Lens choices for Kaua'i, Hawaii - with some wedding shots

I'm struggling.

Cameras going: R and R5

Lenses available
1.) 16-35 4L
2.) 24-70 2.8L
3.) 24-105 4 R
4.) 28 2.8
5.) 50 1.8


A vacation only decision would yield #1, #3, and maybe #4 or #5. Additionally, I'm tagged for casual indoor/outdoor wedding reception photos, which brings #2 into the picture. I'm also thinking of bringing one flash and an off-camera trigger (no diffusion aside from a bounce card, rubber band and hopefully some white walls and ceiling), which may legitimatize #3 over #2.

I'm aware of the love and preference of that extra stop, but I doubt I've ever done a reception photo at 2.8. Saving a few lbs in my carry-on seems delightful. On the other hand, I haven't done any flash work in awhile. The casual wedding shots will of course be the best I can muster, but in a sea of pre-processing iphones, I'm not bringing to much extra to the table.

I say you are first a traveller, and second an invited guest at a wedding -- not the hired photographer.
So I say you bring what you want for your holiday, maybe employ flash when f/4 is not enough...or simply up the ISO!!!

I agree with Wilt, in that you should pack for a vacation, not a wedding. Not sure what time of year you are going -- if over the winter, then there is some great whale watching you could do in Kauai, so a telephoto would be nice. Otherwise, if it was me I'd probably just take the 16-35 and 24-105. Maybe the 50 f/1.8, too, because it's so small.

Thank you for the replies. I'm leaving in a week. I like the thought of me not being the hired photographer. The older I get, the more I can embrace it.

I can throw an older flash in my checked bag. If it gets stolen I won't be super upset.

Got a telextender?...a cheap and light way to lengthen that 105mm to something better suited in case you run across it!

A good restaurant in Kauai with nice open air dining
Keoki's Paradise in Poipu...if you go there, ask what restaurant near the airport they are connected with; if you bring your receipt from Keoki's Paradise you get 10% off there (or at your next visit to Keoki's Paradise)

Go for the free 'tour' of Koloa Rum Tasting Room...they do a great educational and tasty sample of rums. Koloa Coffee Rum, yum! Koloa Daquiri cocktail enhanced with Koloa Dark Rum, double yum! Go early, or risk waits, as the group sizes are limited.

Load GyPSy Kauai on your smartphone. It follows your location and direction of travel, and gives you narrated information about the area you travel thru, and suggestions for alternative turns to see other additional sights as you drive. Wonderful!

And if your shots at wedding include people, do NOT use anything wider than 28mm, for fear of induced perspective distortion at close shooting distance causing any nearby body parts to be exaggerated in size!
These two dolls are really equal in size, but the induced perspective distortion exaggerates the size of the near doll, especially the right arm size!

Wilt wrote in post #19254321
Got a telextender?...a cheap and light way to lengthen that 105mm to something better suited in case you run across it!

I don't, but for my pleasure I tend to enjoy wide photos and panoramas if they make sense.

Wilt wrote in post #19254321
A good restaurant in Kauai with nice open air dining
Keoki's Paradise in Poipu...if you go there, ask what restaurant near the airport they are connected with; if you bring your receipt from Keoki's Paradise you get 10% off there (or at your next visit to Keoki's Paradise)

I appreciate the tip. I haven't really even thought of dining yet.

Wilt wrote in post #19254321
Go for the free 'tour' of Koloa Rum Tasting Room...they do a great educational and tasty sample of rums. Koloa Coffee Rum, yum! Koloa Daquiri cocktail enhanced with Koloa Dark Rum, double yum! Go early, or risk waits, as the group sizes are limited.

Already signed up!

Wilt wrote in post #19254321
Load GyPSy Kauai on your smartphone. It follows your location and direction of travel, and gives you narrated information about the area you travel thru, and suggestions for alternative turns to see other additional sights as you drive. Wonderful!

Already loaded! We had GyPSy in Alberta, and it was fantastic. Thank you.

Wilt wrote in post #19254321
And if your shots at wedding include people, do NOT use anything wider than 28mm, for fear of induced perspective distortion at close shooting distance causing any nearby body parts to be exaggerated in size!
These two dolls are really equal in size, but the induced perspective distortion exaggerates the size of the near doll, especially the right arm size!

That's a good reminder. I do so little wedding or people related things that I always miss something very important. Thank you. Maybe it was a destined mistake that you helped divert.

And if you are driving around and spot a Farmer's Market, stop and get a Hawaii Gold pineapple...smaller and rounder than what we see here in stores. Not cheap (about $12 for a medium one) but so very deliciously sweet and low in acidity, compared to what we can get in stores on the mainland.

Our wedding photographer shot our entire wedding with a 24-70 and 70-200.