[shutterbob]

Yahoo! - 9 Days in Maui can offer a lot of photo op's. Looking for advice on the best 3-lens arsenal to take on my trip. Don't want to be burdened with all of them. Here's what I have to chose from:

Pentax k10d
Samsung GX20 (probably take this one - a tad better on noise @ hi ISO)

DA-21mm
FA-31 Ltd
FA-35mm
FA-50mm
DA-10/17
DA-16/45mm
TAM- 18/75mm
DA-18/250mm
DA-55-300mm
Kenko 2.0x 7 element Teleconverter

I expect to concentrate on scenics in this order:

1. Landscape - beaches, waterfalls, road scenes
2. Flowers, birds, fauna
3. Archetectural

If any one has the time, I would ever greatful for your views on what 3-lens you would put in your bag given the above.

Thanks,
Bob

[CSoars]

DA 10-17, FA 31. Maybe the 55-400 for the occasional bird, windsurfer, or 'extracted' landscape.

My 50mm is my most used lens (film), so I'm a little biased. The 16-45 is useful if you prefer walking around with a zoom.

I haven't been since '01. Dying to go back and see the Io needle, Haleakela at dawn, road to Hana, lunch in Lahaina with the crabs on the seawall. Ah, memories.

[asdf]

2. birds, fauna

DA* 300.

My guess is that most people will suggest DA 55-300.

[hinman]

I will pick

• 16-45 for the landscape & portraits with a wide scenic view
• FA 31 for the ultimate and night time and indoor shots
• 55-300 for the birds, people, walk-around

And since the 21 is so small, I will pack it for sure. But I think you need a macro or something good for close up to the beautiful and unfamiliar flowers and the best lunch and dinner plates. The 21 can do that in a pinch. Perhaps, a good close up filter for the 55-300mm or the 16-45 will help.

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Last edited by hinman; 03-16-2009 at 09:41 AM.

Bob, Oh I wish I was going... it has been far too long.

Am I missing something in your arsenal of glass... No weather sealed lenses?

My memories of Maui have lots of warm "out of nowhere downpours / drizzles" and lots of sand. It would be great to have a DA50-135 for those days, which were almost every afternoon if memory serves Maybe it's time to sell one of the superzooms and grab a sealed lens.

If not, I would toss in the 21 (does not count because it is so small) the 31 / 16-45and one of the superzooms with the 55-300 being a my choice. Unless you are really happy with your copy of the 18-250 and then the 55-300 stays home.

Have a great time... and post some beautiful shots when you get back....

[Just1MoreDave]

My opinions are based on photography often taking a back seat to enjoying the trip.

1. I think if I owned the FA31, I would have to take it.
2. DA 18-250 - extremely flexible, great one-lens solution
3. DA 10-17 - wide angle sub if you defish, fun as a fish.

The DA* 16-50 with its weather seals would be very useful on a boat, in the rain, near a waterfall or on a beach. But people have taken a few photos on Maui without weather seals.

[gemini]

at first:

DA-16/45mm + DA-55/300mm for good photos

then, choose:
DA-18/250mm for travel walk-around without problems
or
FA-50mm for lovable bokeh and for night shot.

[wasser]

I just went to Maui in February. The weather was mostly dry during our stay. It poured in Hana overnight and then it drizzled and blew hard a couple days later when we were in the upcountry.

My lenses only include some old manual lenses, the 18-55 kit, and the 10-17. I took probably over 95% of my shots with the 10-17. That's probably a mix of it being my new lens (purchased a week before the trip) and it's just so darn fun. =) I also took a flight out to Honolulu and used the fisheye for the Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri, and the aviation museum at Ford Island.

[tybeck]

I'll vote 16-45, 55-300 to cover most shots listed and 31mm Limited for close shots and night time normal shorts.

[indytax]

Unless I missed something, your collection doesn't include a macro, so I would be sure to include what you find to be the best close focusing lens of the bunch.

[HansenTsang]

21, 31 and 50. I would also get a close up lens for the 50 or an extention tube. Lots of macro stuff in Hawaii.

[meand myK20]

DA 10-17 , FA 31 DA 55 - 300

And make sure you have lunch outside with the locals ... Aloha Mixed Plate ... on the Mala ramp at the north end of Lahaina ... right behind the Cannery Mall.

[SloPhoto]

I would go with

35mm - for flexibility and macro.
21mm - for landscapes

but then I would be torn.

I would want the 31, but with a focal length in the same range as the 35, it would be hard to justify. So even though I am not a huge 50 fan, I would say either the 50mm or the 55-300, leaning twards the latter.

Honestly, I could attach the 35mm with glue and I would only occasionally notice. I prefer my 43, but the 35 is just so easy to use for everything.

[Votesh]

I will pick

• 16-45 for the landscape & portraits with a wide scenic view
• FA 31 for the ultimate and night time and indoor shots
• 55-300 for the birds, people, walk-around

And since the 21 is so small, I will pack it for sure. But I think you need a macro or something good for close up to the beautiful and unfamiliar flowers and the best lunch and dinner plates. The 21 can do that in a pinch. Perhaps, a good close up filter for the 55-300mm or the 16-45 will help.

What he said

[Ira]

Why not do something radical and NOT shoot flowers, or little lizards?

BORING.

Shoot the Hawaiian people living in Hawaii. MUCH more interesting.

Or look for and shoot out-of-place tourists, especially Europeans.

HYSTERICAL!