Antelope Canyon: Greetings Fellow Hoggers, My wife and I are headed to GCNP in October. One of the planned activities is a photo tour of Antelope Canyon. I've been reading reviews on...

Triplets Loc: Reading, MA

Greetings Fellow Hoggers,

My wife and I are headed to GCNP in October. One of the planned activities is a photo tour of Antelope Canyon. I've been reading reviews on Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tour and they range from "stay away from this outfit" to "the best experience of my life". Have any of you taken a photo tour of Antelope and if so, what touring company did you use and what was your experience?

Thanks,

Dennis

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I’ve been there; I used that tour; it was great; I’d recommend it highly. Actually, I think it all depends on the particular guide you happen to get, no matter which service you use. Again, I’d recommend this agency, and if I go back, which I plan to at some future point, I’d use them again without question. To me, they are a-ok.

gunflint Loc: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado

Last fall I took the photography tour with Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours...terrible experience! Mainly due to the guide...he had absolutely no knowledge of cameras or photography, he was unable to hold back the crowds at all. There were so many people I gave up trying to use the tripod so I walked away frustrated and only getting a couple of good photos.

Dave

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Our guide was entertains and that’s about as positive as I can get. He used my camera for a few shots to demonstrate recommended angles and composition, etc. The resulting shots were the first to be deleted. He also provided little assistance in coordinating the participants so everyone could get shots. Hw was, however, as mentioned, hilarious.

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

Triplets wrote:

Greetings Fellow Hoggers,

My wife and I are headed to GCNP in October. One of the planned activities is a photo tour of Antelope Canyon. I've been reading reviews on Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tour and they range from "stay away from this outfit" to "the best experience of my life". Have any of you taken a photo tour of Antelope and if so, what touring company did you use and what was your experience?

Thanks,

Dennis

We went at the end of May around Memorial Day weekend and used Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours. The Upper Antelope Canyon was quite crowded that weekend to say the least. Our tour guide was awesome and helped set up shots and keep other groups out of our way. Could not recommend them more.

JayRay Loc: Missouri

We did the Adventurous Canyon Photo Tour and it was excellent. I agree, it all depends on the guide that you get. Our guide was Ron, and he was very knowledgeable about cameras, photography, best angles, and did a great job holding back other people. Highly recommend this company!

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Triplets wrote:

Greetings Fellow Hoggers,

My wife and I are headed to GCNP in October. One of the planned activities is a photo tour of Antelope Canyon. I've been reading reviews on Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tour and they range from "stay away from this outfit" to "the best experience of my life". Have any of you taken a photo tour of Antelope and if so, what touring company did you use and what was your experience?

Thanks,

Dennis

The Indian tribes control the canyons and tours. There are photo tours, but they book up well in advance and are much more expensive. Ask for a guide that is familiar with photography. That guide can tell you what camera settings are the best to use in the canyons. Use your widest angle lens. I used an 18mm lens on a full frame camera, manually focused at 5 ft, f/8, the lowest shutter speed I can reliably hand-hold on my camera (1/10 sec at 18mm with IBIS), and auto-ISO. I didn't change the settings while I was in the canyon. A camera with in-body stabilization or a stabilized lens is very useful. You will not be allowed to use a tripod or monopod. Do not change the lens until you leave the canyon and clean your camera and lens. Use a lens hood. Dump out the dust every once in a while. Buy a can of compressed air to blow off the camera and lens after you leave. The first blast of air from the can will contain moisture so point the first blast away from your gear.

Triplets Loc: Reading, MA

jackpinoh wrote:

The Indian tribes control the canyons and tours. T... (show quote)

Thanks Jack. This is the confusing part to me -- you (and other posters on review sites) have stated that you can't bring in a tripod. However, the tour company I'm considering states "Tours 1-5 Require for EACH photographer (individually) to have a camera (DSLR, SLR, Mirrorless) and a full size tripod."

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Triplets wrote:

Thanks Jack. This is the confusing part to me -- you (and other posters on review sites) have stated that you can't bring in a tripod. However, the tour company I'm considering states "Tours 1-5 Require for EACH photographer (individually) to have a camera (DSLR, SLR, Mirrorless) and a full size tripod."

If you take the photography tour, you can use a tripod. On regular tours, you can’t. My experience was that I didn’t ned one. I’d suggest you leave it at home, hand-hold your camera with a wide-angle lens, and enjoy the scenery rather than having to fool with the thing.

gunflint Loc: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado

Triplets wrote:

Thanks Jack. This is the confusing part to me -- you (and other posters on review sites) have stated that you can't bring in a tripod. However, the tour company I'm considering states "Tours 1-5 Require for EACH photographer (individually) to have a camera (DSLR, SLR, Mirrorless) and a full size tripod."

It was REQUIRED that each person had a tripod to be checked in for the photography tour...

Spidy112 Loc: Las Vegas Nv

I have also been to Antelope Canyon 5 yrs ago.We had a great Indian guide knowledgeable about camera angles and settings .He kept other tours away from us when we were shooting pictures . I also went back and took pics after tour was over with photo badge. I am looking forward to going again

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

gunflint wrote:

It was REQUIRED that each person had a tripod to be checked in for the photography tour...

It was when we checked in but our guide said we wouldn’t need it and he was quite right. Ended up taking it off the camera and carrying it. A royal pain.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

jaymatt wrote:

If you take the photography tour, you can use a tripod. On regular tours, you can’t. My experience was that I didn’t ned one. I’d suggest you leave it at home, hand-hold your camera with a wide-angle lens, and enjoy the scenery rather than having to fool with the thing.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Triplets wrote:

Greetings Fellow Hoggers,

My wife and I are headed to GCNP in October. One of the planned activities is a photo tour of Antelope Canyon. I've been reading reviews on Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tour and they range from "stay away from this outfit" to "the best experience of my life". Have any of you taken a photo tour of Antelope and if so, what touring company did you use and what was your experience?

Thanks,

Dennis

Be careful not to include any sky or rock brightly illuminated by direct sunlight. It will be blown out because the camera will expose for the average which will be relatively dark.

gunflint Loc: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado

jackpinoh wrote:

Be careful not to include any sky or rock brightly illuminated by direct sunlight. It will be blown out because the camera will expose for the average which will be relatively dark.

I second that suggestion, I didn't know that and cropped most of the sky out of photos.