[aslyfox]

just arranged to rent the SMC Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited from LensRental.com

they are good folks and I have always had good luck with them and they are willing to talk with you on the phone

I am renting from 9/10 - 9/14, delivery at Fed Ex office here in Topeka and return at Fed Ex office in Estes Park

but to make sure I have no problems getting it by 9/10 they are shipping it out asap with expected delivery on 9/4

[aslyfox]

we're leaving on 6/9

so its planning time

I have a SMC Pentax-FA 31mm 1.8 coming from Lensrental.com

here are my options

[ what I plan on taking is enlarged ]
K 1 II , K 3 II, K 3


Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM

SMC Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited

HD Pentax-DA 16 - 85mm F3.5-5.6 WR

SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited

Sigma 24mm F2.8 AF Super Wide II F2.8

Kino Precision Japan Kiron 28mm F2 MC P/KA

SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 35mm AL

SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited

SMC Pentax-M 40mm

SMC Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 XS

SMC Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited

SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited

SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.4

SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7

SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

SMC Pentax-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro

SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM

SMC Pentax 55mm F 1.8 52F

HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE

SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited 49 F

Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm F2.8-4 Macro Zoom PKA 62 F ( Komine )

HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW

SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited

SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro

SMC Pentax-A 135mm F2.8 52 F

HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5 - 5.6 ED DC AW

SMC DA * 300mm F4 ED (IF ) SDM

HD Pentax -DA AF rear converter 1.4 AW

zooms primes

full frame sensor and ASP-C

wide angle

macro

telephoto

the idea is to make final sort for the day at the hotel room


comments welcomed

[swanlefitte]

When you are driving surprise wildlife around a bend is possible and fleeting. We saw a bear at 100meters and a herd of elk almost upon us. A telephoto and normal lens are good to have ready because you might not have time to switch.

[aslyfox]

When you are driving surprise wildlife around a bend is possible and fleeting. We saw a bear at 100meters and a herd of elk almost upon us. A telephoto and normal lens are good to have ready because you might not have time to switch.

that is the plan

it is what I have done on Safaris to Tanzania and trips to Yellowstone

this trip:

the 150-450mm on the K 3 II

and the Sigma 24mm F2.8 AF Super Wide II F2.8 or SMC Pentax-FA 31mm 1.8 on the K 1 II

but the most important thing is to use the Mark 1 eye balls and the original data bank to get the experience first

---

Last edited by aslyfox; 09-05-2020 at 03:37 AM.

[Just1MoreDave]

We've been up there several times right around the fourth of July. My wife likes to stay at the Stanley Hotel. I think every time we've taken either the Miata or SLK250, so the Audi should be OK. The roads are more fun to drive in a sporty car but it doesn't take long to get stuck behind a giant Prevost motorhome.

We have hiked many of the popular trails and they can be more challenging than the guidebook rating suggests. You can get an idea by hiking from Bear Lake or Glacier Gorge to Alberta Falls, which is usually listed as easy. Last time (2018) we brought walking sticks which were useful on less-traveled trails and went all the way up to Sky Pond, a considerable climb.

There's still some smoke in the air so long distance visibility isn't perfect. Long telephoto shots might be limited. In July, afternoon showers are common so I like to have a weather-resistant lens. The APS-C combination I use for a longer hike is a DA 18-55 WR on the camera, a DA 50-200 WR when we stop and rest, and a DA 10-17 for extreme wide angle top of the world shots. All those lenses are very light and fit in a cargo short pocket. From your list, the 16-85 and 55-300 would cover it. September is elk season so you should see them even in town. For evenings around town I'd use a Limited prime and that could be almost anything from your list. Probably a good time for the FA Limiteds and the K-1. Estes Park has pretty dark skies so the stars might be better if the smoke situation improves.

---------- Post added 09-03-20 at 01:19 PM ----------

When you are driving surprise wildlife around a bend is possible and fleeting. We saw a bear at 100meters and a herd of elk almost upon us. A telephoto and normal lens are good to have ready because you might not have time to switch.

We were on Trail Ridge Road just above the Rainbow Curve Overlook and some elk came out of nowhere, bounded across the road and disappeared down a steep slope/cliff. Fortunately I was going pretty slow.

