[cali92rs]

If you have time, i highly recommend Red Rock Canyon...it's only about 45min outside the city

[jeanpascalc]

Of the few days, I swapped to the 40mm only once inside at night, never to the 18-135 or the 135.
Samples here: https://plus.google.com/photos/103044873335912362557/albums/5980371731936922...CMzL2rCZ_5y9NQ

[FrancisK7]

We do have the intention on going to Red Canyon AND Fire Valley.

The DA15 does look nice, but I think the IQ of the 12-24 is the same, so I don't feel the need to upgrade to the DA15. It is much more compact, though.

Nice shots JP!

---------- Post added 02-14-14 at 05:11 PM ----------

As for bags, I have a Tamrac Rally 5 messenger bag that I love, LOVE: Amazon.com: Tamrac 3445 Rally 5 Camera/Netbook/iPad Bag (Brown/Tan): Camera & Photo It holds my k-5ii, DA 40mm Ltd., DA 70mm Ltd., an FA 35-70, an FA 80-210. There's another pocket where I keep my blower with some extra space. It could hold a speedlight (if I had a speedlight). Behind all this, there's an interior pocket that holds my owner's manual and lensbrushes. It can also hold my kindle if I know I'm going somewhere where there might be a waittime. There's an open pocket on the back, but I rarely put stuff in there because it's open and I'm afraid I might lose it. On the front, there's a zippered pocket that holds an sdhc card wallet, a remote, I can stuff my wallet in there too. On both sides, there's an elastic-y water bottle holder pockets. It holds a lot of stuff, yet it is still compact enough and light enough to carry all night. Also, it's pretty highly configurable. The inserts have very strong Velcro to move and configure as you wish. Finally, it's inexpensive and kinda doesn't look like a camera bag.

I wouldn't use a rapid-strap kind of sling in Vegas; I'd be too paranoid about bumping into things or people.

Finally, you SAY you might not need fast glass because you can bump the ISO up. And that's true...to a certain extent. You may be over-estimating the amount of light in casinos. That is, for a hand-held shot that doesn't offend patrons or draw ire from security, I often bump my ISO to 3200 with a wide aperture so I can use a fast-ish shutter speed: Then I frame/compose in my mind's eye, whip the camera out of the bag real quick, shoot, stow it real quick. Outside, I may have more time to compose, but if I want a street-photog kind of shot, it takes fast glass and fast action.

And not to threadjack, but Birddude, I have almost the exact same shot of the Wynn (you're first photo) and wished I could have made it down to where you took the second photo of the Wynn. We just didn't have time.

I will have my DA35 on me, which isn`t as fast as my FA77 but that is just way too long to be useful in Vegas. I would bring the FA31 if I had it.

[jtkratzer]

You mentioned shows, wife and I went to two different Cirque shows and they weren't camera friendly, as in not allowed out of the bag once the show started. Maybe other shows are more photography friendly.

[FrancisK7]

We're seeing KA and O, which are Cirque shows, and Celine at the Caesars, which definitely doesn't allow cameras either.

Im not much of a show photographer anyway.

[jtkratzer]

We're seeing KA and O, which are Cirque shows, and Celine at the Caesars, which definitely doesn't allow cameras either.

Im not much of a show photographer anyway.

We saw Mystere and The Beatles Love shows. Both good, but very different.

[MadMathMind]

For me, Vegas demands a fast, compact lens, something I can discreetly use in the casinos (compactness and fast).

Remember that you cannot take photos of the gaming tables or machines. Casinos enforce this strictly and there are enough people watching that you likely won't get away with it. In most cases, they will be very nice and tell you not to do it again and perhaps request you delete the photos. Just don't get secretive or combative about this, as that could turn very ugly quickly.

But photos of the restaurants inside, the attractions inside, the lobby, the rooms, etc.--no problem. They encourage photos of those!

---------- Post added 02-15-14 at 01:53 PM ----------

You mentioned shows, wife and I went to two different Cirque shows and they weren't camera friendly, as in not allowed out of the bag once the show started. Maybe other shows are more photography friendly.

I took my camera into O and shot photos of the warm-up act. There were some clowns in the aisle way doing some funny stuff before the show began. There were no issues taking photos of that. I think they demanded no photos during the show, but I don't remember. I didn't take any since I didn't think they'd come out.

Really, most "no photos" rules are because they don't trust people to turn off their flash. In a show like O, a small distraction could land someone in the hospital with a broken neck.

---------- Post added 02-15-14 at 01:54 PM ----------

I also recommend Valley of Fire state park. It's just a short drive away too!

