Yellowstone best lens advice: Hello folks ! We're headed to Grand Teton and Yellowstone via Salt Lake City and driving up to the parks next week. I'm able to pack my d7200 with a...

switchman Loc: Virginia

Hello folks !
We're headed to Grand Teton and Yellowstone via Salt Lake City and driving up to the parks next week. I'm able to pack my d7200 with a 80-200mm, 50mm as well as my Fuji X-T1 with 18-55 and 16mm in ThinTank Urban Disguise 40 (its a tight fit). I packed the Nikon without a lens but the fuji fits in middle with the 18-55 mounted.

Now, the bag is heavy and i'm thinking of not taking the Fuji 16mm (2nd heaviest lens in bag) and that leaves me without a wide enough lens.

So I'm seeking advice from joggers who've been the parks as what was the most used lens. Thanks in advance !

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I didn't use my 50 and the 16 is almost redundant. The 18-55 will see plenty of use,as will the 80-200. I don't jog,but hiked a lot.

I've flown into SLC a few times and usually make reservations a hundred miles or so toward the park. Easy trip in the next day!

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I shoot Canon, so that is what I know. Some would say that you are not wide enough nor long enough. At 73 I have stop doing wildlife, but if I were I would be using 100-400 =TC or 150-600. On the wide for landscapes I use crop 10-xx or FF16-xx. I don't jog but have hiked with equipment. Either you compromise for photography or jog/hiking.

I gather you are flying to SLC and then renting a car. If you have and arrival time I may be able to make recommendation.

J. R.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Gee,he told us what he had for equipment.

switchman Loc: Virginia

DaveO.... I figured the 18-55 would be very usable, but not having a longer Fuji lens I'm forced to bring along my old but sharp Nikkor for the 7200. I have sold most of my Nikon lenses when i bought the x-t1 2 years ago but did not find mirrorless very much to my liking (mainly the eve).

Yes, flying to SLC and driving; 2 days in GT, 3 in YNP and back down to SLC to find other places. Its vacation we had tried to plan on-off last 3 years or so but not really a photography trip. But what the heck, got to get some good pictures to bring back.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

What you want me to blow smoke. Given his equipment I can get some shots. But will miss some. I have left my home and gone to GT & YP in one day dark to dark. Lots of OPs along the way SLC

Want specifics PM me.

J. R.

DaveO wrote:

Gee,he told us what he had for equipment.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

switchman wrote:

DaveO.... I figured the 18-55 would be very usable... (show quote)

Hopefully you can work around the smoke! We've been three times since 2012 for a total of 37 days and got smoked all the way back to SLC in 2012. Couldn't see much of the Tetons on the way out. I shoot mostly wildlife,70-200 and 80-400 or 200-500, and my wife does a fine job with her 18-140. I used a 12-24 a few times and a few with an 85. Next year, 12-24,24-70,70-200,200-500. Southwest Air lets us check 4 bags and I have a carryon Lowepro with wheels and a small backpack for under the seat. Tripod and mono in a suitcase. Insurance is cheap enough.

I'm occasionally make myself shoot on bad days to prepare for all kinds of weather. Got some great Mountain Goats in light rain near Golden Gate last year.

Enjoy and I'm sure you watch the fire alerts daily!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Gifted One wrote:

What you want me to blow smoke. Given his equipment I can get some shots. But will miss some. I have left my home and gone to GT & YP in one day dark to dark. Lots of OPs along the way SLC

Want specifics PM me.

J. R.

You're my hero! We have several thousand shots for specifics,but thank you for your kind offer.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

switchman wrote:

Hello folks ! br We're headed to Grand Teton and Y... (show quote)

I'd leave behind the 50 and the 16. You may want to consider getting or renting an 18-300 3.5-5.6 and leaving everything else but the D7200 behind. It's a great lens, very versatile and works pretty darn good in lower light at higher ISO'S on the D7200.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

switchman wrote:

Hello folks ! br We're headed to Grand Teton and Y... (show quote)

Yellowstone is the perfect place to shoot any lens made. The challenge is matching the best lens with the opportune shot. The lenses you are taking will give you good coverage of the western portion of the park, but will leave you a little "short" in the Canyon and the Lamar River valley. 200mm will allow interesting views from above the main falls on the west side of the Canyon but the favored artist's viewpoints on the east side are a little far for you. You will understand this later but keep a designated "animal shot"camera in your vehicle. Bison are road-hogs and roam primarily along the geyser basin roads. Hope your weather helps make this a great event for you. You get to see some things you might not have known existed. Remember it's digital! Have fun.

MtnMan Loc: ID

DaveO wrote:

I didn't use my 50 and the 16 is almost redundant. The 18-55 will see plenty of use,as will the 80-200. I don't jog,but hiked a lot.

I've flown into SLC a few times and usually make reservations a hundred miles or so toward the park. Easy trip in the next day!

Alas the Asian Invasion now makes reservations within 100 miles of the parks difficult through September.

switchman Loc: Virginia

rmorrison1116,,,,, I figure since the Fuji 16/f1.4 is very sharp, then it would be my landscape lens as i don't have any Nikkors anymore. Also avoiding changing lenses as much as possible thats why the 2 camera.

davidrb,,,,,,, Thanks for the tip. I'm hoping to have the 18-55 ready at all times for nearby "animal" shot; I know 200mm is quite short so i'll just have to make good use of it. I wanted to rent a longer lens but finances is not well after retirement. Didn't know that sss check is paid a month behind,,,dang

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

MtnMan wrote:

Alas the Asian Invasion now makes reservations within 100 miles of the parks difficult through September.

Sorry you mentioned that. Making reservations in the Park is quite a chore if you don't book well in advance. I book a year in advance. Most of us are at the mercy of the Park manager,Xanterra and how they handle they handle reservations.

It seems that blocks of rooms are sold to commercial enterprises,thus making it even more difficult. I could be wrong,but after observing numerous tour buses,some of which end up at Park hotels, I believe it to be true. Point being, I welcome foreign visitors,but to have good old commercial folks raking in the bucks and having an advantage that the average citizen does not.

"For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People.” This is the inscription on the Arch at Yellowstone. I will concede this means all,but how about equal access?

Enough whining for one day,just my two cents!

switchman Loc: Virginia

Tourist attractions brings all kinds of tour organizer, thats what we see everywhere nowadays. The internet makes it easy for everyone and everywhere to go.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

switchman wrote:

Tourist attractions brings all kinds of tour organizer, thats what we see everywhere nowadays. The internet makes it easy for everyone and everywhere to go.

My point is that it's not easy! This isn't Disneyworld,it's a National Park and there is not equal access to our citizens when business unnecessarily sell reservations. Why must it be commercialized when it can not handle the tourist load as it is. We don't need this in at least some of our Parks. At the very least there should be a period of time where reservations are available to private citizens whose dollars support the system.

Even Disneyland has some rules for resident preferences.