Advice please - lens selection for slot canyons
Feb 19, 2020 16:20:31 #
hipines
Loc: Prescott, AZ
I have a trip planned in March to photograph a few of the slot canyons near Page, AZ, as well as other locations in the area. I understand that it's not advisable to change lenses in the canyons, and I'm wondering what would be the best lens to use (I'll be shooting with a Canon 5D4). My widest & fastest lens is a 16-35 f/4. Will that work well, or should I look for something faster? Specific recommendations would be appreciated. (I did check for previous posts here on UHH but didn't find many recent ones.) Thanks in advance.
Feb 19, 2020 16:28:32 #
Was there a year ago in May. Had a Nikon D500 at the time and used my 17-55 f2.8. No issues with coverage.
Feb 19, 2020 16:29:52 #
Feb 19, 2020 17:35:01 #
hipines wrote:
I have a trip planned in March to photograph a few... (show quote)
I would use the 16-35. Make sure to buy a disposable dust shield for your camera and lens.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/891383-REG/ruggard_rc_p18_18_plastic_rain_cover.html
Have fun and sign up if they still have a photographers tour. They hold back the crowds for you to compose and click. I found my Monopod handy and a higher ISO
Feb 19, 2020 23:51:29 #
Feb 20, 2020 05:44:37 #
steve49
Loc: massachusetts
That's the lens for sure.
It's dusty in there but not ridiculous... I draped a hand towel over the camera when not shooting.. was fine.
You will not need to or want to change lenses in there though.
It's dusty in there but not ridiculous... I draped a hand towel over the camera when not shooting.. was fine.
You will not need to or want to change lenses in there though.
Feb 20, 2020 06:21:41 #
hipines wrote:
I have a trip planned in March to photograph a few... (show quote)
I was there last June and did a night tour in Antelope Canyon using a 14mm f/2.8 but I would check first. I've been reading they were discontinuing photo tours due to crowding.
Regards,
Dennis (aka Triplets)
Feb 20, 2020 06:53:42 #
ChazT
Loc: Florida
tjw47 wrote:
From what I have read due to crowd size - photo tours have been discontinued!
From what I have read you are correct. The photo tours are being discontinued for Upper Antelope Canyon but the regular tours will continue. These tours will consist of more people. Tripods and monopods are not allowed. I took the photographers tour using a 15-35 f4 on a tripod with great success. I would consider using a newer smartphone going forward. There are other slot canyons in the area that are nice, free and less crowded.
https://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/index.html
Feb 20, 2020 07:45:24 #
Retina
Loc: Near Charleston,SC
tjw47 wrote:
From what I have read due to crowd size - photo tours have been discontinued!
A regular tour is not so bad. There is time to compose in your head and hang back just enough to get the shots. The guides understand as long you don’t overdo it and work fast. Mine apologized for the cancellation of photo tours. She said they still have them, of course (money talks) but they are much less common and quite expensive, usually for special publications, etc. This is not about a lens, but a tilting LCD also helps. Definitely save the raw as the range of light intensity is very wide. Your lens choice seems like a good one.
Feb 20, 2020 08:19:21 #
Feb 20, 2020 08:42:34 #
rdarlington43
Loc: Charlotte, NC
I am going to Lake Powell (Bullfrog) in September and will be on a houseboat for a week. Thank you for this post and resource!
Feb 20, 2020 08:48:18 #
PixelStan77 wrote:
I would use the 16-35. Make sure to buy a disposable dust shield for your camera and lens.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/891383-REG/ruggard_rc_p18_18_plastic_rain_cover.html
Have fun and sign up if they still have a photographers tour. They hold back the crowds for you to compose and click. I found my Monopod handy and a higher ISO
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/891383-REG/ruggard_rc_p18_18_plastic_rain_cover.html
Have fun and sign up if they still have a photographers tour. They hold back the crowds for you to compose and click. I found my Monopod handy and a higher ISO
from what I understand they stopped photo tours of Upper Antelope in 2020. I used a 17-40 and it was just fine. Enjoy! Go to lower Antelope also, it was a little less crowded.
Feb 20, 2020 09:03:47 #
Feb 20, 2020 09:36:57 #
wds0410
Loc: Nunya
hipines wrote:
I have a trip planned in March to photograph a few... (show quote)
I just checked my photos from the Upper Canyon and all were in the 24-35 mm range. 24 was as wide as I could go so 16-35 should be perfect. You may have to up the ISO to 400 for the light but you should be fine with the f/4. It was one of the best days of photography that I had.
Feb 20, 2020 10:02:18 #
ChazT
Loc: Florida
One of my favorite views was the “heart” . I send it as a card each Valentine’s Day 😄
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