What would you take (Page 6): I ALWAYS carry 2 bodies . . . 1 with a long lens and 1 with a wide angle. When I say 'always' I mean even when I'm shooting. That way I never have to...

jarhtmd

I ALWAYS carry 2 bodies . . . 1 with a long lens and 1 with a wide angle. When I say 'always' I mean even when I'm shooting. That way I never have to worry about changing lenses in difficult conditions. And I always have a suitable lens at the ready.

Several years ago, without problems, I boarded an international flight with my backpack full of camera gear. However, I had to change planes in London. At the door of the plane, I was told "That bag is too heavy. It will have to go 'down below'". My reply was, "it will be just as heavy there". That got me nowhere.

Luckily, I was wearing cargo pants and my photo vest was in the backpack. So I filled all my pockets with the most critical (expensive) equipment and gave them an almost empty backpack for 'down below'.

Ever since, I ALWAYS wear cargo pants (with biggest pockets that I can find) and photo vest. I've never had problems since.

ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

dougbev3 wrote:

My wife and i will be going to Hawaii September 2021. We have never been. I own Nikon equipment. Since we are flying ( I don't want to check camera equipment). I will be taking just one camera Nikon D800. If you were going and was limited to one or two lens, what would you take..?

Just take one lens, a Nikon FX 35mm f1.8.

ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

dougbev3 wrote:

My wife and i will be going to Hawaii September 2021. We have never been. I own Nikon equipment. Since we are flying ( I don't want to check camera equipment). I will be taking just one camera Nikon D800. If you were going and was limited to one or two lens, what would you take..?

I'm old school, just take a Nikon FX 35mm f1.8.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

dougbev3 wrote:

My wife and i will be going to Hawaii September 2021. We have never been. I own Nikon equipment. Since we are flying ( I don't want to check camera equipment). I will be taking just one camera Nikon D800. If you were going and was limited to one or two lens, what would you take..?

24-120 and 70-300 ........ OR, for a single lens, 28-200 or 28-300. ......OR, buy or rent a Sony RX10 IV.

FWIW, Tamron made a very nice 24-135mm macro available only used now - mostly on ebay.

What ever lens I took I would make sure I could do decent closeups - with either a close-up lens or extension tube.
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MichaelMcGrath Loc: Ireland

Retired as a press photographer in Ireland, I am not enamoured of all zooms. That's why I would bring a 50/1.4 as my second lens to a 24-85 VR Zoom I have that is very good. I'd bring a 200mm prime if I were allowed a third. I used mostly zooms for fast press work, but try to get away from that now in favour of quality.

hrblaine

PixelStan77 wrote:

Take a wide angle zoom and a 70-300 Zoom. All Nikon with your D800

Whatever you take, stick a nifty fifty in your pocket. If it was me, I'd also take a 70-300 and maybe a WA, say a 24 or a 28. I shoot Canon so I might take my 70-200 f4 instead of the 70-300.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Rongnongno wrote:

Not knowing what lenses you have how can anyone answer you?

The question was what would YOU take.

Ralph Bischoff

dougbev3 wrote:

My wife and i will be going to Hawaii September 2021. We have never been. I own Nikon equipment. Since we are flying ( I don't want to check camera equipment). I will be taking just one camera Nikon D800. If you were going and was limited to one or two lens, what would you take..?

I was in Hawaii just before covid hit. Found I used my Tamron 400mm the most everything. If you plan on whale watching like I did then I would recommend a 600mm if you have one. Bring your 50mm or 100mm for any rain forest or closeup work. Also found if you stay on the main island walk outside the hotel area, the food is much cheaper.

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

dougbev3 wrote:

My wife and i will be going to Hawaii September 2021. We have never been. I own Nikon equipment. Since we are flying ( I don't want to check camera equipment). I will be taking just one camera Nikon D800. If you were going and was limited to one or two lens, what would you take..?

If limited to 1 or 2 lens I would take the 24-70 and the 12-24. And I would look into lens rentals while there if you find you need something longer or a macro.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

dougbev3 wrote:

My wife and i will be going to Hawaii September 2021. We have never been. I own Nikon equipment. Since we are flying ( I don't want to check camera equipment). I will be taking just one camera Nikon D800. If you were going and was limited to one or two lens, what would you take..?

I agree with the 70-300 suggestion (or just get an 18-300 so you don’t have to change lenses). Also, take something for low light like a 50 mm prime lens. When I was there, I took a Nikon D5000 and the kit lens 18-55 and a 55-200 and I wished I had more reach. After that trip, I bought an 18-300 and sold the 55-200. It stayed on the camera until I gave it to my granddaughter.

Good luck and have a fabulous trip!!

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

cameraf4 wrote:

Actually the OP asked "what would you take..?... (show quote)

A longer lens would be needed for whale watching or from a balloon ride Landscapes would require a wide angle lens. So, it does depend on what the OP plans to do while there.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've been to Hawaii four times, and I always brought a compact camera that would fit into a belt case. As we traveled around, I'd see "photographers" with their camera bags and one or two DSLRs, changing lenses while the wives stood by, losing patience. Meanwhile, I'd take my little camera out of it's case, take the picture, and move on.

If you're doing anything involving water, bringing one tough camera could be a good solution.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Take 2 lenses in case one is dropped or lost etc.

MEFarmer20

A lot of great advice on lenses, I would make room for a second body.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

dougbev3 wrote:

My wife and i will be going to Hawaii September 2021. We have never been. I own Nikon equipment. Since we are flying ( I don't want to check camera equipment). I will be taking just one camera Nikon D800. If you were going and was limited to one or two lens, what would you take..?

Yes, make sure you have a backup camera or the ability to purchase one if need be while there.
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