Kit list for Western USA trip?

New on here so hi to all.
Recently bought a K-7 for an upcoming trip to the States this summer. It will be a tour of the national parks (Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc), along with some hiking and mountain biking. I'll have a night in Vegas at either end of the trip.
I've got the DA 17-70 f4.0 lens which should cover most situations, and I'll also take the kit 18-55WR to save some weight and bulk when I'm biking. I'm looking at getting a decent tripod for sunrise/sunset landscapes.
So what else should I look at taking with me? Maybe an f1.4 or 1.8 prime for hand held night shots in Vegas? I've seen a few Sigma 28mm and 30mm's for sale recently, or maybe find something a bit wider?
The DA* 50-135's seem to come up pretty regularly on the S/H market, but I'm not sure how useful it would be on this trip (although I could definitely use it elsewhere).
All comments appreciated.

It depends what you want to take pics of really. If I were going to the places you are (especially the national parks) I might be inclined to take a long lens for wildlife and maybe something wider than 17mm for really wide shots and some funky angles (could be cool for some close-up mountain bike actions shots). Given that I assume it all has to be man-portable and (probably) carried in hand luggage on a plane (??) I would probably pack the DA 55-300, which gives very sweet results for the price and is a lot smaller and lighter than many other 300mm lenses, and one of either the sigma 10-20mm or the DA 10-17 fisheye.

But that's just me If I had any room left I would probably try ad squeeze in a macro lens (Prob DA 35mm) and a flashgun+cable, but it would depend on space, weight and usage really... (oh and maybe a siggie 30mm f1.4 as well (dang the pack's getting heavier))

Don't know if that helps at all?

Regards

Thanks for the suggestions. I had been looking at the DA 55-300 as an option - there have been some good reports on it for the price, and as you say it's not too bulky.
The Sigma 10-20mm isn't something I had thought about - I'll have to do some research into that one.

Would not bother about that, outside there is so much Neon you will not need it, inside, well try photo`s with a K7 inside a casino, you wont last very long

Something wide is really well worth considering, 17mm for the grand canyon is not enough, not to mention the Bellagio fountains, and hoover dam

Matts suggestion of a macro is also good, you will come across lots of "interesting" critters and flowers.

55-300 TBH i would spend on above rather than 55-300, you probably will not need the zoom end nearly as much as you think.

Davex.

I'd definitely take something wide DA-12-24 or Sigma 10-20.

John

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like there's a few wide-zoom options to consider - the final choice will probably come down to what comes up for sale in the next few weeks.

Might be worthwhile considering renting a DA 12-24, just for the trip?
SRS will do the business.

Davex.

The 17-70 is wide enough - any wider and the landscape looks wrong - trust me, I've been there done that and didn't like the UWA photos whereas the 17-70 looked great. You can always stitch a couple together anyway.
You really can't do the GC justice in a photo in any case and I found the more successful ones were the details, not the overall view.

There are Californian Condors at the Grand canyon - you need a long lens for them, but a zoom not a prime - sometimes they come pretty low overhead, other times they are a way a way.
A long zoom is also very useful for isolating rock formations within the GC or at Zion.

Make sure you buy the National Parks pass. Stay at the rim if you can at GC - it is worth the expense for the time you get after the busloads have gone. If you are planning on going to Monument Valley then consider heading up to Goosenecks Park which is just over the border in Utah, and also up the Moki dugway to Muley Point for a staggering view. It's an exciting drive but absolutely worth it.

I did a similar trip a few years ago, before I really got in to photography and would love to do it again some day (waiting until my kids are old enough to appreciate it...)

I'd second this; I think that the 55-300, your 17-70 and either the Sigma 10-20 or Pentax 10-17 would give you a range of options in most situations and not be too bulky/heavy. I'd also be tempted to smuggle a fast prime in to your bag for low light or narrow DOF shots (probably an old MF 50mm f/1.7 or 55mm f/1..

If you can get to the edge of the Grand Canyon at sunset, it's definitely worth seeing. Bryce is also pretty spectacular, as you can easily walk down among the rock formations - I'd imagine this would be interesting with an ultrawide. Where abouts are you planning to go biking? We did a few trips in Moab, which was good and suitably evocative, but a bit hot compared to the UK!

I'll be travelling the other way, stopping at Monument Valley and then down to GC before heading back to Vegas.
I've got Moki Dugway on my list of places, to stop, Goosenecks Park looks like a worthwhile stop-off on the way.

I'm stopping in Moab for 3 days, mainly to do some of the well known trails. I'll be trying to drag myself out of bed early to get a ride in before the heat gets too much.

As far as lenses go I think I'll get the 55-300mm, and see what turns up on ebay for a wide angle. If I can find a 10-20 or 12-24 for sensible money S/H then I may try one out and resell if I don't think I'll use it when I get back.

I couldn't not go on a trip like that without taking a wide lens for cool shallow DOF shots though



You'd actually be amazed ( or not surprised ) that the Israeli Special forces help with security in Vegas ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUztlEHJ3Vs


... back to lenses, I couldn't go without my DA 10-17 either

The 50-135 doesn't go long enough for landscapes for me, so whilst I have one I wouldn't take it.

I would add a much longer lens for picking out details in landscapes. Personally I'd take the excellent 60-250/4, however the 55-300 is good value and lighter, depends if it's the trip of a lifetime ??!!!

I surprise myself sometimes how much I use a simple prime lens too, I have a FA35/2 which gives very pleasing results, you might consider a 28mm instead, no recommendations.

As a wildcard I sometimes wish for a fisheye lens for that unique perspective but don't have one.

My bag would have DA12-24/4, FA35/2, DA17-70/4, DA*60-250/4 or DA55-300.
Think about filter sizes too, it reduces the bulk in your bag if what you use fits most of your lenses. A used A50/1.7 would be a cheap shallow dof lens, I've often taken mine with me on trips, but find I rarely use it, preferring the FA35.

NB it's going to be VERY hot in that area in summer so carry some water bottles / bladders and drink ! And a hat and a spare hat !!! Also have a large fresh full water bottle in the car ALWAYS.

sorry to sound like grandma

AAA maps are great if you can get your hands on them.

manfrotto makes several "PIPE" and "Cuff" type mini clamps, also superclamps... that when combined with a mini ball head make for a versitile camera mounting kit that takes less space/weight than a tripod.... especially if you got a bicycle (or motorcycle) with a sidestand...... I keep one such clamp on my motorcycle handle bar with a quick release plate in case I make a roadside photo stop while travelling.... much easier than a tripod.

I must buy a hat