teacherdad48 Loc: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Plan to go there in June. Anyone suggest a good tour company or have experiences to share from there? Also, have heard the dust is a big risk to your camera. Would appreciate words of wisdom! Thanks! -Mike

sehrich Loc: Burleson, TX

U will have a great time, I sug. that U photo the lower canyon, take one body and only one or two lenses, tripod, cable release in a small back pack. Pack up gear when moving from photo site to photo site, turn body camera downward when changing lenses and U should have no dust problems. U will climbing up and down steal ladders so would advise rubber soled hiking shoes. Move slowly from site to site looking up and behind as U move If U want sunbeam shots U need to go around noon. U purchase tickets as a photographer for 2 hrs. Can be some what expensive. Alain Broit has a workshop on the area once a year "beautiful-landscape.com" recommend it first time in area.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

I have been there 3 times--awesome place. the first and last time with the same company guiding us they were great, with them you get to ride in an enclosed vehicle instead of in the dust in the back of a pickup. As you leave Page and drive east keep and going until you see the power plant. Go past their driveway and you will see on the south side of the road a building where they are selling tickets out of. Stop there it is smart to go the day before maybe so you can get the time slot you want. One of their people--can't remember his name had glasses also took us back at night to do some night time shots in the canyon. That was an awesome experience. We bought the package and went to more than one canyon with them. We also should have done the other Lower Antelope Canyon where it is free and not as crowded but we ran out of time. These guides also know a lot about photography and can help with any questions you might have. We were there in April and it will be a lot more crowded in the summer
all you will need is one wide lens and don't change lenses while in there- very dusty. Around noon on sunny days is when you get the light beams coming through--but the colors are great on cloudy days.
Enjoy
I think it was around $100 for the day tour and the same for the night one

Willy Loc: Alaska

I recommend taking a tour that is designed for photography.
There are several tour outfitters in Page AZ but they treat the customers like cattle and you will be rushed.
These slot canyons are VERY popular with tourists which makes it difficult and frustrating for those of us focused on photography.

I took a tour last September with Ron Niebrugge and it was awesome. I'm contemplating going again this fall. Part of his tour is a night tour through Upper Antelope Canyon. That was fun...

http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Photo-Tours/Alaska-Photo-Tours.htm

The slot canyons are dusty so it is a good idea not to change lenses inside the canyon. Used a 24-105mm f4 most of the time.
In one case I walked out of the canyon to swap to my 70-200mm. For the night shoot I used my 16-35mm f2.8 as it is the fastest lens I own.
A tripod is mandatory in the canyons as they are pretty dark.

June may be more crowded and hotter than September.

Night Scene in Upper Antelope Canyon

teacherdad48 Loc: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Thank you, those are great suggestions. Would you say it was money well spent?

teacherdad48 Loc: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

So you think lower canyon is the way to go instead of upper? Thanks for your great tips

plessner Loc: North Dakota

I don't think you get the light beams at lower

Captain Jim Loc: Maryville Tn

One of the great places to shoot... don't overlook Horseshoe Bend overlook.. it is in the area.... my best guide is Photographing the Southwest Vol 1 and 2 by Laurent Martres

teacherdad48 Loc: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Thank you, I have volume 1 coming from Amazon thanks to your tip. I'll get volume 2 next month.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

I have volume 1 and it was a wonderful help as we were traveling

azlynn Loc: Arizona

I took some really good shots in Upper Antelope Canyon hand held! The guide offered some advice on what settings to use & he was spot on (of course I can't remember them now). The tour we took did not allow tripods, but if you take a photographers tour, they will allow them & allow enough time to get your shots. Haven't been to Lower Antelope Canyon yet; also there are a few not so famous slot canyons in that area... you must go with a guide. In June & the summer months the sun is more directly overhead & will give you the light necessary to make those spectacular shots. (the rocks look as if they are lit from the inside... in the photos, of course) Horseshoe Bend requires a very wide angle... and if you are in any way nervous of heights... well, just stay on your hands & knees at the canyon's edge... Both those books are worth their weight in gold!!

azlynn Loc: Arizona

Some of my hand-held photos... if only I could have used a tripod!!

coondog Loc: Lost in Vermont

Consider going around 11:00am to 1:00 pm..the sun is at its highest and the light beams are the most visible at that time.

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

I used this company http://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/tours.html

Did a night private photo tour and a daytime of Upper, Rattlesnake and another - can't remember the name. Lower was closed due to flash floods. But I did do Lower the next day - great place. All private tours and worth the money.

Lionel Bigthumb is the photo guide. He does a very good job.

teacherdad48 Loc: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Thanks Azlyn, those are gorgeous! I will for sure check out the bend too.