terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

I am going to Kauai tomorrow afternoon for 4 days, I will be bringing my Nikon D800 and the Sony Cyber Shot as a easy backup. I will be bring my Tamron f/2.8 17-35mm, my Sigma f/2.8 24-70mm, the Sigma f/2.8 70-200mm, I have the Sigma 150-500mm and am wondering if it is worth bringing an suggestions on which I should leave home so far I think that the Sony Bridge is a better choice than the Nikon D7100 or the Pentax K-7. What do you folks think?.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I'll take it all, leave nothing behind!!

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

not very sure that the 150-500 will get much use as I shoots landscape and street type shots, not much wildlife the whales are better watched than photographed from shore as they would appear small even with that large of a range. I go out on the boats alot top capture good shots of them

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Why is going to Kauai any different than going to Arizona? Why would you take different kit on a 4 day trip to Kauai than you would for a 4 day trip anywhere else? I guess I don't understand the reason for all these questions of this type. Ultimately I guess it depends on what you are going to take pictures of - doesn't it?

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

Landscape and photos of different places on the island, it does not have any difference where I am going except that is it worth it to haul along a heavy lens that may not be used much if at all that is why I am wondering what others thoughts are does that clear it up for you

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Not really. Would you be asking the same question if you were going to Japan or Arizona?

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I would leave the 24-70mm behind. Use the 17-35mm for wide angle, and the 70-200mm when you don't want wide angle. For the 35 to 70mm range not covered, you simply use one of the other lenses and take a step or two forwards or backwards to frame your shot. Keep it simple, and enjoy your stay. If you're constantly fumbling around with your camera and switching lenses, you will miss a lot going on around you. On Kauai, there will be plenty to see and discover - don't let technology get in the way.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I haven't found too much reason for long lenses in Hawaii. Wide to medium range lenses works pretty well. And for whale watching, I find that around 250mm is as long as I want to go. Usually less. What is most important is instant response when you snap the picture and also rapid bursts of shots. When a whale breaches, you have to find it in an instant and start shooting and to shoot many shots while it is still in the act. I have found that bridge cameras are not suitable for capturing whales. They respond too slow. Bring a plastic bag for the camera for when the boat is moving fast.

And when out in a boat, you are likely to encounter Spinner Dolphin. They put on quite a show, and you have to be fast. I ended up resorting to movies. They would pop up suddenly and then go back down only to surface somewhere else.

And as long as you are in a boat, look for flying fish. And they too are very fast.

And you may see some Monk Seals. I have seen them at least 3 times.

As for the cliffs of the Napoli coast, I have done it in the morning and in the late afternoon, and the afternoon was far better. The sun is now on the western side and it really lights up the cliffs and brings out all the color. Be sure to shoot that in RAW. And sunsets from the boat are spectacular.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Definitely the 17-35 for the wildlife. (In Wailua, that is!)

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

The question is for yourself, what subjects are you going after?

wfmiller Loc: Morgantown, PA

I found that I used my wide lenses 95% of the time in Hawaii. Unless you are shooting whales or surfing then leave the long glass behind!!

gdoug Loc: Central Florida

You might want to check out Kauai Photo Tours in Kapa'a. Had a great tour day with them back in November.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

Be sure to take a helicopter ride or some other tour to see the island from out at sea. Probably going out in a boat would offer the best photo opportunities if you can make that happen. The waterfalls are probably the most spectacular views on Kauai but you can't really see them very well while you are on land.

If you have to leave some glass at home I'd probably make it the 150-500.

Kanonmeister Loc: Los Angeles

Most would be better off just buying post cards anyway. They represent professional work for the most part. Take one camera for shots of self and significant other to show you were there.

Oh, by the way. What sort of stuff should I take to go to wilderness BC in winter, besides down filled clothing, photographer's mittens, and baggies. :lol:

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I have done the helicopter, and most of the time, there are considerable clouds over the island and once the helicopter reaches those clouds, you have water drops all over the glass. Your best pictures are from a boat.