I am going on a humpback whale watching tour in Dominica and would like to only take one lens on the tour with me. Which would be the best choice lens to have on the camera. I have a 18-55mm, 55-200mm and a fixed 35mm lens. I would only like to take one lens with a polarzing filter. I understand that the tour boats get pretty close up to the whales. Any helpful hints would be well appreciated.
whale watching, i would say, a wide angle lens {lol}
i would use the {55-200mm}
kwaye wrote:
I am going on a humpback whale watching tour in Dominica and would like to only take one lens on the tour with me. Which would be the best choice lens to have on the camera. I have a 18-55mm, 55-200mm and a fixed 35mm lens. I would only like to take one lens with a polarzing filter. I understand that the tour boats get pretty close up to the whales. Any helpful hints would be well appreciated.
You will probably need both. My selection would be my Nikkor 28-300mm VR lens, but you will definitely want the 200 for when they are breaching as you approach, thats how the tour boats locate them. Then you will want the 18-55 for when they come in closer.
Jay Pat
Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA
If you take only one, it will be the wrong one.
Take both, you'll be glad you did!
If you insist in only one lens, take the wide angle. Shoot with large files. You can crop in for enlargements.
It wouldn't hurt to become friends with someone that has better lens power and exchange emails.....
Share the best ones with us!!!!!!
Pat
Thank you. I guess I will rething my choices and take both. Hopefully I will have some decent pics to post.
Jay Pat
Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA
If you see a whale breach out of the water, I think it is better to be a little wide with the lens and crop in on the computer. If you try to zoom in for the perfect close frame, you may miss the shot all together.
Keep both hands on the camera, holding right in front of you. You can respond quickly, this way. If they jump once, they may jump several more times.
Ask the boat crew or captain for photo tips.
Don't forget the suntan lotion.....It's easy to get burned.
Can't wait to see what you get and hear about the experience!
Pat
Well maybe they are different there but chasing humpback's near Ketchikan they must stay 100 yards back. You definitely need the longest lens you have with image sabilization.
I got mostly swirls of water off in the distance.
kwaye wrote:
I am going on a humpback whale watching tour in Dominica and would like to only take one lens on the tour with me. Which would be the best choice lens to have on the camera. I have a 18-55mm, 55-200mm and a fixed 35mm lens. I would only like to take one lens with a polarzing filter. I understand that the tour boats get pretty close up to the whales. Any helpful hints would be well appreciated.
They must be pretty protected in Ketchikan if you have to stay 100 years away..............LOL Ya, I realize a typo......(hope it is a typo)
Jay Pat wrote:
If you see a whale breach out of the water, I think it is better to be a little wide with the lens and crop in on the computer. If you try to zoom in for the perfect close frame, you may miss the shot all together.
Keep both hands on the camera, holding right in front of you. You can respond quickly, this way. If they jump once, they may jump several more times.
Ask the boat crew or captain for photo tips.
Don't forget the suntan lotion.....It's easy to get burned.
Can't wait to see what you get and hear about the experience!
Pat
If you see a whale breach out of the water, I thin... (
show quote)
I agree. Also, a 28-300mm would be my choice. If you are on a large boat, taking more equipment is a good idea. I prefer the small boats with 4 to 8 people (a 24 foot Kodiac) where you are closer to the water for the best shots and 360 degree views. But I will not change lenses when there is any chance of salt water mist entering my camera (windy conditions, small boat, whale exhaling nearby, etc.).
just spent the day on the water whale watching from our sailboat.....in Hawaii one needs to be at least 100 yards from the awsome creatures. We never got that close and did not have any great opportunities for a good photograph of breeching, etc....we did SEE lots of whales!
55-200 will work, see pics.
Off Point Loma, San Diego Christmas Day, 2011
Here She Comes
Wow
See You Later
I spent the day a couple years ago in southern Calif watching grays. should have taken a couple lenses, also get as close to the front of the boat you can then you can get the shot from either side.
this is the head mouth,eye breech hole
I am so glad you brought this up, as I am going on a whale watching excursion in March, off the coast of Oregon. Many many thanks!
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