What to take on Grand Canyon trip

[996GT2]

I'm leaving for Vegas+Grand Canyon later this week, and was wondering if it would be worth it to rent an UWA or another specialized lens. I shoot with a 40D+Tamron 17-50 and Canon 100 f/2, so I'm missing a bit on the wide and on the normal to mid-tele range.

Would renting a Canon 10-22 be worth it or would the Tamron 17-50 be wide enough?

Also, would having a lens longer than 100mm be useful for much there?

 

[ZetaEpyon]

I picked up the Sigma 10-20 EX before my trip, and was very glad that I had it. Certainly a lot more effective at capturing dramatic shots without needing to rely on panorama stitching.

I also had a 70-300, which I didn't find as useful in general. I did get a few nice shots of wildlife (birds and such), that would not have been possible without it, however.

My 2c; the 17-50 would certainly work, but there really is a big, big difference by dropping down to 10mm.

 

[angry hampster]

ABSOLUTELY get a UWA lens.

 

[Doggiedog]

I took my Heliopan Circular Polarizing filter.

 

[ProfJohn]

Rent or buy the wide, it is a must for landscape and scenery.

 

[shocksyde]

10 or 11mm is a MUST, as well as a circular polarizer and tripod. In that order.

 

[corkyg]

What they said plus a warm jacket. GC can be very cold this time of year.

 

[ProfJohn]

10 or 11mm is a MUST, as well as a circular polarizer and tripod. In that order.

I must suck as using my polarizer because I have never been able to get much good out of it.

Maybe I need to take a class on it

 

[extra]

Nahhh I don't think the polarizer is really a great idea on a super wise lens but that's just me. ^_^ Useful otherwise tho.

Try doing some stitched panoramas as well!

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Yeah, I have to disagree about the circular polarizer on a UWA as well.
The angle of view is so wide that you won't be able to polarize the entire sky; you'll end up with a gradient of some sort.

Now, if you're talking about other lenses, then sure.

 

[shocksyde]

You're all correct, my bad. Although if shots are taken in portrait orientation you can get away with polarizing without weird lookin' skies.

 

[corkyg]

Circular polarizers need to be used thoughtfully keeping the sun angle in mind. Not recommended for UW lenses. This is a good, easy, tutorial.

http://www.great-landscape-photography.com/polarizing-filter.html

BTW - a monopod could be useful. It makes a good hiking stick, and faciligtates panoramic shots for stitching.

 

[OulOat]

Do you have enough time for a GC trip if you are going to Vegas as well? GC is a complete day trip (5 hours each way), which will be hard to squeeze in over a weekend.

 

[soydios]

stitching panoramas works well. caveat is that it doesn't work well with sky (clouds move, and if they're not there then the software has nothing to reference).