chrisalmerini

<p>As some who lives fairly close to the park and travels their often...The longest lens I have used there is 200-400 and at times it was too much. The vast numbers of people in the Cades Cove area along with Cataloochee make the big animals (deer, elk, bear) rather in different to people so you can approach to a safe legal distance. The Elk at Cataloochee you could shoot with nothing longer than 100mm at times while they graze in the pasture lands.<br>

Remember it will be hot and humid most likely during your visit- early am and almost dusk is when you should expect to see wildlife.<br>

As for waterfalls, July is probably the least optimum time- rain is scarce and flow is down. Wildflowers may make macro your best bet but it really depends on the amount of rain we have had.<br>

My advice is prepare for wide-angle landscapes 10-30mm, macro lens and then may be one long lens say 100-400 or 70-300.<br>

Good luck!</p>

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<p>Check out the Think tank line of products. I use the lens changers for my 3 lenses and then the digital holster 40 for D300 with 12-24 attached. All of this fits inside a Dueter Futura 42 pack that is designed for weekend hikes. I can strap a Gitzo 2530 Tripod with Kirk Ball head on the outside too!<br>

The difference with hiking packs versus photo backpacks is weight. The Deuter pack is less than 3.5 lbs empty. Most photo backpacks capable of holding similar equipment plus tripod all weight 6-7 lbs empty.<br>

The hiking packs really fit better too. Think about it...Designed for long hikes with loads. The photo backpacks are okay for short walks but for me I go anywhere from 3-15miles in a day with my camera stuff plus food and water with a total pack weight of about 14-17 lbs. With a photo backpack that easily would be 22-28 lbs.<br>

Osprey and Dueter along with others really make nice lightweight packs that can be easily adapted for us photographers.<br>

If you are really set on a belt system- Think Tank is the way to go. All the parts I have can easily go on their speed belt too for local opportunities too.<br>

Chris</p>

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<p>As a North Carolinian...I will take a stab at this.<br>

Grandfather Mountain is an outstaning place to photograph. Google the late Hugh Morton, owner of Grandfather Mountain (recently sold to State of NC), for many ideas. Remember this is a public park that charges an entrance fee- lots of people will be visiting the area. So time of day is key- get there early or stay late. Most people visit from 10am-4pm. All along the Blue Ridge Parkway leading up to the area at Blue Ridge Parkway and Hwy221 many overlooks and sightlines of the mountain. It is really going to be up to you- to pick one you like best. I like most of the area north of the mountain. Especially areas close to Lin Cove Via duct. Check out the website for Grandfather Montain- they recently held their photo contest weekend/workshop- lots of good shots. The animal habitats can be okay but again lots of people if it is mid day. My suggestion is the following areas- along the park are near the entrance losts of wildflowers and rhododenrons (possible blooms right now), then off the hiking trails near the summit. The rangers on Grandfather Mountain are very helpful but prepare for some hiking- some trails include ladders and extreme conditions to navigate.<br>

Now on to Linville Falls...The best stop for a full view of the upper and lower falls is from across the gorge at a standard lookout (I do not remember the name) it is may be a 15-20 minute hike- not difficult, My best guesss is than you need to be there in the afternoon- I just cannot remember. There is lots of glare off the rocks, so please confirm it. Do not miss Dugger's Creek right off the main parking lot- very neat small waterfall. A hike to the bottom can be good, I have not the best image from down there. Water levels in the river can make it is extremely difficult to get close enough. We have had significant rain in the last week- 5-8 inches.<br>

A good source for NC Waterfalls is in the book by Kevin Adams. He has written a guide to all waterfalls in NC- very good book with lots of specific information for photographers. I strongley recommend it- available all over.<br>

Good luck and let me know if I can be more of assistance. I go often and live about 2 hours away, so I just know where to be without much thought but not easy to describe to someone.</p>

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<p>I just got one via B&H. Backorder took about 7-8 days. Love it!</p>

