Vacation to Scottsdale and Grand Canyon - Advice Requested re activities and gear

[david.elliott]

Hello all,

My girlfriend and I will be taking a vacation to Scottsdale, Arizona and the Grand Canyon in the not too distant future -- likely early May.

So, I have a few questions for all of you. But, first, you should know that I am not an experienced traveler at all. So any tips and advice, no matter how trivial they may seem to you, would be greatly appreciated by me.

We hope to have this vacation last for about a week, 5-7 days, and would like to fit in as many photography related activities as possible while leaving some time for relaxing. I am blessed to have a girlfriend who is also an avid photographer. We have the following activities presently on the books: visiting the Grand Canyon, doing some desert sunrise and sunset photos, and also visiting the petrified forest. As budget is always a useful bit of info in these threads, we anticipate having about $800 each as an 'activity budget' remaining after airfare and hotel. Budget could be increased slightly if there is something that we really cannot miss (I will just work more overtime).

Are there any other photo opportunities / activities that we should look into? Any particular tours, guides, outfits, charters, etc that are worthwhile? Plane rides over the Grand Canyon or something? I have never been to the southwest at all.

I think your recommendations as to the above are probably most important, but I wouldn't mind getting some advice as to what equipment to bring as well. I have a few options at my disposal and I am hoping to avoid having to purchase any new gear for this vacation.

I mainly do macro work, which you can see by looking at my website (www.renderedinsilver.com). On the digital side of things, I mainly use my om-d and a macro lens. Any particular reason to bring a macro lens on this trip? My guess is no. The only other lens I have for that camera is the 100-300mm panasonic zoom. My only other digital option (other than iphone) is my rx100.

On the film front I have a leicaflex sl2 with 50/2, leica mp with 28/2.8 asph, hasselblad with 50/80/100 lenses, and a rolleiflex 2.8d.

I have a billingham hadley pro which does not fit a great deal of equipment. I don't have any other bags. So, I guess it is somewhat good insofar as it forces me to travel light. My travel tripod is a gitzo traveler. It is great, but I don't think it is strong enough for the hasselblad.

Is it worth buying a red filter for some dramatic skies? I've only ever used UV filters on my lenses and sometimes a yellow filter with the rolleiflex... not sure that a yellow filter would work well in the desert though.

Anybody have a good shoulderpad solution for the billingham bags? I don't think that the actual billingham shoulderpad that they sell is not particularly comfortable.

Any insight or advice regarding what equipment will be best suited to this trip would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for answering all of my myriad of questions!

-David

 

[david.elliott]

Quick follow-up regarding gear options.

I will, of course, take my billingham bag and my gitzo traveler tripod. I think this probably rules out the hasselblad, unfortunately, given the size of the tripod I'm using. I don't want to lug around my larger manfrotto 190xprob with 410 geared head (it weighs a LOT).

I think that the combinations of gear that make the most sense are probably:
(1) rolleiflex and one of the rx100 and om-d with 100-300
(2) mp with 28/2.8 and one of the rx100 and om-d with 100-300

My hunch is that the wide angle 28mm is better suited to the area. But, medium format sure is nice... I'm somewhat concerned about desert dust mucking up my rolleiflex and the 'impossible to clean without scratching the hell out of' maxwell screen. The hasselblad has always felt like the better camera for somewhat rougher environments. Tripod concerns aside, I think that a hasselblad and 50mm lens might get very heavy by the end of the day though. The leicaflex, which I kind of discounted above, is more or less indestructible which is comforting.

Just trying to think things through here.

 

[Al Patterson]

Stop in Jerome. It is an interesting town. Not as upscale as Sedona though. I liked Williams, and we took the "Rails to the Rim" train to the Grand Canyon. Up in Page is Antelope Canyon, but it may be the second most over photographed canyon in AZ.

I also hear Prescott is nice, but haven't been there yet...

 

[kxl]

If you've never been, then you should visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you have the time and are willing to spend a little (and if they are not fully booked yet), take the mule ride to the canyon floor.

Or take a half-day jeep ride on the canyon floor - book through Grand Canyon Jeep Tours

Mule rides from the South Rim can be reserved through:
Xanterra Parks & Resorts.

Call (303) 297-2757
or toll free (888) 297-2757,
or FAX (303) 297-3175,

or write to:
Xanterra Parks & Resorts,
6312 S Fiddlers Green Circle,
Suite 600N,
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Visit: www.grandcanyonlodges.com.

