Reading mode: Light Dark

Traveling to National parks - Which camera to take

Go to last post
Z

zxcvar

Forum Enthusiast
Messages
480
Reaction score
0
Location
Jackson, MS, US
Greetings! I am a retired senior citizen and will visit few of the National Parks described in National Geographic book - Guide to National Parks of the United States. I am from USA. I can not decide what type of photo equipement to take.

I have the following - [a] Canon digital 300 D with 18-55 f3.5 to 5.6 -non IS, 50mm f1.8 and 80- 200 f4-5.6 lenses Kodak Z612 super zoom 35-420 f2.8 to 4.8 with image stabilizer.

Secondly, If I take Canon camera, do I need to upgrade my lenses.With thanks.
 
If you are going as a photographer, I recommend bringing two camera bodies, a Canon 5D or 1-series camera, with the following lenses:

17-40 f/4
35 f/1.4
70-200 f/2.8 IS
500 f/4
24 f/3.5

If you are going as a tourist, I suggest not worrying about cameras and lenses. Get a Canon S5 for a compact camera and simply enjoy the parks instead of looking at them through a tiny viewfinder.

--
http://www.pbase.com/arshutterbug/
 
zxcvar said:
Greetings! I am a retired senior citizen and will visit few of the
National Parks described in National Geographic book - Guide to
National Parks of the United States. I am from USA. I can not decide
what type of photo equipement to take.
I have the following - [a] Canon digital 300 D with 18-55 f3.5 to 5.6
-non IS, 50mm f1.8 and 80- 200 f4-5.6 lenses Kodak Z612 super
zoom 35-420 f2.8 to 4.8 with image stabilizer.

Secondly, If I take Canon camera, do I need to upgrade my lenses.With
thanks.
Click to expand...

--

Honestly, yes I would suggest upgrading your lens; however, I just read an article in Photo Techniques on the Canon G9 and what an outstanding compact camera. You might want to look into it. Great photos and and very small and lightweight. You can check out a review of the camera right here on dpreview. It's not perfect, but what camera/lens are? :)
 
If you do want to keep your camera, I suggest either the new 18-55IS or maybe a Sigma 18-200 OS. Neither one are rated 10; however, they won't break the bank as they say.
 
You are going to find 35mm equivalent too long in the national parks IMO. Sure you may find good use for the superzoom as well, but overall, I think you will be disappointed shooting landscapes with your widest FL being 35 equivalent.

Also, I hate to say it but you might want to upgrade lenses as well. Check out the 18-55IS, or even one of the ultrawides for your 300D. Long lenses get very expensive as you know, so unless you are going to Yellowstone (where you can really use long lenses for wildlife photos), you might want to make due with your 80-200, or perhaps rent a long lens if you go therre.

Regards and have fun,

Jon
zxcvar said:
Greetings! I am a retired senior citizen and will visit few of the
National Parks described in National Geographic book - Guide to
National Parks of the United States. I am from USA. I can not decide
what type of photo equipement to take.
I have the following - [a] Canon digital 300 D with 18-55 f3.5 to 5.6
-non IS, 50mm f1.8 and 80- 200 f4-5.6 lenses Kodak Z612 super
zoom 35-420 f2.8 to 4.8 with image stabilizer.

Secondly, If I take Canon camera, do I need to upgrade my lenses.With
thanks.
Click to expand...

--
Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/jon_b
 
zxcvar said:
Greetings! I am a retired senior citizen and will visit few of the
National Parks described in National Geographic book - Guide to
National Parks of the United States. I am from USA. I can not decide
what type of photo equipement to take.
I have the following - [a] Canon digital 300 D with 18-55 f3.5 to 5.6
-non IS, 50mm f1.8 and 80- 200 f4-5.6 lenses Kodak Z612 super
zoom 35-420 f2.8 to 4.8 with image stabilizer.

Secondly, If I take Canon camera, do I need to upgrade my lenses.With
thanks.
Click to expand...

Greetings,

You do not need to upgrade your lenses!

Either camera will serve you well, depending as another poster said: are you there to photograph ie. make enlargements of iconic scenes or to enjoy the vacation experience of being in the National Parks?

Instead, may I suggest that you invest in a sturdy tripod and cable release if you don't have them. It will improve your photography 100% and you can get yourself (and family/friends) in the photos.

Kind regards.
 
If you are going to enjoy the parks, friends and family, get a high quality P&S camera that is easy to carry, has great battery life, and has a high quality capture. In outdoor, good light, landscape (high Depth of Field) situations, the difference of the capture to 90% of the population is minimal. If you are going as a photographer, then you'll want to upgrade your equipment significantly.

