So,, how did the gear decisions work out West,,
D800 (Did everything super)
80-400 (30-40 shots)
20-35 2.8 (1000s of shots)
35-70 2.5 (< 1000 shots)
15 mm 3.5 (<1000 shots)
28 mm 2.8 ( 0 shots)
50 mm 1.8 ( around 100 shots)
60 mm macro ( around 100 macros, and a few landscape)
Manfrotta light triopod
So as you can see, the real workhouse of this trip was the Nikkor 20-35 2.8, it matches perfect for landscape photos. What I like about it is that while a serious lens, it really is not that large. Your hand fits perfectly on the lens, I would describe it a lot like the current 24-120 zoom in form factor. So, it ends up being the perfect walk around wide angle.
Another reason why the lens dominated the trip was the nature of the photos being landscape, and you just want to sweep in so much content. Surprising, I did one afternoon of Vegas people shooting, and I found this lens perfect for that mission. I thought, at first it would be the tele, but for walking the blvd, and sweeping the camera up for candids, the smaller setup was perfect.
The favorite lens continues to be the 15mm 3.5,, this is a magical lens. Takes wonderful pictures, Even without a polarizer, the sky is vivid blue (more than any other lens I own without a polarizer), yes you have to be careful about sunspots, but when you want that wide angle shot, vivid color, and great detail, this antique does not let you down. and again, it is small, I kept it in a lens pouch attached to my belt, and did not even notice it until needed.
Walking around on my hikes,, I traveled light with this setup
D800
15 mm
20-35, 35-50 (both with polarizers on)
in hindsight, I wish I had also brought my 75-150 series E (another great small lens)
Last year, I carried my D700 and D7000 and a lot more lens, while this time, I just brought my D800.
Verdict -> D800 carried the day! I took landscape, people, action, and night time, and it covered every image with zero fuss.
Mode,, 99% manual, a few times walking the Strip, I put into Auto when the condition was changing quicky, and I was snapping candids.
Now,, did it blow away my D700 from last year,, laughs Hardly, really, we are down to splitting hairs difference, except that now your technique has to be perfect or you can easily screw up shots with the D800. Of course, I give the edge to the D800, details are slightly slightly better. Nothing magically better, just slightly better.
Tripod -> Yes,, critical for the night shots, and Arches at sunset (wow there are a lot of tourist). I did not carry it during my day hikes, or use it for the candids.
So, except for bringing the small zoom (75-150), my gear mix was right.
D800 (Did everything super)
80-400 (30-40 shots)
20-35 2.8 (1000s of shots)
35-70 2.5 (< 1000 shots)
15 mm 3.5 (<1000 shots)
28 mm 2.8 ( 0 shots)
50 mm 1.8 ( around 100 shots)
60 mm macro ( around 100 macros, and a few landscape)
Manfrotta light triopod
So as you can see, the real workhouse of this trip was the Nikkor 20-35 2.8, it matches perfect for landscape photos. What I like about it is that while a serious lens, it really is not that large. Your hand fits perfectly on the lens, I would describe it a lot like the current 24-120 zoom in form factor. So, it ends up being the perfect walk around wide angle.
Another reason why the lens dominated the trip was the nature of the photos being landscape, and you just want to sweep in so much content. Surprising, I did one afternoon of Vegas people shooting, and I found this lens perfect for that mission. I thought, at first it would be the tele, but for walking the blvd, and sweeping the camera up for candids, the smaller setup was perfect.
The favorite lens continues to be the 15mm 3.5,, this is a magical lens. Takes wonderful pictures, Even without a polarizer, the sky is vivid blue (more than any other lens I own without a polarizer), yes you have to be careful about sunspots, but when you want that wide angle shot, vivid color, and great detail, this antique does not let you down. and again, it is small, I kept it in a lens pouch attached to my belt, and did not even notice it until needed.
Walking around on my hikes,, I traveled light with this setup
D800
15 mm
20-35, 35-50 (both with polarizers on)
in hindsight, I wish I had also brought my 75-150 series E (another great small lens)
Last year, I carried my D700 and D7000 and a lot more lens, while this time, I just brought my D800.
Verdict -> D800 carried the day! I took landscape, people, action, and night time, and it covered every image with zero fuss.
Mode,, 99% manual, a few times walking the Strip, I put into Auto when the condition was changing quicky, and I was snapping candids.
Now,, did it blow away my D700 from last year,, laughs Hardly, really, we are down to splitting hairs difference, except that now your technique has to be perfect or you can easily screw up shots with the D800. Of course, I give the edge to the D800, details are slightly slightly better. Nothing magically better, just slightly better.
Tripod -> Yes,, critical for the night shots, and Arches at sunset (wow there are a lot of tourist). I did not carry it during my day hikes, or use it for the candids.
So, except for bringing the small zoom (75-150), my gear mix was right.