I'm currently enjoying my second trip to Hawaii. My first visit was in 2013 when I visited the Big Island of Hawai'i. This year I set my sights on Maui! This island is a true tropical paradise in my opinion. Vegetation ranges from the tropical on the windward side of the island (north) to near desert conditions on the leeward side (south). The rainforest hugging the northern side of the dormant volcano Haleakala receives upwards of 350 inches of rain each year! This is in sharp contrast to the dry side of the island...that receives only 12-15 inches per year. The climate also changes dramatically as one travels to the summit of Haleakala at 10,023 feet amsl. At the top of Haleakala you my find yourself above the clouds and experiencing temperatures that are 30-40 degrees cooler than nearby coast regions.
What camera(s) should a serious photographer take on a trip to such a diverse location? Ultimately, this is up to the preference of the photographer, however, this is what I brought:
- Fujifilm X-Pro1
- Fujifilm X-T1
- Fujifilm X100S
- Zeiss Ikon ZM
For my Fujfilm mirrorless cameras I brought the following lenses:
- XF14mm F2.8 R
- XF35mm F1.4 R
- XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
The Zeiss Ikon ZM was equipped with the Zeiss Biogon 35mm F2 T*. I also brought along a wide selection of film: Kodak Tri-X, Kodak Ektar, Kodak Portra 160, and Cinestill B&W.
Haleakala National Park, Maui Fujifilm X-T1, XF14mm F2.8 R, ISO 200, f/8, 1/400 second
I traveled to Maui with the goal of shooting a minimum of one roll of film each day during my 16 days in paradise. It wasn't long before I realized that was a completely unrealistic goal. I found that the Zeiss Ikon ZM rangefinder wasn't always the camera best suited for the dramatic landscape shots that I was always compelled to take. Well, in reality, it wasn't just the landscape shots, but also the surfing action shots as well. Although I likely captured some some pics using the wide-angle Zeiss Biogon 35mm lens...it just didn't have the reach or flexibility of my X-system! Needless to say, most of my photos were taken with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 and Fujifilm X-T1.
south of Lahaina, Maui Fujifilm X-T1, XF55-200mm, ISO 400, f/4.8, 1/4000 second
In short...visit the Hawaiian islands...especially Maui! The opportunity for photography is limited only by the time you have, willingness to travel, equipment, and knowledge. But don't let that stop you...get out there and have some fun!
NOTE: I MAY PROVIDE UPDATES TO THIS POST IN THE FUTURE...SO CHECK BACK!