AlisonT Loc: Louisa, Virginia

I am excited to be traveling to Yellowstone in Sept 2024. I would like to be able to get snapshot type photographs of wildlife but my focus will be on landscapes. Carrying a D7200 with 10-20mm lens and a D750 with 24-120 lens. I have a 80-400mm lens but it is old and not very reliable and HEAVY. I will be flying from the east coast with at least one plane change. We will be staying at Grant Village and planning a kayak tour and a guided hike with one full day and one partial day open for general exploring. I might bring a small laptop but I'm hoping to be taking photographs not editing. I would love to hear suggestions on differences photographing north west coast vs. east coast, traveling with cameras, keeping cameras safe, things to not miss. I have a Pelican box but I think it is too big to be on the plane with me and I want the cameras with me on the plane. Anything you can think of that I need to know. Thanks.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

For air travel I have a messenger bag that fits under the seat.
I travel light: 18-200 and a 50, batteries, & cards, maybe a couple of filters.
The bag is always with me as carry-on.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I used to put a couple lenses/cameras in my carry-on bag and also carry an allowable "personal" carry on item that would accommodate small items. Common measurements: 18x14x8 or 9x10x17, check your carrier. TSA occasionally takes lens caps off, wipe downs, tests camera functionality...Depending on the carrier you use, smaller craft may not allow any baggage larger than a personal item as carry on. Subsidiaries of United are good for that! I've had carry-on baggage gate checked.

I gave up carrying equipment on board several trips ago and opted for a large Pelican case that I check with my baggage. I bring a nice assortment of lenses, gimbal, etc. Mono and tripod in a large suitcase with clothing. I didn't buy all this stuff to leave it at home when I go to the candy store!

Animals and landscapes are my favorites. For us, the super-wide was pretty much useless, too limited, the 24-70 or 120 is very useful, 200-500 and 500pf is excellent, 70-200 not bad. My wife uses only the 18-400 Tamron with excellent results. Note that the experts here typically bad mouth it, but several thousand shots have proven quite adequate.

To us, the kayak tour in Sept would be a questionable use of time dependent upon how long your trip is, possibly adverse weather and lack of wildlife. You may do a stop at one of the islands. If it's windy, the 100 mile perimeter is an ambitious venture. A drive to the Lake Butte Overlook, east side of the Lake, would likely produce better shots as would sunrise shots from West Thumb area. ( Close to Grant.) Personal choice...

Check out Canyon area and the geyser basins for general exploring.

Depends on what you like! Enjoy!

I'll be liking it again next week!
The crowds slow down after Labor Day, but it's still a bit busy.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

To YELLOWSTONE!!??

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Can't believe my computer said that!

Chris Hayes

We just left and the only real crowds were at Grand Prismatic Spring, the Fairy Falls overlook, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Lamar and Hayden valley's were not bad at all. I used my 200-500 and the 24-120Z on a Z8 all the time. I took a bunch of other lens including a 70-200 2.8 but never took them out of the bag. Things were either a landscape view or wildlife. The longer the better in Yellowstone for wildlife. For the first time in 4 visits to Yellowstone we saw no bears. According to the rangers we spoke with, it was a very light year for bears this year, and at this time they have mostly headed to higher elevations for the winter. We did see quite a few Moose for the first time, 7 in all, 3 in GT, 4 in Yellowstone. Always a great trip.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Iceland & Florida.
Air travel question answered...
Nothing else.

If I was going to Yellowstone or anywhere else, it would be the same.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

So you're smarter than the average bear!

mstracke

You are going to want something like the 28-300mm and then a long lens. I took my 180-400mm and wished I had taken my 800mm as well. You can get some long bizon and bear shots.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Lol, no lens is long enough in Yellowstone!

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Since you have a year to plan, my first recommendation would be to extend the length of your trip. Yellowstone is a large landscape and it is worth seeing as much of it as possible. I think the gear you mentioned will work pretty good. I would suggest the longest lense you have is important if you want good images of bears and wolves.

lorvey Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I think you need two lens for Yellowstone, one for landscape and the other for wildlife. Take the 24-120mm for landscape and the 80-400mm for wildlife. You may want to consider renting a longer lens for the wildlife, the longer the better. They are often pretty far away.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Gotta love the clairvoyant people who know what other people will "need" for that person's desires and shooting style.

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

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Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

When you hear Yellowstone, you hear an echo that says WILDLIFE! Or am I wrong?? It happened once, so I have always known that it could happen again! Hate it when that happens!