acjtucson

<p>RG, thanks for posting those photo comparisons. The Lightroom ones do look a bit flat, more red and less detailed.</p>

<p>From Tucson you will be about 6 hrs from White Sands and then 6 hrs from Joshua Tree in the other direction. I think you have enough time to do both. Know it will be COLD at night. You'll easily see temps in the 30s and possibly the 20s if there is a cold front. I suggest you book over to White Sands and camp 1 or 2 nights. You can camp in the dunes. There is an area of Primitive campsites about 1/3-1/2 mile hike from the campsite area parking lot. First come first serve. Sign up at the Visitor Center for the closest one. That time of year you'll probably have the whole area to yourself. They set it up so that you cant see the other campsites from your site. They are separated by dunes. On your drive back to Tucson, drive through the Animas Valley in NM "Bootheel" area. Beautiful. Chiricahua Mountains are near there and have some very cool rock formations and hiking. In Tucson area I recommend you camp in Saguaro NP. Organ Pipe is beautiful as well but we could go on and on about safety concerns there. It is a popular area for drug smuggling. There have been no reports I know of about photogs or hikers being waylaid. But, I know some more senior Border Patrol agents who think I'm an idiot for going out there hiking around by myself taking photos. That includes some places 20 miles in from the border as well. They are quick to remind me that a lot of the violence that goes on along the border does not get reported in the press for 1 reason or another. From Tucson area you could head West to KOFA Wildlife Refuge. It is off the beaten path and beautiful. They have some gravel roads and you can basically just pull over and put up your tent. From there, Imperial Dunes(consider skipping if you go to White Sands-maybe just a driveby) and Joshua Tree are fairly close by. I think Anza Borrego offers more diverse scenery than Joshua Tree. If you have never been out there, you may want to spend 2 days in each. You have enough time to have a blast out there. <br>

Stay Warm.</p>

<p>I cast my vote for Mojave National Scenic Area. A quick drive down Interstate 15 in California. Spend the afternoon there and watch the sunset in a Joshua Tree forest on Cima Dome or at the Kelso Dunes. I think its about 90 minutes away. Valley of Fire and Red Rock are spectacular as well. You have plenty of options. </p>

<p>I think the campsites are open all year round. Check out NavajoNationparks.org. If you want to stay in style, treat yourself to a night at the relatively new View hotel right at the visitor center. It's a nice surprise. Good restaurant also. It has some traditional American fare but also some southwest and some Navajo dishes. I agree with the above. The road is a bit bumpy for a sedan but most visitors make it OK. An SUV would have no trouble. I dont think you'd need 4wheel drive unless it was very wet and muddy. I agree that driving around yourself is probably the best way to go, or at least to start out with. You'll love it. Try to get to Coal Mine Mesa outside Tuba City. You dont need a permit. It's spectacular. </p>

<p>Leave Vegas early. Stay late.</p>

<p>I used to live outside Tucson 3 miles from 77. I've driven the 77 route and Interstate route to Four Corners a number of times. There is no great time savings cutting thru Holbrook, as much as I love the little town. 77 is more scenic but the Interstate has some nice scenery too. Also, your average speed will probably be at least 15mph faster (if not 20) on the Interstate than the state routes. You know that since you are in a hurry, if you go off the Interstate, you'll get stuck behind every RV and semi between NM and Scottsdale. I vote Interstate. Good luck. </p>

<p>I was there the last two winters and each time got some great shots at the main "Flight Deck". I doubt one would be disappointed there. The above suggestion about the crane pools is an excellent idea. As for takeoff, be prepared. The first time I was there, and like a moron I changed a lens at the last minute and that was right when they all decided to take off. It was truly one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.<br>

By the way, it will be cold. Very cold.</p>

<p>Bisti badlands.</p>

<p>I would recommend that if you have never used slide film, don't start with this vacation. Practice at home. As for Mexico, you'll have a great time. Like any other place, be smart. Plan ahead. Research. The insurance policy idea is a good one. If you go to the wrong part of town, you could find yourself in trouble. Hopefully you aren't going to stay on the dark side of Tijauna or Juarez or Matamoros. Even if you did, you might get some pretty neat street shots. Maybe more of a photojournalism vacation.</p>

<p>Thanks, Peter.</p>

<p>I do appreciate the above input on different lens reviewers. How does one wade through the information and figure out who is credible and who is not? Do you learn from following one person's advice buying a lens you think is great because of the review and it turns out to be less than great and then you have your answer on credibility? That could be costly. Is there some sort of review on the lens reviewers?</p>

<p>Mark Esposito- Thanks much for the link to Bjorn's lens reviews. They are fantastic. I have looked at K. Rockwell's site and reviews also. Combining the two tells you everything you need to know about the quality of the lenses. Thanks again.</p>

<p>Thanks John. That is a little closer. I'll try them first.</p>

<p>Thanks for the lead.</p>

<p>I am relocating soon and wondering where to take Velvia Quickloads for processing and where to get stuff printed. I am interested in BW fiber prints in addition to the color. I saw a link to Calypso in Santa Cruz on a 2006 posting here. I'll check them out. Any other ideas?</p>

<p>Thanks for the input.</p>

<p>What gives? The last few times I have turned in some Velvia 50 Quickloads for processing to the local lab, in addition to the marks from the alligator clips, I now see a hole punched thru the image in one corner of the film. But not always. I asked the lab about it and they said it was not from their end. They thought it may be a batch marker. Any ideas or thoughts? I tried to contact Fuji but did not get far.</p>

<p>I suggest a photo tour of the Waffle House franchises. If that don't float yer boat, there's always Atchafalaya.</p>

<p>Leroy, there is a small camera store at the southeast corner of Oracle and Orange Grove in the strip mall. I forget the name. They have knowledgeable staff and do have DSLRs for sale. You may want to check it out. I think you could probably do better in price by finding something you like there and then going online and checking the prices at one of numerable reputable camera stores. Pima Community College also offers some good classes about digital photography. </p>

<p>JDM is right on. The rubber jar openers are great. They can usually be found at the local grocery store for about 1.99$ Great to keep in your camera bag.</p>

<p>Thanks, Bryan. That's good enough for me.</p>

<p>Has anyone stayed at the new hotel at Monument Valley? Good experience or ????</p>

<p>Definitely check out Salvation Mountain at Slab City. </p>

<p>I never said it would be fun. I said it would be an experience. And that it would. I think most anyone would have a better summer trip in Utah than Death Valley. But if you like to experience extremes of nature, Death Valley in summer is hard to beat. It's hotter than a goat's ass, as they say. I have been there 4-5 times in the summer over the last 20 years and never had any problems, except trouble sleeping at night because it was so dang hot. I have no beef with Utah. Southern Utah is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. I keep trying to convince my wife to move to Hanksville but no luck. </p>

<p>It's not a crazy idea at all. Don't listen to these milquetoasts :) . If you really want to experience the desert, what better time of year to go than when it is 115 degrees every day? It will make your pictures that much more memorable. Most of the sites people shoot at Death Valley are fairly close to the road and don't require long hikes. Though, if long hikes are your thing, there is ample opportunity for that in Death Valley.</p>