Going to Hawaii! How do you photograph a Luau? (Page 2): Grab a Fuji XT2 or X100F and revel in the high iso competency. Small, light and iso no problem.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Grab a Fuji XT2 or X100F and revel in the high iso competency. Small, light and iso no problem.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

sawdust_128 wrote:

Don't get grease on the camera and lens.

Had not thought of that, but thanks!

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

russchristopher wrote:

I agree with trying to use the tiki torches and ot... (show quote)

I will keep that in mind. As to coming home, I used points to upgrade the return flight to make it more bearable.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

xt2 wrote:

Grab a Fuji XT2 or X100F and revel in the high iso competency. Small, light and iso no problem.

While I do suffer from GAS (suffer is such a negative term for such a wonderful condition) I recently got a new laptop (Dell XPS 13 9360 with touch screen, 16G, 512G SSD) so I won't be purchasing anything else before the trip.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

dsmeltz wrote:

Going to Kauai with a group of runners. I am the designated photographer for the group (by election when I was not there) So the "not take any photographs" suggestion is not an option. I will get group shots with little trouble, However, I know there will be some demand for shots of the action. I have done quite a few nighttime events, however, the torches will be a new experience for me.

I recommend the Smith’s Luau if you have not yet made a decision. This is a family operation, including the performers, or it was when I was last there - 2006. No hotel thing. The facility is a privately owned park with gorgeous landscaping. Reservations are required as they limit # of attendees to, I think, about 400. I would pass on video. They sell a professionally made DVD for $10. At the start of the Polynesian Review guests are asked not to use flash because it could endanger the performers. But, of course, there were those that ignored the request. No one was asked to leave, however.
Enjoy your trip. Kauai is my favorite of the islands.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Billbobboy42 wrote:

I recommend the Smith’s Luau if you have not yet m... (show quote)

Actually, that is the one we are going to enjoy. We have a group of around 50.

Paulie Loc: NW IL

dsmeltz wrote:

Actually, that is the one we are going to enjoy. We have a group of around 50.

That is the one we have seen too, right around the huge old mango tree... ☺

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I have just sent an email to Kamika Smith, the GM, regarding restrictions on photography at the luau. I understand that the ticket includes activities starting as early as 4:45 and runs through the show, which starts at 7:45.

They have actually accommodated my wife's vegan diet as well.

Me, I will me eating the whole hog!

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

dsmeltz wrote:

I have just sent an email to Kamika Smith, the GM, regarding restrictions on photography at the luau. I understand that the ticket includes activities starting as early as 4:45 and runs through the show, which starts at 7:45.

They have actually accommodated my wife's vegan diet as well.

Me, I will me eating the whole hog!

The first activity is a riding tour of the park, followed by about an hour or so of free time to walk around the facility- good photo op time. Lots of blooms, birds on the pond, etc. Next is the ceremony (a somber event) performed immediately prior to lifting the pig up from the fire pit. Then it is Mai Tai time while the staff get the pig ready for serving. Show time, if I remember correctly, is around 7:30 or 8:00. Show is about an hour.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Billbobboy42 wrote:

The first activity is a riding tour of the park, followed by about an hour or so of free time to walk around the facility- good photo op time. Lots of blooms, birds on the pond, etc. Next is the ceremony (a somber event) performed immediately prior to lifting the pig up from the fire pit. Then it is Mai Tai time while the staff get the pig ready for serving. Show time, if I remember correctly, is around 7:30 or 8:00. Show is about an hour.

I just had a thought. Not related to the luau. Is it worth toting my 150-600 to Hawaii? Should I just pack an extender for my 70-200 instead?

Lens Creep

mmm kalua pork

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

If you plan to visit places like Volcano National Park on the Big Island or Kauai's Grand Canyon, I would take to 150-600. I'd also take a travel monopod since many of the best pictures occur in the evening especially if you are heading to the national park. Have to admit I didn't bring a monopod on our last trip, but my wife was kind enough to let me use her head as a substitute.
Out of curiosity, what are you planning to bring for wide angle shots?

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

NJphotodoc wrote:

If you plan to visit places like Volcano National Park on the Big Island or Kauai's Grand Canyon, I would take to 150-600. I'd also take a travel monopod since many of the best pictures occur in the evening especially if you are heading to the national park. Have to admit I didn't bring a monopod on our last trip, but my wife was kind enough to let me use her head as a substitute.
Out of curiosity, what are you planning to bring for wide angle shots?

Canon 10-18, Sigma 18-35. I may throw in an older Sigma 17-70 or just the Canon 50 1.4 to fill in the 35-70 gap. Leaning toward the 50 since I do not shoot much in the missing range.

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

I'm a Nikon guy but like you I use both company and other lenses (mostly Tamron). Sounds like you have it all covered. Now just enjoy the trip and have a great time!

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

NJphotodoc wrote:

I'm a Nikon guy but like you I use both company and other lenses (mostly Tamron). Sounds like you have it all covered. Now just enjoy the trip and have a great time!

Thanks, I think I might just do that.