Maui, need advice, lens, locations

[TimKistaken]

Ok, lets just say for the purpose of this conversation, that I'm a moron, that just got this 40d for Christmas. :rolleyes:

If you could only take one lens on the trip, which one would it be?
Any ideas for that "must have shot" would be appreciated.

I don't want to lug a bunch of gear around all day while on vacation. I don't mind taking a lens or two on the trip, just looking for opinions on a walk around lens.

The only two I have worth considering are the 17-40 f4 and the 70-200 f4. But I wouldn't mind having an excuse to expand the Christmas list.

Thanks

[SoaringUSAEagle]

70-200 would be a no brainer. Then again if you want a sunset shot or something. wide angle would be your best bet too...

Wow, just take them both. Get a bag lol.

[kenyc]

Ok, lets just say for the purpose of this conversation, that I'm a moron, that just got this 40d for Christmas. :rolleyes:

If you could only take one lens on the trip, which one would it be?
Any ideas for that "must have shot" would be appreciated.

I don't want to lug a bunch of gear around all day while on vacation. I don't mind taking a lens or two on the trip, just looking for opinions on a walk around lens.

The only two I have worth considering are the 17-40 f4 and the 70-200 f4. But I wouldn't mind having an excuse to expand the Christmas list.

Thanks

I wouldn't take one, given the choice of those two. I'd figure out a way to take them both or go with something like a 17-85 EFS or 24-105 EF

KAC

[TimKistaken]

Actually I do plan to take them both. But I was thinking the 17-40 might be a bit short for a walk around lens, when the bag is in the hotel. SO, let me re-phrase the question. What would be the "ideal" walk around lens, considering the bag and longer stuff is back in the hotel?

[kenyc]

Actually I do plan to take them both. But I was thinking the 17-40 might be a bit short for a walk around lens, when the bag is in the hotel. SO, let me re-phrase the question. What would be the "ideal" walk around lens, considering the bag and longer stuff is back in the hotel?

See above. :)

KAC

[Dave M]

Having just returned from Maui a couple weeks ago, I give kenyc's advice a hearty thumbs up. I took my 17-85 and 70-200 f/4 L IS as companions to my 30D and they were a great combination. I took most of my 2,000+ pictures with the 17-85 but there were many occassions where the reach of the 70-200 came in very handy.

Great combo, great location, great fun! Enjoy.

[rockabilly808]

the tamron 18-250 is also a great lens.

[TimKistaken]

Anybody try the tamron 18-250?

[Linkzi]

How about doing a search with "maui". Check the photo styles that match yours, then check the exif "if possible". Use that focal range and settings for a baseline. I used my 10-20mm Sigma most of the time for landscapes, 17-55 for people with landscape background, then 70-200 for candids/portraits. If you want to use one lens that is less than $500, I would recommend the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 for versatility.

[TheObiJuan]

When I went to Maui I loathed lugging around heavy lenses after a while.
I was almost tempted to buy a 350D and 18-200 lens and call it a day.
Thanks god I stuck it out with the 85L and 135L, the results were clearly there.

What part of Maui might you want to go to?

[calicokat]

I would get a 24-105L, the ultimate travel lens

[TimKistaken]

When I went to Maui I loathed lugging around heavy lenses after a while.
I was almost tempted to buy a 350D and 18-200 lens and call it a day.
Thanks god I stuck it out with the 85L and 135L, the results were clearly there.

What part of Maui might you want to go to?

Staying west, but want to see the whole darned thing, if we can.

Anybody care to recommend any "cant miss this, sorry if you do" spots?

[Peter G]

I would get a 24-105L, the ultimate travel lens

Agree. We go to Maui twice a year and always bring a 24-105L and 70-200 2.8L IS. I'd say that 95% of my shots were taken with the 24-105 :)

[staciecd]

When I was in Maui, I used my 17-40 the entire time. And I was very happy with the shots - it's truly my walk-around lens.

Stacie

[Geoff_Shawcross]

Well, the only lens I could recomend that hasn't been mentioned is the Sigma 17-70mm. It's a great little walk around lens with good macro capabilities. Not to mention that is's pretty good in low light, as it has an "f-stop" of 2.8 at 17mm, and 4.5 at about 35 mm (I think).

As for spots.......Well, there are lots of them. If you're going to stay in the western area of Maui, I would recomend that you at the very least go see the Iao Valley in the West Maui Mountains. Also, Lahaina is a great little town to visit for the beautiful buildings along the waterfront. There is a sunset dinner cruise out of Lahaina that is provided by the "Pacific Whale Foundation" (http://www.pacificwhale.org/). This is something that you have to do while in Maui.......you'll love it. :)

Anyways, that just a few spots.......Oh, and I strongly recomend this travel book, "Maui Revealed". Here is the publication website just for a taste of it (http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mauaerials.html). You'll have to post pictures when you get back. I wish I was going to Maui.......I've been there once and I fell in love with the place........I can't wait to go back someday.

