Which is the best all around lens for a whale shoot? I am going on a humpback whale watching tour in Dominica and would like to only take one lens on the tour with me. Which would be...

kwaye Loc: Central Maine

I am going on a humpback whale watching tour in Dominica and would like to only take one lens on the tour with me. Which would be the best choice lens to have on the camera. I have a 18-55mm, 55-200mm and a fixed 35mm lens. I would only like to take one lens with a polarzing filter. I understand that the tour boats get pretty close up to the whales. Any helpful hints would be well appreciated.

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

whale watching, i would say, a wide angle lens {lol}
i would use the {55-200mm}

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

kwaye wrote:

I am going on a humpback whale watching tour in Dominica and would like to only take one lens on the tour with me. Which would be the best choice lens to have on the camera. I have a 18-55mm, 55-200mm and a fixed 35mm lens. I would only like to take one lens with a polarzing filter. I understand that the tour boats get pretty close up to the whales. Any helpful hints would be well appreciated.

the biggest longest one

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

kwaye wrote:

I am going on a humpback whale watching tour in Dominica and would like to only take one lens on the tour with me. Which would be the best choice lens to have on the camera. I have a 18-55mm, 55-200mm and a fixed 35mm lens. I would only like to take one lens with a polarzing filter. I understand that the tour boats get pretty close up to the whales. Any helpful hints would be well appreciated.

You will probably need both. My selection would be my Nikkor 28-300mm VR lens, but you will definitely want the 200 for when they are breaching as you approach, thats how the tour boats locate them. Then you will want the 18-55 for when they come in closer.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

If you take only one, it will be the wrong one.
Take both, you'll be glad you did!
If you insist in only one lens, take the wide angle. Shoot with large files. You can crop in for enlargements.
It wouldn't hurt to become friends with someone that has better lens power and exchange emails.....
Share the best ones with us!!!!!!
Pat

kwaye Loc: Central Maine

Thank you. I guess I will rething my choices and take both. Hopefully I will have some decent pics to post.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

If you see a whale breach out of the water, I think it is better to be a little wide with the lens and crop in on the computer. If you try to zoom in for the perfect close frame, you may miss the shot all together.
Keep both hands on the camera, holding right in front of you. You can respond quickly, this way. If they jump once, they may jump several more times.
Ask the boat crew or captain for photo tips.
Don't forget the suntan lotion.....It's easy to get burned.

Can't wait to see what you get and hear about the experience!
Pat

MtnMan Loc: ID

Well maybe they are different there but chasing humpback's near Ketchikan they must stay 100 yards back. You definitely need the longest lens you have with image sabilization.

I got mostly swirls of water off in the distance.

kwaye wrote:

I am going on a humpback whale watching tour in Dominica and would like to only take one lens on the tour with me. Which would be the best choice lens to have on the camera. I have a 18-55mm, 55-200mm and a fixed 35mm lens. I would only like to take one lens with a polarzing filter. I understand that the tour boats get pretty close up to the whales. Any helpful hints would be well appreciated.

AnnaZ Loc: SW Wis.

They must be pretty protected in Ketchikan if you have to stay 100 years away..............LOL Ya, I realize a typo......(hope it is a typo)

MtnMan Loc: ID

lol...fixed

AnnaZ wrote:

They must be pretty protected in Ketchikan if you have to stay 100 years away..............LOL Ya, I realize a typo......(hope it is a typo)

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Jay Pat wrote:

If you see a whale breach out of the water, I thin... (show quote)

I agree. Also, a 28-300mm would be my choice. If you are on a large boat, taking more equipment is a good idea. I prefer the small boats with 4 to 8 people (a 24 foot Kodiac) where you are closer to the water for the best shots and 360 degree views. But I will not change lenses when there is any chance of salt water mist entering my camera (windy conditions, small boat, whale exhaling nearby, etc.).

mbowmandement Loc: Hilo, Hawaii

just spent the day on the water whale watching from our sailboat.....in Hawaii one needs to be at least 100 yards from the awsome creatures. We never got that close and did not have any great opportunities for a good photograph of breeching, etc....we did SEE lots of whales!

Dontrain Loc: Chicago suburb

55-200 will work, see pics.

Off Point Loma, San Diego Christmas Day, 2011

Here She Comes

Wow

See You Later

gdwyer Loc: Greenbush MN>

I spent the day a couple years ago in southern Calif watching grays. should have taken a couple lenses, also get as close to the front of the boat you can then you can get the shot from either side.

this is the head mouth,eye breech hole

PapaJon Loc: Oregon Coast

I am so glad you brought this up, as I am going on a whale watching excursion in March, off the coast of Oregon. Many many thanks!