Grand Canyon Lens suggestions

[fsu_dan17]

I am going out to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and redrock in late May.  I currently plan on using my 17-40 but have been reading comments about the image quality at 17mm on a FF camera(will be using either 5DII or III if it is out).  I am debating on renting either the 14mm, 24mm, or 16-35mm.  What do you guys think? Should I consider a good tele? 
If anyone has been to antelope canyon, I would love to know which tour you recommend for the best photography.

[danski0224]

I went and brought a 7D, 16-35 II, Tokina 11-16 and a 70-200.

I found the Tokina to be a little too wide and the 16-35 to not be wide enough. It doesn't make much sense writing it, but the pictures look different. Probably because the Tokina is made for a crop frame and the 16-35 is not.

I do not have a 14mm.

There were times when the 200 was not enough on the 7D, but the 16-35 stayed on the camera the most.

[smirkypants]

Maybe you should consider a long lens as well. You might spot something cool in the distance that you'd like to shoot... some wildlife, a cool rock formation that you'd like to frame just so, a perched bird. You might find yourself wishing you had brought a 70-300L.

[fsu_dan17]

I didn't think about the 70-300L  I have the 70-200L f/4.  I saw someone talk about putting taking several portait shots and combining in a cool panoramic shot.  I thought about doing that.  Is the 16-35 that much better than the 17-40 to justify renting it?

[tt]

With the pixel peeper site you can filter Flickr shots via lens I think you could do a quick search of the various places to see what they might look at at various focal lengths 

[wickidwombat]

I didn't think about the 70-300L  I have the 70-200L f/4.  I saw someone talk about putting taking several portait shots and combining in a cool panoramic shot.  I thought about doing that.  Is the 16-35 that much better than the 17-40 to justify renting it?

I think it is (16-35)
and definately take a longer lens and consider portrait shot panorama. get a decent pano head though if you dont have already with a smooth rotating plate that you can lock
maybe consider renting one of these
http://gigapan.org/cms/support/tech-specs
I have one and they are fun especially if you are driving and dont have to carry it around alot.

[fsu_dan17]

Will that fit on my MF tripod.  I have the 322RC2 head on it now.  I was thinking about buying another head anyway so this might work.

[Tijn]

I read the 16-35 is much better than the 17-40 for superwide angle shots. On a FF camera that is, of course.

[Caps18]

I hiked with the 16-35mm down to the bottom.

I'm not sure how the 17mm TS-E would perform, but since the lens hood got a few dings on the hike down, I'm not sure if I would want it as the only lens I had.  Yet, weight is important.

And I would recommend taking a panorama with a 50mm-85mm+. 

[DBCdp]

I know you're going to thoroughly enjoy your visit and be totally awestruck, just don't forget to actually take pictures!

I went to the mountains around Ruidoso NM last July and loved the views! I used the 17-40 on my 5D2 a lot, and the 24-105 on the 7D as well. The most spectacular shot I have, however, is a 3 level 14 shot wide vertical orientation panorama zoomed in to 105 on the 7D. I put each level (top, middle, bottom) together first, then stitched the 3 pano's together for a 4'x13' @ 300dpi view of Ski Apache and the mountains surrounding it that really takes me back there! Of course, I left the tripod in the truck an hour and a half hike behind me at 8500ft, the shot was taken from 9600' handheld and still worked out very very well.

If you only use the ultrawide for this type of shot, the details won't be as impressive and everything looks so far away. So I highly recommend you try this zoom method of Pano and be sure to take your tripod with you for the most accurate result!

[unfocused]

My Grand Canyon experience:

The grand lodges, el Tovar and Thunderbird, are built along the best views. You might think you can get better views by hiking to less populated parts of the rim. You won't. They put the lodges there for a reason.

Be prepared for crowds. Everyone else is trying to get that great sunrise or sunset picture, although most are using their iPhones.