[mikegli]

If you are staying in West Maui, get up early, drive North, and it will take you all the way around and back to Kahului. The next day, take the Road to Hana where there are literally hundreds of places to take great pictures, but give yourself plenty of time to check out the areas. If you make it to Hana, you must check out the black sand beach, its quite a scene. The next day/night drive up to Haleakala. The south eastern area of the island has some nice photo opportunities as well. I basically, in a very verbose way, told you to drive around the entire island. If I had to narrow it down, do the road to hana, and drive up haleakala, you will not regret it.

[TimKistaken]

The road up to Haleakala looks pretty twisty, but not too far. How long should a person allow for the drive up. Also, I've read that some of the road around the island is somewhat bad. Is there any section that should be avoided with a rental car?

Great suggestions, thanks.

[Geoff_Shawcross]

In terms of the road leading up to the top of Mt. Haleakala, it is very twisty. There are "a lot" of switch backs, and most of them are very sharp turns, so take your time. In terms of time to get to the top......Well, when my wife and I went there in 2005, it took me approximately "2 hours" to drive from the base to the top. Remember, your gaining about 10,000ft. in altitutde durring that two hours. In my honest opinion, it is well worth the drive, and I would recomend you take that drive if you have the time. :)

[jgogums]

Lahaina - beautiful old buildings/museums/shops. Lots to photograph there. The hotel gardens alone in most of the resorts in this area are excellent for family shots/floral/macro.

Going past Lahaina (looking at a map...going around the top of the "head" of Maui) is spectacular. Takes you to a remote village called Kahakuloa. Rental cars will say you're not allowed to drive that road with their car.
There may be some jeep rentals or other alternative rental places that will allow you to take a car back there.
I didn't really review the link below too closely. I just wanted to find a site that had some pictures of Kahakuloa Village. I remember riding my bike their from the other side (Wailuku) several times and always being blown away by the place. Rugged coastline but if you are into a little adventure and doing something the average vistor doesn't do then I would recommend this.
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/html/sites/kahakuloa_village.html

Iao Needle is not that close to Lahaina (45min-1hr). However it's only 15 minutes or less from Kahului Airport. So it may be a great place to start if you aren't too tired (or it's nighttime) from the plane ride. It's pretty and in my opinion doesn't take too long to take it all in. Would probably prefer to see it from helicopter (yeah...wouldn't we all...;)).

Road to Hana is worth it. Hundreds of switchbacks (honking your horn coming to a blind corner is the norm here...). Pull over at any one of the dozens of waterfalls (especially in the winter months) and take some pics/have a bite to eat. It will break up the monotony of the ride too. Charles Lindburg’s grave is along this coast on the grounds of a gorgeous church.

Continuing past Hana will bring you to Kaupo. This is out there. And the terrain is the complete opposite of what you'll find on the road to Hana. Ancient lava fields run down and blanket this side of Haleakala. A few settlements here and there. Some really wonderful churches/cemetaries on cliffs overlooking the ocean. Hot, sparse vegatation and rugged. But again, rental car companies usually don't dig this route. I took my mom on this all day roadtrip in a rental and it was fine but very, very long (good thing we get along:confused:). Maui isn't that small and the roads in these areas are generally fine but just slow.

Ulupalakua Ranch may be a good photo op. Up the side of Haleakala and I think they still make their own wine and have tours.

And of course Haleakala is truly magical at sunrise. It's cold. 10,000 ft. anywhere on this planet is chilly. Read somewhere it's the fastest road to that altitude anywhere. But it's still long...
Plenty of info. can be found at your hotel on daily conditions at the summit and what time you should be on the road from Lahaina to make it there in time (you'll be up around 3 am or earlier...).

Man, doing all this driving would be kinda nuts..., but if you are not the lounge-by-the-pool type then there is more than enough places to lose yourself in on Maui.

I would tend to bring most of my lenses for these trips. However if streamlining...I'd bring one wide zoom for landscapes and a prime for family shots/florals. Makes for a light, portable kit.

Enjoy your trip!

[roetevs]

I would take both lenses.

If you ever decide to take hwy 340 just be very careful. The road is very dangerous cause it will end into a one lane, no shoulder, high cliffs and the road is all dirt which has to be shared with incoming and outgoing vehicles. I didn't know that it was prohibited for tourist. But... It's very beautiful out there.

-Roel

[TimKistaken]

Great info guys, thanks. Sounds like the place is bigger than I was thinking. Looks like I need to do a little more research.

Still undecided about picking up a new lens. Cant seem to make up my mind on anything. Maybe thats a good thing. I hate to duplicate a range that I already have, but perhaps an upgrade is in order.

[dakkon]

i live on oahu, and the lense that i use the most is my 24-70 f2.8, i do mostly landscape photography and this lense gives me most of the reach that i want, and with the MP of the 40d you can just crop to get what you want, depending of if your going to use it for the internet or for printing purposes.. no one has brought up the 28-300 L, although considered a "soft" lense, if i could only bring 1 lense, that would be the one i would chose, granted it is a 2000$ lense, so depending on your budget you might have to chose somthing a little less expensive..



i think with my 24-70 i have taken about 5,000 photos of oahu..

good luck on your decision.

