New Zealand Lens Choice

OsteoRach wrote:

As others have said, the scenery is what you'll likely be photographing. No wildlife except for the kea and if you're lucky enough to see one on the way to Milford or across Arthur's pass you won't need a telephoto as they'll come and say hello. They like rubber on cars...

Make sure you cover the wider end and if you feel like dabbling in some astrophotography lake tekapo is a dark sky reserve and simply amazing.

As for quintessential NZ photos. If you get a chance see if you can get to the following places

1. Roy's peak in Wanaka

2. The lone Wanaka tree on the lake

3. The church at lake tekapo (go up to the observatory too

4. Punakeiki (pancake rocks) - have you ever seen black sand beaches?

5. Lake matheson in fox glacier (view of the alps and mt cook). This is where most photos on the front pages of NZ calendars are taken from.

6.plenty of photo ops around QT, go up the gondola. Take the drive to glenorchy

7. Milford sound . It's a long day trip but if you are not heading back to NZ anytime soon I can't over state how much you have to do everything possible to get there. The glow worms in Te Anau are also pretty cool if you stay the night. State highway 94 is considered one of the best roads in the world and it doesn't disappoint. The photos of mitre peak are taken from the car park before you get on a boat.

(4 &5 require the west coast so you may not get over tht side - note it's just as awesome as QT to ChC).

Sorry if you already had this info, I'm just a kiwi in love with the South Island.

Rachel, thank you! I will definitely be using your list of places to photograph. I'd heard of Milford Sound, but this is great.

Btw, you've got some beautiful photos! I may also use those for a few ideas

jcb9001 wrote:

In general I disagree with the notion that panoramic landscapes mean wide angle lenses. Wide angle lenses are for when you can get up close and have interesting stuff in the foreground as well as the background. The fact is you'll need a whole range of lenses to cover the NZ landscape, starting from wides up to about 135mm or so.

There is one thing that has hardly been mentioned: New Zealand is bird paradise. The place is crawling with them, including Penguins. There are a couple of places on the east coast of the south island where you can see little blue penguins and yellow eye penguins. If memory serves one such place is called Timaru. You might even see little blue penguins right in the waterfront area of Wellington. They come home to the rocks in the evening.

The bottom line is you will be very sad if you don't include a telephoto lens of at least 200mm. A lot of these high-profile celebrity birds can only be seen in captivity, but even so, you need a decent telephoto for them. Kiwis, and the penguins too are nocturnal, so be prepared for low light photos and absolutely no flash is allowed. And don't embarrass us - please keep your camera in silent mode, turn off all beeps and shutter noises around these creatures.

Be sure to visit Zealandia in Wellington.

One more thing: I hope you are aware that you are visiting New Zealand in the dead of winter. I know you will thoroughly enjoy your visit, but I can tell you right now that you are going to come home with a new definition of the word "cold". Also, take weather protection for your gear. That reminds me - take bird protection too. New Zealand is home to a parrot called a Kia. These are HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, inquisitive and destructive birds. They will strip the wiper blades from your car and they know how to open backpacks and they can spot tourists from 10 miles away. They are completely awesome to watch but I'm not kidding at all, they will destroy anything and everything they can get their hands on.

PS My lens numbers are in "full frame" terms.

PPS Fun factoid: New Zealand's only native mammal is a bat.

Thank you for the info on the birds, I'll definitely be taking my 50-230 then. Also appreciate the heads up on the Kia. One of my wife's favorite stories is having a monkey steal her chips in Costa Rica.

WillemB wrote:

I visited NZ several times and for longer periods. The first 3 times I had a Nikon D90 with 24/2.8, 50/1.8 and the 18/200 F3.5/5.6. Nearly all pictures were shot with the zoom.

The last time I had the X-100 and the Fuji X-E1 with 35/1.4, 16-50 and 50-230 zooms. The 35/1.4 was hardly used and the X100 about 10 percent. Mostly used the 16/50. I missed many opportunities (for changing lenses) and the Nikon for its speed...

Cheers

Appreciate the thoughts, particularly on the 35 1.4 and the X100. It sounds like mainly using a zoom might be the way to go.

COtoNY wrote:

Astrophotographer 10 wrote:

COtoNY wrote:

My wife and I are getting ready for a two week trip to New Zealand at the end of August/ early September. We're planning on flying into Queenstown and slowly working our way up to Wellington. I am very excited for all of the photographic opportunities, but also aware my wife will not enjoy the trip as much if I'm stopping to change lenses all of the time.

Given my current equipment below, I'm trying to decide if it's worth renting the 16-55 2.8 or something else.

