What to take to Glacier & Banff?

Buchanan · Jun 27, 2016

Heading west this summer and will try to improve my landscape/nature photography. A lot of hiking so trying to keep kit as light as can but since photography will be important part of the trip I don't want to handicap myself. 6D will be main camera and SL1 as backup. Have ND and CP filters and would like to contain my kit to my smallish Lowepro backpack. As far as lenses, will be taking my new 16-35 f/4 but am wondering what would be the best choice for additional lenses to take.

In the running are: 24-105L f/4; 70-200L f/4 IS; 100-400 v1. Not sure I need the 24-105 since taking the 16-35 and one of the longer zooms. Also am not sure how much focal length I need for the trip. I love the 70-200 but would it be long enough even on the crop, or am I better off taking the large, heavy 100-400? Feel free to look at my gear list and see if you feel there are any other lenses that might be important to take.

I also need a tripod I can take hiking. Looking at the MeFoto AO350QOK Backpacker. Trying to keep cost under $175. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Zoki Toki · Jun 27, 2016

I would take 100-400 (on sl1 for reach) and 16-35 on 6d.

As far as tripod goes i saw this morning some benro on canon price watch for 80$ it looks good but i will leave it for others to answer that.

Paul B Jones · Jun 27, 2016

I've been to Banff and Waterton Lakes National Park (just across the border from Glacier) a few times and would say the 16-35mm should be sufficient to obtain some wonderful landscape images.

When you say you are interested in "nature" images I immediately think "wildlife" and urge you to take the 100-400mm. On a full frame body that won't give you a tremendous amount of reach but it should still get you close enough to achieve excellent results. There are lots of bird and mammal photograph opportunities in the mountains.

James Larsen · Jun 27, 2016

I 100% agree.

Quick question - Why take the SL1 instead of the 70D? The 70D would do a better job.

Take the 100-400 on the SL1 (or 70D), and then use the 16-35 on the 6D. I'd also consider bringing another lens to swap out on the 6D if you want, maybe a prime (85mm f1.8 wouldn't be a bad choice).

beagle1 · Jun 27, 2016

Buchanan said:
Heading west this summer and will try to improve my landscape/nature photography. A lot of hiking so trying to keep kit as light as can but since photography will be important part of the trip I don't want to handicap myself. 6D will be main camera and SL1 as backup. Have ND and CP filters and would like to contain my kit to my smallish Lowepro backpack. As far as lenses, will be taking my new 16-35 f/4 but am wondering what would be the best choice for additional lenses to take.

In the running are: 24-105L f/4; 70-200L f/4 IS; 100-400 v1. Not sure I need the 24-105 since taking the 16-35 and one of the longer zooms. Also am not sure how much focal length I need for the trip. I love the 70-200 but would it be long enough even on the crop, or am I better off taking the large, heavy 100-400? Feel free to look at my gear list and see if you feel there are any other lenses that might be important to take.

I also need a tripod I can take hiking. Looking at the MeFoto AO350QOK Backpacker. Trying to keep cost under $175. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

the 100-400 will be useful for photographing wildlife

that's a lot of gear for a hiking trip!

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

Dave · Jun 27, 2016

beagle1 said:
the 100-400 will be useful for photographing wildlife

that's a lot of gear for a hiking trip!

Amen. Make sure your pack fits well and see if someone else can carry your water.

hotdog321 · Jun 27, 2016

Man, I love those places--my wife and I have been there 6-7 times doing a "twofer" vacation splitting time between the two. I'd take the 16-35 and 100-400 or the 70-200 with a 1.4X or 2X.

I'd skip all the mid-range stuff. This is an area of dramatic mountains, sweeping vistas and fair amount of wildlife. Enjoy!

--
photojournalist
http://craighartley.zenfolio.com/

BlueRay2 · Jun 27, 2016

Buchanan said:
Heading west this summer and will try to improve my landscape/nature photography. A lot of hiking so trying to keep kit as light as can but since photography will be important part of the trip I don't want to handicap myself. 6D will be main camera and SL1 as backup. Have ND and CP filters and would like to contain my kit to my smallish Lowepro backpack. As far as lenses, will be taking my new 16-35 f/4 but am wondering what would be the best choice for additional lenses to take.

In the running are: 24-105L f/4; 70-200L f/4 IS; 100-400 v1. Not sure I need the 24-105 since taking the 16-35 and one of the longer zooms. Also am not sure how much focal length I need for the trip. I love the 70-200 but would it be long enough even on the crop, or am I better off taking the large, heavy 100-400? Feel free to look at my gear list and see if you feel there are any other lenses that might be important to take.

