Help for Upcoming trip to US West Coast...

[mikeg8072]

Hi everyone... I'm new to this site and need some advice from anyone who has prior experience of photography in the Canyon lands and west coast of the states. We are going to take a months holiday in this area this coming June and I really don't want get over there only find out that I needed some important bit of kit to make this a photo trip of a lifetime. I have a Canon 400D.. hopefully some day I will upgrade but find this camera so easy to use and results are fine to A3. I have a 17-85mm EF-S lens, a Sigma DC-HSM10-20mm lens and a Canon 70-300 ULTRASONIC (Older lens)... all with different diameter screw threads for filters etc. Tripod and memory cards are taken care of but will I need ND filter(s), poloriser and perhaps an extender? Is there anything else that may come in handy please. You advise would be much appreciated....

Many thanks...

[Krusty79]

I would recommend a B+H circular polarizer or Hoya if the price is too high. I wouldn't get one for your ultrawide, as it causes gradients in the sky. A graduated neutral density filter will come in handy also. I would get the rectangular type, not the screw-in.

I would try to make it to Zion or Yosemite if you can...

[Photologyst]

Hi Mike:

I agree with Krusty’s statements. Don’t just take the ‘BIG’ shots, get down on the ground and go for some flora and fauna.

If at all possible, do go early in the morning or around sunset for the best shots.

Here’s a thread with pixs that I and others took, not necessarily always at the most optimal times of the day. (You take what you can get, when you can get it.)

The Great American South West

When you get back show us your pixs.

Have a great trip! It’s a wonderful time of the year in the parks.