Recommendations for Topside Zooms

Hey gang,

I saw this discussion started in the previous thread and was wondering what people are using. I have been looking into geting an all-around topside zoom for my upcoming Galapagos trip. So far, I have been looking seriously at the Tamron 24-135mm.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. I currently have the Nikon 18-35mm, 60mm, 105mm, and soon to arrive 12-24DX. Obviously, cost is a consideration.

Thanks,

John

Give what you already have, I'd suggest a longer zoom (i.e. 80 - 400 VR) for this trip. Topside wild life is great!

Regards,

80 - 200 was enough when I went there; wildlife is very easily photographed - used to tourists, undisturbed in protected

national park.

You seem to have most of the lens range covered by your list of lenses, surprised you are considering a wide zoom, bit of an overlap with 28mm.

Of course you may wish to get the 70 - 200 VR for a "compromise" lens ....

Cheers,

Seadeuce

I added the 70-200mm AF-S VR lens to the stable for the Galapagos trip. That way I may not have to haul the tripod on land. I've also got the 1.4 TC.

The 80-400mm VR is also a possible choice.

I find most of shooting to be either wide or long, with little in the middle. I didn't bother adding a walking around lens. I've got the 17-35mm, which provides the equivalent of 52.5mm. I find it long enough for most situations.

If you really want a mid-range walking around lens without spending a fortune, get the 24-85mm AF-S. It's plasticky, which means light and is quite sharp and quick to focus.

For a head start, read my sort of mentor's notes

Thom Hogan's Galapagos Notes

I used Canon's 100-400L IS lens topside, and it was ideal for the Galapagos. I found a 70-200 too short for some shots, although you certainly can get close to most things. Image stabilization was very helpful, and I was able to get sharp, hand-held shots at 400mm (although, I usually shot faster than 1/400 sec at that focal length).

I used a 28-70 often as well, and very occasionally, a 16-35.

If I was traveling light on the islands, I would probably bring a 24mm, a 50mm, and the 100-400. Remember to bring a polarizer. You will absolutely need it!

Some of my topside photos from the Galapagos can be found here:

http://www.echeng.com/travel/ecuador/

Hey John,

I have the Nikon 70-300 f2.8 and although I haven't been to Galapagos, it works really nicely in SW Fla.

Peter

Try the 50-500 you'll never look back!

Try the 50-500 you'll never look back!

I bought a Sigma 50-500 Canon mount for my mom to use on safari and it was very good! Also, on my last land trip someone had a Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 with a 2x and a D100 and it was also very good. I like the Nikon 24-85 f/3.5 that scorpio recommended and it works beautifully in my Nexus housing. With the wet diopter I can focus to about 9" so it's really a flexible lens. It's small enough in diameter than rings can be rigged for it.