jtg Loc: Southern Louisiana

I am flying to Oregon soon for a week long workshop and can not decide what equipment to bring. I would really appreciate everyone's opinion on what I should bring. This will be my first trip of this type and first by myself.. so no help carrying my bags. I have two camera bodies but will bring Nikon D 7100 for sure. Would you bring two? I will bring my tripod as well. But what type of lens should I bring? These are my choices: 24-70mm, 90mm macro, 18-270mm, 70-300mm, 11-16mm, 50mm. I have several batteries and four sd cards. My backpack is not big enough so some things will have to stay home. Thanks for help. I am so excited I can hardly wait!

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

the person giving the workshop should have a recommended equipment list. If they haven't given you a list and schedule for the workshop ,I'd question their professionalism.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Hard to say.

Do you have an itinerary? syllabus? What will the work shop cover?

jtg Loc: Southern Louisiana

We will be going to waterfalls, coastal areas, and forests as well as formal gardens, wildflower areas and city tour. I have a daily schedule outlining each day. All I was told about equipment is digital camera, camera manual, good hiking shoes, layered clothing and rain gear. Maybe I am suppose to know what lens would be appropriate for each day. I guess I usually bring everything when I go on vacation but flying makes that difficult.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I would take a backup camera and reduce the lens array while still making sure I have all focal lengths covered with my favorites. The macros may not be necessary. The batteries and cards and tripod are necessary. Don't forget ND filters for waterfalls.

My typical flying plan for a photo trip of 2 weeks or less includes
*my checked bag for clothes, boots, tripod, filters, charger, hiking stick
*my "personal item" (loaded-up camera backpack or sling bag)
*a small rolling carryon for my laptop, external backup drive, and whatever lenses/cameras that didn't easily fit in the "personal item" (usually I'm just putting this in a small camera bag of which most of us have several) and stuffing the bag into the carryon for the extra protection.

Once I'm on location, I do a lot of switching about depending on what I'm doing and how long I'm staying in one place. If I'm renting a car and moving place to place that big suitcase never leaves the vehicle.

Sounds like you've got an awesome trip coming up, Oregon is one of the most beautiful places in the country.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I would bring the extra camera body. The worse case scenario is being half way across the country on an expensive workshop and have your preferred body malfunction or get dropped on the first day!

For your lens, which three do you feel you usually use the most or are the best quality AND cover a reasonable range? Not being familiar with your camera brand I can't comment on lens quality, but were it me, I'd go with the 11-16, 24-70, and 70-300 for the widest range of options.

By all means, take the tripod.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Tripod.
1 & 2 on the list 11-16mm & 90mm macro.(lock these 2 in)
#3 - 70-300mm
#4 - 24-70mm
#5 - 50mm
#6 - 18-270mm

Spikes Loc: Brookings, Or

I live in the southern end of Oregon I would. I would have 17 to 300 covered. I would also bring a rain sleeve type of devise for the camera.

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

If you are looking for wild flowers go to the Columbia Gorge , stop at horsetail Falls and take the trail to the left of the falls. It is about 3 miles to the vista you won't be disappointed, also there are more falls in the Gorge then you can count. I shoot there every 2 weeks. I shoot with my Sigma 18-250 and my Canon 50mm 1.4

Pappy

Kuzano

I live in Central Oregon. I've shot all parts of Oregon for 50 years, with a 5 year absence in the MidWest. You know the saying "I spent 5 years in the MidWest one year."

The subject matter is as varied as the lenses you have available in that list. The waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge and the deep forests on the West side of the state are "low light" venues even on the brightest days. Otherwise Oregon is quite varied in lighting from bright, cloudless days on the Eastern (high desert) side of the state. The Coastal side is lush in the inland areas, with bright beaches. Weather... We say, particularly the Western side of the Cascades... look out the window to prepare for the day.... But before you venture out after preparing appropriately from your first look, look again. I lived in Eugene and spent many days, over many years, on the Coastal beaches. Be prepared for unreliable weather, as it can be rainy in the Willamette Vally, Eugene to Portland, while extremely sunny at the Coast, or vice versa. That situation is subject to change hourly. Salt air at the coast, sandy beaches, neither of which are camera conducive. Bring baggies.

Now, one downside. My coastal rig was a Chevy Suburban, old as to not look affluent. In the back, just inside the tailgate was my steel photo box with a sturdy lock and welded to the floor in the vehicle.

Oregon's coastline, notorious for it's photogenic qualities is all rather poor, low level income population, living on tourist trade. Meth labs abound, and waysides are clearly marked about locking your car to protect from theft, which is a primary income source from the South border to the Washington border on the North, for locals. A list of meth labs can usually be found by checking the yellow pages for the less expensive motels. If you stay at a cheap motel, there will likely be methamphetamines on site.

Depending on how you are traveling, group, bus tour, vans, rental car, vehicles with fully separate, lockable trunks are 1st priority. You will generally NOT be in sight of your car because of the hike over sand dunes to get to beaches. A proficient Oregon Coast resident can pop a trunk within seconds after you disappear over the dunes.

This may not be something you want to hear, but even with a locked strong box clearly secured in the back of my rig, I replaced two tailgate windows in my Suby.

Bring the proper amount of gear to keep on your body, or in sight at all time, or secured in a locked area.

Otherwise, have a great trip to Oregon... Photographer Nirvana.

Remember that we joke here about how Eugenians and Portlanders, don't tan, we rust. And why do Oregonians West of the Cascades have webbed hands and feet? Changes in the weather can happen so fast as to "shock" the body. Layer your clothing, otherwise you cannot dress for Oregon weather.

And so it goes, and the only other good news, is that if you spend a lot of time at the Oregon Coast, you may not be troubled with packing all that gear home. Be alert.

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

I agree with this recommendation. I attended a similar workshop last fall in Oregon. My FF and several lenses got wiped out by a sneaker wave. I knew better but the intensity of the moment got the better of me. Luckily I had a backup 7D in my trunk as well as 24-105 that got me by for the remainder of the workshop.

Onembz

It's Oregon, bring a coat with a hood. I recommend a photographers vest. It will distribute the weight so everything isn't on one shoulder and keeps frequently used items at hand. And carry a small bag for infrequently used item. Oh did I say a coat with a hood? And a waterproof cover, or a trash bag, to cover your equipment

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

My thoughts exactly!

jtg Loc: Southern Louisiana

Thank y'all so much for the info. It was all very helpful. I will try to stay on lighter side so my backpack will not be so heavy to keep with me.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

It looks like you are covered. By the time I got back to this, all of the other Oregonians have chimed in. One thing I will say about all stops along the Columbia River Gorge. It is known for "car clouts"-- so watch your gear. Your guide should know this--and warn you as well.

The "sneaker wave" warnings are to be taken seriously. Every year people ignore the warnings-- and someone is a victim. Please don't be one.

Have a great time!