[gaweidert]

If you happen to see the world's cutest three year old, say hi to my granddaughter for me.

[BirdDude007]

Amazing advice, tips and suggestions guys! Thanks so much.

BirdDude, could I trouble you for higher res samples? And as a local, would you recommend a helicopter operation more than another for a grand canyon tour? Id like to go in the morning when the light is still good.

I am not going to be near my computer until Monday night, then I can export some high res images to my flickr for ya and then I can post them here for ya

---------- Post added 02-16-14 at 07:22 PM ----------

Oh wait.....here ya go-

[tabl10s]

We do have the intention on going to Red Canyon AND Fire Valley.

The DA15 does look nice, but I think the IQ of the 12-24 is the same, so I don't feel the need to upgrade to the DA15. It is much more compact, though.

Nice shots JP!

---------- Post added 02-14-14 at 05:11 PM ----------



I will have my DA35 on me, which isn`t as fast as my FA77 but that is just way too long to be useful in Vegas. I would bring the FA31 if I had it.

That's "Valley of Fire", Sir if you take Blue Canyon Highway, it takes to the small town of Blue Canyon. I see that you're going in the winter and not summer...

[bkpix]

My favorite small travel kit -- which I've happily taken several times to Vegas -- is the K-5IIs, 70/2.4 and 21/3.2. One lens on the camera, slung over my shoulder or around my neck, and one in a jacket pocket (we always go in winter). Sometimes I stuff everything, plus a water bottle, in a small Crumpler shoulder bag. Lovely, easy combo.

[GlennG]

Last time I went I used my (then) K100dSuper and DA 17-70 for most. I had the DA 55-300, but did not use it much. I also took the 40 limited and used it, well, a limited amount. These all seemed fast enough, but I don't shoot in casinos. A few photos from that time are attached. The 16-50 sounds ideal, but if you don't have it, the suggestion above for the 12-24 plus 35 seems like a good one.

[FrancisK7]

Hey guys!

I just got back home and immediately came here to say the trip was fantastic and that all your advice was spot on.

First, I bought the Tamrac 3445 bag as suggested here and it was a fantastic purchase. Getting my K5 with grip and 12-24 out of there took seconds, putting it back in just as quick, so it was very practical. Perfect size, very comfortable and looks good too. 5/5!

Second, I used the 12-24 almost exclusively. I used the DA35 once for a portrait. Whatever distortion the 12-24 caused was paid off by a more immersive surrounding.

I can't wait to share some of my shots with you, especially those from Valley of Fire. This place is a photog's wet dream!!!!!

[BirdDude007]

Hey guys!

I just got back home and immediately came here to say the trip was fantastic and that all your advice was spot on.

First, I bought the Tamrac 3445 bag as suggested here and it was a fantastic purchase. Getting my K5 with grip and 12-24 out of there took seconds, putting it back in just as quick, so it was very practical. Perfect size, very comfortable and looks good too. 5/5!

Second, I used the 12-24 almost exclusively. I used the DA35 once for a portrait. Whatever distortion the 12-24 caused was paid off by a more immersive surrounding.

I can't wait to share some of my shots with you, especially those from Valley of Fire. This place is a photog's wet dream!!!!!

yep I figured you would like Valley of Fire, about two months ago I went there with my car club, of coarse I had my camera on me, I havent posted any images yet but one that I put together for the club,
PS my car is the 3rd one from the right in the top row-

[FrancisK7]

Here we go! My 25ish best of the trip!

Hotels

1. New York New York


2. Mandalay Bay and Luxor


3. Bellagio


Valley of Fire

What a place! Wow! Taking great photographs requires no effort whatsoever, the area speaks for itself. We rented a convertible Mustang for the day and drove ourselves. This was the highlight of the entire trip for me. Beats the Grand Canyon.

4.


5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. My better half wanted a new killer Facebook cover picture. I think I delivered.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.



Grand Canyon

We took the helicopter tour since I didn't want to take a 10 hours bus tour there nor did I want to drive myself.

Shooting through the window proved difficult. We went on the 7:00AM tour thinking I'd have decent light, but the sun was already pretty high by the time we were in the air at around 8:00AM. Plus, we had no clouds, so the sun shined through the windows and made reflections difficult to deal with.

I am still satisfied with the result, but an open canopy ride would have been much more awesome

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.


Ultimately my goal for my trip was to get at least one decent shot for one of my walls in my apartment. One of these will be printed on metal and go up there, I'm just not sure which yet. Lots to choose from.

Thanks for looking, and for the advice

Feel free to critique.