I’ve had very little time for photography recently, and the reason is simple: I’ve been working all hours under the sun as I have a trip to Hawaii and San Francisco coming up at the end of September ahead of my winter Yellowstone trip in Jan 2011.
Not only am I looking forward to this trip for the photography, scenery and sun, but also courtesy of the very kind folk at B&H Photo I will be testing out two of Nikons great wide angle zoom lenses whilst I’m out there, the legendary 14-24 and 16-35 VR in a head to head. So really going to enjoy putting these through their paces whilst I’m away – of course a full review will be on the blog once I’m back, so let me know if there is anything you want compared directly with these lenses, either via the usual channels, eMail, comment on the blog or via Twitter & Facebook.
Lens choice for Maui & San Fran?!
Maui is the island of choice for the Hawaii portion of the trip, so deciding what to bring. Will there by much in the way of wildlife, is the 200-400 needed? Could I get away with a 70-200 (maybe with the new 2x TC). I have a feeling this trip will be more about the landscapes and time-lapse than wildlife…but I’d like to get some wildlife in if I can. Of course in San Fran it will be all about the cityscape I expect, so again will a telephoto be worth lugging all that way…!
EDIT 15/9/10: I’ve just hired a 200-400 VR from Hawaii Camera who are based on Maui. So that’s taken the pain out of having to carry mine half way round the world!
Keep up to date as it happens
Remember, if you want to keep up to date with my trip as it’s happening, check out my Twitter and Facebook as I’ll be talking about what I’m photographing and seeing as it happens, as well as sharing quick image and video uploads via my iPhone – once I’m back of course the full trip report and lens review will be on the blog.
Suggestions welcome
If you live out around those parts of the world or have photographed there before – then please do let me know of anything I should keep in mind or places I should visit etc. Many thanks to those of you following on Twitter that have already done so!
I’ve also discovered how good views of the night sky will be in Maui, so if anyone can shed any advice on astrophotography in that area I’d be very very keen to speak to you!
Aloha Richard! Glad to hear you will be visiting Hawaii, but too bad it’s not Kauai, my home! I don’t have much experience with Maui, except for a visit a very long time ago. I’ve been shooting birds for the last few years and while I don’t go for the forest birds, I have heard that up in Hosmer Grove (below or part of Haleakala National Park) has a lot of forest birds and they are quite easy to get close to, but maybe not close enough for a 400mm equivalent 35mm? Actually with these forest birds, just seeing them is a bit of a chore or at least that is the case up in Kokee in Kauai, so Maui has an advantage there. I am sure you can Google and do some research on that part of Maui and what other wildlife you may see. Or do a day trip to Kauai and do some shooting at the Kilauea Lighthouse (check my blog for some shots!) Mahalo, Thomas
Mate get yourself an underwater housing, and go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanauma_Bay
Very touristy, but this line sticks out
“Hanauma Bay is known for its abundance of Green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, known as Honu. Hanauma is a nursery ground for the immature turtles, which have their nesting grounds at French Frigate Shoals. It is also known for its abundance of parrotfish”
Not sure what the law is being able to get close enough to photograph, but it’s worth a look. After swimming with some sea turtles in the Galapagos last year, it’s all I want to do now.
Thomas, Adam, great advice there thank you both very much! In my research of Maui I’ve discoverd the fantastic night sky opportunities at Haleakala National Park so a bit of night sky photography is now also on my list alongside wildlife! Adam, that beach looks amazing!! It’s on the wrong island though