Jonboy Loc: Lost in Essex

Got my first trip to the States booked for early March, doing photo road trip from Las Vegas, Williams & Grand Canyon via route 66, Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Zion, Monument Valley. Thinking of taking my Samyang 8mm (Great Lens), Nikon 50mm f1.4, & 18-200 VR. Is it worth taking Sigma 70-200 f2.8?
Tripod, Filters etc a given. Any advice appreciated.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Looks like you have the lenses pretty well covered, the 8mm may be a bit much due to distortion, but I have never personally used it.
A CPL is imperative. My second most favorite filter for those red-rock landscapes is the Tiffen Intensifier, it will really bring out the colors in the rock. Helps with the sparse foliage also.

Jonboy Loc: Lost in Essex

Thanks MT Shooter, I'll have to look into the intensifier, the 8mm is fine as long as you dont get the horizon near the top of the frame unless you want distortion, heres a picture above the Essex UK countryside with the horizon at the extream top

Essex from a balloon

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

That's even worse than I imagined. But it way give some interesting perspective when shot from the skybridge in Grand Canyon!

jimbo70 Loc: Orange Park, FL.

Plan on at least two weeks to cover what you want to see. Three would be better. A wide zoom lens around 10-20. Use a polarize filter but be careful using it with a wide zoom.

jimbo70 Loc: Orange Park, FL.

Some useful Tips
Driving distances are great, so you must consider that. Fall is best and Spring is OK, but Summers are hot and Winters are cold and sometime snowy, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed

Arches National Park - Some of the most stunning photo sites are off limits, still very worthwhile

Canyonlands National Park – No personal experience

Monument Valley - Disappointed that so many homes are spread out across the valley, guided tour probably best bet

Antelope Canyon - Near Page, AZ. You can drive to it, you DO NOT have to take a guided tour

Lees Ferry - I really liked it, but probably not a must see

Grand Canyon - North Rim is like the South Rim was 40 years ago, but not as scenic, last time I was at the South Rim it reminded me of Disneyland. The vistas on the South Rim are better.

Zion National Park - Very pretty and easy to visit

Bryce Canyon National Park - One of my favorites especially late afternoon

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument – No personal experience

Cedar Breaks National Monument - Pretty but probably not a must see

Kodachrome Basin State Park – This one is often overlooked but fun to visit, the rock formations are “unusual” to say the least.

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

Did this trip last March. Hope you have plenty of time. Yes, bring your 70-200. I used mine quite a bit especially in Vegas for some nighttime lights that are incredible. Liked Bryce the best. Zion was not my favorite. If you are in Page, you might take a day trip on a Lake Powell tour to Rainbow Bridge or rent a powerboat for a day and explore the canyons. Canyon lands is expansive vistas. Lots more to share but best to private message me so we can find a way to talk about some possibilities.

portcragin Loc: Kirkland, WA

Many times when traveling to a new place I find I travel with fresh eyes. I pick up on things I walk by back home. It is at times like that that I am glad I brought everything. Sometimes something like a tripod is essential to getting a memorable shot. It's a hassle but then again what did I get into photography for?

Good shooting

Itpurs Loc: Carson City, NV

MT. could not find the Tiffen "intensifier" you were talking about. Is there another name for it? Thanks...

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Mine is well over 25 years old and after looking, it is a HOYA. I did a search and it seems Tiffen is calling this filter their "Enhancer". Sorry for the confusion.

http://thkphoto.com/hoya/products/coloredfilters/redenhancerintensifier/

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/163461-REG/Tiffen_77WIDEF1_77mm_Enhancing_Glass_Filter.html

My HOYA Intensifier

Itpurs Loc: Carson City, NV

Thanks MT. 😀

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

If possible go to north rim. Guided tour in monument valley is a must. Lastly, take me with you.

GeneS Loc: Glendale,AZ

I used my sony 11-18 and 50mm1.4 most of the time in those areas. 11 was a little wide for me. most pictures were taken around 14mm

Big Stopper Loc: London

I did some of this trip in October particularly Grand Canyon. Spent many hours before the trip trying to decide whether to buy a 10-22 to take with me as my widest lens in 24mm and due to cost decided not to. That's my biggest regret: so I agree with Jimbo70, if you can, go wide. I also wish that I'd had the advice that MT Shooter gives about the Intensifier. Some of my Grand Canyon shots look washed out so I'd endorse that advice. Have a great trip.

jimbo70 Loc: Orange Park, FL.

The overhead sun is brutal and in places the canyon is 7 or 8 miles across. Pray for some clouds.