Traveling to Hawaii - need some suggestions...

[SRC4S]

I’m about to embark on my first trip to Hawaii in about two weeks. In preparation thereof, I’ve been contemplating which Canon lens(es) to take with me:

1) 70-200 2.8 IS
2) 24-70 2.8
3) 24-105 4.0 IS
4) 17-40 4.0
5) 50 1.8 (aka Nifty Fifty)
6) Kenko Tubes

Do I need all of these? It seems redundant to carry the 24s but the 24-70 just takes beautiful shots and the 24-105 simply has IS which is very useful as well (that’s why I actually have both). The 70-200 IS is LARGE and something that is typically just not something I would want to carry around all day but it’s probably the best lens as far as image quality goes. The 17-40 is a must since I need to have something wide(r) than 24. Any experienced suggestions?

If I decide to take them all, I guess it would be overkill. But, let’s just say I did. What type of camera bag do you think I need? That’s quite abit of equipment. Believe it or not, I have been able to fit it all in my Crumpler 6 Million. And oh yes, I have the XT with battery grip.

TIA,

G

[cruzyn56]

I had the opportunity to honeymoon in Hawaii 2.5 years ago and at that time only had a digital P&S. I still had film SLRs but they were pretty much retired. Hawaii is so diverse that you might want to take them all if it isn't a problem especially if it is a once in a lifetime trip. Since IS only works on stationary objects you might want to leave that home if you are also bringing a tripod. How much hiking around will you be doing and how much are you willing to carry?

We spent most of our time on Maui, but also visited the Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu. Each island offered something different. It will depend on what you are looking to capture while there. There are many opportunities for vistas of coastline, ocean, and mountains. Don't forget the sunsets and sunrises, rain forests (macro for the flora and fauna).

As far as a bag? I don't know about the Crumpler, although I have seen them. I usually like to take most of my stuff on the trip, but only take what I think I will need for the activity. You can leave what you don't need in the hotel room safe. Sounds like your bag will get your equipment there, and also be good for carrying what you need for the day.

Are you bringing anything to offload the images to? I brought a laptop with me and even with using a 3MP P&S and 2 512MB cards, came back with about 2GB worth of images. I now have a flashtrax so I don't have to lug a laptop with me.

aloha

[morehtml]

For a XT I would take the 17-40, 50 1.8 and the 70-200 IS and leave the rest. The 24-70 is probably overkill but take if you must have.

[Rumjungle]

Right, it really depends what you want to shoot. I'd suggest the 17-40 for landscapes and 70-200 for everything else. That 70-200IS packs a lot of weight already so I'd make it do triple duty (long lens, portrait lens, add a tube it'll also be a macro lens).

[ssim]

Hawaii has always been a favorite destination of ours. Been there a couple of dozen times.

I would take 17-40, 24-70 or 24-105 and 70-200. For the space it takes you could add the 50. In all the times that I have spent there the 24-70 or 24-105 spends the most time on my camera. This of course depends on what you like to shoot.

Have a great time and make sure to pack things securely for the trip.

[Mark_Cohran]

I went in April and I took the following - 17-40 f4L, 28-70 f2.8L and the 70-200 f2.8L and a 50mm f1.8 and the 85mm f1.8.

I used the 17-40L and the 70-200L the most and the 28-70L somewhat less frequently. I tool the 2 primes because I thought I would need some low light capability, but I don't 'think I used them at all.

If I had to pack today to go back, I'd leave the two primes and the 28-70 f2.8L at home and take my 24-105 f4L instead so my lineup would be:

17-40 f4L
24-105 f4L IS
70-200 f2.8L

Mark

[LightRules]

Buy an UWA like the Canon 10-22 or Sigma 10-20.

[SRC4S]

Thanks for the input guys!

As far as the lenses, I think I will just take them all. it's my first time there so I would hate to just be ill-prepared. I will be in Maui and thus I'm sure there will be alot of different types of scenarios for different lenses.

I have an Epson P-2000 to offload my photos. For the six days that I will be there, I hope the 40 gigs will do since I usually take RAW + large JPEG.

I made an error when I stated I could carry all my lenses in my Crumpler Six. I can fit all EXCEPT the 70-200 IS. If I put the 70-200 IS in there, then I can only fit one of the 24s attached to the camera. The 70-200 IS is not bag friendly :/

Any ideas on a good portable tripod?

[Benandbobbi]

Thanks for the input guys!

As far as the lenses, I think I will just take them all. it's my first time there so I would hate to just be ill-prepared. I will be in Maui and thus I'm sure there will be alot of different types of scenarios for different lenses.

I have an Epson P-2000 to offload my photos. For the six days that I will be there, I hope the 40 gigs will do since I usually take RAW + large JPEG.

I made an error when I stated I could carry all my lenses in my Crumpler Six. I can fit all EXCEPT the 70-200 IS. If I put the 70-200 IS in there, then I can only fit one of the 24s attached to the camera. The 70-200 IS is not bag friendly :/

Any ideas on a good portable tripod?

The 70-200 is a no-brainer. But after living in Hawaii for three years, I can tell you that not to take a wide angle lens would be a sin. Expecially if you have some time to really see (read: travel to places tourists don't typically go like in the mountains) the island.

[SRC4S]

The 70-200 is a no-brainer. But after living in Hawaii for three years, I can tell you that not to take a wide angle lens would be a sin. Expecially if you have some time to really see (read: travel to places tourists don't typically go like in the mountains) the island.

