toast

Our family is traveling to Yosemite National Park in May. What is the best lens to take? I have Canon 24-70mm.....Canon 70-200mm and Canon 100mm prime. I will only take one. Thanks!

Also, will have a day pass but there will be NO public transportation. Have difficult will it be to get a parking spot inside the park?

Are mosquitoes a problem? Will we need spray?

How difficult is the hike to Mariposa Grove to see the Giant Sequoias? (2 miles each way and you can't drive to get there) Hike in only!

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

You will get varying answers but I would take the 24-70 if only one lens.

I THINK you will be able to park just fine but it has been years since I was there.

Have a great trip. Of course we will want to see photos.

Dennis

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Full frame ?? .......24-70 but it would be nice to get longer than 70 .....crop or use tele-extender - only a Kenko extender will work with that lens. - I THINK.
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Quixdraw Loc: x

If you are 62 or older, buy the Senior Pass - good for a lifetime and you can bring your vehicle's occupants into National Parks for free.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I myself would take the 24-70 if only taking one lens.
Telephotos don't capture vistas well, unless one stitches photos together.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

24-70 would be my choice on full frame. 17-55 or so would be my choice on APS-C. But you can make anything work with some post-processing for panoramas.

Parking in May should not be a huge issue weekdays and early mornings, provided the roads are open. Heck, I was there in early June of 1978 and there was six feet of snow on the ground! The entrance on 120 from the East had just opened. Yosemite in May can be balmy or frigid or in between. Weekends can be overcrowded.

It's best to check this site! https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wroads.htm ...and this one: https://www.yellowstone.org/experience/maps/

I can't remember needing mosquito repellant, but it was always cold enough when I was there that we didn't see many insects. I do remember needing a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and several layers of warmth, including a windbreaker.

As for the hike to Mariposa, check the websites. Conditions vary, and trails close at certain times of the year.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

2015 and the end of May. Yosemite was very crowded. In the afternoon and down in the valley past the one-way loop was so crowded they closed it for cars trying to go there. Then the one-way loop got all jammed up. Big a slow-moving parking lot.
The unique locations would get so crowded and no parking.
After that, we would go to a main location in the morning.
The next morning, go to another location in the park.
This summer, I think everyone will be eager to get out.
So, if you are planning to see most of the locations in one day, I really hope it works out for you.
Yosemite is beautiful!!!!!
Send me a postcard!!!
Pat

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Do you already have your park entrance reservations toast? NPS is using CA county guidelines and will require a day use reservation unless you are staying on site, If not, better hurry....Cheers, have a great trip.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I would take the Canon 70-200mm. I would have a mosquito net and spray if required.Have fun.That is my favorite place.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Hi. I live about an hour and 1/2 from Yosemite and generally visit three or four times a year. May is great for the Dogwoods but I'm not sure how long they will be in bloom and I plan to visit maybe next week to get some shots. I'm sure you've checked the website for information and you know that reservations to get in will soon be required, from the website: "A reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite May 21 through September 30, 2021. You must display your permit on your dashboard at all times while inside the park. A reservation is not required to visit Yosemite prior to May 21." If you are staying in the park that includes your reservation. In the past couple of years the park has become very crowded all of the time, including weekdays. Weekends are a mess and parking is impossible. Parking on weekdays is becoming very difficult, too. Getting there early in the day is a must to avoid some of the crowds and you might find a parking space. Yosemite is very small as far as the valley, which is where you will be going unless they open Hwy. 120 to Tuolumne meadows. You can simply drive around to find a space. I don't know anything about public transport as I don't use it. If I could only take one lens I'd take the 70-200 as the scenic settings are fairly far away. But if you want that expansive shot you would need the shorter lens. You can get somewhat close to Yosemite Falls but the water will get your lens wet so getting back a bit may be better. I usually shoot with my 24-120 except for the Dogwoods that are farther away and then shoot with the 70-200 to catch those. You can check out this page on my website to see some of the potential scenes.

ELNikkor

Mostly 70-200, but, you may just want to find room to stash that 24-70 in your vehicle just in case there's a wider composition just itching to be shot! (Or, do photo-stitching panorama shooting at 70mm)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

There is a saying in photography that the best lens is the one you have with you when making the image. If you are not going to photograph animals your 24-70 should serve you well.

Tjohn Loc: Inverness, FL formerly Arivaca, AZ

The one you use the most.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

WJShaheen Loc: Gold Canyon, AZ

I have the AF-S DX Nkr 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G ED VR II and it is very sharp, versatile and available now at a great price.