I also need a tripod I can take hiking. Looking at the MeFoto AO350QOK Backpacker. Trying to keep cost under $175. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

if it was me, i would take only 2 lenses: 24-70 f2.8 II and 100-400 IS II, no other lenses!!!! but that is me and i have taken those to lenses only when i went on a cross country trip a few months ago ;-)

KENTGA · Jun 27, 2016

Didn't read all of the replies but I'd take 6D + 16-35 & 24-105 and SL-1 and 18-135. Will do be doing hiking and camping or just hiking? I have the same above combo, but I'm old and can't hike any longer (Just shorter walks of a mile or so) and I use the SL-1 w/ 18-135 as a lightweight walk around for a few hours.

I've had the 6D with 24-105 and 17-40 and will probably upgrade at least the 17-40 to 16-35 f4 and possibly the 6D before upcoming trips. One thing I love about the 6D is the built-in GPS especially for where you'll be going so you can see where you were when you made the shot upon your return.

Finally, you can take a tele but it will be extra weight unless you're in good shape but you'll probably see some wildlife at those places.

Kent

Landscapeforfun · Jun 28, 2016

I did this trip last year. Took a rented 6D and my T3i along with the Tamron 15-30 and the Canon 100-400 II. I also brought my 24-105 but I almost never used it. I carried them on a 40 mile backpacking trip, as long as you have a good chest clip (I recommend the peak design capture pro) the weight isn't an issue.

You can check out some of my pics from that trip here:

Loading…

www.flickr.com

Buchanan · Jun 28, 2016

Zoki Toki said:
I would take 100-400 (on sl1 for reach) and 16-35 on 6d.

As far as tripod goes i saw this morning some benro on canon price watch for 80$ it looks good but i will leave it for others to answer that.

Thanks, that is pretty much what I am leaning toward although I wonder if I give up too much in the interest of weight and size if I went with my 55-250 STM instead of the 100-400?

Buchanan · Jun 28, 2016

Paul B Jones said:
I've been to Banff and Waterton Lakes National Park (just across the border from Glacier) a few times and would say the 16-35mm should be sufficient to obtain some wonderful landscape images.

When you say you are interested in "nature" images I immediately think "wildlife" and urge you to take the 100-400mm. On a full frame body that won't give you a tremendous amount of reach but it should still get you close enough to achieve excellent results. There are lots of bird and mammal photograph opportunities in the mountains.

Buchanan · Jun 28, 2016

James Larsen said:
I 100% agree.

Quick question - Why take the SL1 instead of the 70D? The 70D would do a better job.

Take the 100-400 on the SL1 (or 70D), and then use the 16-35 on the 6D. I'd also consider bringing another lens to swap out on the 6D if you want, maybe a prime (85mm f1.8 wouldn't be a bad choice).

Buchanan · Jun 28, 2016

beagle1 said:
Buchanan said:

Heading west this summer and will try to improve my landscape/nature photography. A lot of hiking so trying to keep kit as light as can but since photography will be important part of the trip I don't want to handicap myself. 6D will be main camera and SL1 as backup. Have ND and CP filters and would like to contain my kit to my smallish Lowepro backpack. As far as lenses, will be taking my new 16-35 f/4 but am wondering what would be the best choice for additional lenses to take.

In the running are: 24-105L f/4; 70-200L f/4 IS; 100-400 v1. Not sure I need the 24-105 since taking the 16-35 and one of the longer zooms. Also am not sure how much focal length I need for the trip. I love the 70-200 but would it be long enough even on the crop, or am I better off taking the large, heavy 100-400? Feel free to look at my gear list and see if you feel there are any other lenses that might be important to take.

I also need a tripod I can take hiking. Looking at the MeFoto AO350QOK Backpacker. Trying to keep cost under $175. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

the 100-400 will be useful for photographing wildlife

that's a lot of gear for a hiking trip!

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

While the trip will be a lot of walking each day, I don't know if it is actually a "hiking trip". They will be several hikes a day of varying lengths (hopefully nothing over 4 miles). Not sure what gear you would cut. The 6D with 16-35/4 is a must. The SL1 is only 0.9 lb but the 100-400 is the big and heavy item. Could take the 55-250stm instead.

