Selene03

I like your photo of eagles!!!! While I originally recommended taking your Tamron 150-600, I am going to step back from that. I have been going to Maui every Christmas to visit family for the last 20 years. I always do a whale watch and enjoy visiting various places on the island while I am there. I have played with a variety of different cameras and lenses to balance out what I want to photograph, which includes beach and family shots as well as whales, mostly from boats. I think I hit my optimal setup last Christmas when I took a Canon sl2 with a 70-300 II USM lens (non L) and a 10-18 lens. The sl2 with the 70-300 is my kayak camera. It is light and easy to maneuver. I have used both a ff dslr (5dmki iv) and longer L lens (100-400 II) and a smaller fixed lens camera with a long lens (the Sony rx10 III). The full frame and L lens was too heavy, while the rx10 didn't really give me enough pixels to be able to crop in on whales from a boat (or land). I also used this setup to photograph whales in Baja California. I find the ability to move quickly with the camera, especially on a boat, is important. I think your Nikon 7200 should be ideal as a camera, maybe with the 18-200. That gives you both wide and pretty long (though I think 300 is better at the long end). I do agree with you that your 300 might be less than ideal. I was always in Maui in December when the whale season is just getting started and never got very close to whales though I did get frustrated with a lens too long in southern California when the whale was so close, I couldn't get the whole tail in a shot that was otherwise fantastic. The zoom gives you some flexibility. Many of the beaches are rugged and wild--you will want a wide angle for those shots; hence the recommendation for the 18-200. Others have given you great suggestions on where to go. Maui is a beautiful island with lots to do. I hope you enjoy your trip!

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

A second here for those three....

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

No no no.... She had indicated what lenses she has, thus she wants more than vacation snap shots.

Hanson

The minimum is the Tamron zoom covers all. If you don't mind the weight, take the long zoom also just for the birds. Another way is just take the 2 Nikons only.

ricardo00

The humpback whales give birth off of Maui and aren't eating, just like the grey whales giving birth in Baja. So they are just hanging out and waiting for their babies to put on enough weight/fat to head up to their feeding grounds. So maybe they are more bored than the California grey's you see in San Diego since those whales are making their way up the coast and trying to avoid the killer whales? So at least the one's in Baja and Maui would come right up to your boat, sometimes going under the boat and sometimes jumping up to check you out. The captains would remove the motors from the water and the whales come to the boats, they are not chasing the whales or disturbing them.

ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ

You've received a LOT of good advice. But you also have taken a number of pictures with that body and those lenses. So, take what YOU are comfortable with.
Enjoy your trip.
Chuck

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

May I assume that you recognize the hilarity of this thread?

Leitz Loc: Solms

Sad would be a better term.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

I agree with the other poster: 18-270.

Rob48 Loc: Portland, ME

Perfect in every respect, Marsha; well done!