In preparation for July trip to Glacier NP

Well, I've been agonizing over this decision for a year now but finally put it to rest last night. I ordered a Canon 5D so that I'll have time to get used to it prior to the Glacier trip. This means selling off almost 20 years worth of Minolta gear and that decision did not come easily. I'm even selling my rough Mamiya 645 1000s as it just does not get used anymore and I feel the 5D will serve me well enough for now. So Tony, is my 17mm prime going to be wide enough on my 5D?? I've never been there with anything wider than a 20mm before and it's my worse lens for image quality. Can't wait to get up to glacier with the new gear. I've been shooting a Contax 28/2.8 Distagon on the 30D for two weeks now and that lens is awesome. I can't wait to slap that on the 5D.

Jim,
I'm not Tony but the 5D has a full-frame (35mm) sensor so the 17 mm lens will be 17 mm. There is no crop factor as in the 20D/30D/XTi family.

Jim

Jim,
just one more thing: you'll love the 5D. Nice big, bright viewfinder and great image quality. Just remember to get some higher-capacity CF cards. Those 13mpx images take up a lot of room!

Jim

I'd say yes, 17mm, if used properly, will be great! Here's a couple 17mm shots from glacier. . .

Keep in mind that you need to check with the NPS GNP on road closures, the Going to sun road is not even open yet due to fall storm damage. GNP says around the first of July, some of the crew says mid July before the road is open all the way over. It likely will open on the west side by july 1, but the east side may not yet be open. . . Also, there is limited off trail access on logan in july as well as not very many flowers yet to shoot. . .

I'd be heading for many glacier if I were you. . .




And another. . . You may recognize the falls shot, one like it shot by Gallen Rowell was on the cover of OP a las year.

You wont be able to get either of these shots. First off, the areas where they were taken are closed, and second, they both were taken in LATE August, like the last few days of August. . .




In any event, back to your post, the 17 will do wonders!!!

Lovely images! I can't wait to get back out there. I've been shooting a whole bunch of wildlife the past year but I'm brushing up on the landscape work in preparation. This was shot last week with a Contax 28/2.8 Distagon adapted to the 30D.

Well, the 5D arrived last night and I took some quick test shots. Everything is good except for one problem. My adapter Pentax 50/1.4 is hit by the mirror when focused to infinity. A common problem that some have and some don't do to differences in tolerance with the 5D's mirror. Now the decision is, shave the mirror or shave the lens. The Contax 28/2.8 works fine which I am very glad of. I'll have to see how the corners hold up though. I'll test it all thouroughly this weekend if I can find time. I have exams to study for, 4 large prints to make for buyers, and 100 4" x 6" small mammal prints I am donating to a local event to be given to the kids. Sure wish the weekends were longer, LOL!!