Lens for Maui (Page 4): I second that! I have traveled all over with just the first two Tamrons on your list, and have been very happy with them.

Stan Wieg Loc: Fair Oaks, CA

Retired CPO wrote:

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

I second that! I have traveled all over with just the first two Tamrons on your list, and have been very happy with them.

signmann

my regular email is don@imaginationsignworks.com... no problem if you want to ask any questions. You should be there for some great whale watching. Also there at a good time.

ricardo00

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I will bring my Nikon D7200 to use with the lenses... (show quote)

In addition to deciding on lenses, there are a number of considerations in choosing a whale watching trip (sorry if you have done this before, then you know). Including what time (morning is usually calmer though a sunset is awesome), what size boat, etc. If you haven't booked your whale boat ride, you might consider:
https://www.makaiadventures.com
It is a smaller boat than many and we were happy with them (though I am sure there are many other good companies). Also going out on a kayak is a great way to see the turtles, and if lucky, monk seals and even potentially whales! Have fun.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

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

X Nikon 24-70, and the Niko? 70-200; covered by the 18-270. You'll see lots of birds, most of which will allow a 200 feet closing distance. One I particularly like is a 4 color version of our cardinal. Lots of flowers and flowering trees. Some waterfalls need a really long lens. If you have time, hop over to Kauai. I think it is the most photogenic of them all.

terryrays1949 Loc: Greentown, Indiana

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

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

Been to Maui on two occasions. My best choice of islands. You have to consider carrying all that weight of the lenses around. UGH!! My recommendation to you is the 24-70 and the 70-200. You'll get some great hand held shots. No need for a mono or tripod. Check out: Wedding Beach (just north of Makena Surf condos, Molokini Crater excursion, and last, but not least, take the road to Hana. Great fauna picks and the black sand beach at Hana. You'll have a wonderful time on the island. Oh, take in a luau (we've gone twice to the one at the Grand Wailea Resort). The sunset and after dark entertainment there are quite the photo ops. Right on the beach). Hope you get to see lots of Humpbacks. Terry Steiner, Greentown, IN

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

jdub82 wrote:

Take a look at the quality of photos on her Flickr page and reconsider making such a silly suggestion. Who cares that she didn't mention her exact camera. It is obviously a Nikon DSLR.

We care because she asked for a lens recommendation. If you recommend the two best she has 24-70 and 70-200 then her widest point of view would be 36mm on a DX body.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Maui is a wonderful place to visit and you have many photo ops there. The whales are wonderful. I haven't shot the humpbacks in Hawaii although I've been on a number of whale excursions there. I have, however, shot the California grey whales in San Diego in pretty similar conditions. My opinion is that for whales longer is better and so your long lens would be worth taking. You can possibly leave it at your lodging otherwise and take the macro and medium range lenses for flowers and birds--there being spectacular opportunities on Maui. Have a great trip.

ralf Loc: NJ

24-70
150-600
the rest you can live without

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

par4fore wrote:

We care because she asked for a lens recommendation. If you recommend the two best she has 24-70 and 70-200 then her widest point of view would be 36mm on a DX body.

And your 1.4X can fit in a pocket. The 150-600 works, if yo are going out on a day trip dedicated to BIF. Otherwise the weight (and need for a tripod) will just slow yo down and diminish the experience of the trip. How many times are you going to go to Hawaii? Do you want your memories to be about not hiking up that path because you are lugging nine pounds of gear?

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Oh boy....you all have thrown a lot at me. Now I'm really confused! But, I have learned a lot about what there is to photograph and now I'll just need to decide if I want to lug around the 150-600. I did a tour out of Seward and the 150-600 was pretty hard to handle. But, I did it. If you were watching, I looked totally drunk.

Did manage to get this decent shot of eagles while I was staggering about, so it can be done.

Thank all of you for helping!!

Marsha

(Download)

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Marsha - you have the right attitude! You'll have a great time.

WDCash Loc: Milford, Delaware, USA

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

Oh boy....you all have thrown a lot at me. Now I'... (show quote)

Those eagles dont look drunk to me. They actually look pretty fine

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

Oh boy....you all have thrown a lot at me. Now I'... (show quote)

Your real issue is balancing your photography needs against what you need to do to enjoy the vacation. My choice lately has been to a middle path of DLSR and a few light lenses with an extender and a bit of image quality compromise. Many prefer the all-in-one supper zoom with a greater level of IQ compromise. And some prefer to haul whatever equipment is needed to get the top results.
There is no universal "wrong" or "right" choice. There is only the best choice for you. And only you can decide what that is. To be honest my choice was highly dependent on my perception of the tolerance level of my wife. And her happiness outweighs ... well a lot.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

Oh boy....you all have thrown a lot at me. Now I'... (show quote)

Photo of eagles is beautiful. Have a good trip.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

par4fore wrote:

We care because she asked for a lens recommendation. If you recommend the two best she has 24-70 and 70-200 then her widest point of view would be 36mm on a DX body.

I get it. But that’s not a good reason for the person to make a snarky remark about taking a point and shoot. Just ask which camera she has. Some had recommended that she also take the 18-270. The fact she has that lens is also a clue that she might have a DX camera. She had mentioned her D7200 in a previous post.