Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

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Jglaser757
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p.1 #1 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

I am taking a poll for another stupid question,,,SoRRY!

First time in Death Valley and Im looking forward to lots of photographs on the dunes.

I have a 5d Mk III and 5d Mk II. I dont want to change lenses in the field due to all the dust and dirt. SO, I thought I would keep both bodies handy with lenses attached. The 5d mk III is superior to the mk II(IMHO) and I have a choice of two lenses

Do you use telephoto more to sand dunes or wide angle.

I usually shoot wide angle but I was told that the telephoto will come in real handy

thanks again!

Jan 28, 2013 at 02:22 PM

camboman
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p.1 #2 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

For me, 85mm at the dunes.

If you have the time to get there, Eureka Dunes are more photogenic than Mesquite Dunes, IMHO.

Jan 28, 2013 at 02:43 PM

kurt765
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p.1 #3 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

The last few times that I have been at the dunes since acquiring a second body, I've shot with the 24-105 on one camera and the 100-400 on the other. I think on balance I've shot with the 100-400 more than the wide views, but that's just me.

Here's one at 24mm with the 24-105:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtlawson/3125920390/in/set-72157611488958316

Here's one at 400mm with the 100-400:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtlawson/6417399309/in/set-72157611488958316

There are 5 major dune fields in Death Valley National Park. The Mesquite Dunes which I'm guessing you are talking about are by far the most accessible, though the Eureka Dunes can also be driven to through rougher road conditions and are really special. Ibex Dunes are a dirt road and a hike, Panamint Dunes are a rough road and a long hike, and the Saline Valley Dunes are a long rough road to some of the most remote real estate you can visit outside of Alaska in the US.

If you're hitting the main dues (which I love), you will find that if you hike long enough, there are no footprints. And if you haven't been there before, I'd recommend sunset before Sunrise since you can figure out ahead of time where you want to be to shoot.

-K

Jan 28, 2013 at 04:06 PM

JimFox
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p.1 #4 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

You are going to want to shoot both wide and long in the dunes. well at least I do. Unless there is a lot of wind, there is no reason you can't change lenses out in the dunes.

Jim

Jan 28, 2013 at 04:24 PM

Jglaser757
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p.1 #5 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

kurt765 wrote:
The last few times that I have been at the dunes since acquiring a second body, I've shot with the 24-105 on one camera and the 100-400 on the other. I think on balance I've shot with the 100-400 more than the wide views, but that's just me.

Here's one at 24mm with the 24-105:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtlawson/3125920390/in/set-72157611488958316

Here's one at 400mm with the 100-400:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtlawson/6417399309/in/set-72157611488958316

There are 5 major dune fields in Death Valley National Park. The Mesquite Dunes which I'm guessing you are talking about are by far the most accessible, though the Eureka Dunes can also be driven to through rougher road conditions and are really special. Ibex Dunes are a dirt road and a hike, Panamint Dunes are a rough road and a long hike, and the Saline Valley Dunes are a long rough road to some of the most remote real estate you can visit outside of Alaska in the US.

If you're hitting the main dues (which I love), you will find that if you hike long enough, there are no footprints. And if you haven't been there before, I'd recommend sunset before Sunrise since you can figure out ahead of time where you want to be to shoot.

-K

Great images,,thats what I am referring too..I usually use a wide angle when shooting but since tis is a different sort of shoot..I think the 100-400 will work better. Also,,did you shoot with polarizer at all?

Jan 28, 2013 at 04:34 PM

Sunny Sra
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p.1 #6 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

i've shot with 17, 24, 16-35, 24-70, 70-200, 400 ...and have changed lenses at the dunes several times...the only time you don't want to do that is during high winds.

Jan 28, 2013 at 04:51 PM

rhee
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p.1 #7 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

Thanks for the thread on Death Valley lens choice.
i also plan to attach 70-200 on one camera and 14-24 on another.
Kurt Lawson's web has wonderful photos which I went through all through night..
When are you going to Death Valley?
-Kee

Jan 28, 2013 at 05:02 PM

Jglaser757
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p.1 #8 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

rhee wrote:
Thanks for the thread on Death Valley lens choice.
i also plan to attach 70-200 on one camera and 14-24 on another.
Kurt Lawson's web has wonderful photos which I went through all through night..
When are you going to Death Valley?
-Kee

I am heading there with Andy Cook on Feb 12th

Jan 28, 2013 at 05:09 PM

kurt765
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p.1 #9 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

I generally don't use a polarizer much these days. I have several, but in 2012 I maybe used a polarizer twice. The only filters I seem to use these days are grad nd filters.

-K

Jan 28, 2013 at 06:26 PM

kurt765
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p.1 #10 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

Also, thanks for the kind words about my photos, Jglaser757 and rhee! I love DV

Jan 28, 2013 at 08:40 PM

Ben Horne
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p.1 #11 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

You'll be able to find some great compositions no matter what lens you have. If you went out there with a 50mm lens, you'd find some great shots -- it's the same for a wide or a long.

It's easy to become overwhelmed by your surroundings at the dunes. There are so many possibilities in every direction that I find it's best to concentrate on a particular photo I wish to shoot, and try to find it. My goal is to capture an enormous sense of depth with my photos -- so when I wander around the dunes, I ask myself what features will translate well to a 2D photo, and still give the sense of depth I see by viewing the scene in 3D.

Jan 28, 2013 at 10:43 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #12 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

It's nice to experiment with all focal lengths. If you are shooting Canon, and it's a windy day, the 24-105L is a great choice.
I have shot with the 90 TS-E and 17 TS-E and was happy with the results:

Here are some samples:
17 TS-E | 90 TS-E
Fred

Jan 28, 2013 at 11:54 PM

Jglaser757
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p.1 #13 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

Fred Miranda wrote:
It's nice to experiment with all focal lengths. If you are shooting Canon, and it's a windy day, the 24-105L is a great choice.
I have shot with the 90 TS-E and 17 TS-E and was happy with the results:

Here are some samples:
17 TS-E | 90 TS-E
Fred

All I can say ,, wow!!!

Jan 29, 2013 at 12:06 AM

Sunny Sra
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p.1 #14 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

http://www.sunnysra.com/Landscapes/Southwest-US/7421097_psCch#!i=1153076080&k=rxkzrHQ

with all different lenses.

Jan 29, 2013 at 12:48 AM

kurt765
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p.1 #15 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

Jan 30, 2013 at 03:35 PM

lgatlin
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p.1 #16 · Death Valley sand dunes-what focal length did you use more?

Agree with Jim Fox. I was there last year and shot with both lenses.
Lonnie

Jan 30, 2013 at 06:43 PM

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