I'm going on a kayak camping trip to Alaska next month and I'm looking for hints on how to get the most out of a hyperzoom lens. I know the negative opinions on hyperzooms in these parts, but I can't imagine tempting the fates by swapping lenses in a kayak on the open ocean. I've managed to get by with a Rebel S and the stock 30-80 for several years by walking around a lot and climbing on things as necessary.
My expectations are modest. If the hyperzoom produces bunches of workman-like 5x7's, I'll be satisfied. If I get a handful worthy of further enlargement, I'll be very happy. One of my goals is to see what length I do most of my shooting at. Then I can consider buying a lens in that range for my less adventurous trips. I'd also like to make better use of my equipment: exposure, DOF, filters, etc.
If KEH is any indication, the availability of used lenses in the 28-200/300 range is low and the cost savings are small. So I'm looking at a new Sigma 28-300, a Tiffen filter kit (UV, CP, 812) and a Velbon 343 tripod.
Things I already have in mind to make the best of the hyperzoom include:
Foregoing two pounds of gear to make room for the tripod.
Trying to avoid the extremes -- 28mm and 300mm -- as much as possible. (Which does raise the question: Is a 28-300 is any better or worse at 200mm than a 28-200?)
Managing exposure times more than I have in the past.
Going mostly with ISO 400 to cope with all the uncertainties of subject, weather and time of day.
Sorry for the length of this post. Any other hints would be greatly appreciated.
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