Lens choices for Hawaii

Forget Nikon 1, take K3II+16-85mm+35mm Limited. That would cover all bases.

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Kind regards,
Massao
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First camera: Canon FTB; First autofocus SLR camera: Pentax; First Nikon: F601 (N6006); First digital camera: Sony DSC-W5; First DSLR: Nikon D70; First mirrorless ICL camera: Samsung nx11

Massao said:

Forget Nikon 1, take K3II+16-85mm+35mm Limited. That would cover all bases.

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Thanks Massao. I considered the Nikon 1 AW1 for some underwater play and stuff.

That K-3II has good cropability, so you probably don't need to carry a macro lens. If you do bring one and are concerned about space/weight, bring the 35.

Joe

nimo_or said:

Massao said:

Forget Nikon 1, take K3II+16-85mm+35mm Limited. That would cover all bases.

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Yes that sounds nice. I've never been to Hawaii, but i've seen many beautiful flower pictures from there, gotta take a macro imho.

Take a polarizer filter with you to take advantage of the beautiful water.

nimo_or said:

Thanks Massao. I considered the Nikon 1 AW1 for some underwater play and stuff.

Click to expand...

In that case, take that too, you don't have to take it with you on every excursion.

klimbkat said:

nimo_or said:

Hello,

I am going to spend a week in Kauai island in the late summer. What lenses will be good to cover the overall island scenic spots and events. My current plan is

K3II with HD DA 16-85 zoom and

Nikon 1 AW1 with 11-27.5 kit lens for beaches and other water body places.

Do I need to take any macro lens ? I have HD DA 35/2.8 macro and D FA 100/2.8 macro.

Want to travel minimal camera luggage to enjoy the trip fully.

Any thoughts / suggestions welcome.

Click to expand...

I've been to Kauai many times and heartily endorse bringing a smaller waterproof camera for beaches, snorkeling, and so forth - things you couldn't or wouldn't do with a DSLR. If you have an interest in sunrise/sunset shots or macros (I'd bring the 100 for flowers, spiders, etc.), a tripod will be useful. Obviously, for wildlife, longer lenses are called for (I brought a Bigma on one trip; a 55-300 works well as a compact tele zoom), but if you do not want to bring much photo gear, your 16-85 will serve you well. Other than that, have a great trip!

Here's a few shots from visits in the digital era: https://adairphotos.zenfolio.com/p789154717

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Thanks for the helpful advice and sharing those beautiful photos !

miles green said:

nimo_or said:

Massao said:

Forget Nikon 1, take K3II+16-85mm+35mm Limited. That would cover all bases.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Yes that sounds nice. I've never been to Hawaii, but i've seen many beautiful flower pictures from there, gotta take a macro imho.

Take a polarizer filter with you to take advantage of the beautiful water.

miles green said:

Thanks Massao. I considered the Nikon 1 AW1 for some underwater play and stuff.

Click to expand...

In that case, take that too, you don't have to take it with you on every excursion.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the insights. Yes.. I never used the Nikon 1 AW1. (Recently picked up a refurbished one especially for this trip to avoid my kids ruin my iPhone in the water area ! )

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I'm with Doug

For travel the 16-85 & 55-300 have most things covered

The 16-85 is pretty good for most flower shots but the 35 macro would really cover for insects etc as long as they weren't too skitish.

I was just going to say that, I used the long end of the 18-135 more than I usually do when I was in Hawaii. I don't remember if I used the longer end of my 55-300 or not. On the short side, I would say it depends on if you want to take shots of all the flowers or not.

Bring a macro. I've never used the 35mm, but I do have a 50mm & a Tamron 90mm. i find I use either one interchangeably. Here's a link to my web gallery with a bunch of flowers that you'll find in Hawai'i.

There are a bunch of places that you can use a macro.

The 16-85mm will do you great service for pretty much all the scenic spots as long as it's a good copy. Here's a few photos taken with a K5IIs and a 16-85mm


Waipo'o Falls - Waimea Canyon State Park, Kaua'i, Hawai'i (Pentax K-5 IIs ,Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 16-85mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR 1/90s f/11.0 at 16.0mm iso100)


Kalalau Valley Overlook, Kaua'i, Hawai'i (Pentax K-5 IIs ,Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 16-85mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR 1/125s f/11.0 at 26.0mm iso280)


Morning Mists Above the Falls - Wailua Falls, Kaua'i, Hawai'i (Pentax K-5 IIs ,Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 16-85mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR 1/125s f/8.0 at 26.0mm iso280)

If you go to Kilauea Point, there are a lot of seabirds there. Pretty good sized birds so something like the 55-300mm would work there. However, if you're planning on going to Kokee for Hawaiian forest birds, you'll need a much beefier lens.

Good luck and have a great trip.

HawaiianOnline said:

Bring a macro. I've never used the 35mm, but I do have a 50mm & a Tamron 90mm. i find I use either one interchangeably. Here's a link to my web gallery with a bunch of flowers that you'll find in Hawai'i.

There are a bunch of places that you can use a macro.

The 16-85mm will do you great service for pretty much all the scenic spots as long as it's a good copy. Here's a few photos taken with a K5IIs and a 16-85mm

Waipo'o Falls - Waimea Canyon State Park, Kaua'i, Hawai'i (Pentax K-5 IIs ,Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 16-85mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR 1/90s f/11.0 at 16.0mm iso100)

Kalalau Valley Overlook, Kaua'i, Hawai'i (Pentax K-5 IIs ,Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 16-85mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR 1/125s f/11.0 at 26.0mm iso280)

Morning Mists Above the Falls - Wailua Falls, Kaua'i, Hawai'i (Pentax K-5 IIs ,Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 16-85mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR 1/125s f/8.0 at 26.0mm iso280)

If you go to Kilauea Point, there are a lot of seabirds there. Pretty good sized birds so something like the 55-300mm would work there. However, if you're planning on going to Kokee for Hawaiian forest birds, you'll need a much beefier lens.

Good luck and have a great trip.

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Thanks a lot for sharing your pictures here and the gallery. All are beautiful shots with vibrant colors.

I do not shoot birds more. But, shoots lot of landscapes and flora. The 16-85 has served with me in camping and hiking trips. I consider this as must-to-take with me as others also mentioned in this thread. For macro, I only have the 35mm Ltd and DFA 100 WR. So, I will choose either one of these to carry for the floral shots. The DFA 100 has the WR advantage..



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Nimo from OR
Depth of Feeling > Depth of Field in photography.

Your lens selection looks good. A macro lens for the flowers may help. Kauai is a beautiful spot.

Dale

nimo_or said:

Hello,

I am going to spend a week in Kauai island in the late summer. What lenses will be good to cover the overall island scenic spots and events. My current plan is

K3II with HD DA 16-85 zoom and

Nikon 1 AW1 with 11-27.5 kit lens for beaches and other water body places.

Do I need to take any macro lens ? I have HD DA 35/2.8 macro and D FA 100/2.8 macro.

Want to travel minimal camera luggage to enjoy the trip fully.

Any thoughts / suggestions welcome.

Click to expand...