[Geoff_Shawcross]

Ya, Maui isn't as small as some may think. I seem to recall that the island if Maui is roughly 750 sq. miles in size (feel free to correct this). I strongly suggest making a rough plan as to what you want to do before you go, as there is enough stuff to do there to probably keep you busy for a very long time. :)

[TimKistaken]

I googled Haleakala the other night, and ran across a picture of about 50 people standing there waiting for the sunrise. OMG, is is likely to be that busy? I'd hate to have to pick a number to take a picture.

[jgogums]

I googled Haleakala the other night, and ran across a picture of about 50 people standing there waiting for the sunrise. OMG, is is likely to be that busy? I'd hate to have to pick a number to take a picture.

Just depends. There is a observation/info. building to stay in for those that don't like the wind/chill. It has windows all around so people inside will crowd to watch the sunrise. But outside shouldn't be a problem. There is quite a bit of space to roam around and find a spot.

[sugarzebra]

My wife & I are heading to HI for two weeks next month (our 25th) and will be spending one week in Maui. I've bought a Kata (R-103) to hold the gear and will be taking the 16-35, 24-105 & 70-200 & a 1.4X TC.

I would also highly recommend 'Maui Revealed' . Its an excellent resource and has been indispensable for our trip planning.

[Geoff_Shawcross]

As Greg mentioned, there is a fair bit of space at the top to watch the sunrise. You really shouldn't have any troubles finding a good spot. The only thing that could through a wrench into the plan is if the weather isn't good. But, regardless.......It's worth it. The sunrise is great bad weather or not. :)

[whoadude]

Resurrecting this old thread as Im about to head to Maui myself and contemplating lens choices. So far Im going with 24-70, and 17-40 on a 5dmkii body. I cant think of any reason why I would need my 70-200 but these older posters were recommending on bringing it.

Can anyone think of a good scenario where you would need it, and justify carrying that large of a lens around?

[Linkzi]

The only reason I would think of bringing a long lens is to shoot rare native birds at Haleakala wildlife park. The rare birds are tiny and 200mm would be too short.

[argyle]

I googled Haleakala the other night, and ran across a picture of about 50 people standing there waiting for the sunrise. OMG, is is likely to be that busy? I'd hate to have to pick a number to take a picture.

That's the bane of landscape photography...scout the area, get up good and early to pick a good spot to setup, then wait for the good light. If it's worth having, it's worth waiting for.

[whoadude]

The only reason I would think of bringing a long lens is to shoot rare native birds at Haleakala wildlife park. The rare birds are tiny and 200mm would be too short.

yeah I dont think Im doing any of that.

How about 85 1.2? Think that will come in handy anywhere? Thats a pretty hefty lens to lug around as well.

[Linkzi]

There is too much beautiful landscape in Maui and you will go as wide as possible on most of your shots.

[Geoff_Shawcross]

I have to agree with Lincoln on that. When I was in Maui back in 2005, I would have loved to have had an UWA lens for landscape. As for a long lens......Well, I think you already answered that your self. You stated that you don't plan on taking any bird shots, so you'll likely not need a long lens.......unless you're going when the Humback whales are around, then you might want to consider a longer lens. That's the trouble with going there......to many choices......hehe. ;)

[Namtaru]

My most used lenses when I went to Maui were my Tamron 17-50 and my old 70-300 IS

However, of the few I took with it, i got some of my favorite shots with my Sigma 10-20
e.g. http://namtaru.com/uploads/2008/Photography/Hawaii_3698.jpg

[Geoff_Shawcross]

Brilliant shot Namtaru!!

[Broadway53]

My "walk around" lens is a Sigma 18-200 and it fills most of my needs while traveling from wide angle to zoom. Right after I bought it Canon released their version of the 18-200 and it's getting great reviews so if you can afford it that's the one I'd recommend. If you're on a budget, the Sigma will serve you well.

[whoadude]

I totally forgot about the whale watching which we will be doing as well. Guess I am going to bring the 70-200 after all!

[Geoff_Shawcross]

Good thing I reminded you then.....hehe. ;)

[USER876]

There is a windsurfing beach on the north tip of Maui....def bring your zoom for that!

[Geoff_Shawcross]

Oh ya, forgot about that place........Yup, you'll definetly want to think about stoppping there to have a look see.

[ccookdo]

I do not want to sound like a snob, but the quality of the image is often directly related to the lens. I started with simpler lenses, but once you use a really good lens (17-55 efs or 10-22 efs) you can easily see the difference. The 17-40 and 70-200 fit the bill as really good lenses. Don't forget, you can rent a lens if necessary.

[cbh76]

Don't forget, you can rent a lens if necessary.


Sage advice, I wish I had rented a 17-40 when I went in 2004. I had my 20-35, 28-105, and 100-300 but I didn't use the 100-300 that much at all. I would rather have had something a little wider than my 20-35.