Lenses for Yosemite Trip

[ramirela]

Hi everyone,

I am going to visit Yosemite for the first time this weekend. Currently using a Nikon D90 and the only lens I have is a AF-S 18-105mm 3.5-5.6. Can anyone advice which would be a better lens to bring? I'm planning on buying or renting

Will most likely shoot mostly sceneries and friends.

Thanks all for your inputs. Would appreciate any other pointers as well.

[kenw]

Haven't been to Yosemite, but 18-105 would seem to cover what I would expect. Something faster than 3.5 might be appropriate if redundant in reach; something in the 200mm range might give you some more reach when you need it.

[HFMarshburnJR]

If you can get something a little longer, it will give you the opportunity to shoot some of the wildlife that grazes in the meadows at the edges of the day. Yosemite is one of those places that you could take every bit of glass you own and find a use for it. I would not worry about having large aperture glass since most of your shooting will probably be done at the other end of the scale. Take a tripod and any long exposure situations you run into will be fine.

[RT_Panther]

When I visited Yosemite last year, I took my 18-55, 35mm ƒ1.8, & 50mm ƒ1.4G....

Shots below are with the 18-55 kit lens


'Yosemite Falls' by RedTail_Panther, on Flickr


'Yosemite National Park' by RedTail_Panther, on Flickr


DSC_0284 copy - 'Yosemite National Park' by RedTail_Panther, on Flickr


'Fallen Sequoia' by RedTail_Panther, on Flickr


'Giant Sequoias, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park' by RedTail_Panther, on Flickr

[Killjoy]

I think you'll be fine with what you have.

Tunnel View. I shot this with a 24-105 at 24mm f/22


70-200 at about 135mm f/3.5 (it was getting late, and I had to dial up the ISO all the way)


Mirror Lake. 24-105 at 24mm


Lower Yosemite Falls. 24mm at f/22


If we didn't already have plans to go camping and boating with some friends over the holiday weekend, I'd have offered to meet up with you and show you around. I love Yosemite.
You'll have a great time.

[RevKev123]

If you don't mind spending some cash a Tokina 11-16 would be a nice lens to have.

[RT_Panther]

Killjoy,
Stunning shots there!!!!

[Killjoy]

Thanks Ed.

[surlynkid]

i just got back from a colorado trip and took a 16-35 and a 24-105 as we were shooting with two bodies and carrying everything hiking. on one day as we were driving home out of the park, there where a whole bunch of moose cows out feeding in a pasture. i kicked myself for not having my 70-200 with a 1.4tc to get a shot. with what i had, i didn't even stop. i didn't bring that lens, because i was not going to leave a $2K+ lens in the rental car while i hiked, and i was not carrying that weight up the mountain.

you need one serious wide angle and one with some length, imo.

[jojaanbutt]

Well, I am a Nikon person myself so no, I do not have this camera.

This is a good camera to start off. It has many features that will benefit the beginner. The 18-55 is a general purpose zoom lens. It is a really good portrait and wide angle lens. You will likely use it to get the vast scenic views of Yosemite. You might consider adding a 55-200 or the 70-300mm lens if your budge allows. These two lenses will allow you to zoom in on points of interest.

[surlynkid]

Killjoy - those are incredible shots.

[ramirela]

Thank you everybody for your suggestions. After reading all your posts I rent the 18-55mm already; also I wanted to get the 70-200mm VR but is not available for this weekend. So, I might rent the 70-300mm nonVR, hope it works fine.

Beautiful shots Ed and Alan. make me feel much more excited!! leaving on Thursday night! Thanks for the kind offer Alan to show me around the park. I might take one guide photo-class-tour Saturday afternoon to identify great photo-spots.

I might post a pic or two when I return. Once again thanks everybody for the help!

[Killjoy]

Thanks folks. I was just trying to help out, and show what can be done with different lenses.

Luz, I was serious about the offer. Had we not already had plans....
Enjoy your trip. We are actually supposed to get rain tomorrow, so some of the waterfalls should still be flowing.

[RT_Panther]

I suppose it all boils down to how much gear you want to carry. 3 lenses was enough for me.

[Killjoy]

Originally Posted by RT_Panther

I suppose it all boils down to how much gear you want to carry. 3 lenses was enough for me.

Don't forget a good sturdy tripod.