What type of camera bag should I buy for a Grand Canyon trip? Also should I purchase a generic lens?

Question

I have a Nikon D50, 28-80 lens, SB-600 flash and a Sony Handicam. I plan on purchasing a wide angle lens before the trip. I may only take my wide angle lens and leave the 28-80 at home. I like the backpack bags, but I will also have a regular backpack. (We are hiking all the way down and camping out). What things should I consider when shopping for a camera bag?

Also should I purchase a Quantaray, Tamron, Sigma or Nikon wide angle lens? I'm not sure if I'll have the money to buy the name brands. What's the quality difference in the Quantaray?

One more thing...what's the difference in the AF lenses, ED IF, DI type, etc?

Answer 1

Since you're already carrying a backpack do you think you could fit your camera gear in it? You might find something workable at your local real camera store. Maybe a photographer's vest?

Obviously your first choice in lens would be the Nikon. 2nd. would be Sigma or Tamron. Ignore Quantaray totally. IMO you'll need the wide angle you mention and the 28-200mm. I can almost guarantee that you'll find a lot of use for the 28-200mm lens - maybe even more than the wide angle. Don't forget a Circular polarizer filter for both lenses.

EDIT! EDIT! EDIT!

Read the review of the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS Lens at shutterbug.com. The review was in the Dec. 2007 issue of Shutterbug Magazine.

Answer 2

I hike for miles through rough terrain, sand, and water sometimes carrying almost a hundred pounds by the time I add up all my gear and the water I need to survive.

I wouldn't add another pack for my camera gear if I could help it. I would suggest getting a high quality back pack to handle everything and finding a place in it where my camera gear is easy to access. Get a pack with a lightweight rigid frame built in for back support. Add some straps to tie things like a tripod on somewhere. Don't skimp on your backpack.

There have been times when someone hiking with me was giving out and not able to keep up when I would carry their pack in front. So it is possible to carry a good size pack on your back and a small one in front of you. So if you really feel the need to be able to constantly change lenses while hiking and not taking off your rear pack to access it it is possible. But you better be in good strong shape endurance wise.

Stick with the name brand Nikon lens. A super wide is what you need for where you're headed like the 10.5mm. But you could get by with whatever is almost as wide as the 10.5. If price is an object then buy a less expensive Nikon or some sort than an off brand. But get as wide as you can for the Canyons. And don't overlook the opportunity to get down close to something for some unique perspectives with your wide angle.

Have fun. It's a photographers paradise.

Answer 3

You can't rely purely on name brands for consitent quality over their lens range.

You get the quality you pay for no matter what the name on the lens.

For example two from Nikon's extensive range.

There is an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 selling for only $119, which is probably very ordinary.

They also have a 17-55mm f/2.8 selling for $1,199.95, which I would expect to be very good, if not excellent.

The lens is the most important consideration in optical quality and buying cheap lenses for a good camera such as yours is a waste of money.

Buy the best you can afford as it should last you a lot longer than the camera body.

Answer 4

Lowepro Camera Bag so easy to carrying and light weight , you must buy Pro Multi- Coated Super Wide Converter 0.5x to take pictures for Grand Canyon, I do believe that you will be enjoying of taking this photos.