eric_washburn

Just returned from the Yellowstone trip. As was noted prior to the trip by others, this year's snowfall was heavy; though most of the main roads were open, hiking in many spots would have been difficult and probably somewhat unproductive, and the bears seemed unusually prevalent--another reason to not hike into the wilderness alone. So I had a Kinesis system but used it little, mostly relying on the presence of small crowds with big lenses or spotting scopes as an indication of when to stop. But I do think that Kinesis, or something like it, would be extremely useful in locations like the Corkscrew Refuge boardwalk--distributing weight more comfortably. I did see one photographer in Yellowstone, just arrived, who used such a system near the Madison interchange to spend a long time on the boardwalk there, taking photos of bison. The BLUBB (Big Lens Ultimate Beanbag), filled with 15 pounds of pinto beans, while used infrequently to support shots from a car window, also worked well, though it would have been easier if someone else were driving and I could have kept it semi-permanently stationed on top of the passenger side window.

Oops, of course that's a Kirk.

Following Craig's recommendation, I've decided on a mostly Kinesis system, enough in advance to have a couple weeks to practice with it. I won't be hiking substantial distances but will have a rain cover to pull over the belt system if a sudden shower comes up. I have a medium-size Gitzo with a Kird ballhead which, with the Wimberley Sidekick just ordered from www.birdsasart.com (along with the Blubb, a large over-the-window beanbag-type stabilizer) should accommodate the 300/2.8. Thanks to everyone for your many thoughtful suggestions, and I'll report back in late May on how this system worked.

Thanks again, Glenn. For all who are traveling there, here's a link to more Yellowstone information; note that there are forums for Yellowstone and non-Yellowstone photography: http://www.yellowstone.net/forums/index.php?sid=f9f5e5b7b90fa0fa8d13aa79b3993cc0

Thanks, Glenn, that's very useful information. I've been looking at wunderground.com for Yellowstone weather, but there's nothing about the snowpack, and it's certainly an important consideration. I think the gear list may be getting shorter.

Thanks for your help, guys. Kinesis carries a couple of lens cases for the 300 (E870 would probably be best) which go on its belt system, but, as Alan noted, all the other stuff may be too much to pack onto a belt.

I'll be at Yellowstone/Grand Teton for a week in mid to late May and expect to

do some moderate (2-3 miles/day) hiking. I'm taking a 300/2.8 lens, 1.4 and 2x

teleconverters, two or three other (smaller) lenses, a couple of DSLRs, flash

and Better Beamer, and a moderate-size tripod with ball head and Wimberley

sidekick. Would I be better off with a photo vest such as the Khumbu from

www.vestedinterest.com or a belt system from Kinesis? I already have some

Kinesis gear. Also--anyone have experience with the Blubb for taking photos

from inside a car? Thanks for your suggestions.

Yes, that baseplate can be difficult to get off. Just try to feel the top edge (the edge farthest from the big end of the lens) of the baseplate through the leather and rock it back and forth to break whatever air seal may be keeping it on.

After destroying an expensive UV filter which had gotten stuck on a lens, I bought some dedicated filter wrenches, in two sizes. They come in pairs, one of which grips the lens and the other turns the filter. Here's a link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=filter+wrench&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

It might also be the charger. At one point the charger which came with my 20D showed that the battery was fully charged, but it wasn't.

This might work, though it would not protect against dropping your gear in the water: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/17346-REG/Ewa_Marine_CAF_C_AF_Hurricane_Photo_Rain.html

My 20D had what I thought were battery problems last year, so I bought a new battery. Turned out the problem was the original Canon charger. It's possible that it's indicating that your battery is charged when it isn't.

Today I received from Canon a 24mm/1.4 that had banged around a little too much in its soft case, dislodging the Auto/Manual Focus switch, though AF still worked. I had bought the lens on Ebay. Service Details: "Replaced A/M switch ass'y, fixed barrel ass'y & adjusted focus check all cleaned." There was no charge. Incredible.

Many thanks for your responses.

Anyone have experience with scanning 6x17 on the Microtek 120tf?

The manufacturer's site only lists up to 6x9, but the holder would

appear to accommodate 6x17. Software limitation?