Gatorcoach Loc: New Jersey

To recap: A few weeks ago a hogger sought recommendations for lenses for an upcoming trip to Yellowstone National Park. The consensus from the group was to “travel light” and carry only one or two lenses. I disagreed saying that I would be carrying several of my lenses, i.e. 10-20mm, 24-120mm, 70-300mm, 400mm, leaving home my 105mm macro, and 50mm prime. The decision based on the premise that I will be in a car so I would only be carrying the lens(es) I anticipated needing for the day. I traveled for 17 days and covered 6 National parks plus Sedona. I mentioned in my post that I would really regret needing a particular lens only to have it sitting on my desk at home and since this might be my last trip to the area I wanted to be fully prepared.

My shots include: Animal closeups, mountains, valleys, waterfalls, plants, and, of course, people. Here are the results.

About 98% of the pictures were taken with either the 24-120 or 70-300mm zooms, probably in equal ratios. I only used the wide angle lens once and the short zoom would have worked just as well merely requiring a few steps closer. The 400mm was also only used once – at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park because I was not in the mood to hike 5 miles for the iconic closeup shot. The lens worked okay but wasn’t worth the schlep.

I cannot remember any shots that required an ultra fast lens as it is quite bright everywhere and wildlife (bison, elk, bears) moved pretty slowly. I had my tripod, which was also used sparingly, if long exposure was necessary.

In conclusion, for me the 2 zooms covered just about all my needs. If your preference is for an all-inclusive zoom like 18-300mm it should also work fine for you.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

I would have agreed with you ... until the next to last day of a recent trip to Yellowstone ... I lugged a bunch a lenses because we were in a van. We saw 3 grizzlies, 2 grey wolves & a bunch of buffalo, all in the same "pasture" with the bears 250 to 300 yards away ... the sun had set & the light was failing fast. That's when I hauled out my 500 mm f/4L prime lens ... & kept shooting even after everyone else had stopped. As a result, I captured a grizzly confronting a grey wolf ... & the male & female grizzlies mating. It took a fair amount of PP & I struggled with some grain, but it was worth lugging that big lens around. My college buddy & a lady standing next to me, both of whom had stopped shooting, wanted copies of my photos when they saw them on the back of the camera. So I say if you have room ... take them. It can't hurt ... & you might get lucky like I did. I wouldn't have gotten them with my 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L lens.

SonyBug

And yet we do not see any of them posted here!!!!

farleymr Loc: Brevard NC

I agree. I brought my 200-500 (w/1.4 teleconverter) . Would not have been able to capture this grizzly without the big one. I also captured a wolf snagging a bison calf.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Nice shot ... really nice one. Glad you had the "big un" with you. Hope you'll share some of your shots on the Hog.

farleymr Loc: Brevard NC

Will do. Right ow I'm segregating landscape and wildlife favs.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Not yet ... I'm doing a series of posts & they are coming.

Gatorcoach Loc: New Jersey

Actually you did. My original premise was to, if possible, take along as many lenses as you have so as to not miss the once-in-a-lifetime shot. My recap was just what I ended up using. I still advocate taking more rather than less and would do it again whenever possible.

Here are a few, including the iconic T.A. Moulton barn in Grand Teton.

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yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Very nice shots (all), and interesting conversation!

crphoto8 Loc: Anaheim, California

I'm going next month to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Badlands, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore on a guided tour. Flying to Salt Lake City and then on a bus all the way to the end of the trip. So I'll take an Olympus E-M1, 7-14, 12-100, 40-150 and 75-300 lenses since I'll not need to carry them on me, they'll be on the bus. It'll be very different if I needed to carry a backpack with FF body and a bunch of lenses.

tommyII Loc: Northern Illinois

Woderful shots, especially the Moulton barn. Love it.

Properframe Loc: US Virginia

It depends on why you are going to Yellowstone, or any national park for that matter. If its a vacation or a group tour then take whatever you want to take. If it is a photography venture - take the biggest fastest gun you own and any piece of equipment you anticipate needing to get the shot. It is NEVER bright at dawn and sunset.
One of my favorite memories is standing in a line at one of the campgrounds. Mud a foot up each boot and leg. Ten miles of ground covered already. Hundreds of frames on the card of the sunrise, moonset, geese flying in the dawn mist at Alum Creek, huge Elk standing in the first light breaking through a forest WAY the heck from any pavement or dry ground- and the couple in front of me are still rubbing their eyes and wearing slippers in the camp store while they ordered a double half calf frappuccino with sprinkles at quarter after 9. They seemed happy - I know I was.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

JD750 Loc: SoCal

M43 had been my go-to travel and adventure kit since circa 2008. Recently i purchased an OM-D to replace my aging M43 body (Too bad I cant’ do that with my own body). My first thought was Why did I wait so long? I love the OM-D and it has become my go-to travel, adventure, and everyday carrying camera now. I rarely use my DSLR these days.

That is a lot of ground to cover! I have found I could spend weeks at Yellowstone or Teton alone. One thing that I highly recommend is the Custer Memorial at the Little Bighorn. It is a fitting memorial to all the warriors who fought there. And it is quite moving.