jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Planning a trip to Antelope Canyon, Upper, Lower, Owl. I have been reading about how dusty the canyons are and how important it is to protect my gear. Camera condoms are highly recommended. I can create something to completely cover my camera - but then I wonder how I'm going to work all the dials on the back to adjust shutter, aperture, etc, and to focus lens. I have a 6D and 77D, with Rokinon 16mm and 14mm lenses that I plan on using. They do not zoom in and out - so breathing dust is not an issue on focusing. My Canon 50mm EF prime cheapie is probably a bit too narrow for use in the canyons. I do have a Canon 24mm EF-S lens for the 77D and that may be a good option as if it gets damaged it's not a big loss but it's not nearly as sharp as the Rokinon. There is no way I will bring my 24-105 L into Upper or Lower.

I'm planning the visit on the way to a 4 day shoot of the MW and do not want to trash my equipment before I get to my final destination.

Any experience in the canyons or suggestions as to how to protect my equipment? Any tricks on how to prevent dust from accumulating on the lens?

One suggestion on the camera condom is to use plastic bag, cut hole for lens opening, tape around lens, seal bag, attach camera mount thru the bag. The heavier the plastic the better - bu tthen the more difficult to work the camera thru the plastic. Arrgggggg........

Almost thinking I should pick up a used throw away camera and a cheap fixed prime.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Just don't change lenses, get something like a wide angle zoom, like the Nikon 28-300 (don't know what similar lens there is for Canon). I've shot in wind storms in Death Valley where I had to spend 30 minutes on each image cleaning up dust spots on the filter in Lightroom, but never and damage to the camera/lens.

Dust breathing? Who told you that?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Have been to Antelope Upper Canyon. I used a 24MM lens with the following protection:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/891383-REG/ruggard_rc_p18_18_plastic_rain_cover.html

Works great.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Where is Antelope Canyon?

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

slot canyons just outside Page AZ

jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

That looks like a great product Pixel. Thanks

jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

when you zoom a lens, it opens out - at least the ones I have. Something gotta fill the area inside the lens - that's air. And the air - esp in the slot canyons - is full of dust. Very fine dust that can get inside the lens.

linelink

Jay, been through Antelope a few times as I once lived nearby. Last trip was Sept. 2017. Here’s the deal. Most people ver react to rumors and misinformation. Spend the extra bucks and take the photography tour. The guides will help you get the shots that you want to take home. The photography tours require a DSLR and a tripod. You must produce these items when you purchase your ticket on site. You will then be in a group of 6-12 photographers with 2 Navajo guides. All other tourists will be in a group of fifty or more. The large groups of tourists kick up all the dust. Your guides will control the traffic in and out of each room or chamber. Once the masses are out of the way, your small group will be alone in each room with time to shoot. They will direct your group to open your tripods, then begin shooting. They may reposition your group so that you all can get the same angles and light beams, equal opportunities. You will have plenty of time to get the perfect photographs. Then the guides will ask you all to stop, close your tripods, and they will move you to the next photo op. In the large tourist groups, they are stepping into each other’s photos and kicking up the dust.

I suggest one camera and a cell phone. A penlight is handy as I held it in my mouth to free up my hands and it had a very low beam as not to bother any of the other photographers. I brought a bottle of water as you are in there for at least two hours. I used a clear gallon sized freezer bag with a hole in it. No tape or rubber bands. Just enough to cover the lens barrel . My hands fit through the large opening of the bag . Sometimes I just took the bag off my camera. When we went into a new room, I took out a can of compressed air and cleaned my equipment.

Practice at home, in a low light environment. Also practice with your equipment cover, flashlight,etc. You are never 10-15 ft. From your subject. I got down on the ground and shot up the walls and beams. One guide will toss sand at the beams in three of the rooms. It will be away from your camera, but you may want to be covered each time they toss the sand. They do it three or four times in the specified rooms so e everyone can get the great photo op. Over the years my best photos were with a 18-140 lens. The guides know every camera, in and out. They are glad to help with settings, in this environment. Be kind, they live off the tips over and above your entrance fee. Try to follow the weather about 10 days in advance. High wind will close the tours. Rain will close the tours as people have drowned down there. Hope this helps.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Jay, here's what I think. I've never been there but I have been around the photography diamond beyond first base!
I think this dust thing is highly overrated and blown out beyond proportions!
You're not gonna live in that canyon are you?
If there is enough dust to kill a camera, what health risk prevention are you gonna do for yourself???
Just get yourself a small stuff sack and put it around the camera which I assume will be hanging around your neck.
If the two straps make it awkward, just for that shoot hang both straps from the left lug, that's the way my 1Dx is permanently set up.
Worry about you, have a ton of fun and worry less about your camera! That's MY 2 cents!
SS

jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Linelink-

Thanks for reply. Of course I'm gonna do photo tour - Adventerous Antelope Canyon Photo Tour and Majestic Monument Valley Tour with Quanah for Monument Valley for MW photos. Are you familiar with either of them?

I'm just worried about all the dust - esp in Upper AC. Lower is less traveled and the other two are pretty much outside.

When you say never 10-15' from subject - what do you mean? I think you mean if set my Lens on about 8' for focus and use f8 - 16, everything should be clear from about 4' out to infinity???? I understand many good shots are up towards the sky. How high are the walls? Gotta be 30 - 40'??????
Is 24mm EF-S on crop sensor (77D) (about 35mm on full frame equiv) too long?

linelink

Jay
The rooms inside the Canyon are no more then 15 ft. In diameter. So you will not need to be zooming very much. Yes the walls are 30 ft up or more. Inside you will be using longer exposures. It just depends on how much overhead Sun is shining down. Some rooms/chambers will be dark. 24mm will be fine. While you are waiting, wipp out your cell phone for some great shots. If you have an I phone, set it to chrome, you will be pleasantly surprised at those results.

I drove my own vehicle around Monument Valley so I was able to choose my own photo ops. Get in and out of my truck when I wanted to set up, my various shots. They offer photo ops where you can mount a horse, with awesome background landscapes. Have a friend take your photo, while on the horse. A real John Wayne selfie!

linelink

Sharpshooter is right on. The dust scare is overboard. Like others have said, changing lenses is iladvised. Your gear will be fine.

jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

You rock.. Thanks

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I would agree with Sharpshooter. I would not worry about getting your gear trashed, unless there is a torrential rain, and you wouldn't be there anyway, they won't let you in, or there is a gale blowing. I used a 24/70 on a full frame camera and was pretty satisfied with the range, and agree, 50mm is probably a little tight.

linelink

Jay,
Adventurous tours are fine. Actually all tours are the same. They are run by various Navajo families who are licensed to do so. You will be a few miles from the famous Horshoe Bend gorge, on the Colorado River. Drive to parking area, and hike in about a half mile to the lookout point. Awesome photos, you won’t regret it.