Antelope Canyon in September

I'll be in the area in a few weeks and I want to go on the photographers tour.

1. Will there still be sunbeams to the floor in Upper Canyon?
2. If no, should I opt for the Lower Canyon photog tour instead?
3. Any guides to stay away from?

I used to have two full frame bodies but now I'm just down to my 5dIII so I think I'm going to opt for my 24-70 f/4 and leave the 16-35mm f/4 in my car. I know, I know: "Don't change lenses inside the canyon!"

The 'bus tour' of Antelope Canyon drives you only about 5 miles from the pick-up spot to the actual location on Navajo land. Skip this and save yourself a lot of money, drive yourself directly to the Indian-operated concessions (two of them) located near the intersection of Hwy 98 and IR222, which goes to the marina, located on IR222 just outside Page, for Lower Antelope Canyon.

The photo tours of the Upper Antelope Canyon tend to be around mid day...the sun beams occur mostly from 10.30 AM - 12.30 PM. Not sure about proper sun angle in Sept vs. in June, however. I presume the tours themselves can advise...I guess this is some of the reason for paying the very high tour price!

'Photo tour' tends to be 2X-3X the price of a 'sightseeing tour', the only difference is the shafts of light which might be present. Even on the 'sightseeing tour' you are afforded lots of time to take photographs. Our tour guide (at the concession closer to Hwy 58 -- they are only about 300yd apart, close to each other) was a wonderful Navajo grandmother, Daisy, who delighted in taking photos of new discoveries herself, and pointed out many vantage points to shoot interesting formations.

For the Lower Antelope Canyon admission is as low as $20, compared to the $150-200 you might incur for the Upper Antelope Canyon 'photographer' tours.

Due to the possibility of flash flooding due to rainstorms somewhat distant (20-25 miles) tours are not held due to risk of fatalities.

Thanks Wilt. Sounds like you're a fan of skipping the photographers tour. Since tripods don't seem to be allowed on the regular tours I am having a hard time with this. I may spring for it.

I haven't heard of any bad reviews of tour companies. It seems most of the negative reviews are about the canyons being too busy, not because a particular guide was bad. I'm hoping that in September I wont have this problem. It should be cool up there, right?

Both upper and lower will probably still be a Zoo in September. Lower used to be $24, but I think it's now $48 for the photographer tour. I think the big difference is that you have to have a tripod for the photographers tour. The photographers "tour" in lower used to be you pay the money, and they give you two hours down there by yourself (unguided). Now there are two tour groups doing lower, and you have to go with a guide. Last time I went in April, it was so full of tourists, I only got to shoot about 40 minutes of the two hours. The rest of the time was spent waiting for other groups to pass, or waiting for people to get out of the frame.

There are sunbeams in both, but upper is more known for the Peter Lik style, beam hitting the floor ones. It is also narrower at the top, so is probably more subject to time of year. There are also sunbeams in Lower, but they are more likely to be hitting the walls. There is a nice one that goes through the keyhole arch in late morning.

Photographers tours in upper are only 11:00 to 1:00 if I remember correctly. Lower you can do any time of day.

Your 16-35 should be fine for the whole slot. I almost always use my 17-40, and get all the shots I want. There is not much call for Telephoto in the canyon.

For either one, you'll want a tripod. Your shots will be very limited without. I would recommend doing upper or lower antelope, but if you have more time in the area, Waterholes canyon is worth a look. Not as extensive of a narrows, but you'll have the place to yourself for $5 and a short hike.

We visited last summer and in the lower canyon the guides for the photo tours went opposite the larger groups and were proactive in making sure that we had clear shots free of people. The upper canyon was so full that you really had to work to find clear space with or without a guide. The guided tour just gives you more time to try and capture that open space. Maybe it will be better in September than in June.

I would not change lenses in the canyon, the dust can get bad at times. I would take the widest angle lens you have, set your light balance to cloudy day. Tripods are available for rent. Maybe consider renting a 16-35 2.8 if you don't want to go the tripod route. Wife used a canon g16 that guide tuned for her and she got one of my favorite shots

The tour guides pay for a spotter to sit up stream (20 miles) of the canyon so they know if flood waters are moving that way and will clear the canyon rapidly. If they tell you to get out, get out.

If in Page area for two weeks and you can hike the 3 miles across open desert I highly recommend trying to get out to the wave. It is limited use with only 20 people per day allowed where you enter a lottery for passes but if you are going to be there that long you have a good shot of getting in and it is an incredible piece of geology. All five of us applied for 5 different days so we had 25 total applications and one of us were lucky enough to get drawn. There is a lottery daily at the BLM office in Kanab if all else fails. It isn't an easy hike in June but I saw some people out there with the few guides that have permits to sell and the guides got some people out there and back that weren't in very good physical shape.

https://www.blm.gov …oyote_buttes/pe​rmits.html


Day trips to Zion and Bryce are possible from Page. North rim of grand canyon is even closer. We did a day trip to Monument Valley from there too.

That whole area is full of photo ops. Horseshoe Bend is another must stop spot in Page. If you do get some thunderstorms they can produce some great shots on their approach with the range of colors between the desert and the sky. Enjoy your trip. I would go back there often if I could.

some pics from our trip here. we didn't do Bryce this time. The Narrows at Zion are great. I just wish I would have had time to wait on the light and use a tripod instead of shooting everything hand held trying to keep up with wife and kids hiking. Started in Colorado so bottom of Page 1 is where Zion, Wave picture start.

https://www.flickr.com …/albums/7215767​0699677486

Photo from g8trgr8t's gallery.
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Photo from g8trgr8t's gallery.
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Photo from g8trgr8t's gallery.
Image hosted by forum (821721)

I went on the Dixie Ellis photog's tour and they did an amazing job. I tipped well

I changed lenses a few times, too many times. Its my really, really bad habit. Definitely a 16-35mm is the one to have and maybe a rental of 2nd body next time to avoid changing lenses would save me the cleaning expense alone

So jealous. Just got back from a recent trip to Sedona and Grand Canyon. We were planning to drive to Slots but were warned off by heavy rains and rain mixed with snow. Oh well I guess I'll just have to do it again.

Al