5D MK II ready for Bryce

<p>I've researched as much as I can and I think I am ready for Bryce Canyon in mid-March (coming from Ireland). I have a Canon 17-40mm and a 24-105mm on a 5D II, do those sound like I will be covered? Also, I am coming from Salt Lake City in Utah, can anyone tell me if I will need to rent a 4-wheel drive truck or can I get by with a car in mid March? Any other advice?<br>

Thank you for any help.</p>

<p>I went in early April a few years back and did not have any issues with a car. It was very cold, especially early in the morning so come prepared in terms of clothing. This is not to say that you might not have a late winter snow (good for pictures!) but I would still go with a front wheel drive car.<br>

I used my 17-40 alot and the 24-105 will help you isolate to some extent. I also enjoyed using a longer focal length to isolate some of the hoodoo's even further. This was only for a small percentage of shots. Bring a tripod obviously especially for some of the early morning and late evening shots. I really enjoyed hiking down through the park. One of my best life memories was watching the sun come up with my 10 year old daughter. Bryce is relatively compact compared to most of our national parks. If you have time include a visit to Zion which is not that far of a drive and is another amazing place. I hope you have a great trip!</p>

<p>You won't need a 4 wheel drive unless there is a lot of snow on the road. You can drive paved roads the entire way. I don't know what the roads are like at the moment since I live in Californai. You can find current road conditions at <a href="https://www.udot.utah.gov/public/ucon/f?p=100:pg:0:::1:T,V:1673,">this site</a>.</p>

<p>I personally like to have a telephoto with me fore some distant ladscapes. Most of the time that is a 70-200 F4 IS. But you should be able to get a lot with the 17-40 and 24-105. Bring a tripod. From what I have heard, Sunset point is best a sunrise while Sunrise point is best a sunset. I have been there only once and skys were partially cloudy at the time so I cannot confirm that. </p>

<p>Peter, if you have time, and I hope you do, I second the recommendation for Zion np. it is about 2 hours away and stunning, check out a website citrusmilo.com/zionguide/ it is pretty good and I believe there is some stuff on Bryce as well. Hope you have as much fun as I did.</p>

<p>Peter, photographing the slot canyons is largely a matter of technique more than lenses or camera. Keep your ISO low, control your aperture carefully, and stick with long exposures that capture what is often low light expect for a strong beam of sunshine coming down through the slot above. Bring your tripod, and create multiple exposures that bracket around your estimates.</p>

<p> I agree with the previous posts. I would bring a 2 stop ND grad too. How are you flying from Ireland?</p>

<p>I second Steven's point about the value of a longer lens in Bryce. Many of my best shots were taken with the 70-200/4. If I had to choose one lens, it would be the 24-105. If I had to choose two lenses, they would be the 17-40 and the 70-200. My best shots were at sunrise and sunset, when the lighting is magical. Tripod is a must, of course. A three-lens kit plus tripod is no biggie for rim photography since you are a short walk from the car. Valley hikes are easy, but all that equipment starts to weigh on you after a while... At least it won't be hot in March.</p>

 

<p>Hmm Thought I'd posted this this morning, but apparently not.</p>

<p>It really doesn't matter what other people's personal experience has been on the weather. Bryce is close to 9000 feet high and the weather is unpredictable in spring. I've been there in April in enough snow to close the access road to all but the most popular viewpoints. You might need 4wd and given that you won't know one way or the other at the time of booking your car, that means you do need it unless you really want to take a risk of travelling all that way and missing what you went for. And there's a difference between the sort of "toy" awd that they put on some vehicles and a proper switchable 4wd with low ratio. In other words there's a difference between vehicles like a Range Rover and a Honda CVR, just to provide a meaningful example. I'd also suggest you explore the issue of chains, whether they may be mandatory if its snowy on the access roads; whether your rental company allow you to fit them; whether they can supply them, and how to fit them. </p>

<p>I would also agree with those that say you'll be best off with a longer lens as well as wider options. In reality you'll be done with views of the amphotheatre in about 15 minutes after sunrise- the light changes very quickly. And to catch the very first light on the hoodoos as well as picking out nicely lit details along the rim, a longer lens is more than useful. I also agree with the grad , especially for the 24-105. </p>

<p>I wouldn't be caught dead there without a 70-200, isolating some of those landscapes are great</p>

<p>Living in Utah and having been to Bryce in winter and spring too many times to count, here are some additional tips.<br /> <br /> Have warm gloves, with liners. If you have a metal tripod, it will be cold and you will be glad for gloves, perhaps even a pocket warmer.<br /> <br /> Have a spare battery. The cold can affect battery life fairly dramatically.<br /> <br /> Snow is still possible in mid-March but nothing that a good AWD vehicle such as a Subaru can't handle. Unless you actually plan on going off road, a 4WD truck is not necessary.<br /> <br /> If you drive down I-15 from Salt Lake and cross over to Bryce via Highway 20, and Panguitch, Utah, watch your speed. The area around Panguitch is a speed trap with the local police driving unmarked black SUVs.</p>

<p>maybe pick up a EF 70-200mm f/4 L. Cheap ($500 used), lightweight, and an amazing lens to add to the telephoto end of your already great kit. These 3 lenses will give you great covereage for most anything. Or maybe a macro, you never know what kind of plants or small stuff you'll come across.</p>

<p>Thank you all very much for the really great suggestions. I really appreciate it and will have a much better trip as a result. I am really looking forward to this! I wonder if I'm allowed to post the results here when I get back?</p>

<p>Thanks again everyone, to answer in a little more detail I am flying from Shannon, Ireland to Atlanta and then to Salt Lake City. The mention of renting a car is exactly correct as I need to decide on a car or 4-wheel drive beforehand to reserve the vehile in Salt Lake City. I will be driving down from Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon.<br>

It sounds like I need to get my hands on a 70-200mm for a little longer reach as I really would like to get some closer detail of the hoodoos so I will figure that out.</p>

<p>I'm sorry you have to go into Atlanta. That airport is a disaster. Good Luck.</p>

<p>The 1.4x teleconverter is a useful accessory and works well with the 70-200/4IS. I also tried the 2x version but I thought that too much sharpness was given up, so I returned it for the 1.4x and have been very happy with it.</p>