Lens for Yosemite (Page 3): Sage advice. Go wider than 28mm’s.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

zug55 wrote:

I would take a lens that is wider than 18mm (27mm full-frame equivalent). You may find that 18mm is not wide enough to capture some of the vistas.

Sage advice. Go wider than 28mm’s.

alfeng Loc: Out where the West commences ...

Ruby's GD wrote:

This is my first post, continued and will be edited this time....i need some opinions and since Ive been reading for a long time Im sure that wont be difficult ....traveling to Yosemite in March from Maryland and don't want to over do gear...I have several great lens for my d500 and seem to keep coming back to the 18-200mm 5.6 and a 35mm...am I short changing myself ...suggestions ????

Because I was backpacking when I was in Yosemite, I only took one lens (a 24mm Zuiko + OM-1 camera body) ...

... THAT worked for me when in-the-valley for "scenic" shots + when on-the-trail ...

... If pictures of flora had also been of interest, a 7-element 2x teleconverter would probably been good-enough when tandemed with a lightweight TRIPOD.

Consider the EQUIVALENT focal length for your camera's sensor +/- your existing lens(es).

Beemerrt

I have been doing a lot of traveling since every day is Saturday for me now. I am thinking of getting the Tameron 18 to 400 lens. I am getting tired of changing from a 18 x 50 mm to a 55 x 300mm.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

Beemerrt wrote:

I have been doing a lot of traveling since every day is Saturday for me now. I am thinking of getting the Tameron 18 to 400 lens. I am getting tired of changing from a 18 x 50 mm to a 55 x 300mm.

How important is image quality to you?

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Ruby's GD wrote:

This is my first post, continued and will be edited this time....i need some opinions and since Ive been reading for a long time Im sure that wont be difficult ....traveling to Yosemite in March from Maryland and don't want to over do gear...I have several great lens for my d500 and seem to keep coming back to the 18-200mm 5.6 and a 35mm...am I short changing myself ...suggestions ????

You can probably "get by" with what you have....

However, for scenic places like Yosemite, I wouldn't want to be without a wide angle (like the fairly compact and economical Nikkor 10-20mm DX VR) and a high quality Circular Polarizer to use on it (such as B+W XS-Pro).

Truly wide lenses can be a little challenging, if you haven't used them before. It can take some practice.

I also like to have a macro lens, but similar can be accomplished just using macro extension tubes (such as the Kenko set) on lenses you already have.

Do you have reservations at Yosemite? I hope so. Springtime is busy and access limited.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

You will definitely want to do the Half Dome cable hike if it is open. Apply for your FREE permit now! If you do it, take the Mist Trail. It’s very scenic and a time saver, though a bit steeper.

Kuzano

If driving, be sure to add an addendum to your auto insurance agent and get assurance on your insured status.

Do not leave your car unlocked or camera's in sight inside the car. Lock items in your trunk. Remember SUVs are purposely designed with too many windows, both to see contents and break. Parking and waysides near attractive sights are rampant with breakins. For instance most waysides along the Oregon Coast (example) are posted for heavy crime (items stolen from car breakins)

I lost three sets of camera gear, until I bought an old rusty but dependable Chev Suburban and welded a steel box in the back locked strongly. I still lost a couple of windows. I did not replace them.

I used to visit the Oregon Coast over a dozen times a year for a few years.

Once when visiting Yellowstone (another favored haunt saw three bears tear apart the inside of a Chevrolet, where people had put out a picnic and left the scene for a walk. Long time ago this was... Early 60's.

So yes drive and take it all. After calling your agent, and fortifying your car. vehicle.

Danielmb

Good advice all around. That time of year, a wide angle is very important but you will want a 70-200 or 300 for the waterfalls. Be sure to keep your batteries warm. The cold really does eat up batteries.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Ruby's GD wrote:

This is my first post, continued and will be edited this time....i need some opinions and since Ive been reading for a long time Im sure that wont be difficult ....traveling to Yosemite in March from Maryland and don't want to over do gear...I have several great lens for my d500 and seem to keep coming back to the 18-200mm 5.6 and a 35mm...am I short changing myself ...suggestions ????

Something in the 10-20 range as others have mentioned would be a good idea. Depends on what you enjoy shooting. I take a variety of gear since I shoot more varied subject matter than most. Have fun.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Kiron Kid wrote:

Sage advice. Go wider than 28mm’s.

If you need a wider lens, I would vote for the inexpensive but very good 14mm by Rokunar, a 21mm equivalent on your d500 . It is not autofocus, but for scenics you can just set it hyperfocal and forget about it. It is nice and sharp with very little distortion.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

Ruby's GD wrote:

This is my first post, continued and will be edited this time....i need some opinions and since Ive been reading for a long time Im sure that wont be difficult ....traveling to Yosemite in March from Maryland and don't want to over do gear...I have several great lens for my d500 and seem to keep coming back to the 18-200mm 5.6 and a 35mm...am I short changing myself ...suggestions ????

Just FYI, these are Yosemite with a Sigma 8-16mm lens, 12-24mm FF equivalent, mostly at full wide. It does give some added possibilities if you like that sort of thing

(Download)

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

kymarto wrote:

Just FYI, these are Yosemite with a Sigma 8-16mm lens, 12-24mm FF equivalent, mostly at full wide. It does give some added possibilities if you like that sort of thing

Nice images, Toby. An awful lot of people don't know how to shoot a wide angle. You, obviously, do.

Andy

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

AndyH wrote:

Nice images, Toby. An awful lot of people don't know how to shoot a wide angle. You, obviously, do.

Andy

A wide angle approximates what you see without the camera - the big picture - that's why it works so well when traveling in scenic locations. My favorite travel lens with film Nikons was the 20mm.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

CatMarley wrote:

A wide angle approximates what you see without the camera - the big picture - that's why it works so well when traveling in scenic locations. My favorite travel lens with film Nikons was the 20mm.

You are another exemplar for those attempting to learn the WA. Near-far and angular compositions that can only be accomplished with a wide angle lens.

Andy

woodweasel Loc: bellingham Wa

Sounds like your set