What lenses? I’m traveling to the Galápagos Islands in October. I’m taking my Nikon D850 and D500 cameras. My question is what lenses? I have a Nikon 70-200mm 2.8, and a Nikon...

Bill McKenna

I’m traveling to the Galápagos Islands in October. I’m taking my Nikon D850 and D500 cameras. My question is what lenses? I have a Nikon 70-200mm 2.8, and a Nikon 200-500mm 5.6. I keep hearing that you can get so close to the wildlife that you don’t need 500mm of reach. The lens is bigger and is just one more piece of gear to take. I’m inclined to take the big lens, but maybe some of you could shed some light on my question. Thanks. Bill M.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

I think you’ll probably need the reach…BUT the D500 will “stretch” the 70-200. Have fun!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Bill McKenna wrote:

I’m traveling to the Galápagos Islands in October. I’m taking my Nikon D850 and D500 cameras. My question is what lenses? I have a Nikon 70-200mm 2.8, and a Nikon 200-500mm 5.6. I keep hearing that you can get so close to the wildlife that you don’t need 500mm of reach. The lens is bigger and is just one more piece of gear to take. I’m inclined to take the big lens, but maybe some of you could shed some light on my question. Thanks. Bill M.

If you have two bodies you should have two lenses. Think how you would feel if you missed a shot because you were swapping the lens from one body to another.

You might consider a small wide angle, they do have landscapes there. You can do panos with a tele (I did a mountain range with a 400mm.) but a wide or even ultrawide on the D850 would probably work better.

rngdmn

You CAN get really close to most wildlife except some small birds like finches. You might also like the long lens for BIF. One negative for long lens is that some locations involve moderately rugged hiking where you don’t need the extra weight. On the plus side, you can leave stuff you don’t need that day on the ship and just take it when necessary.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Never been there, but the 60mm Macro could fill in for a standard or wide and give you additional opportunities. I have the 200-500, and for a trip like that I would certainly bring my TC 14 E II. Very small, shirt pocket size, for a big reach advantage.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Depends on how important getting 10x closer is to you.

I took only an 18-200 and a 50 to Iceland.

But everyone is different in their desires, eh?

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I usually go on photo safari with my EF 28-300L on my 5D mk IV and my 200-500 plus TC14E III on my D850. This way I've got a focal range of 28 to 700 mm covered. My D500 usually has my Sigma 150-600 C with matching Sigma 2X TC attached. Like others have said, it depends on what you are shooting but, a range of 28 to 700 mm should cover a whole lot of subjects both landscapes and portrait style.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

Bill McKenna wrote:

I’m traveling to the Galápagos Islands in October. I’m taking my Nikon D850 and D500 cameras. My question is what lenses? I have a Nikon 70-200mm 2.8, and a Nikon 200-500mm 5.6. I keep hearing that you can get so close to the wildlife that you don’t need 500mm of reach. The lens is bigger and is just one more piece of gear to take. I’m inclined to take the big lens, but maybe some of you could shed some light on my question. Thanks. Bill M.

I suggest add one wide angle or fast prime lens, perhaps a 35mm f/1.4 for low light shots.
Mundy

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Before I got a permanent case of G.A.S. my go anywhere kit was a Canon 6D, 50 mm f/1.8, 24-105 f/4 L, 100-400L and a small flash with a 20' range. Later when I got a 7DII for birds I added a 14mm f/2.8 ultra wide for landscapes and interior shots. And then of course 2 different macro lenses, longer teles and a lighter 70-300L for when I could get close to the birds. And some 1.4x and 2x extenders that worked with each of the other lenses and a much more powerful flash with a guide number of 60m/191ft.

Bill McKenna

Thanks.

Bill McKenna

All good points. Thanks!

Bill McKenna

Thanks!

Bill McKenna

Thanks!

Bill McKenna

Thanks!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Bill if a post is a reply to a particular post and not a general comment you should use "quote reply" so everyone knows what you are replying to.