HAVE FUN!!!

 

[kxl]

This was from a couple of years ago at the West Rim.

 

[akptc]

Have you looked here?

 

[mike rosenlof]

I've hiked to the bottom twice and 2/3 of the way down on another occasion, camped two nights both times.

Once you get there, camping at phantom ranch is pretty nice, good water, flush toilets, picnic tables, you can buy beer and coffee at the ranch. It's like car camping with a really long walk from the car.

It's a different world at the bottom. The canyon actually looks much smaller there.

Don't push your fitness level, but if you can hike below rim, even just down a thousand feet in elevation or so, it's a great experience. Don't forget the south rim is over 6000 feet, and you've got to hike back up to get out! The park service has a lot of caution signs about hiking the canyon, but you don't have to be superman to have a good experience there, just be prepared and don't push your luck.

The cheapest rooms at the rim that Xanterra offers are pretty basic. You get a bed or two and a bathroom. That's about it. Maybe a TV. You might not like them if you plan to spend a lot of time in your room, but that's not the usual reason of staying there. It's nice to stay at one of the rim places because you can make sunrise viewing more easily. I actually recommend it, just expect very basic.

Photography: the grand canyon is hard (IMHO) to photograph well. I have seen very few compelling landscapes of the canyon. It's just so big. You won't know how BIG it is until you get there. The wide angle lenses just make it look little and far away. Try lots of things. It's a challenge. Sunrise and sunset are the usual nice light times. My more successful photos have been smaller scale detail type things, you may do well with the macro.

 

[mike rosenlof]

some more thoughts. It tends to get hazy in the afternoon. Something to consider when you think about sunset vs. sunrise photos. You can always try a red filter to darken skies. You might also want to think about green or even blue to try and separate the colors of some of the rock layers better.

Early may is popular with the inner canyon hikers. That's about the nicest weather time at the bottom.

 

[JRminox]

There is no such thing as Jeep tours of the canyon in the National Park. As far as hiking down to the Phantom Ranch and staying there or even having lunch, it would be great but probably only if you plan to go next year, ditto for the mule rides. All these facilities are reserved well in advance, many a year in advance because the number of people admitted for overnight down the canyon is very limited.
One nice place to visit, photographically speaking, is the Antelope slot canyon in Page. The North Antelope canyon needs advanced reservations from the Navajo owners, the South part is usually accessible on demand. Your macro lens may find good use at the Petrified Forest Park. Scottsdale and Sedona are tourist traps although Sedona can have some interesting scenery.

 

[Chris101]

Hello all,

My girlfriend and I will be taking a vacation to Scottsdale, Arizona and the Grand Canyon in the not too distant future -- likely early May.

...

Are there any other photo opportunities / activities that we should look into? Any particular tours, guides, outfits, charters, etc that are worthwhile? Plane rides over the Grand Canyon or something? I have never been to the southwest at all.
...

I've got to ask, why Scottsdale and the Grand Canyon? Although they are both in Arizona, they are hundreds of miles away from each other.

Lots of stuff in between - Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Arcosanti, Montazumas Castle, Sunset Crater, Flagstaff, Williams and Route 66... Northern AZ is da bomb.

 

[kuzano]

Why Scottsdale

Why Scottsdale

Do you have reasons that lock you into Scottsdale. I only ask because Scottsdale is just another one of the communities around Phoenix. However, it happens to be the most upscale community in the area and very expensive, more-so than Phoenix itself.

Granted you are going to be in Tourist country throughout, but accommodations in Scottsdale will eclipse most of the sight seeing areas price-wise. Furthermore it offers nothing scenic. And, as mentioned it's a good near daylong drive to the Grand Canyon.

Otherwise, mentions of Jerome, Sedona, Oak Creek and Oak Creek Canyon are good and will take you through some beautiful country. Another quaint town is Prescott.

Obviously, the main draw to the area is Grand Canyon, so pay close attention here to comments about planning and registering ahead.

 

[david.elliott]

Stop in Jerome. It is an interesting town. Not as upscale as Sedona though. I liked Williams, and we took the "Rails to the Rim" train to the Grand Canyon. Up in Page is Antelope Canyon, but it may be the second most over photographed canyon in AZ.

I also hear Prescott is nice, but haven't been there yet...

Great suggestions!

