Smokey Mountain Photo Gear

[Matt Tucker]

So I am getting ready to gear up for my trip to the smokies.  I will never be set with the right flies and water conditions (Duggie’s recent trip will attest to that……bad karma man..bad karma…).  But after reading a couple of books about photographing the smokies, i think quite a bit of my time will be spent shooting photos.  That being said, i have some holes in my gear.

My gear Now:
Digital Body = Nikon D70
Main Lens = Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70mm
Other Lens = *Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G AF Zoom
                   *Tokina 50mm f2.8 (manual focus)
                   *Sigma APO 400mm f5.6 (manual focus)
                   *Sigma 50mm f2.8 EX Macro D (autofocus)
Flash = *Nikon SB600 SpeedLight
            *Nikon SB28 SpeedLight

I definitely want to add a carbon tripod prior to the trip, as that will cut 5lbs right off the bat from my current tripod.  Probably eyeing up a 3rd party carbon on ebay for about $100.

I also would like to add a ultra-wide angle lens (something in the 12-24 range)

Lastly, I am thinking about a fast f2.8 zoom (preferably out to 300mm) while this is would serve my wildlife shots here at home too, I just don’t think this will be in the cards.

So my questions are this.
1.  Does anyone have an ultra wide lens that they care to offer comments on?  Do you want to part with it?

2.  For those that shoot wildlife/sports what is your primary long distance lens.

Thanks,
Matt Tucker

[Zach Matthews]

Matt you are overkilling.

[Matt Tucker]

I picked up the SB28 for cheap on ebay.

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