[jonlg]

OK guys and gals,

We're taking a trip fo a lifetime down the Pacific coast highway during the last two weeks in March. Booked an open top Mustang, planning to do 3 days in SFO and then gradually make our way to San Diego with a 2-3 day detour into Yosemite.

I'm a Brit and will be shooting with the K1. Lenses I have include:

Samyang 8mm fisheye
Pentax 12-24mm f4.0 (Usable at 17/18-24mm on K1 FF)
Pentax 24-70mm D-FA 2.8
Pentax 77mm Limited
Pentax 100mm Macro
Tamron 80-200mm f2.8
Tokina 80-400mm f4.5-5.6

Current plan is to take the:
Pentax 12-24mm, 24-70mm

Not sure whether to take the:
8mm fisheye or the 70-200mm f2.8 Tamron.

Finally the lens I really want is the Pentax 15-30mm F2.8 but given the cost of the holiday I'm hoping I can manage with the 12-24mm f4.0. Any thoughts on whether it really is worth the £1450 extra cost for the extra 2-3mm at the wide end??? Will I really lose much especially in Yosemite by not having it?? I'm aware that this might be the only time I ever get to go there so I'd really like to make the most of it.

Would a fisheye be very useful?

I do sometimes shoot panoramas quite successfully and merge in Lightroom

Grateful for any advice from those who've shot these areas - golden gate bridge, Marin county, Yosemite, coastal highway etc.

Kind regards,

Jonlg

[jatrax]

I would not find the fisheye that useful.

I would definitely take something longer, either the 70-200 or the 80-400 whichever you think is better. When I shoot on the Oregon coast my most used lens is the DA*60-250. Many times it is the only way to get a good view of things.

---------- Post added 03-06-18 at 11:15 AM ----------

I'm hoping I can manage with the 12-24mm f4.0. Any thoughts on whether it really is worth the £1450 extra cost for the extra 2-3mm at the wide end???

I've never been to Yosemite. But on the K-1 my widest lens is the FA 20-35 f/4. I have never seen a need for anything wider. But that is just my style.

[aslyfox]

thinking outside the box

consider renting any gear you don't have ( or don't want to haul ? )

contact a photography rental company here in the US

I know of two and I have used one successfully

LensRental.com - the one I have used

Borrowlenses.com

the way it works is that they mail the rented equipment and you return it by mail

LensRental will deliver to a Fed Ex office for pick up

I have scheduled the rental of a Pentax spotting scope and tripod for a trip to Yellowstone N P in May

I will pick up and drop off at Fed Ex

check out the sites and send an email or two

[Vasyl]

Do Brits shoot differently?..just kidding...
I would take
Samyang 8mm fisheye
Pentax 12-24mm f4.0 (Usable at 17/18-24mm on K1 FF)
Pentax 24-70mm D-FA 2.8
Tamron 80-200mm f2.8

Good shots!!!

[UncleVanya]

thinking outside the box

consider renting any gear you don't have ( or don't want to haul ? )

contact a photography rental company here in the US

I know of two and I have used one successfully

LensRental.com - the one I have used

Borrowlenses.com

the way it works is that they mail the rented equipment and you return it by mail

LensRental will deliver to a Fed Ex office for pick up

I have scheduled the rental of a Pentax spotting scope and tripod for a trip to Yellowstone N P in May

I will pick up and drop off at Fed Ex

check out the sites and send an email or two

This is a great idea! You could just rent the 15-30 and bring the 24-70. and a longer lens.

[aslyfox]

This is a great idea! You could just rent the 15-30 and bring the 24-70. and a longer lens.

[ if you post a lot, the odds are that one or two of the posts turn out to be helpful ]

[Moe49]

I would absolutely not leave anything of value in the Mustang when you park it in San Francisco.
There are over 80 parked car break-ins everyday in San Francisco.
Your K-1, and any lenses you bring along, will quickly be gone

[igowerf]

I live in California and visited Yosemite back in December. I brought my K-1, a Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, D-FA 28-105mm, and DA* 200mm. The Rokinon was used only for astrophotography, and 95% of my shots were on my 28-105mm. I used the DA* 200mm for some portraits and wildlife.

I'd recommend that you definitely bring the 24-70mm and one of your telephoto zooms. Traveling down PCH and through Yosemite, you'll probably come across some interesting wildlife, so the telephoto lenses will be nice. The fisheye might be fun, but I think your 24-70 will be wide enough for most shots, and from what I've seen, it's a great lens for astrophotography as well.

[UncleVanya]

I would absolutely not leave anything of value in the Mustang when you park it in San Francisco.
There are over 80 parked car break-ins everyday in San Francisco.
Your K-1, and any lenses you bring along, will quickly be gone

Personally I would not DRIVE anywhere in San Fran and expect to park. I always get a metro pass and then if I'm going outside the city I rent a car and drive there.

[aslyfox]

Personally I would not DRIVE anywhere in San Fran and expect to park. I always get a metro pass and then if I'm going outside the city I rent a car and drive there.

the last time I drove in a city similar in size it was in Chicago

I had my 2002 Suburban and everything except big trucks and buses got out of my way

now I let the professionals do the driving - taxis or use mass transit or walk


in case the OP doesn't know, there is a car rental company which advertise that they will pick up and drop off

Enterprise

" Need a car, SUV or minivan? You can always trust Enterprise to pick you up and get you on your way. "

Rent, Buy, and Share with Enterprise

you could take taxi or shuttle to your hotel

and when you need a car, contact them

I would check with them via email if you are curious

[pentaxfall]

My car was broken once in SFO so I suggest parking in covered garage.

