Tips for Whale watching photo shoot.
Aug 1, 2017 07:58:23 #
I've been on several whale watching tours with a D7100. I found the 28-300 works best, set camera to AFC, BBF, AF with auto ISO hand held. They may be a few feet or a half mile from the boat. Just have fun and good luck.
Aug 1, 2017 07:59:10 #
peterg
Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
The 55-300mm should be fine. I usually use a longer lens, which I support with a short monopod. I put the monopod foot into a belt support like a flag holder. I also use an Op-Tech bino-cam harness to stabilize the camera/lens. With your 55-300mm lens, hand holding will be fine. Pre-focus and manually set your exposure with a high shutter speed. Use a continuous shooting mode. Some whale photographers use a polaroid filter, some don't. Unless it's sunny, I'd opt for a higher shutter speed without the filter. Whales often breach without notice. Photo below was from a no-notice breach. I have other photos shot before I could raise the camera to my eye. If you're lucky, they will do the same thing many times. Whales may come very close to your boat. Again, your 55-300 will work fine. I carry a plastic bag to protect my gear from splashes. Google for whale photography tips. Don't get too "glued" to your camera; enjoy the whales.
Aug 1, 2017 08:13:29 #
Can you bring a monopod? I used an 18-200 in Monterey California Things happen fast so handheld worked. I only wish I had a 200-500 lens. Did not own one at the time. The towel suggestion was good. Things get wet.
Aug 1, 2017 08:19:09 #
Monopole will be as useless as a tripod, boat is always going up and down with the waves, you need to focus on the whales not the deck of the boat. Leave that stuff at home if you feel you need support, lean against a post or wall. You really need to float with the boat! By the way, the ad for our boat said, "LEAVE YOUR HIGH HEELS HOME, NOT FOR BOATS, WEAR RUBBER SOLED DECK SHOES OR SNEAKERS"! So I left them home! LOL
Aug 1, 2017 08:23:27 #
I did not use a monopod when we went. But I guy had a monopod on the truck at at a Safari picture shoot I went on a few weeks ago and his shots came out nice. But I find in these situations you have to be flexible because you have to move quickly due to the movement of the animals.
Aug 1, 2017 08:36:54 #
Aug 1, 2017 09:26:08 #
peterg
Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
Tet68survivor wrote:
Agree that a monopod or tripod resting on the boat is worthless. Even in smooth water engine vibrations would transmit to the camera and it would restrict moving about the boat. However, for years, I've used a DSLR with a 150-500mm on a Sirui P-326 monopod and ballhead. This monopod collapses to 15". I support the foot of the monopod in a belt-level support like a flag holder. I can then aim and shoot without holding the weight of the camera/lens. A Op/Tech web-version Bino/Cam Harness ( http://optechusa.com/bino-cam-harness.html ) helps stabilize the rig.Monopole will be as useless as a tripod
Aug 1, 2017 09:44:41 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
So many variables to work with. Plus, take into consideration what you will do with the photos, prints or just viewing on a screen. I have a D7000 and would likely use my 18-200.
Aug 1, 2017 09:52:00 #
touseefimam wrote:
Hi everyone, I am going to Maine next week for whale watching. I am using Nikon D7000 with two kit lens (18-140mm and 55-300mm) and (50mm and 85mm). Which lens should I use for whale watching? DO I need to use polarizer filter?
For Mountain photo shoot which lens should I use? Do I need tripod?
Thanks
For Mountain photo shoot which lens should I use? Do I need tripod?
Thanks
No Bison in Buffalo let alone Whales. You will have to go to Maine I guess. Is that where Whales are on the East Coast? In California we get a show twice a year as they hug the coast on their trips from Alaska to Mexico. Note, my parents were from Buffalo, NY. Mostly just snow.
Aug 1, 2017 11:00:11 #
If u get close to the whale, u want the 18/140 the 55/300 if you dont get close, take both, and absolutely you want the polarizer
for shooting mountain scenes, the 18/140 on a tripod, shooting animals the 300
for shooting mountain scenes, the 18/140 on a tripod, shooting animals the 300
Aug 1, 2017 12:54:07 #
bpulv
Loc: Buena Park, CA
touseefimam wrote:
Hi everyone, I am going to Maine next week for whale watching. I am using Nikon D7000 with two kit lens (18-140mm and 55-300mm) and (50mm and 85mm). Which lens should I use for whale watching? DO I need to use polarizer filter?
For Mountain photo shoot which lens should I use? Do I need tripod?
Thanks
For Mountain photo shoot which lens should I use? Do I need tripod?
Thanks
I have done whale photography in both Alaska and California. The 55-300mm is definitely your best choice. Most of your shots will be at a substantial distance and 300mm will be the norm. For environmental reasons the commercial boats try to minimize encroachment and when a really close encounter occurs, it is usually by chance. If you should get a whale at close range, the 18-140mm will do the job, but it is unlikely that you will have time to change lenses. If it is worth buying another lens for your trip, I would recommend the Nikon 18-300mm lens with vibration reduction, allowing you to hand hold the camera at 300mm, while giving you the maximum versatility you will need if you should get close. It is available at just under $700 at both Adorama and B&H.
Aug 1, 2017 13:30:13 #
Be prepared as others have already explained. Also, be prepared for a nice boat ride if the whales are out that day!
Aug 1, 2017 13:55:05 #
Put the 55mm-300mm on your camera and leave the rest of your lenses at home. With the salt air/spray and movement of the boat you don't want to be changing lenses. I do suggest the longer lens as the boat is allowed to only get to within 200' of the whales. The whales are a curious mammal and love to look at humans so they might migrate closer to your vessel. A towel is a must and I would wrap it around the camera while out on the water. This helps to keep salt spray off the camera. Please no tripods for they are a hazard to everyone on board including your camera.
Aug 1, 2017 14:09:48 #
First requirement - you must find whales.
We went on a whale watching trip in Hawaii last winter and saw a few - way off in the distance. As long a lens as you can afford (a good one, not the $129 special) can be a benefit. We saw more whales off the north shore of Kauai from land than we did on the boat. Still needed as long a lens as I had.
Have ways to keep spray off the camera and clean it off if it does get wet.
Oh, and shoes? The boat we went on in Hawaii had you leave your shoes ashore. Bare feet on the boat. Oh course, it's warm there. :-)
We went on a whale watching trip in Hawaii last winter and saw a few - way off in the distance. As long a lens as you can afford (a good one, not the $129 special) can be a benefit. We saw more whales off the north shore of Kauai from land than we did on the boat. Still needed as long a lens as I had.
Have ways to keep spray off the camera and clean it off if it does get wet.
Oh, and shoes? The boat we went on in Hawaii had you leave your shoes ashore. Bare feet on the boat. Oh course, it's warm there. :-)
Aug 1, 2017 14:42:06 #
I would suggest the 55-300. Remember that depending on the light you will have to shoot fast so that rules out tripods. I was shooting a 80-200 on a Nikon D600. A polarizer filter may help with a bright sky if that is the condition at the time, but take it off if it forces you to shoot at low shutter speed or wide f stops. I shot all day at f8 as I wanted some depth of field. The conditions on that four hour outing varied from overcast to bright sun. This image was shot off Cape Cod.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.