Cameras: X-T1 and X-E1

Lenses: 16 1.4, 35 1.4, 18-55, and 50-230

When I'm walking around just doing photography, I generally like to use the 35 or the 16 and simply switch between the lenses. I like the look of these a little better than the 18-55. My initial plan was to put the 35 on the X-T1 and the 16 on the X-E1, but I'm afraid I'll miss some opportunities where I'll want to use the long zoom. This has gotten me thinking maybe I should rent the 16-55 to get the same quality I like from the primes. Appreciate advice on what has worked for other people!

A really common question and a bit confusing as there is so much choice and many have conflicting opinions.

New Zealand is all about the scenery. So a wide lens would be your primary lens here. There will be endless amazing beautiful lakes, mountain scenes. I have driven down the Highway from Christchurch to Queenstown and it can be stunning in places. Up there with Switzerland and easily one of the most beautiful scenic locations in the world.

10-24 zoom would be very handy. 16-55 F2.8 is a fine lens and is my main lens for my XT2. If it were me (I don't have any Fuji primes though) I would use the 10-24 and the 16-55. 35mm in APSc is really 52.5mm in full frame and for landscapes its starting to get long but still of course useable depending on how you like to frame your landscapes.

The 16-55 would be great for portraits as you can frame perfectly and F2.8 is very useable.

I know the 16 1.4 is very popular but for me viewing many Fuji landscapes from Greg's National Parks travels I felt it seemed a tad narrow for many of the shots and I preferred the 10-24 images more. The 18-55 is fine for XE1 and XT1 but not XT2 in my opinion where its weaknesses start to be revealed.

The 16-55 is one of the finest zooms I have ever used and its not really that large and heavy compared to its competitors.

An early morning shot of Lake Tekapu would be amazing with the 16-55 at 16mm and a tripod.

I am not sure how often you would use the 55-200 though. I don't remember seeing a lot of wildlife, mostly sheep.

Greg.

Thanks, Greg!

Appreciate the thoughts and your experience in NZ using the 10-24 and 16-55. How do you think about the weight of the 16-55? Would it be necessary to have the battery grip as well?

The battery grip is unnecessary (unless you expect to shoot action), you don't need it for balance. The Standard Fuji grip is perfect (or a 3rd party copy). The XT1/XT2 with standard grip are the perfect combination of size and weight for steady handheld shooting and the 16-55mm f2.8 is the first zoom I've ever used which I feel is the equal of my primes which are now relegated to special purpose use - mainly for the faster aperture. Your 50-230mm will compliment the 16-55mm f2.8 nicely for picking out the best compositions from landscape scenes. The 16mm f1.4 (if you already own it) will take care of evening low light and astro opportunities.

Vic

Hi, as some others have mentioned don't forget a telephoto zoom. NZ has plenty of wonderful birds and even if you only want to take landscape photos some times you will need the extra reach to capture the top of a mountain, glacier, etc.

Keep in mind that at that time of the year the weather can change pretty fast so always be prepared. The Catlins is a great location that you should consider and if you go to Moeraki boulders you can visit as well the yelloweyed pinguin and seals colony near it late afternoon is the best time when pinguins are coming back inland to rest for the night).

Enjoy your trip!

You have a great lineup there.  You need the 10-24 though.....

Oh ... I forgot to say.... Don't let anyone tell you that is too many lenses.  You buy them you take them.....  I like to travel with 6 or 7 XF lenses.

But that's just me....

COtoNY wrote:

My wife and I are getting ready for a two week trip to New Zealand at the end of August/ early September. We're planning on flying into Queenstown and slowly working our way up to Wellington. I am very excited for all of the photographic opportunities, but also aware my wife will not enjoy the trip as much if I'm stopping to change lenses all of the time.

Given my current equipment below, I'm trying to decide if it's worth renting the 16-55 2.8 or something else.

Cameras: X-T1 and X-E1

Lenses: 16 1.4, 35 1.4, 18-55, and 50-230

When I'm walking around just doing photography, I generally like to use the 35 or the 16 and simply switch between the lenses. I like the look of these a little better than the 18-55. My initial plan was to put the 35 on the X-T1 and the 16 on the X-E1, but I'm afraid I'll miss some opportunities where I'll want to use the long zoom. This has gotten me thinking maybe I should rent the 16-55 to get the same quality I like from the primes. Appreciate advice on what has worked for other people!

If you have to ask such a question...the X-T2 is obviously too much of a camera for you.  You would be better served with a point and shoot!

