Canadian Rockies Banff to Jasper

My wife and I (both retired) are flying to Calgary in Sept, renting a car and spending 5 nights in Banff then driving to Jasper (5 nights there as well). It is a vacation and, of course, I would like to take some photos along the way.

I was thinking of taking my 10-22 and 15-85 & 60D, traveling lite. Or should I throw in the 100-400 and my small tripod? Not sure if I would regret dragging them along or not?

Thoughts?

You must take the long lens!

2cruise wrote in post #18073625
You must take the long lens!

Yeah, lot of wildlife...moose, deer, elk.

jbrackjr wrote in post #18073518
My wife and I (both retired) are flying to Calgary in Sept, renting a car and spending 5 nights in Banff then driving to Jasper (5 nights there as well). It is a vacation and, of course, I would like to take some photos along the way.

I was thinking of taking my 10-22 and 15-85 & 60D, traveling lite. Or should I throw in the 100-400 and my small tripod? Not sure if I would regret dragging them along or not?

Thoughts?

The 100-400 is required or you cannot go!
That is one area I've been to 3 times. A long lens will be appreciated.
And if you don't know 400mm is fine for landscaping too.

I used these sites as a guide a few years back, although we were there a few weeks earlier starting in Calgary with the Stampede.

http://www.canadiannat​urephotographer.com/ro​ckiesfavorites.html

https://www.fototrippe​r.com …national-park-photo-tips/

I agree with the others -- bring along the 100-400L. There is lots of wildlife in the area. It's been about 10 years since we were there, but we encountered elk, big horn sheep, coyotes, deer, and grizzly bears. There are caribou near Jasper, but we did not see any.

Thanks to all who replied. Looks like it's unanimous so I will be bringing the 100-400 as well as a small travel tripod.

John, those links are much appreciated thanks.

jbrackjr wrote in post #18078267
John, those links are much appreciated thanks.

One more thing, I found myself getting up prior to sunrise in many locations to catch the light on the flanks of various mountains. Try to observe vantage points where you can face west and be on site about 1/2 hour before sunrise, which unfortunately is about 6 AM MDT in late July/early August.

Thanks for the tip.

I just checked and found that we will be at Banff for the Autumnal Equinox and sunrise is at 7:29am and sunset at 7:39pm. We are fortunate that it is a little later in morning in September.

long lens is very hand for more than wildlife. There are some spectacular mountains along that highway (one of my favourite drives) but alot of them are not right next to the highway. A long lens can really help you pick out details of the rock/ice and glaciers in the area.

Have fun. It is a great drive.

Lighting for big wide panos can often be challenging. Getting any sort of soft light without an ugly overcast sky is not an every day thing. You might be surprised how little you use the wide angle and ultrawide lenses.

Also, you can have issues with smoke and haze depending on how the winds are and what the forest fire situation in Alberta and BC is at the time.

Take a 1.4 TC for the 100-400 if you have access to one. If you do happen upon a bear or cougar you'll want to put as much distance between you and him/her as you can.

Make sure you step out after dark in Banff and particularly Jasper. Gorgeous dark skies for star gazing if you're into it. If you have room for a small binocular I'd take one as well. 8x50s are great for scanning the Milky Way.

Lee

Copidosoma and Lee, good information. All of this has been very helpful to me. Thank you.

100-400mm, if only for the elks in Jasper in the second half of September. Otherwise, from marmots to bears a lot of animals are moving around in the parks. Wildlife set apart I also find the lens useful for landscapes on the Icefields Parkway.

John from PA wrote in post #18077555
I used these sites as a guide a few years back, although we were there a few weeks earlier starting in Calgary with the Stampede.

http://www.canadiannat​urephotographer.com/ro​ckiesfavorites.html

https://www.fototrippe​r.com …national-park-photo-tips/

Great links. So useful.