I Am Going to the Grand Canyon Soon. What Two Lenses Should I Bring With?

[NickTrop]

Of this list of available lenses, for a visit for a few days to the Grand Canyon, if you could pick 2 (two) -- and only 2 (two), which two (2) would you choose for a full frame Nikon digital body?

1. Tokina 17-35 F4 ATX
2. Sigma 24/2.8 Ultrawide II AF
3. Nikon 28-80 G 3.3-5.6
4. Nikon 35/2 AF-D
5. Nikon 50/1.4 AF-D
6. Micro Nikkor 55/3.5 AI
7. Nikon 85/1.8 G
8 Imado (Tokina?) 135/2.8 AI
9. Nikon 70-210 4-5.6 AF-D
10. Nikon 80-200/4.5 AI
11. Nikon 200/4 AI

Please state the reason you would pick these two (2) lenses. Thank youse.

 

[Swift1]

Based on my lens use the last time I was at the Grand Canyon, my choice would probably be the 17-35 zoom and the 85/1.8
A short tele is really nice to have there.

 

[Axel]

17-35 and 28-80

 

[ktmrider]

28-80 and 70-200

 

[Phil_F_NM]

The micro nikkor and the 80-200.
50mm used to be the gold standard for field of view and general purpose lenses. That micro nikkor is also awesome at infinity. And there is a LOT to take very close photos of at the grand canyon, not just the big depression in the earth.
The 80-200 is your landscape lens for picking out the way light hits the rocks. Or if you want to photograph the ravens having fun over the Abyss
Phil Forrest

 

[NickTrop]

Huh. Interesting.

 

[raid]

I took many photos in the American Southwest, and I used mainly a 28-50 lens plus 24 and 17. I used at times also 80-200.

 

[Mackinaw]

We were there a few years back. The most used lenses on my M240 were a 21mm and a 90mm.

Jim B.

 

[NickTrop]

The short tele options surprise me.

 

[julio1fer]

I visited Grand Canyon. You can do it all with just a normal lens if you want, there is no shortage of subjects and possibilities.

If you want two lenses, a medium wide-angle, 28 or 35mm, and a short tele would do the job well. If you have zooms it will help in your composition, but do not forget the weight factor.

You will want the telephoto to capture landscape features, flying condors, sunset color among other possibilities. No need for very large apertures, unless you bring slow film.

Remember the weight factor, you will probably have to walk a lot and somehow that bag weighs more as the day progresses.

 

[helen.HH]

A woman’s perspective ... Seeing in primes
Sigma 24 2.8
Nikon 85 1.8

that would be my choice

 

[filmtwit]

If you had a 24-70mm, that would cover it pretty much by itself.
I'm assuming you have a full frame Nikon?

So . .

1. Tokina 17-35 F4 ATX

6. Micro Nikkor 55/3.5 AI

Or purchase this (used if you can find one)
https://www.amazon.com/Sigma-24-70mm-Standard-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001NEK2QO?th=1

 

[Swift1]

The short tele options surprise me.

My favorite photo that I took at the Grand Canyon was with a 150mm on a Bronica ETRSI.



Morning at The Grand Canyon by Colton Allen, on Flickr

 

[Ko.Fe.]

1 and 9. One takes it wide, another squeeze perspective.

 

[raid]

For many years, my two main lenses were 28-50 and 80-200.

 

[NickTrop]

Awesome suggestions. I'm more confused than ever.

 

[Steevo]

Polarizing filter to fit all lenses.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

If you limit yourself to only one lens, you'll take more photos and swap lenses less, also. 😎
I grew up in the southwest and trying to get it all in, in one photo just doesn't work. The sky is too big, the earth is too grand. Both have too many colors to capture in a frame. For years the only lens I owned was a 50mm f/1.7 SMC-M attached to a Pentax ME Super. I think I had that camera about ten years before all the new shiny stuff got to me and I had to buy it. I took that tiny Pentax backpacking, on road trips, vacations, to Navy weather school, around the world on my first deployment. I was never without it until I sold it to a fellow crew-member in 2000.
Tens of thousands of dollars later, here I am and my favorite lenses are my normals, with very few exceptions.
That said, I would have no problem taking just a 55mm micro-nikkor, camera body and a good tripod. On the northern side of the Sacramento Mountains the air is clean enough from light pollution, you can practically read a newspaper by the milky way. I exaggerate a little but it is really bright. That's just any clear night north of Flagstaff. Here in PA, we have to make camping reservations a year in advance at Cherry Springs and then hope the weather cooperates. I say the 55mm micro nikkor for a little astrophotography because it's the only flat field lens with almost zero coma you have on the list.
I'm rambling, sorry. Wishing I was traveling.

Phil Forrest

 

[shimokita]

From your list...

It depends on if you are hiking in the canyon or just shooting from the rim. But assuming you walk down at least a little, I would take:

№ 6. Micro Nikkor 55/3.5 AI, always nice to have a macro as the canyon is alive and shooting digital you don't need the fastest lens in the dry cabinet.

№ 7. Nikon 85/1.8 G, I would prefer a longer reach... Maybe for some twilight shots from the edge. The next full moon is 19-May or 17-June-2019.

Definitely PL filters, maybe a 2-3 stop hard ND Grad and a tripod.

 

[nikon_sam]

I'm agreeing with a lot of what's been said already...
I would only add that to take your sharpest wide angle lens and the Nikon 80mm sounds good too...if you can throw in a tripod...