Vic Chapman wrote:

COtoNY wrote:

Astrophotographer 10 wrote:

COtoNY wrote:

My wife and I are getting ready for a two week trip to New Zealand at the end of August/ early September. We're planning on flying into Queenstown and slowly working our way up to Wellington. I am very excited for all of the photographic opportunities, but also aware my wife will not enjoy the trip as much if I'm stopping to change lenses all of the time.

Given my current equipment below, I'm trying to decide if it's worth renting the 16-55 2.8 or something else.

Cameras: X-T1 and X-E1

Lenses: 16 1.4, 35 1.4, 18-55, and 50-230

When I'm walking around just doing photography, I generally like to use the 35 or the 16 and simply switch between the lenses. I like the look of these a little better than the 18-55. My initial plan was to put the 35 on the X-T1 and the 16 on the X-E1, but I'm afraid I'll miss some opportunities where I'll want to use the long zoom. This has gotten me thinking maybe I should rent the 16-55 to get the same quality I like from the primes. Appreciate advice on what has worked for other people!

A really common question and a bit confusing as there is so much choice and many have conflicting opinions.

New Zealand is all about the scenery. So a wide lens would be your primary lens here. There will be endless amazing beautiful lakes, mountain scenes. I have driven down the Highway from Christchurch to Queenstown and it can be stunning in places. Up there with Switzerland and easily one of the most beautiful scenic locations in the world.

10-24 zoom would be very handy. 16-55 F2.8 is a fine lens and is my main lens for my XT2. If it were me (I don't have any Fuji primes though) I would use the 10-24 and the 16-55. 35mm in APSc is really 52.5mm in full frame and for landscapes its starting to get long but still of course useable depending on how you like to frame your landscapes.

The 16-55 would be great for portraits as you can frame perfectly and F2.8 is very useable.

I know the 16 1.4 is very popular but for me viewing many Fuji landscapes from Greg's National Parks travels I felt it seemed a tad narrow for many of the shots and I preferred the 10-24 images more. The 18-55 is fine for XE1 and XT1 but not XT2 in my opinion where its weaknesses start to be revealed.

The 16-55 is one of the finest zooms I have ever used and its not really that large and heavy compared to its competitors.

An early morning shot of Lake Tekapu would be amazing with the 16-55 at 16mm and a tripod.

I am not sure how often you would use the 55-200 though. I don't remember seeing a lot of wildlife, mostly sheep.

Greg.

Thanks, Greg!

Appreciate the thoughts and your experience in NZ using the 10-24 and 16-55. How do you think about the weight of the 16-55? Would it be necessary to have the battery grip as well?

The battery grip is unnecessary (unless you expect to shoot action), you don't need it for balance. The Standard Fuji grip is perfect (or a 3rd party copy). The XT1/XT2 with standard grip are the perfect combination of size and weight for steady handheld shooting and the 16-55mm f2.8 is the first zoom I've ever used which I feel is the equal of my primes which are now relegated to special purpose use - mainly for the faster aperture. Your 50-230mm will compliment the 16-55mm f2.8 nicely for picking out the best compositions from landscape scenes. The 16mm f1.4 (if you already own it) will take care of evening low light and astro opportunities.

Vic

Vic, thanks! I will look at getting the standard grip instead of the battery grip. I already own the 16 (such a wonderful lens), so adding the 16-55 for this trip sounds like the way to go. Now to decide whether to rent or buy...

BillyNZ wrote:

Hi, as some others have mentioned don't forget a telephoto zoom. NZ has plenty of wonderful birds and even if you only want to take landscape photos some times you will need the extra reach to capture the top of a mountain, glacier, etc.

Keep in mind that at that time of the year the weather can change pretty fast so always be prepared. The Catlins is a great location that you should consider and if you go to Moeraki boulders you can visit as well the yelloweyed pinguin and seals colony near it late afternoon is the best time when pinguins are coming back inland to rest for the night).

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks, Billy! I will definitely be bringing the 50-230, it's so light I feel like I couldn't leave it behind.

We'll try to make it over to the Moeraki boulders too, would be great to see some penguins.

Greg7579 wrote:

Oh ... I forgot to say.... Don't let anyone tell you that is too many lenses. You buy them you take them..... I like to travel with 6 or 7 XF lenses.

But that's just me....

When I bought the 16 it was between that and the 10-24. I didn't think I would want to go wider than 14-16, so I went with the 16 and have been very happy. Like I've seen in some of your other posts, the 16 is just so good - I feel like I get better images than I envisioned when framing the shot.

That is another thought though - maybe get the 10-24 for one camera and use the 35 or 50-230 on the other...