larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I second the notion of learning how to do panoramas. If you've not done them before, there are some tips and tricks to follow that will make it more likely that the software can get everything put together easily and correctly.. You can learn a lot of that here, as well.

ELNikkor

My son has the GH4 with the 12-35 2.8, an awesome lens if you can get it, it will be the only lens you need. I agree that you should practice a few pano-stitching photos before you go. I never did it before but when I went to Oregon the day after I got my D750, I tried an 8 frame, 200 degree photo of the Columbia River Gorge. I downloaded a free pano program, and was actually surprised by how it put those photos together seamlessly for a very long and thin, but amazing photo of the river and gorge.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I was their last spring and used a pocket Sony HX90V, the zoom range was 24-750MM with a Zeiss lens. I found myself taking panoramic shots more often then regular. So, make sure you can do pans with your camera. I liked the vertical pan because I could get floor to top on canyon using vertical pan.
You might want to consider the HX90V as the only camera you take, I have found the images rival my Nikon D850. Of course, I go nothing larger than 16X24 with the HX90V. If your into RAW, the new Sony HX99V offers RAW.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Why would you think the 14-42 is not wide enough? How much more would a wider angle lens let you capture that makes that one lens inadequate? Do you really think the difference is needed?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

1. Ditch the tripod unless it is one of those little little pocket kinds for selfies.
2. I don't know your strength but the hiking I found to not be at all strenuous down or up and I did it with a shattered knee and leg brace.
3. You might want something a bit wider for tight spaces,at least that is what I found.
4. Also the 150 is good as there is a lot of wildlife, unless you are in a large noisy group doing this adventure. I was overwhelmed with wildlife on the north side from up on top the rim all the way down.
5. I just enjoyed the trip and didn't take the millions of wasted meaningless photos many take. I actually spent time observing, watching weather patterns, small stones, fossils, and the myriad of other things to take in rather than worry about taking photos to bore others with. My mental photo album is full of wonderful images along with the smell and temperature etc. of the moments.
6. Have fun and be safe.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I did a 9 national park tour with a rented wide angle, a 16-85, a 70-200, and a nifty 50. Way,way too much! I used my 16-85mm 97% of the time. Others have suggested a 24-105. I think that would be perfect and it would be all I'd take. The last thing you want to do is to be changing lenses on a dusty trail or in the dark. Too much gear can sour your trip. As to a tripod... Monopod would be my suggestion or a Joby. Most of all, enjoy your trek! What a great experience you have ahead of you!

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Some panoramas made in portrait mode would be an alternative to a wider lens. An "equivalent" 15-30mm would be a nice wide zoom option. I used my Sigma 10-20mm on my D7000 when we went to the Utah canyons and it worked out just fine.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I think you will be happy with what you have. Unless I have been out of it for years, to me, a 14mm IS a wide angle lens. Going to 42mm makes it a zoom. The 45-150 should complete your kit admirably I think. Of course you could pay money and get a 10mm up to whatever for a wide angle lens but in my opinion you would be happy with the 14-42mm.

There are people who chase lenses thinking it will make all the difference in the world. I disagree. In my opinion it is better to use what you have, to a degree. If you need wider than 14mm you can to a panorama with two shots and merge them both in post processing.

Dennis

BillFeffer Loc: Adolphus, KY

I recently hiked 125+ miles with one of my sons over a 3 week period in several Utah national parks. I carried a D7100 with a 24-120 Nikkor and a 10-24mm Tamron. I used a simple fanny pack for the second lens. I did over 4,000 exposures, so the camera was in my hands most of the time. I changed lenses on the trail, but mostly used the wide angle due to the scale of the scenery. I did get dust on the sensor which I had to deal with in PP. Due to many high dynamic range scenes, I did
a lot of 3 shot brackets which I merged in LR. I also did a bunch of panoramas.

jdfdave

Thanks for all the suggestions. It has given me some great ideas and made me rethink some things, especially the tripod. I have never done the panoramas before. I am going to have learn how to do those also. I can see I have a lot to learn

flutin.foto.guy

Just got back Monday night from my first southwest canyons trip, including the Grand Canyon. I took my Lumix G85 and the Olympus 14-150. I also had the Oly 9-18 which I used a few times. But basically, the 14-150 worked for 98% of the 1600+ images I took. I am very pleased with the results. I think the lens would work great with your G5. BTW, my wife took her Sony HX90V as her only camera; she got great photos with this very small camera. I hope to post some of my images later this week.

rcdovala

I purchased the Olympus 9-18mm and never looked back. I also have the Lumix G5 and the Oly lens works well with this body. I got mine used at KEH for about $500.

anotherview Loc: California

I agree: One camera and one lens -- a zoom lens. For my part, I've found doing landscape photography that the focal length range of a 24-105mm lens mounted on my Canon 6DII covers 95 percent of my work.

I do like having the Sigma 100-400mm lens mounted on a second camera, the Canon 6D, ready in my truck. But I do not carry it on long hikes.

Make sure you carry essential accessories: spare battery or two, several memory cards, and a lens cleaning kit (including a Lenspen). You really do not need anything else with you.

Others old school may insist you also need a tripod, but you can easily get along without a tripod given the technological advance in image stabilization to counter camera shake. Consult this opinion for the passe status of a tripod: https://kenrockwell.com/tech/digital-killed-my-tripod.htm

I've been to GCNP several times, although not on a big hike and not yet to the North Rim. It presents one of the true wonders of the world and a paradise for a landscape photographer. Enjoy.

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

While I tend to agree with going with a wide angle, remember you can always shoot panoramas with a longer lens if you are comfortable with the technique and post processing. The downside is the amount of time each panorama takes to shoot ! The other suggestion I have is because the 150 focal length is not all that big. I would seriously consider sticking with your existing wide angle zoom and either buying an extender or a longer tele. Shooting the local fauna will be easier with a focal length that gets to 300 or 400.

Finally, if the lenses you have do well in your normal shooting, consider renting the 'dream lens' . Lots cheaper and if you really like it, you can then have some experience to know if its the best lens for what you shoot.

-- k --

Rich T.

I have been a river guide and private river runner in Grand Canyon for 47 years, capturing images that whole time. I have hiked many miles but mostly from the river up and usually day hikes. Since boats don't care about what my camera equipment weighs, my recommendations my not work for you, but it's a place to start. I use a full frame Canon camera (different models over the years) and carry several lenses. The one I use most often is Canon's 24-105mm f4 L IS lens. It covers probably 65-70% of the situations I encounter. I also use a 16-35mm f2.8 L lens. It comes in handy in the narrower side canyons which can also be darker. I use a 70-200 for wildlife, mostly Bighorn sheep, lizards, and birds, although this past summer there was a black bear down at the river's edge. Those three lenses cover 99% of everything you will encounter. The only other recommendation would be a Macro lens, or have one of the other lenses have macro capability. Depending on the time of year, the monkey flowers and columbines along the streams, the cactus flowers, and the maiden hair ferns near springs can be gorgeous. If your trip is early in the season (the North Rim doesn't open until May 15th), you'll see more flowers. If later in the summer, more wildlife will be down at the river or near side streams. In any event, the canyon below the rims is constantly changing with the time of day and weather conditions. The light reflecting off the river and the canyon walls intensives the color on the opposite wall. It's a phenomenal place. Enjoy