NEED ADVICE FOR TRIP OUT WEST
Apr 25, 2017 10:02:39 #
TRAVLR38
Loc: CENTRAL PA
At the end of May, my wife and I are traveling to Utah (Arches and Canyonlands Nat'l Parks) and then to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. I would especially like advice on whether to get a long zoom for the trip, and how long a zoom. I already have, and plan to take, my Lumix FZ1000, which has a zoom of 400 mm. will this be enough? Am thinking of the Nikon p900. Would this be a useful addition, or am I just having an attack of GAS?
Secondarily, I would appreciate as well any other advice, such as essential things to see in Arches or Canyonlands.
Many thanks in advance.
Secondarily, I would appreciate as well any other advice, such as essential things to see in Arches or Canyonlands.
Many thanks in advance.
Apr 25, 2017 10:05:32 #
In my opinion, wide angle is far more important that telephoto in almost all cases. If you need a telephoto, you at too far away. I live in Utah and I very seldom use a long lens.
Apr 25, 2017 10:06:22 #
Don't limit yourself to long lenses. Have something capable of wide angle. Some of my favorite photos of the arches were with wide angle.
Apr 25, 2017 10:17:30 #
I agree about wide angle (but I have wide angle thoughts). If your camera has the 25-400mm equivalent lens it is just what it should be: all purpose. 25mm equivalent is plenty wide enough for most travel, and 400mm equivalent is more than long enough. The whole idea of that camera is to avoid all those extra lenses and stuff. Once you learn to adapt your shooting to the camera, it should be just right. Concentrate on what you can do with what you have, and you will not run out of options. If I must have just one camera, that might be it.
Apr 25, 2017 10:20:20 #
p.s.
If you are thinking full frame, that is another story--but they make comparable compact full frames with all purpose lens also. Carrying a full system camera may require a pack mule.
If you are thinking full frame, that is another story--but they make comparable compact full frames with all purpose lens also. Carrying a full system camera may require a pack mule.
Apr 25, 2017 10:20:49 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
TRAVLR38 wrote:
At the end of May, my wife and I are traveling to ... (show quote)
The Panasonic FZ1000 is a very good Bridge camera. It could be satisfactory as just a one only camera. The Nikon P900 is a very good Bridge camera too, with a focal length to 2000mm. However, it does not shoot RAW though. Do you own a DSLR? If so, take your DSLR and take two lenses that will give you a range from 11mm to 300mm.
Apr 25, 2017 10:25:43 #
jackpi
Loc: Southwest Ohio
TRAVLR38 wrote:
At the end of May, my wife and I are traveling to ... (show quote)
I just got back from N. Arizona and S. Utah. The most useful focal length was around 24-50mm. Anything beyond 200mm got very little use. Be sure to take a tripod. The best light is within an hour or two of sunrise and sunset when you will need longer exposure times--up to several seconds at low ISO.
Apr 25, 2017 13:04:28 #
It really depends on what you want to shoot. If you like wildlife,you'll be sorry you don't have a long lens. Some are able to think outside the box with zooms.
Check out this pro from Jackson and see how restricted he is with zooms:
http://www.bestofthetetons.com/2017/04/24/telephoto-lenses-for-landscapes/
Check out this pro from Jackson and see how restricted he is with zooms:
http://www.bestofthetetons.com/2017/04/24/telephoto-lenses-for-landscapes/
Apr 25, 2017 13:51:36 #
TRAVLR38
Loc: CENTRAL PA
Thanks for responses so far, and thanks DaveO for the link. I was wondering whether a longer zoom than the 400mm my fz1000 will give me will be necessary for wildlife: bears, moose, etc. I suppose there are enough areas that are flat and unobscured by trees that the animals could be visible, but only at a fairly long distance. I know that the p900 has a very small sensor and that images fall apart over 400 ISO, but would it be useful enough or good enough for the rare (?) occasion when animals are relatively remote. I worked in Yellowstone some 50 years ago during the summer, and remember much, but do not recall what the plains and meadows looked like. And there were no bison there then, or if they were I didn't see them.
Apr 25, 2017 14:03:17 #
TRAVLR38 wrote:
Thanks for responses so far, and thanks DaveO for ... (show quote)
400mm is not bad and many are never satisfied! I found the link interesting and I will carry fewer items with me on future trips. Mike Jackson is a pleasure to follow online and a lot of fun to shoot with. The bison have been present in Yellowstone since prehistoric times and I saw them on my first trip in 1964. I'll be there early June and early October this year. Enjoy!
Apr 26, 2017 00:04:02 #
Wide angle is nice, but if you don't have a big zoom at Yellowstone then you are missing a great opportunity.
I agree with Jackson and do a lot of shooting with a zoom. My mom, who is 83 was in Yellowstone last year and used a P900. She loves the camera and although the image quality isn't as good as my D5 and it isn't great in low light, she got some great wildlife photos.
A big zoom is also nice for details at some of the thermal areas. Make sure that you see Great Fountain Geyser while you are in Yellowstone It's my favorite geyser.
Big zooms are also nice for detail images of the Tetons. Most people shoot wide angle and fail to shoot some of the magnificent detail that can only be seen with a zoom.
I agree with Jackson and do a lot of shooting with a zoom. My mom, who is 83 was in Yellowstone last year and used a P900. She loves the camera and although the image quality isn't as good as my D5 and it isn't great in low light, she got some great wildlife photos.
A big zoom is also nice for details at some of the thermal areas. Make sure that you see Great Fountain Geyser while you are in Yellowstone It's my favorite geyser.
Big zooms are also nice for detail images of the Tetons. Most people shoot wide angle and fail to shoot some of the magnificent detail that can only be seen with a zoom.
Apr 26, 2017 07:11:55 #
mas24 wrote:
The Panasonic FZ1000 is a very good Bridge camera. It could be satisfactory as just a one only camera. The Nikon P900 is a very good Bridge camera too, with a focal length to 2000mm. However, it does not shoot RAW though. Do you own a DSLR? If so, take your DSLR and take two lenses that will give you a range from 11mm to 300mm.
Apr 26, 2017 08:19:47 #
Carlmk
Loc: Naples, FL & Boston, MA
Very near Arches is Dead Horse State Park, worth visiting. Also on the way to Jackson Hole stop in a very small town of Dubois, Wyoming (pronounced the American way not the French one). Stopped for lunch and stayed three days.
I made a similar trip and used a 18mm-300mm zoom. The zoom really is great for animals but also for scenery. So often an interesting natural structure is too far away or is inaccessible. Zoom does the trick! And lets you compose on the spot. With modern high ISO the relatively small aperture of zoom lens still work in lower light conditions.
Usually I carry a fixed 35mm lens but most often, time does not permit a change of lens. Weight is the enemy of sightseeing so go light.
I made a similar trip and used a 18mm-300mm zoom. The zoom really is great for animals but also for scenery. So often an interesting natural structure is too far away or is inaccessible. Zoom does the trick! And lets you compose on the spot. With modern high ISO the relatively small aperture of zoom lens still work in lower light conditions.
Usually I carry a fixed 35mm lens but most often, time does not permit a change of lens. Weight is the enemy of sightseeing so go light.
Apr 26, 2017 08:21:32 #
paulrph1
Loc: Washington, Utah
TRAVLR38 wrote:
At the end of May, my wife and I are traveling to ... (show quote)
In Arches plan on visiting Delicate Arch. You can see from the front side but you will want to see up and personal, so plan on a hike around the mountain so allow some time.
Apr 26, 2017 08:27:14 #
If you are a photographer you should know what lenses you need. Depends on the type of photography you do. How are you traveling?
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