I need Whale Watching photo tips

[klwinding]

I'm going whale watching on Sunday and don't want to miss any photo ops. If you have experience, can you give me some feedback? I have a Nikon D40 with the standard 18-5 mm and a 55-200 telephoto. Which one do I use? I can't really switch back and forth, can I? How about using the telephoto and then bringing my point and shoot? Help! I would really be bummed if I missed a really good picture because I was messing around with lenses or had the wrong one on the camera!

[WPCatfish]

I'd go with the longer lens, and bring something waterproof along to keep your camera in that you can get into in a moment's notice.


Also, before a whale watching excursion off Waikiki, we were advised that the more we drank, the better chance we had to see stuff...

[jamesandype]

hey,

I don't know if you've gone yet but I went whale watching in Canada about a year ago. Fantastic time.

Unfortunately the whales didn't feel like playing that much. But I recommend you stick to a lens that you feel comfortable with. Point and shoot cam, will only give you a standard pic. I used my 70-300mm and it gave me quite good shots up and close.

Downside of taking pics while whale watching is that it's quite unpredictable when the whales decide to emerge so be on your toes, the guide might have a tracking device so stick by the front where she/he might tell you when one is close by. Turn your camera on, and wait, click the shutter when you can and if it's a tour watch out for the feisty tourists, some are quite mean when it comes to whale watching



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