Yosemite is very touristy with bumper to bumper traffic. Plan to visit Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP also. These two parks have relatively less crowd. I think Sequoia NP is a must see.
My suggestion for lens is
Pentax 24-70mm D-FA 2.8
Pentax 100mm Macro
Tamron 80-200mm f2.8

[blackcloudbrew]

Yosemite is one of my very favorite places and while only a 5 hour drive, I consider it in my backyard. Pentaxfall above has good suggestions, on lenses. Particularly, the 100mm macro. I've gotten great shots on my APS-c cameras with it. I understand the need for wide angle but too wide will really diminish Yosemite landscapes. Traffic in March should be just fine and with our current weather, you will be contending with cold temps and snow. Forget the fisheye. If your into wildlife the 80-400 would be a help. Let me know when you will be in the SF area, I'd be happy to shoot with you one day schedules permitting. Send me a PM.

[stevebrot]

Samyang 8mm fisheye
Pentax 12-24mm f4.0 (Usable at 17/18-24mm on K1 FF) NO
Pentax 24-70mm D-FA 2.8 YES
Pentax 77mm Limited Maybe
Pentax 100mm Macro Probably Not
Tamron 80-200mm f2.8 Seriously consider
Tokina 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 Probably Not

Current plan is to take the:
Pentax 12-24mm, 24-70mm

Not sure whether to take the:
8mm fisheye or the 70-200mm f2.8 Tamron.

Skip the fisheye. I have shot in Yosemite several times and the scale of the place is such that there is little to be gained by shooting close and much to be gained by shooting "normal" and longer to about 200mm on 24x36mm.

28mm on Mist Trail at base of Vernal falls 35mm film
(no you really don't want to be closer most times of the year)




50mm from same spot as above




85mm on APS-C, Yosemite Falls from across the Valley




28mm on 35mm film, Yosemite falls from across the valley




150mm on 35mm film, Half Dome from Glacier Point




85mm on APS-C, Bridal Veil Falls from near their base.
Get closer to these falls and one can't really shoot due to spray on the lens.



Shot with my travel tripod. If I were shooting much longer, I would have wanted more tripod.

As for San Francisco, the city is, well, a city and doing highly creative work there with longer or shorter glass requires more knowledge of the place than most tourists can gain. Take your walk-around kit and have fun. As for what might work for the Coast Highway, think the British Coast and you have it covered...rock sea, villages, and boats.

With any luck, @mikeSF might drop in. He shoots all three locations regularly and likely would have good hints.


Steve

[Dewman]

My car was broken once in SFO so I suggest parking in covered garage.

Yosemite is very touristy with bumper to bumper traffic. Plan to visit Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP also. These two parks have relatively less crowd. I think Sequoia NP is a must see.
My suggestion for lens is
Pentax 24-70mm D-FA 2.8
Pentax 100mm Macro
Tamron 80-200mm f2.8

Pentaxfall is spot-on with his advice! Having grown up near Yosemite NP, I can verify the horrendous traffic. But, it's most definitely worth the hassle to see one of the true wonders of the world. I think the lenses mentioned above will be all you'll need.... with the possible exception of something on the wider side. When shooting from the bottom of Yosemite Falls looking up, it might take something wider than the 24mm. Enjoy your trip to the US.

[SharkyCA]

OK guys and gals,

We're taking a trip fo a lifetime down the Pacific coast highway during the last two weeks in March. Booked an open top Mustang, planning to do 3 days in SFO and then gradually make our way to San Diego with a 2-3 day detour into Yosemite.

I'm a Brit and will be shooting with the K1. Lenses I have include:

Samyang 8mm fisheye
Pentax 12-24mm f4.0 (Usable at 17/18-24mm on K1 FF)
Pentax 24-70mm D-FA 2.8
Pentax 77mm Limited
Pentax 100mm Macro
Tamron 80-200mm f2.8
Tokina 80-400mm f4.5-5.6

Current plan is to take the:
Pentax 12-24mm, 24-70mm

Not sure whether to take the:
8mm fisheye or the 70-200mm f2.8 Tamron.

Finally the lens I really want is the Pentax 15-30mm F2.8 but given the cost of the holiday I'm hoping I can manage with the 12-24mm f4.0. Any thoughts on whether it really is worth the £1450 extra cost for the extra 2-3mm at the wide end??? Will I really lose much especially in Yosemite by not having it?? I'm aware that this might be the only time I ever get to go there so I'd really like to make the most of it.

Would a fisheye be very useful?

I do sometimes shoot panoramas quite successfully and merge in Lightroom

Grateful for any advice from those who've shot these areas - golden gate bridge, Marin county, Yosemite, coastal highway etc.

Kind regards,

Jonlg

Just something you may want to consider before you make your trip, it may make your return home easier!
Register whatever equipment you are taking before you go!

Registering equipment, computer, camera, laptops, etc. prior to traveling