If you had to suggest one lens for a trip to Hawaii

<p>Hello, I'm new here, nice to meet you all.</p>

<p>I'm going to Hawaii, (Big island), in August of this year.</p>

<p>I have a Nikon D300 and the following lenses, (specs from memory please correct me if I'm wrong on the apertures).<br>

- 17-55mm / f2.8 nikkor<br>

- 24-85mm / f3.5-5.6 nikkor</p>

<p>I'm concerned that neither of these lenses will be the best for my trip. My main hopes are to get lots of landscape/sunset pics, and lots of pics from a helicopter ride. I also want to be able to zoom in on distant terrain details that I won't be able to get physically close to. My goal is to pick one lens and stick with it for the entire trip.</p>

<p>The 17-55 is my favorite lens, it cost me about $1,500 i think. It's a very fast lens. The 24-85 is a good all purpose walk around lens, but it's not quite as fast or as sharp as my 17-55.</p>

<p>The problem is that I am not a fan of switching lenses frequently or carrying lots of lenses on me. The 17-55 may be too wide angle, that's about a 25-82 mm zoon in full frame terms, and the 24-85 is just too slow and even with tons of lighting, just doesn't take as sharp a photo as the 17-55. I bought a circular polarizing filter for the 24-85 assuming that would be the lens I take on the helicopter ride, however with the filter on I lose a few stops and I can't shoot at the shutter speeds I want.</p>

<p>I have two questions.</p>

<p>1) If I could only take one lens to hawaii, which of the two listed above should I take?<br>

2) If I somehow fall into some cash, what lens should I buy for this trip that will be fast and sharp and have a longer zoom than the 17-55?</p>

<p>Thanks<br>

Josh</p>

<p>Two suggestions:<br>

18-200 VR<br>

or add a 70-200 to your linup and take both that and your 17-55.</p>

 

<p>Thank you Galen for the recommendation. I'm not a huge fan of being limited to f5.6 at max zoom, however the f2.8 200 zoom would break my wallet.</p>

<p>I have considered the 18-200 but I have often wondered if it is fast enough and sharp enough at 200mm. I'll do some more research on it.</p>

<p>Thanks<br>

Josh</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I'd take the 17-55/2.8 and keep it simple and light. Maybe throw a faster 50 in the bag for low available light.</p>

<p>There's a guy here whose handle is "Puppy Face", who is a Canonite, and lives in Hawaii. He would probably be able to answer this question best.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thank you Luis.</p>

<p>I do have a 50 prime that I love. It goes down to f1.8, but my 17-55 at f2.8 is usually fast enough. A friend of mine has the 18-200 and likes it. he admits it needs a lot of light though to shine. I'd assume with the 18-200 at 200mm you want to be around f11 for the most even image. And if i'm handheld while in a helicopter i'd want to be shooting at 1/200th of a second shutter minimum to eliminate any chance of bluring. So how much light do you need to shoot at f11 and 1/200th? Put a polarizing filter on top of that to cut out window glare.</p>

<p>I just don't have enough experience shooting past about 85 mm.</p>

<p>I am seriously considering the 18-200 though.</p>

<p>Josh</p>

I am not a big fan of limiting myself, so I would probably cover the 14-200mm range with 4 or 5 lenses with a 1.4x to boot.

<p>Joshua, it is obvious no one lens will do everything you want. If you insist on only one, I would go with the 17-55 but you can forget about distant terrain details as well as ultra wide vistas.<br>

<br />If you did get a second lens, the clear choice would be the 70-200VR but yes, you need to fall into a deep pile of money. Much less expensive, consider the 70-300VR. Definitely some compromises with f/5.6 on the long end but it should be a good daylight lens and not very heavy. Personally, I would never travel to Hawaii with only one lens for once-in-a-lifetime shots.</p>

<p>Don't be too concern about the helicopter ride. 1) You have a plastic canopy that is no very good optically. Lots of distortion from the curves. 2) You are riding with a bunch of other people. You may be stuck in the middle of the helicopter with no view out either side. 3) There is a lot of movement in the helicopter and you need a fairly fast shutter speed. 4) Most helicopter rides are during the harsh light of the day. Your images will be fairly flat.<br>

Just take your 17-55, a small prime mid telephoto macro like the Tamron 90 f2.8 SP and a fast prime wide angle for low light indoor shots like the 35 f2 or Sigma 30 f1.4<br>

Hawaii is not all about the wide vista or scenery. A lot of the uniqueness about Hawaii is up close and personal.<br>

If you get stuck and need a lens or two let me know. I live on the Big Island.</p>

<p>Thank you everyone for the replies. Thank you Hansen for the information about the helicopter ride I hadn't considered those facts.</p>