Short story - in 2003, I did my first trip to the Grand Canyon. Hiked about 60 miles in 4 days, including Havasu Falls (not technically part of the Grand Canyon) and part of the South Rim. Took a Kodak 6490 as my only camera. Placed in top 10 of a photo contest that had my capture printed in the National Parks calendar for the year. So as has been said many times, judging someone photographic skills by the equipment they carry is the same as judging someone's cooking skills by the pots, pans and knives they use.

Enjoy the parks and FYI - I'm among the many that are very jealous of the opportunity you have to travel the parks. Too busy with work to get out right now...
 
jgb said:
...or perhaps rent a long lens if you go therre.
Click to expand...
I keep hearing about lens rental, and figure that might be a good way of assessing the usefulness of a lens before buying it. Where would one rent a lens? Online, local stores?

Thanks,
abana
 
A upgrade of lenses is nice but based on experience of touring some western parks, get a panasonic fz 50 or fz18 and a big menory card and a good tripod and packs your bags and have a great time. The reason I suggest this route is everything is in one package you have very good zoom range with either camera and you will get excellent pictures. There is a wide variety of potential shots in natural light and either camera will perform very well. I traveled to the Badlands and Glacier last year and was Fly fishing so equipment was a issue. My Canon out fit would have been a pain in butt.
400 D
85 1-8
200 2.8
400 5.6
Just a suggestion, have a great trip, Oh yea I carried a FZ20 for my trip west.
 
I'll play devil's advocate.

Don't buy any lenses. Take both cameras. Buy a good tripod and be sure you have lots of storage.

Your lenses, while not the greatest, will do just fine when stopped down. That's where the tripod comes in. Plus it enables you to shoot dusk and dawn shots, slow shutter speed water scenes, etc.

Take the small camera to use when hiking should the LR prove too cumbersome. Use it also as a pocket camera for casual shooting while dining, etc.

Just shoot a lot, the more pictures you take the more keepers you'll wind up with.

Have fun.

Alan.
 
Yes, rent online. I haven't done this myself, so I can't point you to the services that do this. If search is working, I am sure you can find the info in this forum.
Abana said:
jgb said:
...or perhaps rent a long lens if you go therre.
Click to expand...
I keep hearing about lens rental, and figure that might be a good way
of assessing the usefulness of a lens before buying it. Where would
one rent a lens? Online, local stores?

Thanks,
abana
Click to expand...
--
Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/jon_b
 
Take what you have-the Rebel and all three of your lenses. The photographer makes the image, not the camera. The 18-55 will be your main lens as it covers most situations. The 80-200 will give you reach. The 50mm/1.8 gives you a sharp fast optic. You have a nice kit that is more than enough. If you have room and want a pocket camera bring the Kodak along.

Besides new cameras/lenses are more money to spend, more to learn, and more to carry. But they do not guarantee you more or better images.

I would second the above poster about a tripod. Get a decent tripod and that will allow you to use you camera at twilight and for long exposures, it will also make that telephoto sharper. Personally I NEVER hand hold at 200mm unless it is very bright light. A tripod will make all you pictures better.

Remember the adage "f/8 and be there" that will do wonders on your tripod.

Take lots of images and have fun!
 
Been to Shenandoah a few times now (see e.g. http://debra.zenfolio.com/p299264593/ ), the last time was with the Canon DRebel/300D and a Sigma 18-125 lens. The main idea was to have one lens to do everything, not too expensive, and lightweight. I still think that this is a good idea to start from, especially when not traveling alone. A lot has changed in the camera world since 2004, so you might want to consider the Sigma 18-200 OS now.

But if you want low cost and do not mind swapping lenses you might look into the new 18-55IS and 55-250IS.

When you are willing to really spend money there are so many options that people will give you all kinds of advice, all of which is good depending on the exact circumstances.

In any case, your 300D will still be fine, as is the 50mm f/1.8. The other lenses could use an upgrade, for which it's good to buy lenses with IS.
zxcvar said:
Greetings! I am a retired senior citizen and will visit few of the
National Parks described in National Geographic book - Guide to
National Parks of the United States. I am from USA. I can not decide
what type of photo equipement to take.
I have the following - [a] Canon digital 300 D with 18-55 f3.5 to 5.6
-non IS, 50mm f1.8 and 80- 200 f4-5.6 lenses Kodak Z612 super
zoom 35-420 f2.8 to 4.8 with image stabilizer.

Secondly, If I take Canon camera, do I need to upgrade my lenses.With
thanks.
Click to expand...

--

Slowly learning to use the DRebel (only around 32.000 shots) and now also the Fuji E900.
Public pictures at http://debra.zenfolio.com/ .
 
jgb said:
You are going to find 35mm equivalent too long in the national parks
IMO. Sure you may find good use for the superzoom as well, but
overall, I think you will be disappointed shooting landscapes with
your widest FL being 35 equivalent.
Click to expand...
I agree with this. You might consider the Canon 10-22 as an addition to your kit. It's superwide and a useful lens to have.