[aslyfox]

weight won't be a problem because we are the stop and see types

not the hiking folks at all

plus there is the change in altitude Topeka is about 950 feet [ 289.56 meters ] above sea level

Estes Park and RMNP are a " tab" bit higher

won't have time to acclimate

concerns about the 2015 Audi A 5 coupe is room and low ground clearance, no way to pull off the side of the road and it is low so not very good for using as a camera vehicle

it is tempting though

[Just1MoreDave]

There is a trail around Lake Estes. It's better on the side where your hotel is and pretty much flat. I think the town is only 7500 feet, hardly any elevation at all.

A lot of the restaurants feature wild game. The Cascades restaurant at the Stanley is the only one I can name offhand. They also have an extensive and expensive whiskey collection. There's a Nepalese restaurant in town, Nepal's Cafe, which is really good.

[Just1MoreDave]

Tuesday Sept. 8 weather is going to be interesting - possibly snow.

[aslyfox]

Tuesday Sept. 8 weather is going to be interesting - possibly snow.

yeah I've been watchind " Weather Undergroud " for Estes Park

sudden change in forecast

" . . . the answer, my friend . . . "

You Tube

You Tube

is layers, my friend, layers

[swanlefitte]

Youtu.be

Youtu.be

A little history. King would appreciate it will snow.

[aslyfox]

current forecast as of 9/7

78 o F

29 o F on Mon 9/7

28 o F

18 o F on Tues 9.3 in of snow predicted

35 o F

28 o F on Weds

48o F

34 o F on Thurs when we arrive. PM showers possibility

54 o F

39 o F on Fri

62 o F

36 o F on Sat

69 o F

41o F on Sun

71 o F

43o F on Mon

73 o F

43 o F on Tues 9/14

Estes Park, CO Weather Conditions | Weather Underground

[ we leave on the 15th ]

Topeka 950 ft, 289.56 m
Estes Park 7615 ft, 2321.052 m

[Sholom]

My son in Boulder (near Foothills Parkway and Arapahoe) says the Cameron Peak fire (north of the Park) exploded today and visibility is so poor he can barely see the Flatirons out his window (less than 4 miles away).

from the Coloradoan

"1:30 p.m. Sunday: Rocky Mountain National Park announced that it would close Trail Ridge Road at 3 p.m. Sunday due to concerns of poor visibility as smoke from the Cameron Peak Fire inundates the park.
The road that spans the park between Grand Lake and Estes Park will be closed from the Colorado River Trailhead on the west to the Forest Canyon Overlook on the east, according to park officials.
Park officials previously closed Old Fall River road and other areas on the park's northern reaches due to wildfire activity."


The good news about the snow forecast is it should help control the fire and smoke. Stay tuned to the Park news and be prepared to go further south the Trail Ridge Road for sightseeing. Hopefully this will be over by the time you get there!

[aslyfox]

hmmmm

ISSUED: 11:07 PM SEP. 6, 2020 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE MONDAY NIGHT
THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. The higher elevations and Front
Range could see 8 to 14 inches . The Palmer Divide could see 6
to 10 inches, with winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

* Active Weather Alerts
WINTER STORM WATCH

WHERE...The Medicine Bow Range, Rocky Mountain National Park,
Front Range, and the Palmer Divide.

* WHEN...From late Monday night through late Tuesday night.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. Scattered powered outages
will be possible due to the heavy wet snow.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Accumulating snow will impact area
vegetation causing damage to trees and possible power outages.
Roads could be slippery and slushy. Overnight low temperatures
Tuesday night will drop into the teens.

we don't arrive until Thursday

should help with the fire I hope

[Just1MoreDave]

The people fighting the fire are not predicting that the fire will be totally extinguished, but they don't usually make optimistic predictions.

Right now the snow is just starting to collect. I hope they are wrong about total accumulation, since it will damage the trees.

[aslyfox]

" there be [ elk ] here "

only photo I will post from Estes Park

right outside of motel

The Discovery Lodge

bull and a heard of cows and yearlings

Some cows collared

Bull was not