Teton Adventure with my 20D - advice on what to bring and buy

[aji23]

First I'd like to say hello, this is my first time posting on the forum. I've been lurking for a few months, and I have to say that the quality of advice on these forums impresses me to no end. So here goes...

I've been shooting with a 20D (with a 28-135 f/3.5 IS USM) for a few short months now, and I'm gearing up to take it out to the Tetons in a few weeks. So I'm asking for some advice from those who have done similar excursions. I'm looking to travel light for the most part.

So here are a few questions for everyone...

1. Lenses: besides my 28-135, does anyone feel strongly about needing to take along a second lens? I'm purchasing a 50mm f/1.8 within the next few days, for those dusk shots. Otherwise I am planning on buying the L version of the 28-135 range at some point in the coming months.

2. I'm trying to develop a handy way to carry the camera as I trek, around my neck in easy reach. I have some great ideas, but it would require me to kind of purchase the raw materials to make what I'm thinking of (since I can't find it anywhere). namely, a kind of strap that attaches to either side of your pack's shoulder strap so you don't get neck fatigue. Also, a bungie cord hooking around the lens and through your belts to hold it flat (gently) against my stomach so it's not bouncing around while I hike. Any thoughts or opinions on that?

3. Waterproof gear: I have seen 'raincoats' for cameras, but none that look quality. Anyone have one of these and could recommend where to get one?

4. batteries: I have the 511(A?) that came with the body and I plan on purchasing 2 of the sterlingteks that everyone says are excellent.

5. Tripod vs. monopod vs. 'versipod': I do not yet own a tripod, and I don't want to spend more than ~100 USD on one (too much else to buy). The versipod by far looks like the best choice for hiking, but if someone has a better suggestion (i.e. one of those new 'pod' thingies or a light and cheap tripod they can suggest) I'd love to hear it.

6. Memory: I currently own an extreme III 4GB card and a extreme II 1 GB card. Does anyone feel strongly that a week-long trip would require a substantially larger amount of memory?

7. "support" stuff: I have a lens cleaning brush and a lint-free cloth. I also have a hurricane air blower. I'm worried about my baby getting dirty though, so I was wondering what kind of on-the-trail workflow people adopt for keeping the camera clean.

8. As far as filters, I only have a UV and polarizing filter. Is there a strong argument for getting a 50% ND filter?

Any other thoughts, comments, or advice for trekking it would be greatly appreciated.

Andrew

(still too noob to put a sig up) ;)

[DavidW]

Lenses are always a difficult choice. Rather than trying to replace the pretty good 28-135mm range with an L (which would either mean EF 24-70mm f/2.8L or EF 24-105mm f/4L IS), I'd look first at either a longer lens or a wider lens.

For longer, EF 70-200mm f/4L may be a good choice, particularly if you don't have the budget for either f/2.8 version. If outdoors is your thing, maybe EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS, or a prime like the EF 300mm f/4L IS or EF 400mm f/5.6L may be a better choice.

For wider, you can choose from EF 17-40mm f/4L, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L, EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5, or EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. Again, it depends on exactly what you want from the lens in terms of indoor or outdoor use, and what other lenses you plan to carry.

For now, if you don't have a kit lens, it may be worth picking one up - it's cheap, lightweight and it doesn't make that bad a wide angle landscape lens especially when stopped down in the f/8-f/11 range. Travelling without a wide angle may be a mistake - there's no way to capture scenery. There's a big difference between 28mm and 18mm - on a 1.6x crop body like a 20D, 28mm is barely wide angle.

I have EF 16-35mm f/2.8L, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L and EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, which are all excellent lenses - but that's a lot of money, and they're hardly lightweight choices. That lot with a body, flash, laptop and various small accessories makes my big bag 12kg. The lenses and their accessories are going to be around 4kg of that.


Straps - check out the Optech stuff. You can probably do what you want by buying a POTN strap (hint, hint), and a set of 3/8" connectors, then putting the 3/8" connectors on the harness of your pack. I keep meaning to get another 3/8" connector set and put them on my Lowepro harness and waistbelt setup. Optech also make harness like straps that stop the camera flopping away from your body.


