Recent trip to Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton NP

I recently returned from a 3 week trip to the above parks, with photography as a primary focus of the trip, so thought I would write about how I approached it and what worked and what didn't.

Just prior to the trip I purchased a Canon 400mm f4 DO lens, V1. I heard the controversies about sharpness, or lack thereof, but decided to give it a try. I got a very recent copy, made in 2013, from a sellar on ebay and tested it prior to the trip. My plan was to use it primarily with my M5, but also sometimes with my 5D MK ii. I took a full complement of EF-M lenses including the 11-22, 22, 28 macro, 18-55, and 55-200 and an M3 as well. For the 5D I took my 24-105 f4, v1 and a non-IS 70-200mm f2.8 and 100 f2.8 macro. This equipment went on the plane with me in a Mindshift Gear Parnorama 180 bag and a ThinkTank Photo Glass Taxi, both of which I had from previous trips. The MIndshift bag went in the cabin bin and the Glass Taxi fit under my seat. My plan was to use the 5D primarily when photographing from the car and the M3 and M5 when hiking. I ended up following this plan pretty closely.

Prior to leaving for Glacier we were informed that there was major fire in the park and we wouldn't be able to stay at the lodge in the Park we had reserved almost a year prior. We were able to find a motel just outside the park with availability so thought all was well. When we got to Glacier, however, we found the park was shrouded in smoke from the fire and most of the views we had anticipated seeing weren't visible. We also didn't see many animals in the park.

After about five days in Glacier we headed to Yellowstone. It was all we expected and then some. There were many animals and the geologic features were incredible.

I was able to photograph this bull elk very near the road one evening.

This mother nursing her baby Pronghorn

Bison a bit further from the road.

This Pronghorn was also photographed from near the road.

All of these images were made with the M5 and the 400mm DO lens. I found it very enjoyable to work with this combination as I could use both my 1.4X and 2X converters with full autofocus that was very quick, even in low light at dusk or dawn.  I also greatly enjoyed using the touch screen focus selection as it worked much better than having to select focus points on the 5D.  it was much quicker and offered more flexibility.

I never did use either the 22 or the 28mm macro for the M or the 100mm macro.  I think this was a combination of finding using zooms much more flexible and quick to use as well as the subject matter I was working with.

The Mindshift Gear pack was very helpful to have as it allows quick access to any photographic gear in the belt pack, which includes all of my M gear and provides a separate compartment for clothes and food for hiking as well as holds a two liter bladder to provide hydration.

I would be interested in any comments on the photos or my equipment choices.  I have added the photo below, as well.

Mark

Grand Prismatic Spring taken from an overlook with 55-200mm lens and M3.