Most people shoot toward the sunrise or sunset, hoping to capture the Sun appearing or disappearing over the horizon. Unless the atmospheric conditions are just right, though, these aren't that great. Instead, look in the opposite direction, away from the sun and get shots of the light bouncing off the canyon walls, brilliant beautiful deep reds contrasting with black shadows.

Don't forget to turn around and look into the woods along the rim, you will almost certainly see mule deer grazing in the mornings and evenings. If you are interested in the deer, you'll need a telephoto.

The Grand Canyon is one of the few places in the country where you can see California Condors (if you are lucky). Ask the rangers about recent Condor sightings. Again, you'll need a telephoto to have any hope of catching one.

[fsu_dan17]

Just went and looked at the GigaPan Pro...it looks really cool but I am unsure if it is worth the money ($200 rental)...has anyone used it?  I am a little confused on the final image...Do you have to use their software to finalize the picture or can this be done in PS5?  When finished does it store like a normal file on your computer?  Are there any other options that will turn out as good.  I am really interested in getting pano shots of monument valley and GC.

[SomeGuyInNewJersey]

I am going out to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and redrock in late May.

I'm planning on doing most those on a trip in the summer. I havent decided on the order etc yet. Would you like to share the order you are doing them in and how long your going to spend at each etc... If I'm not being to nosey

[RC]

I am going out to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and redrock in late May.  I currently plan on using my 17-40 but have been reading comments about the image quality at 17mm on a FF camera(will be using either 5DII or III if it is out).  I am debating on renting either the 14mm, 24mm, or 16-35mm.  What do you guys think? Should I consider a good tele?...

I was up there about 1 year ago with my 7D.  I spent more time at Monument Valley than the Grand Canyon.  At that time my widest lens was the 15-85.  About 90% of my shots were at 15mm (24 for FF) and I didn't really t feel the need to go wider however a few less mm would have been nice.  So for FF at MV, 24mm would be fine.  I have not been to Antelope Canyon but from what I understand, you will want wide.   Based on what you are debating, I'd rent the 16-35 which should be great for all parks.  I now have it for my crop and I love it, should be perfect on FF.  BTW, I only used my 70-200 a few times, might be more handy for FF shooters.

Time of day is essential for for these canyons.  Morning, evening and midday light are like 3 different canyons.  My favorite time for lighting at MV is late afternoon since it adds extra warmth and drama to all those red buttes.  Lots of hard light and heavy contrast so be prepared.  The GC has some many different looks based on time of the day. I prefer sunrise and very early AM.  Personally I think MV is far more spectacular than the GC (unless you are going to hike to the bottom or visit the north rim).  Speaking of the GC north rim, it is way more impressive (IMO) than the south rim.  When at MV, don't just stop at the lookout point at the visitor's center, take the loop road (I think its 11 or 13 miles), you will be glad you did, trust me. 

About 100 miles to the SE from MV is Canyon de Chelly (pronounced canyon de shay [long "a" in shay]).  If you got the time this canyon will blow you away.  If you only do one thing there, drive the south rim out to Spider Rock overlook.  Jeep tours in the bottom of the canyon are offered and give you a whole different look.

One final tip, lots of dust, so keep your gear protected.  In May it still may be a bit windy, less so in the AM.

Enjoy your trip!

[fsu_dan17]

My plan is to arrive in Las Vegas early morning by plane and drive over to Grand Canyon.  We are staying 2 nights there in park and then driving up to Monument Valley.  2 days there and then driving to Page, AZ to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.  We are staying in page for 3 days then driving back to Vegas (through Utah with maybe a stop at Zion or Bryce Canyon.  We are then stayiing in Vegas for 5 more days to have some fun and go to redrock. I probably have some time to stay longer in AZ but I had to book the hotels because they book up fast, especially the ones in GC park and the Monument Valley View Hotel (in park).  Total time is about 2 weeks.  Lots of driving but no more than 5 hours on any single leg. 
All of this is pending my safe return from Afghanistan...thank god for this site it is giving me something to do photography related.