Yellowstone and Tetons

[Kayaker72]

So, a few impressions from the trip. First, I took (% used out of ~2,200 images):

• 5DIV (52%)
• M6 II (48%)
• 16-35 f/4 IS (2%)
• 24-70 II (45%)
• 85 f/1.4 IS (3%)
• 500 f/4 II (48%)
• EF-m 28 macro (not used)
• 1.4x TC and 2x TC (not used)
• Travel tripod

The % used are approximate for unedited pictures. It will be more interesting in how many "keepers" there are, but you can see the general trend. I also "borrowed" the 100-400 II that I had lent to my wife for ~6% of my shots).

Inside the parks, I mostly shot the 5DIV with the 24-70 II and the M6 II on the 500 f/4 II. I occasionally swapped out lenses on the M6 II, but mostly it stayed on the 500 f/4. While I have many shots with it, I can tell you already most of my favorite images have a bit of landscape with the animals, so they usually came from something a bit wider. As for next time, I'll debate the 500. Unless it is something specific, I can see maybe using the 100-400 II and, if I want more reach, add on the 1.4x TC. That said, I could see some specific instances where I would want it.

Tripod was used for some waterfalls, sunrise/sunset images. I did not need my larger tripod, the travel was perfect for this.

One main takeaway, but places like Yellowstone, you can get good images with almost any focal length. The animals can be very close, very far and almost every distance in between. So, you will get good images with whatever you bring...and, no matter what, there will be images you do not get because a particular focal length is in the bag and not on your camera at that specific instance.