<p>I suppose I should explain why for this particular visit to the island I want as few lenses as possible. i'm going with my wife and 3 young children. I won't have any alone time to wander off and take photos. During any daily excursion I'll basically have 30 seconds to get my camera out of its bag, take the shot, and shove it back into the bag before my wife and kids pull me away. My wife and I both are needed to manage the children so i'll have a child on one arm at all times. This is a family trip.</p>

<p>I'd love to be able to have time to explore and find photo opportunities and use many lenses. For this trip I'll be on parenting duty 24/7 and just have to go with the flow. Thus my interest in one lens to rule them all.</p>

<p>Maybe I should not bring the camera until I can plan a trip without the kids.</p>

<p>I suppose the question I should have asked is ...</p>

<p>"i love photography and I'm super excited about the photo opportunities in Hawaii, but i'm going with the entire family, and we'll be at the beach most of the time in the sand, and I wont have any time to myself, what should my photo strategy be?"</p>

<p>Looking for tips on how to break away from family and where to look for great photo ops :)</p>

<p>Thanks<br>

josh</p>

<p>I would take the 17-55mm lens with you. You said the other lens is a slow zoom and not that optically great. I would just put it in the closet and leave it there. If you could afford another lens then buy something that will be nice and fast enough to use in low light. Maybe a f2.8 zoom long zoom. Either the Nikon (best) or a Tamron (excellent).</p>

<p>Joshua, it is very difficult to find 'photo' time when you are traveling with a family. Most of the time, you simply make them part of the photo. However, I have found one time that is mine alone when I travel. If you are willing to get up early enough, the sunrises should be pretty nice.</p>

 

<p>You've boxed yourself in with two lenses that overlap quite a lot. I'd think about that when you decide to buy another. If I just had to take only one, I suppose I'd go for the 24-85. Get the cheapest used 50mm you can find for low light. Probably the 50mm f/1.8.</p>

<p>Ross, you are probably right, the 17-55 is my main lens and I haven't needed to take it off the camera since I got it.</p>

<p>Bruce, that's an awesome suggestion. I'm normally a late sleeper, but in Hawaii I'll probably be getting to bed early enough to wake up early.</p>

<p>So for now, I suppose I'll lower my expectations since I need to be devoted to family time, and I'll just bring the 17-55 and take snaps whenever I can, and maybe sunrises :)</p>

<p>Thanks<br>

Josh</p>

<p>I live in L.A. and when I went to Oahu, I was up normally up very early because of the 3 hours difference. If you are traveling in that direction, then your family may be withyou at daybreak. Even so, it is a magical time and you will get good shots. I think the 17-55 is perfect. It will keep you focused and honest. I went with a Leica m6 and a 28, 50 and 90 lens and it was all good. Lately I have been using a 24-60 mm (35mm equiv) digital and finding that it is an excellent range for photographing everything from landscape to life.</p>

<p>Do you have a point and shoot?<br>

If I were you I'd just take the 17-55 you already have and get a Panasonic LX3 or Canon G10.</p>

<p>Spend more time with your family, and still have a very nice camera in your pocket.</p>

<p>Rather than the 70-300 i would suggest the 70-210 since its going to be lighter and 210 will be plenty long. Yes, you give up VR but you get the advantage of cheap, and if you can find a constant f/4 you get a faster lens too.<br>

I would also recomend that you plan to shoot a lot faster than 1/200th from a helecopter. Maybe more like 1/1000 for most shots.<br>

Have you thought about renting a lens?</p>

<p>If you get in to some more cash, you should buy a 70-200 or 70-300 and taking the 17-55 (70-300 are usually cheap lenses, about 300 or 400 dollars and they totally worth it). There are some good deals in Adorama, for used and new lenses. You could try buying one there.<br>

If you can't buy the 70-300, take the 24-85mm.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

<p>Hi Joshua.</p>

<p> We just did a family trip to the Big Island in December. So I have a few suggestions (I shoot Pentax digital so 1.5 crop in this). First I always takke more lenses than I should but my list included a 20-35, 50mm macro, 70-300, 400mm f5.6 + 1.4X TC.<br>

1) Do a 'Doors Off' Helicopter tour. I did, out of Hilo. Much better photo ops than with a doors on. It is a little scary at first, but soon you quickly just start taking in the scenery. I brought two lenses for this myself a 20-35 and a 70-300. I was too scared to frankly put on the 70-300 (2,000 foot drop!) and really only saw one image that I wish I had access to the longer lens. When I was there it was raining generally in the afternoon, but you probably want to work around the current rain schedule.<br>

On the other hand if you want to do a Luau you probably want a little more reach. I used my 50mm macro for most of my shots (I got there early to get the right table). <br>

We did the submarine tour of Kona. Photography was rather disapointing because there is no practical way to get flash to the subjects. Still, it was fun.<br>