I'm quite okay with over-photographed locations. Will put Antelope Canyon on the to do list. 🙂

Will reply to everybody else after dinner. Thank you so much to all of those who have replied so far. The community on this forum is the best.

 

[david.elliott]

If you've never been, then you should visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you have the time and are willing to spend a little (and if they are not fully booked yet), take the mule ride to the canyon floor.

Or take a half-day jeep ride on the canyon floor - book through Grand Canyon Jeep Tours

Mule rides from the South Rim can be reserved through:
Xanterra Parks & Resorts.

Call (303) 297-2757
or toll free (888) 297-2757,
or FAX (303) 297-3175,

or write to:
Xanterra Parks & Resorts,
6312 S Fiddlers Green Circle,
Suite 600N,
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Visit: www.grandcanyonlodges.com.

HAVE FUN!!!

Thanks for the links! I am really, really looking forward to the trip. 🙂

 

[david.elliott]

If you're staying at the Grand Canyon I hope you already have your reservations.

Ditto the train to the Canyon. I found Williams a bit too overdone.

Yeah, I need to try and find reservations asap. This week likely. Will keep my fingers crossed.

 

[david.elliott]

This was from a couple of years ago at the West Rim.

Nice photo! The birds make it seem a bit spooky - in a good way.

 

[david.elliott]

You can also stay the night at Phantom Ranch (canyon floor, just north of the the river) or reserve a dinner there. Hiking the canyon is not for the faint of heart, it will be hot by May midday and later. Do your homework and know your limitations.

I'm not a hiker really. I'm in decent shape, but hiking / running / jogging etc are not in my itinerary and have not been for some time. I'll probably skip the hiking down and up especially in what I assume will be rather uncomfortable heat.

 

[david.elliott]

Have you looked here?

I had not been to that site before. A lot of good information there! Thank you so much.

 

[david.elliott]

I've hiked to the bottom twice and 2/3 of the way down on another occasion, camped two nights both times.

Once you get there, camping at phantom ranch is pretty nice, good water, flush toilets, picnic tables, you can buy beer and coffee at the ranch. It's like car camping with a really long walk from the car.

It's a different world at the bottom. The canyon actually looks much smaller there.

Don't push your fitness level, but if you can hike below rim, even just down a thousand feet in elevation or so, it's a great experience. Don't forget the south rim is over 6000 feet, and you've got to hike back up to get out! The park service has a lot of caution signs about hiking the canyon, but you don't have to be superman to have a good experience there, just be prepared and don't push your luck.

The cheapest rooms at the rim that Xanterra offers are pretty basic. You get a bed or two and a bathroom. That's about it. Maybe a TV. You might not like them if you plan to spend a lot of time in your room, but that's not the usual reason of staying there. It's nice to stay at one of the rim places because you can make sunrise viewing more easily. I actually recommend it, just expect very basic.

Photography: the grand canyon is hard (IMHO) to photograph well. I have seen very few compelling landscapes of the canyon. It's just so big. You won't know how BIG it is until you get there. The wide angle lenses just make it look little and far away. Try lots of things. It's a challenge. Sunrise and sunset are the usual nice light times. My more successful photos have been smaller scale detail type things, you may do well with the macro.

I am looking forward to being absolutely floored by the scope of the canyon. Mother nature never ceases to impress me. Maybe telephoto compression would be a better fit than a wide angle. I guess I may as well bring the macro lens -- can't hurt. OMD and 60/2.8 are pretty light.

Have any photos to share from your trips?

 

[Rob-F]

Skip the red filter. A strong yellow, about Wratten #9, to a yellow-orange #12, will give plenty of drama. OK a straight orange if you must. But a red filter tends to make things look over-filtered, with too much contrast, and black skies. They can be used to make a scene shot in full daylight, appear as if taken at night! That's drama!

 

[david.elliott]

There is no such thing as Jeep tours of the canyon in the National Park. As far as hiking down to the Phantom Ranch and staying there or even having lunch, it would be great but probably only if you plan to go next year, ditto for the mule rides. All these facilities are reserved well in advance, many a year in advance because the number of people admitted for overnight down the canyon is very limited.
One nice place to visit, photographically speaking, is the Antelope slot canyon in Page. The North Antelope canyon needs advanced reservations from the Navajo owners, the South part is usually accessible on demand. Your macro lens may find good use at the Petrified Forest Park. Scottsdale and Sedona are tourist traps although Sedona can have some interesting scenery.

Tourist trap okay or tourist trap awful?