dsnoke Loc: North Georgia, USA

Hi everyone,

I will be attending a workshop in Yosemite National Park during the first week in May. The shooting locations are in the valley and the south end of the park, not in the north end (Tollumne Medows, etc.). From what I have read, both online and offline (Yup, I still buy paper books :)), I gather I won't really need much over 400 mm or so, maybe not that much. Some sources suggest anything over 200 mm is not really useful, but opinions vary.
I shoot with a Nikon D7500 (APS-C sensor, 1.5 crop factor). I expect to work most with my 16-80 f/2.8-4 lens, which is 24-120 full-frame equivalent. I also have a 70-300 mm and 100-400 mm lens. The 70-300-mm lens is quite a bit smaller an lighter, so I'm considering taking that rather than the 100-400 mm lens. I will also take my 85 mm prime macro lens. I do have an 11-16 mm f/2.8 lens, but I suspect I can do small panoramas and leave that home.
I am flying there, so I'm going to lug whatever I decide to take in my backpack. I will include both a tripod and monopod, polarizers and ND filters for all the lenses, and a bunch of other gadgets.
So my question is, for those who have actual experience in Yosemite, will a full-frame focal length range of 24-450 mm be sufficient, or do I need the 450-600 mm range also? I realize the answer is "it depends", but educated opinions are valuable to me.
See seven-oaks.net/dickspics for some of my work.
Thanks,
Dick

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Yes, the 24-120 FF equivalent is sufficient, maybe an option to get wider when you're closer to some of the larger mountains, like looking up at Half Dome from the valley floor.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

…will there be any nighttime photos…if so…you might rethink that 11-16mm…but if you are just doing landscape, I don’t think you’ll need anything beyond 200mm…if you are doing animals and/or birds you may want the longer reach…?

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Since you are attending a workshop, I would strongly advise you to contact the leader and ask your question of him. Folks here can tell you what they would do, but none of us have a clue what techniques or approaches your leader(s) may be wanting to share with you.

I have attended workshops where folks either didn't ask what to bring or who did ask and ignored the answer. It was very sad to watch them twiddling their thumbs while the rest of us were learning some really cool stuff, and they didn't have what they needed to play along.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

My favorite focal length in Yosemite was 12mm FF equivalent for the forced perspective. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea. They can be seen here after the pics of Bodie, also many shot at that FL

https://toby-marshall.com/galleries/california/

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

Absolutely, yes!

catterar Loc: Angier, NC

I took a fall landscape workshop there last November. I took just about every lens I owned but found that the one I used most was my 35mm on a Nikon D7200. I also brought a 70-300, 11-16 and an 18-55 that I used. The first three images were taken with the 35, the fourth with the 18-55 and the fifth with the 11-16.
Enjoy your workshop.

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jcboy3

So the workshop leader doesn't have any recommendations?

Are you just doing the workshop, or are you spending additional time?

My opinion is always...if I'm spending money for this, I'm going to bring my best gear.

SteveHmeyer Loc: Cincinnati OH USA

Every time I have been to Yosemite, traveling light for a multi-day backcountry trip, I have wished I had the big lens to shoot something across the valley, like climbers on half done from the north rim.

Note the background of my photo.

And every time I have had a lens range of 12mm to 900mm (600mm lens 1.6x Canon crop factor) I have used the widest and the longest options and several in between.

It may be a hassle but a greater focal length range provides more opportunity.

worldcycle Loc: Stateline, Nevada

Wider, wider and wider. 24mm really isn’t enough. With no amount of real luck you won’t need anything longer than 200mm to bag your bear portrait.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

I used a Nikkor 17-35 mm f/2.8 on my Nikon F2 several years ago. If you are in one of the valley areas, you may be close to the valley wall. Hence, you need a wide angle.
Also a fast wide angle will be good for astro/star images.
Mundy

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

Very nice images! Just a beautiful area.
Mundy

dsnoke Loc: North Georgia, USA

Just to conclude this discussion, I have decided to ship some of my gear ahead via FedEx or UPS, not the post office. I have friends in Monterey who will accept my package. That way I can take everything and decide when I get there what I need to haul around each day.

gwilliams6

1-2) Sigma Art 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN lens, Sony 61mp A7RIV camera.
Click on download to see better image quality.

Cheers and best to you. Great idea to ship the gear and have lots of choices.

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