Tips for Whale watching photo shoot.
Aug 1, 2017 15:52:02 #
I would take the 55-300 if you are going on a charter boat. A polarizer will help with a bright sunny sky but I would take it off if it was causing me to shoot at slower shutter speeds or wide f stops. Remember that both the boat and the whales are moving unless it is a very calm sea. I would not take a tripod as you will be moving about and quickly. I used a 80-200 on a Nikon D 600 and I shot at a high shutter speed and f8, I wanted some depth of field. Most of the images shot were at 200 mm.
Aug 1, 2017 16:35:59 #
I went whale watching off the CA coast last March. I used a 75-300 zoom lens, although the pros on board were shooting with a 600mm. I then only used the auto features of my EOS REbel T5i. I have since upgraded to a 7D Mark II, and shoot wildlife in Montana almost exclusively on manual at 1/2000th, f 5.6, and auto ISO, and continues shooting - about 4 frames a click. For the whales (and dolphins you encounter) I would probably double that. I am going to the Puget Sound area later this month and will look to improve upon the last trip, but here's what I got:
https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif
https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif
Aug 1, 2017 16:56:46 #
Aug 1, 2017 19:26:31 #
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
We did such a trip at Plymouth, MA. Used a Canon 100-400mm L exclusively. Could not have a better length range. Used 400mm a lot to get good tight shots of the whales. They were not far away either but very close.
I say use the 55-300mm. No polarizer needed. Use as high a shutter speed as you can to freeze motion of boat and whale combination.
Have fun and always be ready.
Aug 1, 2017 19:29:55 #
Tet68survivor wrote:
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
Ditto on the monopod. Stupid idea to use one as it just accentuates the boat motion where hand holding you naturally adjust for most of the motion and you don't have the motor vibration being transferred to the camera that a mono-pod would do.
Aug 1, 2017 19:31:14 #
Architect1776 wrote:
Ditto on the monopod. Stupid idea to use one as it just accentuates the boat motion where hand holding you naturally adjust for most of the motion and you don't have the motor vibration being transferred to the camera that a mono-pod would do.
Thanks for calling me stupid. The reason I asked is saw a guy using one on a tourist truck on a safari in S. Africa. Never said I would do that just tossed out the question.
Aug 1, 2017 19:53:04 #
jccash wrote:
Thanks for calling me stupid. The reason I asked is saw a guy using one on a tourist truck on a safari in S. Africa. Never said I would do that just tossed out the question.
I never said you were stupid.
I said the idea was stupid.
Unless it applies to you as well.
Aug 1, 2017 19:59:07 #
I have tried to photograph whales from boats in California, Mexico, and Maui. Each place is a bit different and has its own challenges, but a 55-300 lens should be pretty good wherever you are. I have often wanted a longer lens, but the best whale tail shot I ever got, the whale flipped right in front of the boat and my 70-300 was too long at the short end. I filled the frame with the tail, but couldn't get it all in and had no way too back up. I never would have guessed in advance that I would have that problem. Keep in mind that you probably will want just one lens, that you will be making decisions quickly, and will need to make sure that your shutter speed is high enough for both boat movement and the movement of the whale. Most important, enjoy the whales. They are amazing animals.
Aug 1, 2017 20:00:13 #
Architect1776 wrote:
I never said you were stupid.
I said the idea was stupid.
Unless it applies to you as well.
I said the idea was stupid.
Unless it applies to you as well.
OK I get i, but there you go again, even after I said I never did do it. Like I have said, I have seen people using a monopod in a moving truck but a boat makes larger moves and I agree with you.
Aug 1, 2017 20:03:18 #
jccash wrote:
OK I get i, but there you go again, even after I said I never did do it. Like I have said, I have seen people using a monopod in a moving truck but a boat makes larger moves and I agree with you.
Aug 2, 2017 07:19:42 #
Architect1776 wrote:
I never said you were stupid.
I said the idea was stupid.
Unless it applies to you as well.
I said the idea was stupid.
Unless it applies to you as well.
Wow. Perhaps that"stupid" person is the next one you see in the mirror
Aug 2, 2017 07:26:50 #
Geezus folks the guy asked as simple question, and everyone gave some sort of answer, so let it be, name calling and oussing folks off isn't helping him or anyone else reading these comments! Hey I even said I was asking a dumb question and no one beat the crap out of me! So instead if acting like Liberal Dimqits working in D.C. let's help new bus iyt! I know I appreciated the comments that directed me in a "better" direction! Maybe you should think about your "first day" with your camera! Felt pretty stupid get?
Aug 2, 2017 07:34:34 #
Tet68survivor wrote:
Geezus folks the guy asked as simple question, and... (show quote)
Liberal dimwits? Pot calling the kettle black? Why make an off topic political comment? And by the way, You haven't been paying attention.
Aug 2, 2017 07:51:53 #
I have been paying attention, read EVERY post made to and from him, I offered comments and suggestions without "malice" Alice! As for calling the kettle black, remember who fired the first shot! Anyway, it's no way to help out a new kid to block!
Anyway, for the future whale watcher, HAVE FUN!
Anyway, for the future whale watcher, HAVE FUN!
Aug 2, 2017 08:18:22 #
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