NEED ADVICE FOR TRIP OUT WEST
Apr 26, 2017 08:38:20 #
Apr 26, 2017 08:45:01 #
ReedEmbley wrote:
In my opinion, wide angle is far more important that telephoto in almost all cases. If you need a telephoto, you at too far away. I live in Utah and I very seldom use a long lens.
You may find the wide angle much more useful.
Apr 26, 2017 09:07:20 #
TRAVLR38 wrote:
At the end of May, my wife and I are traveling to Utah (Arches and Canyonlands Nat'l Parks) and then to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone.
Although you do not mention it, surely you are going to take the scenic Grand Tetons loop drive, correct? A must see while there.
Apr 26, 2017 09:24:57 #
photoman022
Loc: Manchester CT USA
This past September and October I took a road trip from Connecticut to California; I took 3 camera bodies with 3 different lenses on them; D40 w/Tamron 28-75. D3200 w/18-55. D3000 w/Tamron 70-300. Most of the photos were taken with the 18-55 lens BUT (notice that it's a big but) I was really glad to have the 70-300 when I needed it. There were buttes and mesas off in the distance that necessitated a longer lens. Because I was driving, I kept the cameras with lenses in an old cooler (with padding between them) so that they were easily accessible whenever I needed them.
A little tip. If you are traveling by car, stay off of the interstate as much as possible. The "regular" roads out west are great, not heavily traveled, wide shoulders, and ample photographic opportunities along the way. Check out the state tourism departments for the states you are going to travel through; many of them have free road maps they will mail to you. They are much better than a road atlas.
A little tip. If you are traveling by car, stay off of the interstate as much as possible. The "regular" roads out west are great, not heavily traveled, wide shoulders, and ample photographic opportunities along the way. Check out the state tourism departments for the states you are going to travel through; many of them have free road maps they will mail to you. They are much better than a road atlas.
Apr 26, 2017 09:41:39 #
Apr 26, 2017 10:16:46 #
I have been to Yellowstone 11 of the past 12 years and I find that the vast majority of my images (wildlife) are taken with a 600mm lens on a crop sensor camera. You will need wide angle lenses for landscapes.
Apr 26, 2017 10:57:49 #
Apr 26, 2017 11:21:56 #
We took a similar trip a few years ago. After every curve in the road, we would say, "it can't get any better than this". But it always did. Even on our last day as we drove back to Salt Lake City to be near the airport, we ran across the most beautiful "lake" of blue flowers and then were able to take an unplanned drive out by Great Salt Lake.
Moab (Arches, Canyonland, Goosecreek) was one of our favorite places. A local in Moab told us that Potash Road was a beautiful drive. Great advice! You drive right beside the Colorado River. It was a good paved road for 15 or 20 miles. Another great drive was Highway 128 from Moab.
Another favorite drive was "The Valley of the Gods" near Mexican Hat, Utah.
Moab (Arches, Canyonland, Goosecreek) was one of our favorite places. A local in Moab told us that Potash Road was a beautiful drive. Great advice! You drive right beside the Colorado River. It was a good paved road for 15 or 20 miles. Another great drive was Highway 128 from Moab.
Another favorite drive was "The Valley of the Gods" near Mexican Hat, Utah.
Apr 26, 2017 11:31:21 #
bpulv
Loc: Buena Park, CA
TRAVLR38 wrote:
At the end of May, my wife and I are traveling to ... (show quote)
I would invest in wide and super-wide lens before a telephoto for the trip you describe. The most impressive aspect of the national parks you are going to visit are the wide vista landscapes that are not available in most cities. Yes, most of your pictures will be with a mid range lens and a few with telephoto, but most of your time will be spent with wide angles.
Apr 26, 2017 12:02:34 #
jaycoffman
Loc: San Diego
Listen to the people telling you to think about what you like to shoot. For instance, I like subject shots and almost always use as much zoom as I have and sometimes want more. However, I would never recommend that you maximize your zoom stable unless you said you want to shoot things at a distance. Landscapes are great but I just find I don't shoot them because the pictures are not as interesting to me. The west has lots of opportunities for both landscape wide-angle shots and for zoom shots so think about what you like to shoot. If you want animals or birds then probably the most zoom you can get is worthwhile.
Apr 26, 2017 13:02:02 #
I live in Telluride, CO and go over to Moab often, especially when the weather is nasty. Arches is wonderful and if you have an opportunity to go into the Firey Furnace area, do it. However, you should also drive south and visit the Needles area of Canyonlands. Great and different photo opportunities. If you are around Telluride during the Memorial Day weekend, I highly advise attending the Telluride Mountainfilm Festival. This year the theme is "Climate Change." Many world renowned photographers will be here along with other leaders in the Green movement. One of the best festivals in the Festival Capital of the Rocky Mountains. Enjoy your trip.
Apr 26, 2017 13:04:36 #
Apr 26, 2017 13:51:40 #
TRAVLR38 wrote:
Thanks for responses so far, and thanks DaveO for ... (show quote)
There are plenty of Bison in Yellowstone now and you usually can get close to them...closer than the Rangers like. But the wolves have eaten most of Elk so they have become problematic.
You'll also see coyote, antelope, and deer. And maybe a bear or moose (more likely in Grand Teton), and (unlikely) wolf. You'll need a long lens for them.
You'll also see Osprey, Eagles, and water birds. They require a long lens too.
As noted a landscape lens is what you'll use most in Arches and Canyonlands. But there are plenty of deer, elk, and bighorn sheep in Utah...depends on where you go. Zion is surprisingly good for deer and Bighorn...and wild turkey.
Unfortunately deer, elk, and moose are pretty much antler-free in May.
Apr 26, 2017 14:15:50 #
I don't think the wolves have eaten most of the Elk in Yellowstone. The population may be down some but I haven't had much of a problem at all finding elk. As I said earlier I have been there 11 of the past 12 years. In my experience Elk are way more plentiful in Yellowstone than moose. I think that the Tetons are a better place for moose. Also, in the other places you plan to visit, you won't see grizzly bears and maybe not black bears, both of which make interesting subjects. Good luck! Have a good time!
Apr 26, 2017 15:02:27 #
I take a trip out to the Navajo reservation almost every year. This sometimes includes Monument Valley and always Canyon De Chelly. I have taken a long lense but never used it. Wide angle is a much better choice.
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