Camera Equipment for hiking redeux

[CaraRose]

I did a post a ways back asking about what people they took with hiking. I'm down to a month now before Colorado, and I think I've whittled it down to what I want where.

300mm f/4 L IS
1.4x TC
Tamron 18-270 (rental)
Sigma 8-16 (first time rental, if for some reason I don't like it, I'll go with my Tokina 12-24)
Extension tube set.
Monopod (I'm so used to using it as a walking stick, I think I'd feel funny without it.), with ball head.
Lightweight tripod, I'm going to share the ball head between it and the monopod.

I'm sort of sad to leave my 24-105 L behind, but the range, versatility, and lighter weight of the 18-270 makes it worth the IQ sacrifice. And it is a nice, nifty little lens.

I've started using a modular belt system and love it. I carry all my lenses on it, and am trying to jury rig a water bottle holder with a carbiner clip to be a holster for my tripod. I think I might get it to work. I'll add a typical lightweight daypack for non-photo related gear.

I'm also going to rent the 50-500mm OS for shorter walks around the campground and for car viewing. But I think it'll be a bit heavy for hiking (AKA-- trying to haul my large, flatlander butt up a mountain).

Can't wait. Hope I don't spend the first three days on my back with altitude sickness.

[ksbryan0]

Looks like you'll be ready for most anything you run into. What part of Colorado will you be visiting?

[CaraRose]

Looks like you'll be ready for most anything you run into. What part of Colorado will you be visiting?

We're going to be camping in Rocky Mountain NP for six days, then drive to Black Canyon of the Gunnison for two, then head down and drive the San Juan Skyway, stay two days in Mesa Verde, then finish the skyway loop. Two weeks total. I can't wait.

[ksbryan0]

Sounds like a great trip, you will have some outstanding photo op's of things you don't normally see in Chi-town!

[Loupey]

Sounds like you have everything covered from 8mm to 500mm.

I'm sort of sad to leave my 24-105 L behind, but the range, versatility, and lighter weight of the 18-270 makes it worth the IQ sacrifice. And it is a nice, nifty little lens.

Interesting. I've not tried any of the current super zooms. Definitely let us know how that one performs out in the field.

How are you going to store 2 weeks worth of files? Taking your laptop with you or a hyperdrive or a bunch of memory cards?

Have a great time. Two weeks in the wilderness sounds great to me!

[CaraRose]

Sounds like you have everything covered from 8mm to 500mm.



Interesting. I've not tried any of the current super zooms. Definitely let us know how that one performs out in the field.

How are you going to store 2 weeks worth of files? Taking your laptop with you or a hyperdrive or a bunch of memory cards?

Have a great time. Two weeks in the wilderness sounds great to me!

I'll have my laptop. I'm also going to have a bunch of SD cards, 2 16gb, 1 8gb, 2 4gb, and about 5 or 6 2gbs.

It should be fun, we're meeting old friends of my mom's we usually meet in Michigan. They moved to Texas a few years ago and thought maybe we should meet a little closer this year, which worked out well since my future niece is set to be born in August when we normally meet them in MI, so we wouldn't make it this year.