<p>I have reviewed the trifold manual that came with the software and I am still confused. Does anyone have experience with this software and would be able to suggest starting settings for using the program? Which sliders produce better results and which ones to leave alone? I reallly like the Silver Efx software from Nik but this one is a lot more difficult to use. I may just stick with CS3 sharpening or unsharpening.<br>

Any help would be greatly appreciated!<br>

Thanks!</p>

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<p>Remember it also has a lot to do with the lens you attach. Are you willing to spend the money for the D300 and fast glass lens?</p>

<p>As someone who lives down the mountain from that area (80 miles or so)...Conditions on the parkway in that general area are always more extreme. We have been experiencing early cold and snow this year with the high country of NC having several snow storms already. The Grandfather Mountain area is always accessable by state roads if the parkway is closed. By traveling to the area from the Blowing Rock/Boone area you almost come underneath the via duct along HWY 221. Grandfather Mountain is off this route. Also slightly further down the parkway is Linville Falls- great spot! It can be accessed off the parkway as well. If parkway is closed try going in from the National Forest parking lot and then down the trail to the falls. A little longer walk, but still able to get to where you need to be.<br>

And of course like the previous post- call the Park information phone for up to date information. Conditions change quickly up there.<br>

Good Luck!</p>

 

Buy the Thom Hogan D300 guide and read it rather than your manual. Shoot in RAW and forget about the Jpeg file add on. This is so redundant and eats memory on your CF cards. Battery life is excellant and an upgrade. I have had very little trouble from auto WB setting- much improved over previous cameras but not up to D3. This should not be an issue. I keep my EV value at -.67 for most situations. Good luck!

Just left Asheville and WNC this morning, several gas stations are still out and those with gas are limiting the amount you can purchase. My suggestion is to still come but get gas when you can and do not go below a 1/2 tank- there is some distance between stations out towards the Cades Cove area. Be prepared for gas prices to be $3.90 or so in metro Asheville and $4.04plus in the more remote areas. A positive is that many folks are staying away due to this issue. Leaves are turning and color is being seen. Good Luck!

Now that you solved that issue- only shoot in RAW. What are you doing with the JPEGs? Eating up memory on your compact flash!

Having bought a D80 instead of the D200 my suggstion is to buy the D300. Trust what others are saying from their experiences- I love my D300 and the D90 with the 'movie' capabilty does nothing for me. To get my D300 I had to suffer first with the D80. D300 is worth the extra cash. Chris

I have the Nikon17-55 and love it. You may hear that it is a bit big on the D300- I have no such issue. You are in luck for a book to purchase- very easy choice: D300 Complete Guide by Thom Hogan. Only available thu his website- well worth the money. Nikon should pay you to buy this since the manual with the camera is substandard. Good luck and buy the good glass for your camera!

I recomend the longer micro or macro lenses. The 105 Micro that I have just seems always too close for what I need - flowers, bugs, etc...Remember a lot of what you see with insects occurs in a controlled environment. The Tamron 180 Macro will save you some money over the Nikon 200 Micro but the Nikon 200 is outstanding. Working distance should be the key for you. Chris

To balance out some of the ideas listed...I have not used a ND filter (costly and still may not produce sharp enough images) to get the silky smooth effect- polarizer is a must becasue any 'reflective' spots on wet rocks needs to minimized. Tripod use becasue it will require long shutter times. Something not mentioned here is make sure you shooting in manual or aperture priority mode in the LOWEST ISO you have which will force shutter speeds to slow. AND probably the most important part- get there when the light is right. It will save you all that money you could spend on ND filters. There is no substitute for this- early morning or really late in the evening. I prefer early morning as in before sunrise and then be set up waiting for the least amount of light. Your camera will be able to adapt. Also remember rocks act like giant reflectors of light. Another key is to inlcude less of the sky above the waterfall since this area usually is full of bright light and will cause metering issues in your camera or the 'highlight blinkies'. Look around this site for photos and ask for what the camera settings were- should help too. Chris<div></div>

One thing to consider- shoot RAW only. What are you going to do with the JPEG??? My battery goes and goes and still goes. Get rid of the JPEG that is your overkill! Free up some memory.

