Reading mode: Light Dark

Gear advice....for a place I've never been (Olympic National Park)

Go to last post
Neurad1

Neurad1

Veteran Member
Messages
2,498
Solutions
1
Reaction score
529
Location
Birmingham, AL, US
I hope you all aren't so sick of this kind of question that you will ignore or flame this post. I am a relative novice and could use some wise advice.

I am going to Olympic National Park for three days this month. I will be going to Rialto Beach, Sol Duc Falls, and Hurricane Ridge. If I have time, I may also go to Dungeness Spit. I won't have time (tragically) to go to Hoh Rainforest this trip, as our lodging was unwisely reserved in Port Townsend and the drive would be prohibitive with as little time as we have. I hope to get back there within a year or two.

Anyway, given the sites/sights we will encounter, what gear would you recommend? I primarily shoot with M43 gear and have a pretty good variety of lenses, but also own an RX-1 FF camera. I anticipate that a good wide prime (how wide) would be a good idea. But I really don't want to haul a lot of gear for such a short trip.

Please advise. Thanks for your help.
 
Neurad1 said:
I hope you all aren't so sick of this kind of question that you will ignore or flame this post. I am a relative novice and could use some wise advice.

I am going to Olympic National Park for three days this month. I will be going to Rialto Beach, Sol Duc Falls, and Hurricane Ridge. If I have time, I may also go to Dungeness Spit. I won't have time (tragically) to go to Hoh Rainforest this trip, as our lodging was unwisely reserved in Port Townsend and the drive would be prohibitive with as little time as we have. I hope to get back there within a year or two.

Anyway, given the sites/sights we will encounter, what gear would you recommend? I primarily shoot with M43 gear and have a pretty good variety of lenses, but also own an RX-1 FF camera. I anticipate that a good wide prime (how wide) would be a good idea. But I really don't want to haul a lot of gear for such a short trip.

Please advise. Thanks for your help.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelcure/
http://500px.com/joelcure
Click to expand...
I used to go Olympic National Park quite often back in the day [early 60's], but I'm sure things have not changed much. Since you shoot m-43 and have two of their cameras. I would take the Epl5 and the em 10. They are both light cameras and you could save yourself a lot of lens changes by taking both bodies. You will need a good wide angle lens, either a prime or a zoom; I'm sure you have one of these. A 12 mm comes to mind for a prime, and a 14-150, or kit 40-150 for the zoom. Lastly, you might pack a 75-300 for wildlife. If you want to settle for zooms take a wide angle zoom and a longer reach zoom like the 40-150 or 14-50. Dress warm and have a good backpack for your camera gear. You will be traveling lite and should have a lot of fun.
 
Good advice above----- wide angle and a normal lens.

Kent
 
Wide angle - at Sol Duc, shooting in the forest, you'll want a rather wide lens - equivalent to a 24 mm on a film camera, maybe even wider depending on your personal tastes. On Hurricane Ridge and on the beach, I find I use less wide focal lengths - 35 to 50 mm film equivalent - so I don't get too much "clutter" in an image. Again, personal taste is a major factor.

Take a polarizer for Sol Duc Falls to get the rainbow in the spray to stand out. And it can get pretty dark in a rainforest - a tripod is a really good idea.

You have a very good chance of finding deer on Hurricane Ridge and maybe eagles along the coast, so a long lens suitable for such wildlife will be useful, too.
 
bflood said:
Wide angle - at Sol Duc, shooting in the forest, you'll want a rather wide lens - equivalent to a 24 mm on a film camera, maybe even wider depending on your personal tastes. On Hurricane Ridge and on the beach, I find I use less wide focal lengths - 35 to 50 mm film equivalent - so I don't get too much "clutter" in an image. Again, personal taste is a major factor.

Take a polarizer for Sol Duc Falls to get the rainbow in the spray to stand out. And it can get pretty dark in a rainforest - a tripod is a really good idea.

You have a very good chance of finding deer on Hurricane Ridge and maybe eagles along the coast, so a long lens suitable for such wildlife will be useful, too.
Click to expand...
Thanks, bflood. Sounds like good advice.
 
On Hurricane Ridge, you probably won't need a long lens to get shots of deer. They are often seen walking through the Visitor Center parking lot, looking for handouts from the tourists.

If you have time, drive past the Visitor Center to the Hurricane Hill trailhead. This is a well-maintained trail (paved for part of the way) that winds along a ridge and terminates at a hill top with great views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and the Straight of Juan de Fuca. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Victoria, BC. Great spot to shoot a stitched panorama. You may also see marmots, raptors, and mountain goats.
 
Last edited:
Gorgeous area. Don't regret being in Port Townsend, it's one of my favorite towns and is very photogenic, also good food. The area is amazing for details so if you have a macro lens you might consider it. I may be a little biased but the pacific northwest is one of the most beautiful areas in North America.

Rialto Beach is amazing, great rocks, surf, old trees. Have fun!
 
If your lens isn't wide enough, don't worry... set the camera to manual, shoot a couple of frames... and stitch.

Kalaloch

Kalaloch


Ruby Beach
 

Attachments

  • 2003439.jpg
    2003439.jpg
    1.8 MB · Views: 0
Last edited:
I saw the same thread posted on micro 43 forum.

Hal
 
Hgreblo1 said:
I saw the same thread posted on micro 43 forum.

Hal
Click to expand...
Nice eye, Hal.

I wasn't sure which forum would yield the best feedback. I am an M43 shooter, and wanted info pertinent to travel and landscape photography. Please find it in your heart to forgive my duplicity :)
 
Some sort of macro capability may be useful on your trip to the beach.
 
sinbad said:
Some sort of macro capability may be useful on your trip to the beach.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, my only macro option is the kit m.zuiko 12-50 lens. But I hear you. Thanks.
 
Canon d250 or d500 diopter lens might be usable on your zuiko lens
 
Neurad1 said:
I hope you all aren't so sick of this kind of question that you will ignore or flame this post. I am a relative novice and could use some wise advice.

I am going to Olympic National Park for three days this month. I will be going to Rialto Beach, Sol Duc Falls, and Hurricane Ridge. If I have time, I may also go to Dungeness Spit. I won't have time (tragically) to go to Hoh Rainforest this trip, as our lodging was unwisely reserved in Port Townsend and the drive would be prohibitive with as little time as we have. I hope to get back there within a year or two.

Anyway, given the sites/sights we will encounter, what gear would you recommend? I primarily shoot with M43 gear and have a pretty good variety of lenses, but also own an RX-1 FF camera. I anticipate that a good wide prime (how wide) would be a good idea. But I really don't want to haul a lot of gear for such a short trip.

Please advise. Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
 
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