Hey folks, I'm planning a spotting trip to Hong Kong Airport soon and I'm a bit stuck on lens choices. I've read that HKG can be pretty cloudy, and I'm not sure what would work best in those conditions. I've got a Nikon D750 and was thinking between my 70-200mm f/2.8 and a 300mm f/4. I want to capture both the detail of the planes and some of the skyline in the background. Anyone have experience shooting there during overcast days? How does the light affect your shots? Any tips on settings or lenses that work well for you? I'd appreciate any advice!
Spotting at Hong Kong Airport (HKG) - Best Lens for Cloudy Days?
I'd go with the 70-200mm f/2.8 for sure. That extra stop of light will help a lot when it's cloudy, plus it's more versatile if you're trying to frame the skyline too. I've shot at HKG on overcast days, and the light can be really flat, so bump up the ISO a bit if needed. Since you want detail, keep an eye on your shutter speed. The 300mm might be too tight for getting both planes and skyline in one shot. Have fun spotting!
I'd lean towards the 70-200mm f/2.8 too. The faster aperture is great for cloudy days, and you'll have more flexibility with framing. I shot there last summer and found the light can be pretty flat, so the extra stop helps. If you want to get some of the skyline, you might need to bump up the ISO a bit to keep the shutter speed up. That combo worked for me. Have you considered using any filters to manage the overcast light?
I'd actually suggest trying the 300mm f/4. Even though it doesn't have the f/2.8 aperture, the extra reach might be handy to get those nice detailed shots of aircraft with the skyline behind. Just bump up the ISO a bit to compensate for the light. I was there last year during the rainy season, and the clouds really added some drama to the shots. Have you got a tripod? Could help with stability if you're shooting at slower shutter speeds.
I've shot at HKG during some pretty gloomy days. Definitely go with the 70-200mm f/2.8. The faster aperture helps a ton in low light, and you can always crop in a bit if you need more reach. Plus, it gives you more flexibility if you want to include some of the skyline. Make sure to bump up the ISO a bit, but not too much to avoid noise. Try shooting in RAW too, so you can tweak the exposure during editing.
I'd go with the 70-200mm f/2.8 too. That wider aperture can really help on those dreary days at HKG. Plus, it gives you more flexibility for different compositions, especially if you're trying to get the planes and skyline together. I've had good luck bumping the ISO a bit to keep the shutter speed up when the clouds roll in. Just watch out for noise, but the D750 handles it pretty well.