can edit everything as desired when you get home. You can do 1-off conversions to JPEG and post from the motel when off the trail for a night. Just get a second battery and don't do image review / culling away from the motel and you might reach 2 weeks on just two batteries if you never took a break from the trail. Sony (and I think Nikon) have competitive models at the same price, features and size.

If you mean 'backpack' as a luggage carrier, pick only two VR-enabled lenses and leave the tripod behind, unless you serious plan after-dark night shots. You might enjoy the trip even better if you just took 1 lens, probably the 24-70 is the best choice for focal length, or the 16-35. Use your phone for connecting to the internet and skip the tablet and reader. Look at your shooting habits and bring enough cards to cover your needs without offloading cards during the trip.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

This may help...Ansel Adam’s focal lengths for the majority of his landscape photographs...

BadPhoto Loc: Maryland

Leave the 24-70. You have plenty of pixels to crop.
Why "chargers" (plural). One charger.
Your headlamps and flashlight should take the same batteries. And you don't need many extra (one set), you can always buy more (Arizona is not a wilderness, there are stores).
You don't need a "hard case" for your memory cards.
You don't need filters; there aren't many waterfalls to shoot.
Your tripod is way too heavy. Get a lighter one, and a nodal rail to balance your camera/lens. You will want one if you can get into the slot canyons.
Be really critical of your "assorted accessories". You want something to blow dust, wipe lenses, and maybe a remote shutter cable (especially if you get a really light tripod).

I go to Arizona frequently, and rarely use a telephoto lens. lf you feel the need, then get a superzoom.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Enjoying time with your wife is more important! With that said, I would leave Tamron 24-70 home. You can cover what you need with the Nikon 16-35 and Tamron 70-200. If you are in remote places at night with stars you may want to have the Nikon 16-35 for astro shots mixed with pano night landscape. Recommend doing some light painting with your wife in photo for real memories.

When is the trip to Az? Weather is a factor. Cooler weather moving in next week. Anytime after May is hotter than hell. And, there are summer monsoons.

Plenty to see in Arizona, It is one of my favorite States next to Alaska.

PS - I feel your back pain. I am 65 and have 4 herniated disks and still strap on a 40 pound backpack. Go for it!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Only one camera body?

Seriously, I'd leave the 16-35 (unless night sky photography is on your to-do list), one headlamp, Filters, iPad, card reader, hard case. Pick up a RAVPower FileHub, Travel Router AC750 and a couple of 256 gb memory sticks - (for backup - you can initiate and monitor the file transfer using a phone), and consider getting a lighter backpack, though at 4.5 lbs, the Peak is not that heavy.

Alternately, you can just get yourself a Sony RX10M4 and leave camera body, lenses, filters etc behind, still get the travel router and memory sticks, and your tripod. The Sony offers a Zeiss lens that provides the same angle of view that a 24-600mm zoom would offer, and the camera weighs 2.5 lbs. I've done a few trips to Europe and CA, with a D810 and a bunch of lenses, and with the Sony. I like the image quality of the D810, but love the portability of the Sony. Just a thought.

I will turn 70 in July.

Sony RX10 Sample Images

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157708803907866
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157708793788371
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157705234321622
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157678751378818
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157705352997741
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157678751186148
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157697217633732
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157696606493264
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157667029395028
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157689083645890
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157694805547345
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157665487054018
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157693140571925
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157665486900208
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157690214837382

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I think you have way too much gear for what you want to do. I would suggest leaving all that heavy stuff at home and getting a good compact camera. The Canon G9XII has been mentioned and is a good one. Another good one (and I’m biased because I have one) is the Sony RX100VII. It has an eq. 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 zoom lens and a 1” type sensor. It’s a terrific camera, fits in a loose shirt pocket and is light. Other choices are the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 or ZS200. They are comparable to the Sony. All of these will do anything you want and will make for a very light and convenient load. And because they are small and light, you can use a lightweight tripod. I think this will make for a more enjoyable hiking experience.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Unless you don't expect to 'backpack' more than half a mile from your vehicle, WATER.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

YES!!

