Going to Sedona and Grand Canyon in the Spring and trying to pack as little as possible. I’ll be with my family so not much dedicated time for photography.

I’m planning to take one lens (24-70 2.8) due to weight (arthritis) and dust concerns. My main concern is if I’ll significantly miss out without a wide angle or telephoto zoom?

1-2 nights of Astro: 24mm f2.8 is decent, hard to justify a specialty lens

Family pics: 24-70 is perfect Canyons/hikes: is 24mm with pano enough?

Lookouts: Is 70mm significantly limiting reach?

  • NoHearing8189@alien.topOPBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    Thanks for the tips. Not sure if I’ll make it to Horseshoe bend, but that alone would be reason to get an UWA. I hear you have to handhold your camera over the edge to get the shot, so panning may not be feasible.

    • AberrantCheese@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      I used a 16-35 for the entirety of my trip out west including Horseshoe Bend. 16 was almost not wide enough by itself for the Bend. A two-shot pano would do it, though, just a bit to the left and another a bit to the right. There is a spot directly in front as you walk down that has a good view without fences and such to impair a good shot. Sun sets directly in front of you most of the year so time it to suit what you want, if you go. Which I do, because it’s a fantastic view!

      • Sweathog1016@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        11 months ago

        I couldn’t time the sunset, but we had an awesome weather pattern with sun over the bend and a storm at the horizon. It was as amazing as we could hope for given our timing for midday light.

    • ironiccinori@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      You don’t have to handhold, I just got back from there and a 15-35/2.8 with tripod was perfectly fine. With a 24 you can get most of the rock structure but you won’t get much sky in the shot. I’ve been there several times over the years and everytime I forget how huge it is.

      For a full Southwest trip I’d take a 15-35 and a 70-200 and leave the 24-70. Everything’s either super far away or broad and expansive.

    • bwfwg4isdl@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      Sounds more scary then it is. Attach your camera to your tripod and hold it over the edge. The spot where you do this is easy to find. You won’t be alone.

      • NoHearing8189@alien.topOPBEnglish
        1·
        11 months ago

        Thanks for the advice. It’s hard to be the right level of prepared - my days of carrying 75 lbs of just-in-case gear are gone