Grand Canyon Mule Trip - 1 Lens
Nov 11, 2019 09:26:43 #
In February I will be taking the 2 night mule trip to Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon. I will have 1 full day at the bottom for hiking and picture taking. For the trip I will be taking my D7200 with an OPTECH USA chest strap. Due to extreme gear limitation I will only be able to take 1 lens. Nikkor AF-S 35mm 1.8 or the Nikkor 18-55MM 3.5-5.6? Due to size and IQ I am leaning towards the 35mm. Any thoughts or other suggestions?
Nov 11, 2019 09:53:06 #
Either choice will be great. I shoot with prime on single lens trips all the time. That was what most everyone did for most of the history of photography. Have a great time. If the zoom is the VR-enabled version, you might consider this helpful technology for action shots from the mule.
Nov 11, 2019 10:35:31 #
Nov 11, 2019 11:05:33 #
aggeorge wrote:
In February I will be taking the 2 night mule trip to Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon. I will have 1 full day at the bottom for hiking and picture taking. For the trip I will be taking my D7200 with an OPTECH USA chest strap. Due to extreme gear limitation I will only be able to take 1 lens. Nikkor AF-S 35mm 1.8 or the Nikkor 18-55MM 3.5-5.6? Due to size and IQ I am leaning towards the 35mm. Any thoughts or other suggestions?
I wonder if a Cotton Carrier might be good for this sort of trip? It's a sort of harness, a bit bulky, that you put on and the camera slips into a slot at the center of your chest, you can also carry another camera at the side if you get that device. I don't use this a lot, but I have used it hiking so that both hands were free, and it's great for that. It's also good if I need to walk a distance with two cameras. I'd like it if it was less bulky, but maybe they've addressed this since I bought it last year. Just a thought.
Nov 11, 2019 12:26:38 #
Hmmm...my understanding is that you will be riding a mule along (at times) sheer cliffs. Falling off the animal would mean certain death. I wonder if you should not just get a go pro or something like that to wear? As an aside, I have a friend who talked at length with one of the mule wranglers a few years ago. There has never been an instance where a mule has fallen. They are like mountain goats. It will be a great excursion.
Nov 11, 2019 14:18:37 #
I have hiked down several times. This will be my first mule experience. My primary goal of the trip is to stay in the saddle. If I fail in that goal most of my other goals will be mute.
Nov 12, 2019 06:44:58 #
Nov 12, 2019 07:43:35 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
aggeorge wrote:
In February I will be taking the 2 night mule trip to Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon. I will have 1 full day at the bottom for hiking and picture taking. For the trip I will be taking my D7200 with an OPTECH USA chest strap. Due to extreme gear limitation I will only be able to take 1 lens. Nikkor AF-S 35mm 1.8 or the Nikkor 18-55MM 3.5-5.6? Due to size and IQ I am leaning towards the 35mm. Any thoughts or other suggestions?
Yes, there is a weight restriction on that trip, I believe you and your gear cannot exceed 200 lbs. Now they may have changed this so check it out. Also, there are many times you and your mule will be inches, and I am saying INCHES from the edge of the trail. I would be very very cautious about taking shots while on the mule. You could find yourself leaning out while looking through the viewfinder and WHAM, you or/and the mule are over the edge and falling into space.
I used a pocket camera and viewed through the screen and as such I was able to feel my balance point at all times.
Just a word of caution.
Nov 12, 2019 08:12:58 #
Nov 12, 2019 08:32:45 #
Nov 12, 2019 08:36:58 #
aggeorge wrote:
I have hiked down several times. This will be my first mule experience. My primary goal of the trip is to stay in the saddle. If I fail in that goal most of my other goals will be mute.
I believe you mean MOOT! Although, as a result, you will be mute too! LOL
Nov 12, 2019 10:10:09 #
foathog wrote:
I believe you mean MOOT! Although, as a result, you will be mute too! LOL
Nov 12, 2019 10:19:39 #
The zoom lens for its versatility.
aggeorge wrote:
In February I will be taking the 2 night mule trip to Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon. I will have 1 full day at the bottom for hiking and picture taking. For the trip I will be taking my D7200 with an OPTECH USA chest strap. Due to extreme gear limitation I will only be able to take 1 lens. Nikkor AF-S 35mm 1.8 or the Nikkor 18-55MM 3.5-5.6? Due to size and IQ I am leaning towards the 35mm. Any thoughts or other suggestions?
Nov 12, 2019 10:44:26 #
I nearly always opt for a zoom lens because it adds versatility, as said previously. The mule trip can be harrowing. I actually prefer walking the trail! But it is nice to let the mule do the hard work coming back out! I'm not sure I'd try to take pics while riding. But, as you know, they do stop at Indian Gardens for awhile, and you would want to take pictures while there.
Nov 12, 2019 10:46:44 #
I have seen very sharp images with the 18-55 kit lens. I had one as a test and indeed the images were sharp when I did my part. It is a very good little lens.
I have not used the 35mm lens but I know of its quality. If you can take both do it but I bet the 18-55 will spend more time in your camera.
I have not used the 35mm lens but I know of its quality. If you can take both do it but I bet the 18-55 will spend more time in your camera.
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