Key West: Should I take my bulky 200-500 on a flight for three days in Key West, or will my 55-200 be enough.I like bird photography, but wonder if the opportunities will be too...

old poet

Should I take my bulky 200-500 on a flight for three days in Key West, or will my 55-200 be enough.I like bird photography, but wonder if the opportunities will be too limited. Should I just stick to street, sunset and other touristy subjects? I'll have my D7200.

Dr J Loc: NE Florida

There are so many interesting things to photograph there you probably won’t even think about birds (my personal favorite). You will be at the 55mm end most of the time - or wider if you have it. Just my opinion of course.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Particularly if you aren't renting a car, you won't need the big tele.

old poet

Good advice. Thanks!

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Les Brown wrote:

Should I take my bulky 200-500 on a flight for three days in Key West, or will my 55-200 be enough.I like bird photography, but wonder if the opportunities will be too limited. Should I just stick to street, sunset and other touristy subjects? I'll have my D7200.

Are those the only lenses you have? Do you have anything shorter than 55mm?

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

In my humble opinion, a wider lens would be great, especially in DX format.

Andy

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

AndyH wrote:

In my humble opinion, a wider lens would be great, especially in DX format.

Andy

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

AndyH wrote:

In my humble opinion, a wider lens would be great, especially in DX format.

Andy

I have spent time in the Keys; and I agree that a wider lens would be more useful.
Something like a 16-35.

mrpentaxk5ii

Les Brown wrote:

Should I take my bulky 200-500 on a flight for three days in Key West, or will my 55-200 be enough.I like bird photography, but wonder if the opportunities will be too limited. Should I just stick to street, sunset and other touristy subjects? I'll have my D7200.

I never travel with only one lens, a 55-200 would work for birds that are close when you are on a marsh walk, a better lens would be a 55-300, still compact with more reach than a 55-200. If you have a 17-50 or 17-70 or so,the two would cover much of your needs.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Mac wrote:

Are those the only lenses you have? Do you have anything shorter than 55mm?

You won't need a long lens for Key West. I agree with what AndyH and Kmgw9v have said.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

Les Brown wrote:

Should I take my bulky 200-500 on a flight for three days in Key West, or will my 55-200 be enough.I like bird photography, but wonder if the opportunities will be too limited. Should I just stick to street, sunset and other touristy subjects? I'll have my D7200.

The time I was in Key West the only birds I saw (and photographed) were pelicans and the very colorful chickens that roam the town. You can get pretty close in both cases so I suspect the 55-200 should be quite sufficient.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Les Brown wrote:

Should I take my bulky 200-500 on a flight for three days in Key West, or will my 55-200 be enough.I like bird photography, but wonder if the opportunities will be too limited. Should I just stick to street, sunset and other touristy subjects? I'll have my D7200.

Maybe if you plan to go to the parks like dry tortugas islands taking photos of birds.

If not I would not take that lens. I’m leaving for Hawaii in a couple days and I’ll be in Key West this November. I’m planning on taking my D500 and Tramron 18-400. I’m still thinking about the 200-500 for the Hawaii trip (Big Islsns, Maui and Honolulu)

Nikon1201

55-200

ELNikkor

55-200 and shorter

Low Budget Dave

If you are going off the island bird watching, then you will need the longer lens. If you are going down to the Dry Tortugas, for example, or visiting Fort Jefferson (Garden Key), then bring the big lens. At the Fort, you will see Frigatebirds, as well as Sooty Terns, which I think come from Bush Key. You will also see some unusual sandpipers, as well as Swallows, and Plovers. I don't know the specific name of each, but I am told they are not the common ones you see elsewhere in Florida.

In Key West, of course, you will see mostly just see chickens, pelicans and gulls. There are great sunsets and fun people, but not a lot of rare birds. (Cats roam the city freely, so the only birds you see are ones that are tougher than cats.)