Nature Grand Canyon Trip

drd1135

Zen Snapshooter
Location
Virginia
Name
Steve
At the airport so I thought I would post some iPhone shots of our 8 day raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Obviously, the shots I am in were taken by someone else.

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I am super impressed and a little envious. That is a trip of a lifetime and one that I would have liked to do in my 20s or 30s, but now, at 50, it seems a little too daunting. Congratulations!
I would like to point out that I am 64, my wife is 63, and there were three folks over 70 on this trip. The oldest, at, 77, was some (I swear he was) bionic maritime lawyer who could climb those rocks better than I. It really kicked my ass, but that's part of the vibe of this trip. The four members of the crew were younger, but they manned and piloted the rafts 240 miles down the Colorado river and then prepared three meals a day for all of us in the wilderness. Fish, pasta, pork chops, sausage, bacon, eggs, french toast and pancakes, and the most amazing burritos I've had in awhile. There was a freshly baked cake every day and filet mignons on the last night. Amazing people, truly. This trip was so far out of my comfort zone that it had another zip code, but it was a great adventure. With burritos and cake.
 
Thanks for sharing these photos, Steve. I'd love to see some more images. Did you take along any photo gear beyond the iPhone? If you've previously shared such, please point me to the thread.

I'd also love to hear more about your experiences. My wife and I are booked for a similar trip in early May. If you feel like sharing, I'd love to know as much detail as you'd like to share, for example:
  • what were the days like in terms of schedule (i.e. how much time on the water and off, etc.)?
  • what were the highlights (and lowlights) of the trip for you?
  • what gear was indispensable and what gear do you wish you'd left at home? (not limited to photo gear but also clothing, etc.)
  • what gear do you wish you'd brought?
  • what would you choose to do differently if you were doing it again? (e.g. trip length, boat type, etc.)
I thought about sending you a private message, but I figured someone else might benefit from the wisdom you've gained as well. Thanks in advance for any info you care to share.

- K
 
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I'm starting to think about what camera gear I'm intending to bring now that my trip is just a few weeks away.

I really don't want to bring too much, so I'm trying to limit myself to one body and no more than three lenses. As of now my plan is to bring the Oly E-M1.3 along with the P8-18 for the wide end and the O75-300 for the telephoto end. That leaves a pretty big gap between those extremes.

The O12-100/4 would bridge the gap, but I'm thinking it may be more lens in terms of size and weight than I want. Similar with the O12-40/2.8. I'm wondering if the Four Thirds O50/2 macro mighty be the right answer? I realize that with the adapter that lens is roughly similar in size and weight to the 12-40/2.8, but it would give me macro ability as well as an extra stop for low light.

I also intend to bring my iPhone and gimbal which will be mostly for video, but can also fill in any gaps for photos.

Thoughts?

- K
 
I'm starting to think about what camera gear I'm intending to bring now that my trip is just a few weeks away.

I really don't want to bring too much, so I'm trying to limit myself to one body and no more than three lenses. As of now my plan is to bring the Oly E-M1.3 along with the P8-18 for the wide end and the O75-300 for the telephoto end. That leaves a pretty big gap between those extremes.

The O12-100/4 would bridge the gap, but I'm thinking it may be more lens in terms of size and weight than I want. Similar with the O12-40/2.8. I'm wondering if the Four Thirds O50/2 macro mighty be the right answer? I realize that with the adapter that lens is roughly similar in size and weight to the 12-40/2.8, but it would give me macro ability as well as an extra stop for low light.

I also intend to bring my iPhone and gimbal which will be mostly for video, but can also fill in any gaps for photos.

Thoughts?

- K
I understand the temptation to go very vide in the Grand Canyon, but it is pretty open at times and you night want something narrower at times than the 8-18 at times. I love the 12-40, but if you want to keep weight down, how about a simple 25?

I can't wait to see your photos.
 
Thanks for the advice, Dan.

I've learned that I really enjoy an ultra wide for nature, so I definitely want something wider than 12mm (24mm equivalent). One option to solve that, while also minimizing weight could be to pair the 12-40/2.8 or 12-100/4 with perhaps the Laowa 7.5mm. I may kick that around a bit and see how it might work.

The downside of that approach is that if I stick with my 3 lens limit and also stick with the idea of bringing the 75-300 (I definitely feel I'll want a long lens), that leaves me without a true macro option. So maybe I'll also see if I can live with the macro capabilities of the 12-40 (or 12-100) and the 75-300.

Or I could cheat and just add the O60/2.8.

To many choices. 😜

- I
 
I would take the 8-18 for sure, but would also take something narrower. The O60 is a good idea, or the O 30 macro.
I don't own the 30mm macro. And I don't really want to buy any (more) gear for this adventure. ;)

The only real advantage (for me) of the O60 over the 4/3 O50 macro is weight and a little bit better focusing performance (although the O50 isn't bad on an E-M1). I'm not really sure why I own both lenses because it always leads to this indecision of which to choose. I see the O50 as a more versatile lens, since the extra stop of aperture makes it usable for portrait work.

- K
 
I'm starting to think about what camera gear I'm intending to bring now that my trip is just a few weeks away.

I really don't want to bring too much, so I'm trying to limit myself to one body and no more than three lenses. As of now my plan is to bring the Oly E-M1.3 along with the P8-18 for the wide end and the O75-300 for the telephoto end. That leaves a pretty big gap between those extremes.

The O12-100/4 would bridge the gap, but I'm thinking it may be more lens in terms of size and weight than I want. Similar with the O12-40/2.8. I'm wondering if the Four Thirds O50/2 macro mighty be the right answer? I realize that with the adapter that lens is roughly similar in size and weight to the 12-40/2.8, but it would give me macro ability as well as an extra stop for low light.

I also intend to bring my iPhone and gimbal which will be mostly for video, but can also fill in any gaps for photos.

Thoughts?

- K
12-50 macro? Nearly indistinguishable from the mighty f/2 50 macro when in macro mode at 43mm and f/6. Light, fast focus and w/d resistant.

Not a bad lens at all.
 
12-50 macro? Nearly indistinguishable from the mighty f/2 50 macro when in macro mode at 43mm and f/6. Light, fast focus and w/d resistant.

Not a bad lens at all.
Good suggestion, John. You prompted me to dig out my 12-50. It checks a couple of the boxes of what I'm looking for. Unfortunately, I don't know if I got a bad copy or if it's me, but the experience only served to remind me why this lens was shoved way in the back of my gear shelf. I just don't find it a fun lens to use and I don't love the results. I really need to find it a new home.

- K
 
I decided to stick with my initial thoughts and go with the E-M1.3, PL8-18, O50 macro, and O75-300.

After I got these situated in the case (Nanuk 915) along with my LaCie Boss backup drive there's a bit of space left over.

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I should probably use this space for battery packs, chargers, etc. But I'm wondering if another lens or two might be useful. Maybe the P15/1.7 (with the GM5?) for lightweight hikes and evening? Or the Laowa 7.5/2 for stars? Or...?

- K
 
Good suggestion, John. You prompted me to dig out my 12-50. It checks a couple of the boxes of what I'm looking for. Unfortunately, I don't know if I got a bad copy or if it's me, but the experience only served to remind me why this lens was shoved way in the back of my gear shelf. I just don't find it a fun lens to use and I don't love the results. I really need to find it a new home.

- K
Keith, it sounds as if you got a crappy copy.

FleaBay it, and try another.

When my 14-42 EZ shat itself, the replacement second hand copy proved itself considerably better than my original new one.
 
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