We also did a Whale trip where I used the 70-300 exclusively.<br>

I shoot mostly nature so I had a 400mm +TC for birds, and a 50mm macro especially working tidepools. As to landscapes I certainly wish at times I had a wider lens like your 17mm reach, especially in Volcanos park and on the South Side looking at Mona Loa.<br>

If you hit the market in Hilo you'll probably want the speed of your faster lens.<br>

So I may offer poor advice, but I would take more than one lens unless you aren't the kind of person who would kick themself for missing that life time shot.</p>

 

<p>You've gotten some great suggestions; I'd just second the "take the 17-55 and maybe get the 70-300VR, too". The 70-300VR is quite a decent lens, and would give you the reach for volcanoes and such.</p>

I don't know what's right for you but I would take the 17-55 given the restraints you have imposed. BTW The 50 mm is just too precious not to have with you.

<p>Hi, Joshua -</p>

<p>Some great insight and suggestions have come your way in this post, good thinking all of you. First, I think the 17-55 is the surest bet. Second, the 50mm 1.8 would be a nice to have along, but may well be uneeded, especially as you have built in limitations, kids, time, space, etc. For the helicopter trip, much of any telephoto length will likely result in second rate images, IMO. The trades and mountainous terrain contribute to unsteady air for small aircraft flight conditions, you very well might encounter marginal photographic opportunities, if equipment is not well stabilized.</p>

<p>My first few trips following retirement were equipment disasters, WAY too much stuff, I felt like the proverbial blind dog in the meat market, knew it was somewhere but couldn't find it. Each trip following saw a reduction in equipment, then came to center on one digital SLR with one zoom lens, plus a 40mm fixed lens on Leica rangefinder. For my use that is the optimum, a moderate wide angle works most of the time. As some suggested, buying a fine quality P&S digital may well be what you would find the primary tool.</p>

<p>Sounds like Hansen is a mighty fine fellow, his offer to help is most generous, a good guy indeed. Hope you have a great trip, remember, minimal is best.</p>

<p>Patrick </p>

<p>>>My wife and I both are needed to manage the children so i'll have a child on one arm at all times. This is a family trip.<<<br>

Since it is a family trip, leave the DSLR at home and bring a point and shoot with you. It will not get in the way and you can get some excellent photographs with a good one. Why alienate yourself with a big bulky camera and a 17-55 zoom. If you get one of those little Olympus you can get in the water with your family and take some great family snap shots at the beach. There is a reason why those point and shoots are so popular. Not all great images are created with an SLR.</p>

<p>Hi,<br>

I would second the suggestions to keep it light and simple. My family trips with only one young child made me rethink how I travel with photo equipment and how I go about taking photos. I bought a Casio Exilim Z1080 which has served me well - easy to carry, easy to access, and relatively easy to use one-handed. However, I still brought my DSLR just in case I had an opportunity to use it, otherwise I would just leave it in the hotel room or in the trunk of the car.<br>

I now have two young children and thinking that I may just bring the Casio on future trips.<br>

I should also add that I always bring my film camera which can serve as a backup camera as well.</p>

<p>Listen to Hansen and don't let the gear spoil the trip. If you are used to Nikon, consider the new Coolpix P6000. Or the Panasonic LX 3. If you already have a good p and s take it and let the photography be incidental to the experience. I learned this on a trip to Vegas where the best and least disruptive shots were by a classmate with a small Canon with fixed zoom. On and off buses, in elevators, on a helicopter, wherever. I know it is hard not to bring what you are so fond of. So go ahead. But slip a p and s along for some days. And heed Hansen who has a grip on the Big Island---it is really BIG and travel will be a part of the routine. Walking along Crater Road or down a lava tube, think small and portable. Unless you have a willing porter in your family.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Such awesome responses. Thank you everyone.</p>

<p>I did go to Disneyland just recently with the wife and one kid, and even with one kid found it difficult to take time to stop and compose good photos. I imagine with all 3 kids it may be near impossible.</p>

<p>I do not own a Point and shoot camera. I've never even used one. I've used SLRs ever since I was a child and my father gave me his Minolta SRT 101.</p>

<p>My buddy brought in his nikkor 18-200 today so i could evaluate it, and while I didn't like the light fall off in the corners when using a wide open aperture, I was impressed with the portability of this lens. It would allow me to romp around without ever having to change lenses. I just need to come up with $600 now.</p>

<p>But some of you have me thinking now. Even if I dont have to carry multiple lenses, do i want to be carrying around a big expensive camera at all. i'd be terrified to get it near sand. And then I'd feel insecure about leaving it alone in the hotel room.</p>

<p>Thanks all for the information, at least i'm more prepared now to make whatever decision I end up making.</p>

<p>Cheers<br>

Josh</p>