OvinceZ
Senior Member
This won't be your last lens if you keep reading this forum!
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70-300VR to Hawaii?
- Thread starter TOR8472
- Start date
yatesd399606
Leading Member
These are all nice, but I especially like the rocks.
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Doug
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Doug
Great advice and in fact I give that same advice a lot myself to people. My thinking was if I heard what people used it for in Hawaii, I could decide if I "needed" it for my purposes before then or not. I do want it eventually, just maybe not pre-Hawaii. From what I've seen so far, it appears this would be a nice addition, but for what I'd shoot in Hawaii, I'd probably get more use out of a WA. I enjoyed the photos people posted, but even though I'd like to try, my wife wouldn't appreciate me spending a lot of time trying to get a great surfer photo...or the other nice example which would get me in more trouble...
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Very nice photos - thanks for posting. Too bad it won't be whale watch season. I'm afraid I'd need a 600mm+ lens to risk trying to take your 3rd example photo since I'll be with my wife on our 10th anniversary - and hoping to last another week at least...thanks.
I really liked the rocks as well and the iguana. Thanks for the advice and posting photos. I'd really like a WA, but I'd originally planned that to be some time after my 70-300VR and a short 2.8. May want to rethink that again....thanks.
chekist
Senior Member
I think Tamron in average is better than Sigma. I tried some Sigma portrait lenses and they you horrible (24-70mm), I have no point of reference for 17-50 range, since I do not own a lens of that kind.
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Eugene
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Eugene
At the focal lengths and apertures they have in common, the 70-300 is a tad bit sharper than the 70-200. Neither has significant distortion. The 70-200 shows a little light fall off, the 70-300 virtually none (a tiny bit at 300 wide open). The 70-300 is a worse on CA, though.
At over 220 or so, the 70-300 gets a bit softer, but is still really quite sharp (and the 70-200 doesn't go there). But, it is obviously not a very fast lens, so it does not work as well in low light or for extreme isolation. Its bokeh is quite nice. For the price and coverage, its a great lens.
Your 18-135 is a nice, extremely sharp lens (the only thing the 18-200 has on it is VR at the cost of pretty bad corner softness until f8, and even then its not great). I think the 18-135 and 70-300 make a very good combo unless low light or architecture figure large in your plans.
At over 220 or so, the 70-300 gets a bit softer, but is still really quite sharp (and the 70-200 doesn't go there). But, it is obviously not a very fast lens, so it does not work as well in low light or for extreme isolation. Its bokeh is quite nice. For the price and coverage, its a great lens.
Your 18-135 is a nice, extremely sharp lens (the only thing the 18-200 has on it is VR at the cost of pretty bad corner softness until f8, and even then its not great). I think the 18-135 and 70-300 make a very good combo unless low light or architecture figure large in your plans.
odz
New member
Maybe you'd like to take a look on one of my webpages featuring the use of the 70-300VR as the only one walkaround lens. I experimented the performance of this lens during the early days I had it. Photos don't mean to show sharpness or clarity following severe downsizing. Just see its covering ranges, both wide and tele sides. I took most of the shots far from the subjects.
http://odzp.multiply.com/photos/album/40
I can say that I like this lens very much.
Just my 2c opinion.
Rex In Brazoria
Leading Member
Not really adding anything here, but in my case I took my Nikon 12-24VR, 18-200VR and 80-400VR lenses and my D200 with me to Maui back in February. I used the 18-200 around 75% of the time, the 80-400 around 22% and the wide angle the rest of the time. Most of the shots didn't require such a long reach, but it was nice to have that big 80-400 when I was reaching out for some whale pics on a boat. I bought the 12-24 a couple of weeks before we left, but didn't use it but for some nice landscape shots one day.
Rex
Rex
ghostrider25
Senior Member
These were from the 70-200vr but the focal range is the point...
I wish I had it with me on this hike!
Which island are you going to? I just moved to the Big Island last year.
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-Mike
http://www.pbase.com/ghostrider25
'Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line.'
I wish I had it with me on this hike!
Which island are you going to? I just moved to the Big Island last year.
