I purchased a Slik Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod and really like it. The cost is around $250. Take a look at that tripod before you purchase. Just a thought.

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope your trip is healing and can help you find peace. You have had many great ideas but I did not see that anyone mentioned Mesa Arch in the the Moab, Utah area. It is up on the plateau near Canyonlands. You need to arrive before sunrise but it will amaze you at the beauty of the glow on the arch. Safe travels and take your time. I think when we travel we always hurry too much.

I photograph high school football and use the 100-400 and it works very well, it is extremely sharp. I have found that I like the 70-200 2.8 with a 1.4 teleconverter attachment. That makes the lens f4 throughout the range. This is a very sharp lens. I use Sony a9 as the body. This works very well for me even in low light.
Brad

Here are my moon starting settings. You have to adjust the aperture or shutter to darken or lighten the photo.
- [ ] Moon
Manual mode
** Try f8 at ISO 200 1/125 sec kelvin 5000 or sun
Or ISO 1600 1/4 sec. At f8

I think I would say “Thanks” (at least it was a compliment). I might then reply that I know how to use the camera as well.
Brad

You have received many opinions and they are all great. On our trip I took two bodies a crop sensor with a 70-200 2.8 and a 1.4 teleconverter. The other was a full frame with a 24-70 2.8. I did not have to change lens or need to. Take the sharpest lens you have because you want to capture all of the amazing details and don’t forget a raincoat for yourself and cameras. You obviously know how to focus stack, use exposure blending, and shoot panoramas. You can do everything with a couple of good sharp lens. Bring extra batteries, headlamp, thin fingertip free shooting gloves, beanie, memory cards, sweatshirt for under the raincoat and I took a monopod (didn’t need it). Waterproof your shoes, it’s Alaska and it rains. Don’t overpack. You don’t need to. Don’t forget to take some pictures with your eyes. It is truly a beautiful place. Have fun!
Brad

I’m like most people, we evolve. I used to shoot Canon and I did the focus and recompose thing. Then I finally tried back button focus and moving the focus point with AF-C this remarkably improved my photography. I followed Steve Perry direction. He is a master at explaining the correct techniques of the camera. I have read and followed his advice for years. I since have changed to Sony and shoot with the a9 for sports and wildlife. The tracking in the camera and eye autofocus amazes me everyday. I am sure the other companies have it as well. The only thing I have to do is set the focus point on the animals eye and hold down the bbf. When coupled with back button auto focus and 20 FPS, I can fill up a card so fast that the animal and I have no idea what has happened. The keeper rate on the images is remarkable. All I really have to add is follow Steve’s advice and your photography will improve very fast.

Quite a coincidence when I saw this thread I just filled one with Quaker Quick Oats. It worked great, not too heavy but with still some substance. I use them for window mounts and light stand weights. They work perfect. Mine took one large container, not that expensive either.

I sold a Wacom tablet and I forgot to send the plug that makes it wireless. I was cleaning off my desk and found it. I did not use the wireless function. Please contact me and I will immediately send it to you. Thanks
Brad

Beautiful, very big bulls. This is a place I need to visit.

Canon MG 6821
Surprisingly good prints.
I gave away my Canon pro 10 it was terrible.

i am sorry to disagree with anyone because everyone has different opinions but Mesa Arch best light is when the sun just peaks over the horizon in the morning. Check for sunrise times. You will have to be there at~ 4:00 - 5:00 a.m. to get a tripod spot. It is the hottest ticket in the area. You will be there with a dozen or more photographers. It is a site to behold to see the glow! Antelope Canyon (upper) with the photographers tour is also a must see as well as horseshoe bend. Have fun!

Have a fun vacation but you will be busy. In all Utah parks arrive by at least 5 am to ensure proper set up time and to be able to arrive at you destination. Here are some suggestions: Arches- windows go through the north window and look west. Take a picture with turret arch in the center of the window. You will have to climb some rocks but this can be done and makes a fantastic image. Delicate Arch arrive at the trail head very early because it will take you at least 1 hour to walk to the arch and set up. Take water with you you will need it. During the day you can photograph the other arches. Pine tree arch is my favorite. You can do the fiery furnace walk but you must get a permit at the visitor center. Canyonlands- Mesa Arch is a must, you must be there 4:30-5:00 a.m. to set up your tripod. There will be many photographers. Zion- the rock amphitheater behind the first bus stop is best early morning and then Canyon overlook. Best hike in the park is Angels Landing but they are now issuing tickets and will take you most of the day.

As you can tell you will have some very early mornings. I spend the hot part of the days scouting where I want to shoot a.m. and p.m. One park a day is very ambitious but can be done have fun and you will get some amazing photographs.

Have a great trip!

Brad

Here are my fireworks setting notes

Fireworks Photography
Tripod
Live View on Camera
Wireless remote
F stop 13
ISO 100
Shutter speed 5 sec.
Set lens focus on first shot using AF then set camera to manual focus and all shots will be in focus

Adjust your f stop up f16 or higher if the shot is too light.

Adjust the shutter speed shorter or longer according to the background of fireworks. Longer shutter speed lighter background, shorter shutter speed darker background.

Adjust your f stop first.

Have Fun

Listen to the Mark Galer link. Since I started shooting portraits in tracking wide area all of the focus quirks resolved. Tap the joystick to center the focus point if the camera misses eye focus and that will usually pull it to the eye. I hav e been using this technique on all of my people portraits including sports. The only time I use a spot with tracking is when I am shooting through chain link fence. That works very well. I also have turned my tracking sensitivity down to 2. This has made a big difference. Just something to try.
Brad