The only question left is when is it shipping to you! Another 50% shooter with that lens- I carried it today for 6 miles while hiking-it is worth it!

Mike, I hike with this kit all the time- D300, Nikon 17-55 f/2.8, 70-200 VR f/2.8 and a Gitzo CF Tripod all inside a Dueter Pack. 2 large bottles of water and camera accessories- battery, 3 filters 77mm, & misc memory and cleaning stuff. My total pack weight is somewhere close 18lbs. Just did Grandfather Mountain (8 miles round trip) in the summer with no trouble and I am a big guy. Why take all the time and effort to reach a special place and not have the best equipment with me? By the way the 70-200 is used more than any other lens for me right now. My ultra light kit for fast hiking and set up is D300 with Nikon 18-200VR, batteries, filters & tripod. Possible alternative to the 70-200 lenses is the 50-150 out there- no idea how good. Stay away from Tamron 28-300! Good luck Chris

Suprise- I have both and have used them on a D80 & now the D300. I bought the 80-200 a few years ago when the 70-200 VR was out of my price range but then my needs changed and I bought the 70-200 VR. The needs changing part was I had the opportunity to shoot at multiple locations in low light where the use of a tripod was not allowed. The D80 high ISO performance was not up to par. I bought the 70-200 VR to adjust for the short comings. Well the final analysis is that I spent almost $2500 when I should have spent only $1600 on the 70-200VR- 1st pruchase. This is sort of like tripods- save and buy the right one. I continue to have both but 90% of the time the 70-200 VR is my choice. The 80-200 is sharp but just lacks the VR flexabilty.

While I have not used my D300 on a bear photo shoot I have used it on a raptor shoot using similar lenses. I have not had any issues in firing off 500+ images in a morning shoot and still having enough battery power left to complete the day. I use 2 batteries per day without and trouble, 3 would provide extra level of comfort. The batteries for the D300 (Nikon brand) are excellant. Battery power is really consumed in looking at the LCD many times to review images longer than the post shutter release review time.

I have searched and still cannot find excactly what I am interesting in...I have had a professional lab print several fine

art prints on Hahnemule Rag Paper and the results are outstanding. I am looking at expanding this offering of fine art

prints but my costs at the professional lab are very high per image. I have talked with many folks about printing at

home with Cannon or Espon ink jet printers with the photo rag paper. My questions are: If I do not use the printer

every day what kinds of issues can I expect? Other concerns I should have? Will the quality of the ink degrade sitting

in the printer from not being used? I am preparing for a gallery show and would require 15 prints (13x19 seems to be

a very good size for me) and then may be print 10 a month as I need. Most of my work is landscape photography.

Your ideas on things to consider will be very appreciated. Thanks!

Lost my connection...here is the photo from Liville Falls<div></div>

This from the bottom of Linville Falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway just after sunrise and the rays chase up the river towards the falls.

Glad to hear it has been working well. The weather is and has been great. I am off to hike Grandfather Mountain on the 3rd. I'll be on the grandfather trail with my camera and backpack. Come back to this great place soon.

Lin Cove Via Duct along the BRPW south of Boone/Blowing Rock...<div></div>

As someone who frequently visits the area and lives only 1 hour away here is a very short list: Any where in the Lin Cove Viaduct area around Grandfather Mountain drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway has several great overlooks right there outside your car. The mountains off in the distance like Tablerock add to the photos. Moses Cone Park just outside Boone again on the parkway- large old manor house with fairly decent views with easy access. .My best locations would south on the parkway from Boone toward Linville. They will work well for either sunrise or sunset depending on which way they face -east of west of the crest of the Blue Ridge. Roan Mountain in TN just a short drive from Boone is great- a "Bald Style Mountain Top" is really easy to get to. Search this website for many photos of the area. I'll find one from a sunrise and post in minute for you. I am off to Linville Falls in the morning for sunrise in the gorge...Good Luck and welcome to NC! Make sure you eat at Stories Grill in Blowing Rock a great place to eat and then off to Kilwins for ice cream or fudge. Chris in Winston Salem NC