Antelope Canyon near Page AZ reality check

[Tim k]

I am planing a trip next month, and one of the stops is going to be upper Antelope Canyon.

I'm still a bit slow with the 4x5, but I am learning, if you give me enough time, I can actually get something on film.

So, question is; with the crowds that I am expecting, and limited focus light, do you guys think that am I setting myself up for a frustrating stop off? Should I leave the 4x5 in the truck and just take something quicker, that runs on batteries? I understand that the tourist infestation is nearly terminal.

I understand that there are other slot canyons nearby that are not so busy, that I do plan to drag the 4x5 into, but upper Antelope seems to be the most dramatic, and its a must see for me.

Look forward to your thoughts.
Thanks guys

[John T]

If you go to the Upper Canyon, you can buy a photographer's pass which gives you around 4 hours to wander around on your own. You still have to deal with tours coming through the canyon, but they aren't a huge problem. The biggest problem are the photographers who jump in front of your camera just before you are ready to take the photo and say "I'll be quick", take a photo, then move a couple steps forward, do it again and repeat. There was one guy that I had to gently remind that he wasn't the only photographer in the canyon.

BUT, in the end, it was worth it bringing my 4x5.

[eric black]

avoid weekends and youll probably have a great experience- remember to bracket, the light in the slots can be kind of funny at times- also check into prime time which when I was there was around 1 pm for the best light.

[Steve Sample]

I was in Upper Antelope Canyon in early December and still had a few people wandering around. But they moved out of the way quickly when they saw I was taking photos. I used a 4 x 5 and the day was a bit overcast. I needed a small flashlight to see my lens settings and the guide held a light on the rocks for focus. But with long..............exposures of 4 seconds plus at about f 16 I got great photos with my 150 mm lens using Velvia 100 film.

[windpointphoto]

I understand that the tourist infestation is nearly terminal.

Isn't this what all of us are?

[Mark Sawyer]

I understand that the tourist infestation is nearly terminal...

Keep an eye on the weather; Arizona's monsoons are forecast to start early (late June/early July) and be wetter than usual. Blue skies can turn ominous in under an hour. In a slot canyon, the flash flood from a storm can be truly terminal...

[Bill_1856]

Leave the cameras at home, enjoy the canyon, and buy a postcard.

[John T]

Ignore Bill_1856

Instead be a photographer and enjoy

[Tim k]

Isn't this what all of us are?

Umm

[Tim k]

Bill,

That might be the best advice, but I got this GAS problem that I have to justify from time to time.