Lens choice for Grand canyon
Mar 16, 2020 12:50:54 #
assman
Loc: Grand Rapids, MI
Hi all. If things work out I am planning to be at the Grand Canyon in May. I am starting to sort through my stuff to decide what to take with me. I have a APS-C camera and two short(er) zooms to chose from to keep things as light as possible. Its either my Sigma 18-35 f1.8 or my Pentax 24-70 f2.8 They are both pretty darn good lenses. I will say the Sigma is sharper at the corners for sure but the Pentax is not far behind at mid f-stops. The Pentax is "weather sealed". The other lens I am planning on taking is my Pentax 60-250 f-4.0
Thanks for your time.
Dan
Thanks for your time.
Dan
Mar 16, 2020 13:10:05 #
Take the 60-250 for sure. Then flip a coin on the other ones... either one will do fine (although I would opt for the Pentax).
Mar 16, 2020 13:15:23 #
Close call..I’m partial to the 24-70 because of the sharpness and better for portraits but the 18-35 is wider and better in low light but these are things you probably won’t encounter at the GC.
Anyway, relax and have fun and WASH YOUR HANDS😄
Anyway, relax and have fun and WASH YOUR HANDS😄
Mar 16, 2020 13:51:46 #
assman wrote:
Hi all. If things work out I am planning to be at ... (show quote)
I had a chance to go out to Las Vegas in 2003, went to the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. Depending where you will be at the Grand Canyon as it covers as much land as the eye can see, the 60-250 will bring distant shots in closer and I would say that unless you will be at river level I don't think you will need a faster, wider lens than the 24-70 F 2.8
Mar 16, 2020 20:52:28 #
assman wrote:
Hi all. If things work out I am planning to be at ... (show quote)
It's ok to use a longer lens and shoot it as a stitched pano.
I do it all the time. I often find myself without a tripod or a wide lens - so I hand hold the camera - Photoshop/ Lightroom does the rest.
Mar 17, 2020 02:39:07 #
When I can bring only one lens I use my 28-300. I like the 28-300 focal range so much, I have it in both Canon and Nikon. Sure, they are not super fast f/1.8 or anything like that but you really don't need a "fast" lens to shoot the Grand Canyon, just a versatile one. Besides, I've used both my Canon and Nikon 28-300 lenses in relatively low light situations and have gotten lots of good shots.
Mar 17, 2020 07:05:16 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
assman wrote:
Hi all. If things work out I am planning to be at ... (show quote)
When photographing the canyon, I like to shoot foreground/background, so for me it would be the 18-35 f1.8, I would also pack the 60-250
Mar 17, 2020 07:06:45 #
I regretted not having a larger zoom lens than what I took....55-210. Unless you climb down you will need one and don't miss the sunset ride!
Mar 17, 2020 07:56:12 #
steve49
Loc: massachusetts
For the Grand Canyon I would bring everything you have.
Worth lugging the stuff I thk.
Worth lugging the stuff I thk.
Mar 17, 2020 08:17:31 #
Mar 17, 2020 08:39:21 #
assman wrote:
Hi all. If things work out I am planning to be at ... (show quote)
Since you have already decided to take the 60-250 I think the 18-35 would be the best choice to give you both a wider and faster option for any low light situations. The 18-35 is an awesome lens that I always end up taking with me.
Mar 17, 2020 08:40:49 #
Mar 17, 2020 09:21:25 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
You will be challenged in your sharpness with haze. I used my Sigma 10-20 on my D7000 with good results. You could also consider doing some tripod mounted panos.
Mar 17, 2020 09:41:18 #
I have not visited the Grand Canyon so my advise is based in my own experience with the southwest. Take the Sigma with you because you are going to need it. I do not know the digital factor for Pentax but if something like a 1.5 factor take your Pentax lens too.
When I travel I usually carry two of my favorite Nikon lenses, the 11-24 f4 AFS and the 24-85 f3.5-4.5 AF-S G lens. Those two lenses cover everything I need.
If I use my D610, a full frame camera, I can use the 12-24 between 17 and 24 mm without vignettes.
Yes, wash your hands.
When I travel I usually carry two of my favorite Nikon lenses, the 11-24 f4 AFS and the 24-85 f3.5-4.5 AF-S G lens. Those two lenses cover everything I need.
If I use my D610, a full frame camera, I can use the 12-24 between 17 and 24 mm without vignettes.
Yes, wash your hands.
Mar 17, 2020 10:42:07 #
I would only be taking my 18-300. it covers everything. I would have a couple backup lenses in case something happened to my primary travel lens bur would only use them in an emergency...when traveling I like to keep thins simple.
Have a good trip
Chuck
Have a good trip
Chuck
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