Buchanan · Jun 28, 2016

hotdog321 said:
Man, I love those places--my wife and I have been there 6-7 times doing a "twofer" vacation splitting time between the two. I'd take the 16-35 and 100-400 or the 70-200 with a 1.4X or 2X.

I'd skip all the mid-range stuff. This is an area of dramatic mountains, sweeping vistas and fair amount of wildlife. Enjoy!

Buchanan · Jun 28, 2016

1Dx4me said:
Buchanan said:

Heading west this summer and will try to improve my landscape/nature photography. A lot of hiking so trying to keep kit as light as can but since photography will be important part of the trip I don't want to handicap myself. 6D will be main camera and SL1 as backup. Have ND and CP filters and would like to contain my kit to my smallish Lowepro backpack. As far as lenses, will be taking my new 16-35 f/4 but am wondering what would be the best choice for additional lenses to take.

In the running are: 24-105L f/4; 70-200L f/4 IS; 100-400 v1. Not sure I need the 24-105 since taking the 16-35 and one of the longer zooms. Also am not sure how much focal length I need for the trip. I love the 70-200 but would it be long enough even on the crop, or am I better off taking the large, heavy 100-400? Feel free to look at my gear list and see if you feel there are any other lenses that might be important to take.

I also need a tripod I can take hiking. Looking at the MeFoto AO350QOK Backpacker. Trying to keep cost under $175. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

if it was me, i would take only 2 lenses: 24-70 f2.8 II and 100-400 IS II, no other lenses!!!! but that is me and i have taken those to lenses only when i went on a cross country trip a few months ago ;-)

2 lenses sounds good and my initial thoughts were my 16-35/4 and 100-400 IS v1. Now thinking maybe the 55-250stm might be good enough and save a bunch of weight and room in pack.

Buchanan · Jun 28, 2016

KENTGA said:
Didn't read all of the replies but I'd take 6D + 16-35 & 24-105 and SL-1 and 18-135. Will do be doing hiking and camping or just hiking? I have the same above combo, but I'm old and can't hike any longer (Just shorter walks of a mile or so) and I use the SL-1 w/ 18-135 as a lightweight walk around for a few hours.

No camping, staying in hotels. Will be general sightseeing with several walks/hikes a day. I'm not so young anymore so cant see myself doing more than 4 miles at a time. While I love my 18-135stm on my SL1 and 70D I think maybe just a wide and a long for this trip.

KENTGA said:
I've had the 6D with 24-105 and 17-40 and will probably upgrade at least the 17-40 to 16-35 f4 and possibly the 6D before upcoming trips. One thing I love about the 6D is the built-in GPS especially for where you'll be going so you can see where you were when you made the shot upon your return.

Good point.

KENTGA said:
Finally, you can take a tele but it will be extra weight unless you're in good shape but you'll probably see some wildlife at those places.

Yeh, the 100-400 is pretty large and heavy. No considering maybe the 55-250stm make it easier on me.

KENTGA said:
Kent

Buchanan · Jun 28, 2016

Landscapeforfun said:
I did this trip last year. Took a rented 6D and my T3i along with the Tamron 15-30 and the Canon 100-400 II. I also brought my 24-105 but I almost never used it. I carried them on a 40 mile backpacking trip, as long as you have a good chest clip (I recommend the peak design capture pro) the weight isn't an issue.

You can check out some of my pics from that trip here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90719248@N04/albums/72157656603448518

--
-Adam
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90719248@N04/
https://500px.com/argondizzophoto

Thanks for the info. As you and some others have pointed out, the 24-105 is not much needed and I will not take it in order to reduce weight.

So, I take it you used the clip on your backpack strap? I haven't ever seen one in use before but looks like is handy.

Great pics on flickr. Hope I see all the wildlife you did. After seeing them I lean back to the 100-400 over the 55-250stm.

Rainbow21 · Jun 28, 2016

Does this work?: Take both the 5-250 and the 100-400 with you. Then decide each day which lens is better based on the situation. More wildlife or shorter hike, then maybe the 100-400. Longer or just not feeling it, take the 50-250.

One more consideration is that much of the wildlife you might encounter will be from the roadside. In that case, having the 1-400 available will be gold.

Dave · Jun 28, 2016

I like that advice. Since you're not carrying all the time, why not have everything available?

While shooting from cars is generally safe, don't lose track of surroundings if shooting out open windows.

The below were shot with a Powershot G6, not quite a "superzoom".

Athabasca Falls

Jasper Park Lodge

Banff Springs Hotel

What to take to Glacier & Banff?

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