Waterproofing - I have a Kata E-702, which is a fairly decent piece of kit. It won't waterproof the camera by any means, but it will add weatherproofing.


Support - there is no substitute for a tripod, but lightweight compact tripods are extremely expensive (check out the Gitzo G1158T to see what I mean!). You can use a tripod as a somewhat cumbersome monopod - just extend one leg. You may be better off using things like bags full of rice rather than trying to trek with a tripod.


Filters - solid ND is most useful for those flowing water shots. You probably want a 3 stop ND filter for that (may be described as 0.9). There's maybe a stronger argument for an ND grad setup (you really want square/rectangular grads in a holder where you can slide the graduation up and down), though if you have a tripod you can blend exposures in Photoshop or use HDR.



David

[aji23]

David,

Thanks for the great reply. I actually do have the kit 18-55 lens, I just failed to mention it. So you're probably right - go with one of the telephotos you mentioned.

I also did happen to purchase a POTN strap a few weeks back (or at least something very similar - it's a Quantaray, I just checked). I didn't realize you can buy extra straps like you mentioned - I will be sure to check that out and design my little idea above.

I have a monopod I bought last year for my old camera, it's a lightweight model designed for hiking. It's a compromise for the balance between the hiking and the stability. I was really leaning towards the versipod and maybe one of those "pods" I read about in a photography mag (that is basically a bag of rice... which actually sounds like a cheaper alternative!)

And lastly, you've convinced me to get some NDs - that was great shooting advice (esp. the water comment). Thanks so much.

Andrew

[SuzyView]

Just returned from a 1 week vacation at Tetons and I brought the following:

Velocity 9 bag
20D
17-40L
24-70L
85 1.8
circular polarizing filter
REI monopod-walking stick
2 extra batteries
4 1gb CF cards
Epson P2000 for storage

All fit in my bag and a hotel shower cap for if "and I mean if" it rains

For the Tetons or any mountain range, you should have a wider lens. I bought my 17-40 earlier this year and I think it's perfect, price, quality, etc. When I went on my hikes, though, I had my 24-70 because sometimes, you need the reach. If I had a 70-200, I would have loved it. The moose population is always roaming and I couldn't get any of that. Next Time I will definitely bring a longer lens for those brown bear-buffalo-elk-moose sightings. Didn't catch much because of the lack of a longer lens. The kit lens may be just fine. I have one, but it is not anything special compared to the 17-40 for color and sharpness. For $630, it's a great investment. For $600 the 70-200 f4 is another great deal.

Take the hike on Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls. That's my absolute favorite 5 mile hike.

[aji23]

Suzie,
Thanks! I noticed you have the (pricey) Epson P2000. I have 5GB total memory... about how much did you shoot? (I usually shoot RAW+smallest jpg, but I could go just raw). I just did a quick search and found this (http://insidecomputer.stores.yahoo.net/20dipadabapo.html). I'm just worried it will fail me because of it's price...

I will suggest the Jenny Lake-->Hidden Falls to our fearless leader (a former eagle scout who has been doing this kind of thing for years). Hopefully he'll have it added or already there in our plans :)

I laughed at your rain joke - I heard it's pretty arid out there. No rain during your trek? Is a shower cap really good enough, or do you think it's worth purchasing the Kata E-702? I might make something out of thick garbage bags instead. hm.

I think I'm going to break down and buy one of the versipods. Also, I ordered a "POD" (here (http://www.thepod.ca/)).

[20DNewbie]

I just saw this, it's made for binos but should work fine as an alternative for the neckstraps. Click the "In use" under additional photos to see how it hangs.

Link. (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47914503&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&addon=728693-724380&ext_cat=REI_RELATED_ITEMS_PRODUCT_PAGE&vcat=REI_SEARCH)

[MillCreek]

I have a Kata 702, but more often than not, I use a Storm Jacket (www.stormjacket.com). As you can imagine, I often have reason to use something up here in the Seattle area. The advantage of the Storm Jacket is that it packs to a very small volume, whereas the Kata takes up more room.