Quixdraw Loc: x

Depending on the software you use, you S/B able to bring up your photos and sort by focal length. Makes lens choices easier. I don't hike. Will walk at length with a full shoulder bag, but prefer attractive amenities along with my scenery.
Edit: Consider adding the Arizona Biltmore to your itinerary - extraordinarily photo friendly and virtually guaranteed to be a Wife pleaser!

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

In the two and a half years that I've had my D850, my approach to photography on a trip like this has changed quite a bit. The capabilities of the camera let me approach things completely differently than I used to. You are going to be ranging from plants in the Desert Botanical Garden to a 17 mile wide hole in the ground at the Grand Canyon (one of my three favorite places on earth). It involves cropping at one end and stitching at the other.

If I were doing your trip, my inclination would be to take the camera, 24-70, batteries, and one (or maybe two) chargers. I'd stitch any wide views from overlapping panoramic shots. Cropping can take me to at least 150 or 180mm. If there ended up being room, I might find a corner for the 70-200 in its case, but that would be it. I would probably take one of my SB-400 flashes and a few AA cells, but they might likely not get used.

Don't be afraid to rely on the capabilities of your camera. And if you find that "travelling light" works for you, you might look at finding a 24-120mm f/4 VRII for next time.

tenny52 Loc: San Francisco

I would bring all my favorable gears in a tolling bag or a trolly if you can walk on the paved road.
While on hiking on dirt road, bring a sling bag with no more than 2 lens ranging from 24-200, don't forget your flash and tripod if you want people included in the pictures.
May I ask how you plan to stay during your trip. I am turning 69 this years, and plan to take similar trip.

Red6

That is a lot of gear. I now travel much lighter than I used to. Not so much that I could not carry it but for the fact that I was missing out on actually seeing and experiencing the sights around me while trying to photograph it. My wife would go off with her iPhone and see much more AND great some great shots while I was fiddling around changing lens and trying to get the perfect shot. Often when reviewing our shots after the trip, I would see things in my wife's iPhone photos that I had not even noticed while being involved with all my gear.

Like unused clothing packed for a trip, I started to notice that much of the gear I packed for trips was never used. Often staying in the bag but carried everywhere. Now I pack much lighter and have stopped trying to cover EVERY possible contingency. Make a realistic list of what to bring, stick to it. If something comes up and you do not have the perfect gear setup, then adapt and innovate.

I changed the way I thought about photography on trips. If it was a trip for the sole purpose of photography, then the gear I needed would be carried. If it was a family trip with the wife, then I used my Sony RX100M3 for that. I could not be more pleased with the results. Good times and experiences with my traveling mates, AND good photos. The Sony when not used, goes into a jacket pocket. My wife and I have a world cruise planned in 2022 and the Sony with extra batteries and memory cards will be all I take.

There are a lot of good travel cameras. All the camera companies make one. Check and reread CHG_CANON and GENE51 recommendations.

Tjohn Loc: Inverness, FL formerly Arivaca, AZ

Way too much. Lighten the camera or lighten the lenses with primaries (28mm, 55mm, 70-200). No I pad, polarizing filters only, one charger, leave the card reader with the ipad. A good, light hat. Well fitting boots, preferably well broken in, long sleeve cool shirts.

Figure 8 liters of water per day and a little green lime juice dispenser for the water otherwise you won't need a backpack. Hydrate well before starting out.

That little mountain over there looks great. Know exactly how far it is before attempting to walk over to it. It can be a tourist killer.

Speaking as an ex-exploration geologist with Arizona, NM and Nevada experience. Forgot something. A couple of garden sized trash bags for rain. Tear a hole for the face and cover you and pack. July through October rains can be heavy. Rains in May about once in 10 years.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Only 2 logical choices come to mind, first, leave the wife home and go for it with all the heavy stuff or second, get a smaller camera and have a wonderful vacation! The idea is to get photos to remind you of the good times you had on your vacation but if you take too much equipment you won't have the good times and therefore no need for all the photos! Hope you and the wife have a wonderful vacation.