Antelope Canyon advise
Jan 10, 2015 15:42:23 #
Following up on Gritch: if you can't win the lottery (or reserve ahead several months) for North Coyote Buttes where the Wave is, try South Coyote Buttes (also limited access.)
A few from there: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-254902-1.html
A few from there: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-254902-1.html
Jan 10, 2015 15:58:27 #
wingclui44
Loc: CT USA
SnappyHappy wrote:
My wife and I plan to visit Antelope Canyon in October. I shoot a Canon 6D and am thinking my 16-35 would be the best focal range to leave mounted in the slot canyon. Since I've never been there before I'm curious if a wide angle is the best choice or what would be. Advise requested.
Any short zoom will be okay around, but you need a fast lens as you get inside the cave it's dark. You are not be able to use flash because you will
disturb other visitors, in fact, we were told not to use flash by our tour guide, when visiting several years ago. May I show a sample picture of mine!
Jan 10, 2015 16:19:26 #
GRITCH
Loc: San Jose, CA
I think North Coyote Buttes is 4 wheel drive especially to get to White Pockets.
On the subject of the wave, if you go to Kanab, UT., to the BLM office just before 9 A.M., you put your name in for a lottery for a permit for the following day. They draw 10 people, and since you can apply with up to 6 on one application, you have to get lucky because there can be 75-100 people hoping the same as you. Go online and look up the wave. There are some incredible pictures to give you an idea of what it is like.
On the subject of the wave, if you go to Kanab, UT., to the BLM office just before 9 A.M., you put your name in for a lottery for a permit for the following day. They draw 10 people, and since you can apply with up to 6 on one application, you have to get lucky because there can be 75-100 people hoping the same as you. Go online and look up the wave. There are some incredible pictures to give you an idea of what it is like.
Jan 10, 2015 16:22:31 #
GRITCH
Loc: San Jose, CA
My bad. The wave is Coyote Buttes North. White Pockets is in Coyote Buttes, South.
Jan 11, 2015 01:29:36 #
SnappyHappy wrote:
My wife and I plan to visit Antelope Canyon in October. I shoot a Canon 6D and am thinking my 16-35 would be the best focal range to leave mounted in the slot canyon. Since I've never been there before I'm curious if a wide angle is the best choice or what would be. Advise requested.
I would take wide zoom 16-35. Don't even think of changing lenses.2bodies with lenses is always nice. I would spend the money and take the photographer tour and not the general tour as you will have more time. You should be shooting on a tripod and expect long exposures. Contrast and shadows at horseshoe bend can be difficult to handle without a grad neu dens filter. Rich
Jan 11, 2015 10:47:55 #
GRITCH wrote:
White Pocket is a few miles east of Coyote Buttes South and is not subject to daily visitor limits. BUT it is definitely 4WD country. If the sand is dry, you can still get stuck.My bad. The wave is Coyote Buttes North. White Pockets is in Coyote Buttes, South.
Don't want to hijack, but here's a White Pocket shot. The Germans call it the Lollipop.
Jan 11, 2015 10:53:54 #
Photographer Jim wrote:
Wide angle can be OK, however in the slots having ... (show quote)
I only have 1 body and it is slowly aging, Getting older hurts, I"m sorry I just realized you were talkind about camera bodies,. Told you I was getting older.
Jan 11, 2015 11:09:48 #
davefales wrote:
White Pocket is a few miles east of Coyote Buttes South and is not subject to daily visitor limits. BUT it is definitely 4WD country. If the sand is dry, you can still get stuck.
Don't want to hijack, but here's a White Pocket shot. The Germans call it the Lollipop.
Don't want to hijack, but here's a White Pocket shot. The Germans call it the Lollipop.
Hi fellow Virginian--great pic and now I have another place out west to look at! Rich
Jan 11, 2015 11:31:02 #
boberic wrote:
I only have 1 body and it is slowly aging, Getting older hurts, I"m sorry I just realized you were talkind about camera bodies,. Told you I was getting older.
My real point was that when shooting slot canyons, especially those like Antelope, having a wide range of focal lengths at your disposal is an advantage. While wide angle can certainly yield wonderful images, there are many times when a longer lens will allow for strong compositions. I achieve that by carrying two bodies with a wide and a medium zoom, but for most that isn't an option, so they have to evaluate for themselves which of their lens will give them the best options. Finally, if the only way to get an adequate focal length range is to require changing lenses, it is imperative to plan on a way to make that safer. One solution is to carry a light weight, nylon stuff bag (available at sport or camping stores) and change lens by feel inside the bag.
Jan 11, 2015 12:14:28 #
paulrph1
Loc: Washington, Utah
It would be best if you can sign up for the photography tour. Which starts 1/2 hr before the rest of the groups. This allows one to have a scene that is uncluttered by people. Otherwise one is fighting the people always being in the way.
Light would be better if one goes when the sunlight is directly overhead more like in June or July.
Be sure and check the weather for possible storms and do not go if a storm is threatening.
Ask about the Sacred Datura flower?
There are two canyons the upper and the lower. The upper is better.
Be sure and take a tripod. You will need it for sure. Also a cable release.
Light would be better if one goes when the sunlight is directly overhead more like in June or July.
Be sure and check the weather for possible storms and do not go if a storm is threatening.
Ask about the Sacred Datura flower?
There are two canyons the upper and the lower. The upper is better.
Be sure and take a tripod. You will need it for sure. Also a cable release.
Mar 10, 2015 19:28:57 #
Reviving an older post.
We did night photography in Antelope Canyon in Sept. A wide angle worked well. Super dark sky with incredible shots of the Milky Way.
Go as close to the New Moon as you can :)
Oh and changing lenses wasn't a big problem as there was only 3 of us in the canyon - very little dust kicked up.
We did night photography in Antelope Canyon in Sept. A wide angle worked well. Super dark sky with incredible shots of the Milky Way.
Go as close to the New Moon as you can :)
Oh and changing lenses wasn't a big problem as there was only 3 of us in the canyon - very little dust kicked up.
Mar 10, 2015 20:20:40 #
Thanks for the advise. I didn't know access was possible at night in the slot.
Mar 10, 2015 20:41:07 #
SnappyHappy wrote:
In both canyons use your fastest lens, although my wife got great shots in Lower using a 18-55 kits lens. I used 24-70 in lower and 11-16 in Upper. I didn't zoom in upper because of all the dust and had plenty of grit around my focus ring when I came out of there.My wife and I plan to visit Antelope Canyon in October. I shoot a Canon 6D and am thinking my 16-35 would be the best focal range to leave mounted in the slot canyon. Since I've never been there before I'm curious if a wide angle is the best choice or what would be. Advise requested.
We enjoyed Lower much more than Upper.. fewer people, slower pace, just as pretty. Doesn't have the light shafts Upper is famous for, except for ideal time of day and year. The best time for light shafts in Upper in May-June-July I think and you do pay a premium for 11:30am - 1pm tour. Go to lower at 3:30- 4pm and enjoy a tour with maybe 30 people in the canyon vs 230 in Upper. Lots of interruptions in a small space in Upper. hard to get people out of your shots.
Mar 10, 2015 20:43:27 #
Mar 10, 2015 20:55:27 #
It's accessible with a night tour only. I really enjoyed being out there alone in the complete black and stillness (well, 3 of us). Here's one of the shots. I'm very new at DSLR - I was happy with the experience :)
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