Going to Yellowstone this July

[rickp1]

Hey guys and gals,
I'm headed to Yellowstone and GTNP next month and I would like to know from people that have been there what you recommend as must see and any special gear I should take with me.

BTW, I'm thinking about renting a 300mm or 400mm lens. What's your take on that. I already have a 70-200 f2.8 but i might need a bit more reach for the wildlife. So what do you think?

Thanks
R.

[R lake]

I'll see you there, i'm going in July too.

[rickp1]

R Lake,
Yeah, really looking forward to it. It's my first time to Yellostone. I learned quite a bit on how to pack from my trip to the Grand Canyon, only difference though is will be doing a bit more hiking on this trip, so I can't use a dedicated camera bag all the time.

I ordered a camera case and I have individual lens cases that will all have to go into my hiking bag or regular backpack for just walking around some of the local attractions.

I think a good belt system might come in handy too, any recommendations?

BTW, I'll be in the guy in the big RV holding up traffic snapping away at everything that moves on the side of the road!!! LOLOLOL

R,

[karen_s]

I am planning to go there next summer, and then move to that area when I retire. It's one of those times I actually wish I were older ;-)

Anyway, I have the 300mm f/4 L (on the Canon side) and LOVE it. It is light, it's sharp, and it focuses well. I also have the 1x4 extender which helps out when I need the longer reach. I think if I were going to rent a lens specifically for wildlife and already had the 70-200, I might rent the 400mm L just because of it's extra reach. I've found the 70-200, while a wonderfully versatile lens, to be a bit short in most cases for wildlife.

Enjoy the trip!

ks

[rickp1]

thanks. I agree about the 70-200 while a great lens not having the reach I would like.

Can't wait to get there.

R.

[rickp1]

BTW, any suggestions on how to carry the tripod?

R.

[R lake]

Originally Posted by rickp1

R Lake,
Yeah, really looking forward to it. It's my first time to Yellostone. I learned quite a bit on how to pack from my trip to the Grand Canyon, only difference though is will be doing a bit more hiking on this trip, so I can't use a dedicated camera bag all the time.

I ordered a camera case and I have individual lens cases that will all have to go into my hiking bag or regular backpack for just walking around some of the local attractions.

I think a good belt system might come in handy too, any recommendations?

BTW, I'll be in the guy in the big RV holding up traffic snapping away at everything that moves on the side of the road!!! LOLOLOL

R,

I lived near Jackson Hole for five years and worked at Teton Village ski resort on the Tetons for four years. The biggest suggestion I will give you is gring a jacket....possibly you coat. It can get cold at any time, and I have seen it snow even in July and Aug. And also bring lots of memory and batteries. You will be going through lots of it.

[rickp1]

R Lake,
let me ask you, my son has never seen snow. Where can we maybe see snow, even if it's not a lot. Remember I'm driving a 30' RV and coming in from GTNP.

R.

[RichardTaylor]

We (my wife & I) had a 5 nights in Yellowstone as part of our 2006 vacation, plus two nights in the Grand Tetons..
I was shooting with a 350D (Rebel XT) and took
Canon 50mm F 1.8 - which wasn't used.
Canon 17-85 F4.5-F5.6 IS .... for the scenery and misc shots
Canon 75-300 F4.5-F5.6 for the wildlife.
Did not take a tripod as we had 6 flights, 4 of them international, on that vacation.

The 75-300 was adequate for wildlife (I didn't own any other long teles at the time).

If I was doing this trip again & would take my Canon 100-400 F4.5-F5.6 IS L as my long tele and take a mono pod as well

For you hiking are you doing day hikes or sleeping out overnight?

If you are only doing day walks then a Lowepro fastpack may meet your needs. Has room for a reasonable amount camera gear + a small amount of personal stuff like munchies & water & poncho etc.

Here is the Camera compartment of my Fastpack 200 (it also meets all airline carry on requirements).

Canon 40D + Canon 100-400 F4.5-F5.6 IS L lens
Canon 350D + Canon 17-85 F4.5-F5.6 IS lens.


Another alternative is a Think Tank Glass Taxi with the (optional) belt & waterbottle/pouch attachments for a bit of food etc..

Here is my current set up for local day walks.
Canon 40D + Canon 100-400 F4.5-F5.6 IS L lens
Canon 5D + Canon 24-105 IS L lens.
Canon 580 EX flash gun.


If you are only taking one body + one extra lens you may find a bag like the Tamrac Adventure series or a Lowepro Rover II AW meets your needs.

Unless you are going to specifically shoot wildlife I would take a long zoom, mainly for its versatility over a prime.

Keep in mind the wildlife isn't always a long way away or out in the middle of nowhere.

Pic taken by my wife, with a Canon P&S (not a superzoom) camera
at Mammoth Hot springs.

As I only had one body I was using a Tamrac Adventure 7 for that trip and it was my carry-on bag as well.

And in the hotel grounds at Mammoth Hot Springs.
(I used my 75-300 for this)


Hope this helps.

[RichardTaylor]

As far as must sees goes;

Get off the roads. 10-15 minutes walking will get you away from the crowds.

Over all some beaut; scenery and some unbelievable wild life


For us a high light was walking the Cascade Canyon Trail in the Grand Tetons. Magnificent scenery and some good wild life.

The board walks in the Old Faithful are a very good way to get relatively close to a lot of thermal activity.

One could spend a lot of time just shooting along the Yelowstone & Madison Rivers.

Catch the steam rising, in the early morning light, in the thermal areas and the Firehole river..

How many nights do you have in the parks?