kybob Loc: Versailles, Kentucky

I have been to all three islands many times and have taken the D810 with a similar set of lenses. I found I have used the 28-70 more than the other two, so it would be a keeper. I kept this lens on the camera with the others in my day pack. I found I rarely used the super wide opting for pan shots with the 28-70 and then stitched them together in Lightroom. The 70-200 came out for BIF’s and water falls across Wiamea Canyon. I did the helicopter tours both on Kauai and Hawaii with the 28-70 which worked ok, liked having some reach on the lens apposed to all wide angle, but on Hawaii which I had taken the 70-200 lava was flowing then and wanted more reach to get closer. All that being said I rarely used the super wide so I too would vote 28-70 and 70-200. Enjoy your trip and have a Bubba burger on Kauai for me.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Holey Moley. Leading the pack is the 24-70. Pretty much universal. Not sure if the 70-200 is to just have for the long shots or must have as there are plenty of long shots. The 16-35, while liked is not seeing the love here as much. Even though the D/L from our friend in Oahu is with a 16-35 from the helicopter!
Still listening and appreciating the input.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

In my opinion. Travel right, travel lite. If it were me, and it's not, the D810 and the 70-200 is a no no for a any vacation, too heavy. In fact, all of your lenses are heavy, including the 24-70 and 16-35. Leave the TC at home, you don't want to get into changing outside.
On the helicopter they will not let you change lenses and you have to have your equipment stored except the camera that has to be around you neck. I always require a open door on helicopters, you have to ask for this because shooting through plexiglass is no fun and can ruin your images.
I would strongly suggest the 18-300 lens, yes, buy this lens and put it on your camera and don't take it off. Take the 50 1.8 as a high speed lens. The other stuff is just too much, too heavy. Now, the 18-300 is not a lite weight but as the only lens it will work out well.

kybob Loc: Versailles, Kentucky

I have the Nikon 18-300 and have used it on a D810 and D850 and find it is kind of 'soft' on those cameras (could be just me) and just flat out do not like the softness it has compared to the 28-70 or 70-200 on those bodies. I do use the 18-300 on my D7200 and find it works great and use this combo for long hikes or places where if something happens (stolen or dropped I will not have a heart attack and die). But with the D810 and D850 the heavy mega pixel cameras I want sharpness, dam fine sharpness because I have paid for all those mega pixels. And the images with those cameras on the 28-70 and 70-200 are amazingly sharp. Which with a tack sharp lens I can crop the heck out of it or make a huge print. (Yes I like printing them out instead of just looking at them on a screen). Once again this is just me as to the weight..I am going to take the photo, I am going to these places to take photos. Key thing "to take photos", I am not going to 'look around and document my trip' or have a 'few snaps' to remember my trip. I plan when the sun will be at what point to get the best shot, I get up early to get to a point to see the sun rise a this point. Somewhat extreme but this to me is relaxing and fun and such a rush to get that one amazing shot.

Also to me if you want to go light why take a DSLR just use your phone or take a pocket camera.

Just my two cents.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

You make the case for the BIG DILEMMA. Makes sense, but why do I have this equipment? I made that decision about traveling to Aruba every year. Just my iPhone..I'm not missing anything. Can't do it for this trip though.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

When in Kauai, I always go to Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilauea_Point_National_Wildlife_Refuge . When the wind is right, birds, many birds glide by the lighthouse point's cliffs. This is my favorite spot to get good pics birds flying towards me at eye level rather than the rear end of 'em from below. A Park Service Senior Pass will get you in free.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

That is where I used my 70-200 with a 2x in January. I also used my senior pass for entry to the park.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I would stop worrying so much about what to take and not to take... ditch the heavy D810 along with the heavy lenses, look at the Fuji X100 or a comparable Olympus point & shoot without the hassle of a collection of lens and most of all...ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!!

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Forgot to mention, lots of Albatross and Boobies. Also the lighthouse is a nice shot. Check for popular times. The parking can get a little tight.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

I suggest you travel lite. I have done extensive traveling in recent years and started by taking everything but the kitchen sink in my rollaboard (two bodies, five lenses and accessories). It was a real hassle and did not make travel particularly fun. After a lot of analysis, I realized that 95% of my pictures were taken with my f2.8 24-70mm and all but a very few were taken with other lenses. If you must have two lenses, I would take the f2.8 24-70 and the 50mm. On the other hand, you could save yourself some weight by only taking the f2.8 24-70mm and shooting everything in RAW. You will probably only need your 70-200 occasionally if at all, so leave it at home. By cropping the 24-70mm images, you will be able to get the equivalent of a 200mm image without a great loss in detail using the D810. Do take the lens hood, a CPL filter and cleaning kit and you will have a great unencumbered vacation. Now, if you plan on taking any tour bus trips, the 50mm might not be a bad addition. The f2.8 can be awkward to use if you have a window seat and the 50mm could be a good compromise. I would not bring any of your other zooms because the 24-70 will do just about everything they will.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'm with John on this one, two lenses. I "toured" somewhere in Africa for year. I had two lenses, a 43~86 and a 50~300. I was supplied with all of the film I could carry and resupplied numerous times throughout. So, I think your 24~70 and 70~200 would be your best choices. Stick with the wide angle lens for the helicopter trip as you'll be doing sightseeing not surveillance.

Helicopters vibrates a lot, along with the possibility of being jostled by your fellow passengers. Take the wide angle and plan on shooting at fast shutter speeds.
--Bob

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Yeah. There are not a lot of tele shots you can take from the helicopter that you can't come close to duplicating from various viewing spots that you can drive to. But the wide angle shots from the air can only be done from the air. Also, trying to use a long lens from the air will just make you miss the fun of the ride.

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

Agree with the others here who say 24-70 & 70-200. If you only want to bring one (that's all I generally bring to the islands) then the 24-70 would be hard to beat, plus you wouldn't risk getting a dirty sensor in the nearly constant tradewinds. You have more than enough mpx to crop if necessary if 70mm does not get you close enough.

ecurb1105

16-35 and 70-200.