Makes me wonder if the 17-40 isn't wide enough now. Maybe I should get that 10-22. Hmm...

[Benandbobbi]

Makes me wonder if the 17-40 isn't wide enough now. Maybe I should get that 10-22. Hmm...

A good P&S might be the best option for a WA. Maybe even as an only option considering the new security procedures enforced at airports after yesterday. With today's added flight security (everything in the hold baggade area), my P&S might be the only thing I'd take. Wouldn't like placing my 20D and lenses in the hold baggage.

[Wilt]

It seems the 'no liquids no electronics, only feminine napkins' standard is applying to UK flights only. The updated TSA information on the web for flights within the US (and North America???) is 'no liquids' taken into the cabin. Even water which you buy once *inside Security* has to be totally comsumed (or thrown out) before boarding the plane! But electronics (laptops, phones, car door unlocking remotes) are OK to TSA

[Benandbobbi]

It seems the 'no liquids no electronics, only feminine napkins' standard is applying to UK flights only. The updated TSA information on the web for flights within the US (and North America???) is 'no liquids' taken into the cabin. Even water which you buy once *inside Security* has to be totally comsumed (or thrown out) before boarding the plane! But electronics (laptops, phones, car door unlocking remotes) are OK to TSA

I have heard that all travellers on US flights (international and national) are being restricted to virtually no carry ons unless considered a necessity. While I consider my 20D and 70-200mm USM IS a necessity, I doubt the TSA does....

If it is truly the TSA only reacting to a liquid thing, it reminds me of the movie "The Jerk". Remember when he was being targeted by a gunman. He thought it was the oil cans that were being shot at. "Stay away from the oil cans!"

[Wilt]

I have heard that all travellers on US flights (international and national) are being restricted to virtually no carry ons unless considered a necessity. While I consider my 20D and 70-200mm USM IS a necessity, I doubt the TSA does....

If it is truly the TSA only reacting to a liquid thing, it reminds me of the movie "The Jerk". Remember when he was being targeted by a gunman. He thought it was the oil cans that were being shot at. "Stay away from the oil cans!"

From the TSA website taken seconds ago...

Threat Level Change for the Aviation Sector

In response to a serious terrorist threat to international aviation security, the Secretary of Homeland Security has elevated the Homeland Security Advisory System Threat Condition to Severe, or Red, for all commercial flights from the United Kingdom to the United States, and to High, or Orange, for all other international flights and all domestic commercial aviation.
There are approximately 106 flights per day between the United Kingdom and the United States. Although numerous arrests have been made in the U.K. to disrupt and neutralize this threat, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking a number of heightened protective measures to ensure the continued safety and security of our international and domestic air travel.
Protecting the Aviation System. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be implementing a series of security measures – some visible and some not visible – to ensure the security of the traveling public and the Nation's transportation system. TSA is immediately implementing following changes to airport screening procedures:
NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.
Exception: Baby formula and breast milk if a baby or small child is traveling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines

Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.
Passengers traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. will be subject to a more extensive screening process. Some measures will not be visible to the public. In light of the elevated threat level, the Federal Air Marshals Service (FAMS) will provide expanded mission coverage for flights from the United Kingdom to the United States.
These measures will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. DHS and its components have coordinated closely with the air carrier industry, airports, and state and local stakeholders to implement these significant, but necessary, security measures. The traveling public can assist these agencies in carrying out their important security duties by:

Packing lightly, without clutter to facilitate easier screening.
Check with your air carrier well before your flight departs for information on when you shoudl arrive at the airport.
Cooperating with TSA personnel at all checkpoints and gates because TSA Security Officers will be checking carry-on baggage at the gate.
Being attentive and vigilant to any suspicious activity.

[Lotto]

Makes me wonder if the 17-40 isn't wide enough now. Maybe I should get that 10-22. Hmm...

I am off to the Far East for 11 days tonight. I bought the Tokina 12-24 just for the trip. 17mm, or even the 16mm is not wide enough for me (20D).

Everything in my sig except the 430 EX are going with me, all fit in the LowPro Mini Trekker AW nicely. I had some thought about the 70-200 IS because of its weight, but for me too it's the first big trip since I acquied all the lense, I would like the experience it first hand about the weight.


Thanks Wilt for the info on TSA, I'll keep my fingers crossed as I hit LAX tonight.

[CPALIU]

I went in April and I took the following - 17-40 f4L, 28-70 f2.8L and the 70-200 f2.8L and a 50mm f1.8 and the 85mm f1.8.

I used the 17-40L and the 70-200L the most and the 28-70L somewhat less frequently. I tool the 2 primes because I thought I would need some low light capability, but I don't 'think I used them at all.

If I had to pack today to go back, I'd leave the two primes and the 28-70 f2.8L at home and take my 24-105 f4L instead so my lineup would be:

17-40 f4L
24-105 f4L IS
70-200 f2.8L

Mark

that's what i was going to suggest

[Wilt]

It seems the 'no liquids no electronics, only feminine napkins' standard is applying to UK flights only. The updated TSA information on the web for flights within the US (and North America???) is 'no liquids' taken into the cabin. Even water which you buy once *inside Security* has to be totally comsumed (or thrown out) before boarding the plane! But electronics (laptops, phones, car door unlocking remotes) are OK to TSA

Todya I just got the above information confirmed via an email from United Airlines, regarding a trip I have to Toronto next week