Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Going in February to Maui. Have not been to any of the islands before. I do like my birding photography (any wildlife) and landscapes also. I am wondering which lenses to take with me. I understand that while I am there is a key time for whale migration. Any thoughts on what I should take? Thanks for any help!
Marsha

What I have:
Tamron 150-600
Tamron 18-270
Tamron 60mm Macro
Nikon 24-70
Niko 70-200

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

As always, it depends on your personal interests. Hawaii has some incredible birds, so if it were me I wouldn't go without the 150~600. Incredible flowers so the macro. Then the 18~270 and you would have everything covered. JMHO

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

What I wanted to know...thanks!

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Your choice really depends upon your goals. Is this a travel/relaxing vacation or photography trip? It may be about whether or not you want to carry so much gear with you. On our recent trip to the islands, it was suggested here and by others, to take a 28-300 and just relax. I did and I did. I also took my 16-35 which was a must for indoors and Pearl Harbor.
It also depends on your camera. Is it FF or DX? If DX, I don't see anything that will give you the wide view that you may see. The 18-270 looks like the 'winner' to me.
Enjoy!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Tamron 150-600
Nikon 24-70

Al Freeedman

The 18-270 and the 150-600 should cover just about everything.

Captain Al

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

In my opinion take the two Nikon lens with out question.

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Loving everyone's opinions! Thanks!

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

Having been to Maui, I agree with these choices.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

For me I’d take the Tamron 18-270. Especially if I take a camera with a crop sensor.
/George

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Lightest weight and most flexibility would be your Nikon 24-70, 70-200 (2.8?) and a 2x TC for birds. I had a Sigma 150-600 on Kauai. It was too much trouble to haul around.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I wish I could give you a better opinion because I have visited Hawaii although it was not a trip geared to photography. That happened some years ago and I remember I did not take with me lots of gear but what I took was enough. I remember taking a 18-70 Nikon kit lens and it did the majority of the images of that trip.

If your camera is a DX body it is very hard to argue against the Tamron 18-270. My opinion is based on the convenience of the focal lengths not on my experience using that lens. For a majority of shooters the 18mm focal length is all the wide angle they need. For others the equivalent of a near 28mm focal length is not enough.

If your camera is a FX body the 24-70 should be in your bag. I do not find the lens that useful for cropped sensors. The 70-200 is a heavy lens but it should go also, ideally with a 1.4 tele-converter if indeed you are going to be shooting birds. I have no experience with the Tamron 150-600 but reviews are very favorable.

I do not know if you like or enjoy wide angle photography but if you do renting a 16-35 f4 AF-S, VR Nikon lens makes for a very good lens to take to that trip if your camera is a FX body. There are similar lenses for cropped sensors.
As others have said, it all depends on your camera body and what you want to do while there.

Selene03

I am guessing you don't want to be loaded down with lenses, but you will be there in whale season. You can see them from the shore, but I would highly recommend going out on a whale watch boat. They are not allowed to get that close to the whales, so your 100-600 might be a good bet. There are also many gorgeous scenes where you will want a wider angle lens. I have not had much luck with birds there. It's a beautiful island!!! Enjoy your trip.

pwrxprt Loc: Beaumont, California

We go to Maui annually (own a time share). I schlepped my 200-500 the last two trip in the event I see any whales migrating. October is still a little early for whales. This last trip I never took 200-500 out of the villa. However, when you go it is "whale season", so I would schlep the long lens. Several years back before owning the long lens were there in Dec. and that was my motivation for buying the long lens. We stay on Ka'anapali Beach and you can shoot whales migrating from our villa. So far no luck with whale shots in Oct. I use my walk around go to lens which is my 24-120. There is so much to see and shoot with my go to lens that when we travel there next October, I'll probably leave my 200-500 home. I may kick myself but as someone already mentioned too hard to schlep around in the heat and humidity. Have fun. While on Maui, be sure you don't miss going to Warren and Annabelle's magic dinner show. It is located in Lahaina right next to Ruth Chris Steakhouse upstairs. Make a reservation before you go as they sell out frequently. We've seen the show for the last four years we've been there and intend on making reservations again when we return in October. If you're interested in other places PM me.
Have fun
Lane

Leitz Loc: Solms

Take a simple point and shoot and enjoy your snapshots.