--
-Mike
http://www.pbase.com/ghostrider25
'Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line.'
ghostrider25
Senior Member
John_I
Veteran Member
I used the 70-300 VR extensively in Florida this winter and found it easy to carry and work with. It was especially good for nature shots. I did us my 18-200 VR in closer quarters and for events.
John from Toronto
JBIPix Photoblog - http://jbipix.blogspot.com
ghostrider25
Senior Member
If you're taking the catamaran to go snorkeling at Molikini, make sure to go on the morning cruise. It will be calmer, clearer, and you'll see more marine life.
Also, if you're in Lahaina, check out the Warren and Annabella's Magic Show in the evening. I know it sounds lame to go to Hawaii and see a magic show but I PROMISE you, it is sooooo worth it. The guy is a comedian/magician and you will leave in pain because you laughed so hard. It is waaaay better than any of the luaus.
A couple of more tips...
The Iao Valley has some great photo ops as does Hana. I highly recommend NOT taking one of those tour buses/shuttles that drives you to Hana and back. They will take you all the way and back but you will have little to no time to take photos and the entire adventure will seem like a mission just to get back in time rather than actually enjoy it. Drive it yourself, stop where you want, photograph what you want, enjoy.
Of course, Haleakala for the sunrise is a must and biking down is highly recommended.
Don't leave ANYTHING (valuable or not) in your car anywhere you stop, regardless of how short of a time it is unattended because your car will be broken into. That is a sad reality here on the islands.
Have a great time and share some photos!
--
-Mike
http://www.pbase.com/ghostrider25
'Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line.'
Also, if you're in Lahaina, check out the Warren and Annabella's Magic Show in the evening. I know it sounds lame to go to Hawaii and see a magic show but I PROMISE you, it is sooooo worth it. The guy is a comedian/magician and you will leave in pain because you laughed so hard. It is waaaay better than any of the luaus.
A couple of more tips...
The Iao Valley has some great photo ops as does Hana. I highly recommend NOT taking one of those tour buses/shuttles that drives you to Hana and back. They will take you all the way and back but you will have little to no time to take photos and the entire adventure will seem like a mission just to get back in time rather than actually enjoy it. Drive it yourself, stop where you want, photograph what you want, enjoy.
Of course, Haleakala for the sunrise is a must and biking down is highly recommended.
Don't leave ANYTHING (valuable or not) in your car anywhere you stop, regardless of how short of a time it is unattended because your car will be broken into. That is a sad reality here on the islands.
Have a great time and share some photos!
--
-Mike
http://www.pbase.com/ghostrider25
'Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line.'
1. Windsurfers off Hookipa Beach (70-300 would work well here).
2. Haleakala caldera from summit (mostly 12-24; telephoto for details).
3. Whales off Lahaina from a boat (70-300 would work well here).
4. Scenery along drive through northwest corner of Maui (wide to tele).
5. Flora (various lenses; macro for closeups).
2. Haleakala caldera from summit (mostly 12-24; telephoto for details).
3. Whales off Lahaina from a boat (70-300 would work well here).
4. Scenery along drive through northwest corner of Maui (wide to tele).
5. Flora (various lenses; macro for closeups).
Thanks for the tips! A couple questions/comments below:
Actually, the plan was an all-day sunset cruise to Lanaii. Any thoughts on this vs Molikini? I do have a concern about taking my D80 on the catamaran cruise and was debating taking my P&S (more concern is from a theft possibility and thinking I might not want to keep constant track of a heavy camera, like when snorkeling). Since my wife doesn't snorkel anyway, I'll probably bring it and let her keep up with it for that hour or so because I'd hate even more to miss some great photos. Do you know if it is safe to leave it with the crew on the catamaran or something?
I'll definitely check into this.
Yes, we'll be driving the road to Hana. Definitely don't want to be rushed away from some photo ops.
Got this on the itinerary as well. Bought a camera backpack so I can carry my camera and tripod down the mountain.
Will do - check back in September for some photos! Thanks!
Rex In Brazoria
Leading Member
Yes, best viewpoint is the overlook on the road
Good suggestion, only whales won't be in Maui in August
Agree
Also agree
6. The drive through west Maui mountains from Kapalua to Wailuku can be just as breathtaking as the drive to Hana; highly recommended
Rex
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