Another option would be to obtain a circular polarizer filter to use on landscapes to cut down the glare and haze.

I have to say, it's difficult to advise one on how to strike the right balance on such a trip...there is no right or wrong answer.

Some might view it as a trip of a lifetime and want to have lots of options available to get the very best photos...ie a DSLR with a few lenses, a tripod, plus a P&S to carry where the DSLR is inconvenient.

On the other end of the spectrum, others might want to travel light with just one P&S or bridge camera and enjoy the scenery rather than be constantly changing lenses, setting up a tripod, etc. and holding up others in the party.
--
Don
http://www.pbase.com/dond
 
leave the Kodak behind - it's too big and won't do the job of your Canon equipment. Pocket cameras are great spares and go to dinner with but the Kodak is not a pocket camera. Elphs are.

Enjoy your travels and take lots of images. I have been visiting the National Parks whenever I can for 50 years now and never tire of them. Don't forget the National Wildlife Refuges as well, there are dozens upon dozens of them from the East Coast to the West and Canada to southernmost Florida.

http://www.fws.gov/refuges/pdfs/refugeMap0930_2007.pdf

--
No wolves, just Irish Wolfhounds around here.

 
I have been to an photographed in many of the National Parks. I am not a great photographer, but I do enjoy my camera gear. I have used everything from a brownie box camera to a Canon 1DMkIII with a 500 mm f.4 lens. I think you will find there will be excellent photo opportunities for the gear you currently have. There will be shots you will not be able to get, but that will be true no matter what gear you take with you. Take what you have and what you are familiar with.

If your local photographic experiences tells you, you need different equipment and you can manage the expense, go ahead and get what "you" know "you" need. If you need an excuse to get new gear, that is fine too. You would have ample opportuniy to use longer, wider, faster, and more expensive lenses at any of the parks.

If this is your one and only trip to the parks, enjoy the parks as they truly are magical places. Supplement your experience with a few photographs. Don't spend your time learning new camera equipment.

Joe
 
Greetings! Please explain "You are going to find 35mm equivalent too long in the national parks IMO. Sure you may find good use for the superzoom as well, but overall, I think you will be disappointed shooting landscapes with your widest FL being 35 equivalent."

With thanks
 
I would take the DSLR, but I would also make sure to take a nice pair of binoculars and/or a small spotting scope. There is much to see that will be too far away for photography, but is still enjoyable to watch.

Marcy
 
Take the DSLR, all lenses, tripos.
Be out at sunrise and sunset.
Enjoy the photographic process.

maljo

Zion Narrows

 
I'm in the same "senior, retired" boat you are and I've decided to do as much traveling and photgraphing I can do for the next few years. I'm probably a little more into photography than you may be, but I'll give you a couple of things to think about.

Do you want snapshots for memories or photographs to ooh and aah at? There's a lot of $$$ between the latter and former. My first dslr was a Rebel XT and a Tamron 18-200 zoom on a cruise to Greece and Turkey. I, and my friends, loved the photos from the trip. It wasn't until I went on my first photo workshop to Rocky Mtn. NP that I saw what much more expensive lenses and equipment (and experience) can do, but everything is relative. I live in the hot South and I didn't know what air conditioning was until I was 12 years old, and it was a window unit in the bedroom. Now you wonder how you ever did without it. My point is if you've satisified with your photos with your equipment, use it. If the Kodak is "large" like someone suggested, you can buy a Canon P&S that fits in your pocket for a couple hunderd dollars. I think my daughter has an SD 800 (no viewfinder-- only an LCD). It makes great photos and you can stick it in your pocket.

I remember several months ago an avid photographer begged his daughter and her husband to take some of his higher-end equipment on their trip to Europe, but instead they opted to take a $ 50.00 camera and loved the photos they got.

I'd take all the Canon stuff you have and a tripod. I've been to Rocky Mtn., Yellowstone/Teton and Yosemite and am going to Glacier this summer and I think the tele you have will be long enough.

The only suggestion(s) I have if you want to (or fell like you should) upgrade would be (in the following order):

1. 24-105L lens- good all-around lens, but not wide enough for panoramas. You would have to change lenses, but not often.
2. 40D camera- New technology, much better viewfinder and LCD, live view, etc.

3. 70-200L f4 IS- Small and compact for a tele and one of Canon's best lenses (if not the best for the money.
4. Maybe a 1.4 teleextender if you see an elk, bear, bison, etc. at a distance

A lot of what you'll be doing is driving and parking to go to a "must-see" site. I carry my camera and lens around my neck and use a Tamrac slingbag for the extra lenses, batteries and CF cards.

Good luck and have fun,

Kent
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top