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Author Topic: Lens for Antelope Canyon  (Read 13526 times)

SeanBK

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Lens for Antelope Canyon
« on: September 05, 2013, 01:29:35 am »

Widest I have is 28mm (Nikon) for D800E. Will that be good enuf for Antelope Canyon shots? Or do I need to buy wider?
   Thanx for your suggestions & thoughts.
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francois

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2013, 06:20:48 am »

Do you use a full frame camera (24x36 sensor)? On my Canon 1 bodies, I shot most of my photos with a 24-70mm zoom.

HTH
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Francois

SeanBK

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2013, 08:13:28 am »

Yes, sorry didn't clarify but Nikon D800E is a full frame DSLR camera. Sensor 35.9x24 sensor. Is the need to shoot @ Antelope Canyon greater @ 24mm than 28mm Nikon Lens?
« Last Edit: September 05, 2013, 08:15:08 am by SeanBK »
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francois

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2013, 08:37:17 am »

Sorry, I didn't notice that you were using a D800e. Sometimes it helps to read slowly.

I've looked at my photos and most were shot between 28mm and 60mm. I had another lens with me and from what I remember I swapped it when exiting Lower Antelope, from the far end of the canyon (and then returned down into the canyon). I didn't change lens in the Upper Antelope.
« Last Edit: September 05, 2013, 08:42:13 am by francois »
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Francois

langier

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2013, 01:31:30 pm »

Hi Sean,

A 28mm on the D800/e would probably be fine.

However, over the years (back in the days of film and repelling into the depths of the canyon), I used much wider in places and a little longer in others. I used fixed lenses mostly back then, 18mm, 20mm, 24mm, and one 35-70mm. Anything much longer and you miss the grander, IMO. You could take two pix with the 28mm and stitch it in photoshop and with the 1.2x and 1.5x crops, still have some good quality details with the D800.

In looking at the metadata from my last trip there in 2006, the bulk were done with 12-24mm followed by the 17-55mm on my D2x. That would be either the 16-35mm or 17-35mm on my D800 today with few details shot with the 24-70mm.

The narrower-angle lenses work great for detail shots, but overhead looking up, I've found the wider work better for my vision.

A good option to consider would be to rent one of the wide-angle zooms for visit and then have a blast without as much effort to shoot the fixed.

Have a great time in the slots!
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SeanBK

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2013, 04:19:55 pm »

Thank you Langier & Francois,
   I used to shoot with D2x & 17-55 and then D7000 w/17-55 (can't seem to let go of 17-55 -my security blanket) :) But I was thinking of stitching in PTGui, as I personally don't like to change lenses in sandy outdoors. After your feedbacks I do feel better w/my travel lenses. Thank you very much.
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PeterAit

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2013, 06:13:48 pm »

The Nikkor 24-70 mm f/2.8 zoom is a terrific lens. Expensive and heavy, but covers the most used landscape focal lengths (at least in my experience) and minimizes lens changes while providing great IQ.
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framah

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2013, 06:18:54 pm »

I took a 70 - 200 into Lower Antelope and used it to shoot across to more abstract images. By using a tele, I was able to isolate areas from reality so they were swirls and swells  of color and lines.

Like this:[/url]
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framah

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2013, 06:20:32 pm »

That was also turned sideways as well. I also shot UP with that lens to get a different perspective.
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SeanBK

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2013, 10:03:19 pm »

That looks great & sounds like a great technique too. I am planning to take "CamRanger" > http://www.camranger.com/ This way I don't have to be a contortionist when shooting up or almost from ground, also not hold up the steady stream of people thru' Slot Canyon.
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bretedge

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2013, 10:52:24 pm »

I typicall prefer to photograph slot canyons with my 16-35mm lens for the extra depth & dimension you're able to achieve.  Having said that, I think you'll be quite pleased with the images you're able to create using your 24-70mm lens.

dspeed

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2013, 08:35:54 pm »

IIRC, I used the 14-24 Nikkor zoom on a full frame.  I might go to a 24 to 35 prime.

It was relatively dusty and I did not want to open the camera in that environment.
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Roman Racela

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2013, 11:20:59 pm »

I've shot there numerous times. I suggest 2 lenses: 16-35mm and the 24-70mm. Sometimes a 24mm isn't wide enough. You can get a lot of great comps at 40mm to 70mm if you like shooting abstracts and zooming in.
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NashvilleMike

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #13 on: October 09, 2013, 02:53:24 pm »

I've been to Lower Antelope several times, awesome place to shoot.
Most of the time I like the 21/24/35 focal lengths the best, but the first few times I shot down there I used the 24-70 zoom and had lots of success (on full frame cameras). However, there are things one can isolate with longer focal lengths, so a 24-70 for your first time isn't a bad idea.

-m
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Roman Racela

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #14 on: October 09, 2013, 08:31:07 pm »

Here are a few shots at 40mm+ focal length. There are a lot of images that have been shot at 16mm to 24mm so if you want something a bit different, then zoom in and look for some interesting compositions :)

Have fun there!





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curtphoto

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #15 on: October 18, 2013, 08:13:07 am »

I walked thru Antelope Canyon last year. Would recommend a 20mm or less on fullframe camera. A 16-35 will be ideal. Definitely carry a tripod!
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SeanBK

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #16 on: November 27, 2013, 08:16:57 pm »

Thnx a lot guys. Enormous help guys.
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marcmccalmont

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #17 on: November 27, 2013, 11:29:26 pm »

I used a 40mm on my IQ180 so about a 24mm on your D800 will be fine!
just finished this with Photomatix
Marc
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Marc McCalmont

Rory

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Re: Lens for Antelope Canyon
« Reply #18 on: November 28, 2013, 11:42:41 am »

I have shot Antelope with a D2X, D3X and D800E on three successive trips.  After normalizing the focal lengths for full frame I see I took 94% of my shots in the 24-70mm range.  My advice would be:

  • Use a tripod
  • Consider shooting at f/5.6 or f/8 and focus stacking with your CamRanger
  • Shoot at ISO 100 - you'll need lots of dynamic range - watch the red channel
  • Just use one zoom lens due to the limited room, especially in the lower slot, dust and time constraints
  • Shoot a couple of grey cards for white balance
  • Shoot carefully but quickly as your light "window" is short as the sun passes over the slot

Have fun!



Rory
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