TB4 Loc: TX

If I am planning a cruise and land tour to Alaska next summer will there be room or time to use a tripod or will I be in a mass of people that really won't allow for it? I have a big heavy Bogen that I use around home and on driving trips but it wouldn't be a good choice for packing (or carrying!).

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

First enjoy your trip, I was there in June a few years back, shot handheld, if you take the cruise excursions there usually isn't enough time to be setting up a tripod and frame the shot. If you really need or want a tripod look at the 114 induro with a bhd1 ball. Head, that's my travel tripod.

The are a lot of travel options now for tripods the reverse closing ones but they all use the center post to get the height you need. So after years of telling us don't use the post now the tripod companies are trying to tell us it's ok to use the center post, funny how marketing works

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

I have made 2 cruise trips to Alaska as you describe and have thoroughly enjoyed each one. I did not take a tripod with me and found that it would have been of little use. I did take a good close up lens and a good telephoto lens and got some really good shots. The land is so expansive you will find that you can get good shots around just any corner.
The time of year is also important in your trip as August is the rainier season and more could cover seems to move in. Our July trip was the best
Either way you will enjoy it. Looking forward to seeing some good pics

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

No tripod needed, I have been posting a series of about 300 Alaska images lately not even for one did I use a tripod. Check it out my name on UHH blacks2.

TB4 Loc: TX

Even if no one else chimes in, you folks have convinced me to travel light. Thanks!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I definitely would not recommend a tripod for a group tour. A monopod could be beneficial and much easier to accommodate, and it could double as a walking stick. Otherwise just carry stabilized lenses and hope for good weather.
Have a nice trip.

bjprovo Loc: Northeast CT

I'm not sure what land tour means for you but if you are going into Denali I can't imagine shooting there without some sort of support. At the very minimum a monopod, but a tripod seems necessary. I never did the cruise part so I can't speak to that. The scenery continually changes and is very expansive, shooting without support may affect the quality of your images.

tamalero Loc: Mexico

Hello, I went to a cruise this year (september)
And I can tell you this:
If you buy the usual cruise-specific tours, you will have very little time. You will be MOVING A LOT.

The only destinations I managed to get time to MAYBE set up a tripod, was on Juneau's Mendenhall and the Mount Roberts trail.
Elsewhere is just rush and moving.

Id honestly recommend that you pack a camera raincoat/cover( or something like) that than a tripod... to protect your camera.. as it rains A LOT in Alaska.

DigitalDon Loc: Calgary, Alberta

I definately agree with this statement. A tripod NOT required but a monopod YES. Handheld only if you don't have a choice.

Gitzo Loc: Indiana

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/675846-REG/Clik_Elite_CE512GR_BodyLink_Telephoto_Pack_Clik.html/prm/alsVwDtl


I DON"T go on cruises, but I DO go to a lot of trade shows, museums, and other places where tripods are not allowed; two years ago I bought the Clik Elite chest pack described in the link; (got a better price on Amazon then B&H though );

On the frame that "surrounds" the pack, I mount my Arca Swiss B-1 ball head; the D-300s with 70-200 / f2.8 zoom attached stays (completely protected ) in the chest pack til I need to shoot; it takes about 15 seconds to unzip, withdraw the camera & lens, 2 seconds to secure it to the ball head, (using Arca style QR plates or "ell" bracket ); together with the "up & down" adjustment with the frame, (which is seldom needed ), and the support from the ball head, if possible I put my back against a wall or column, and the camera is supported much better that with a monopod.

In the type situation you'll encounter on a cruise, a tripod would be a total nuisance. (IMHO )

I have just enough room in the pack for the full sized D SLR with mounted 70-200 / f2.8 zoom and a 12-24 /f4 prime lens underneath. With practice, the camera is supported almost as rigidly as on a tripod. (And it's much easier to put a "raincoat" over a chest pack than a camera and large zoom lens. ) This is the only camera support scheme that I've ever tried that "works" while seated with a long lens in an auditorium or sports venue. (It also solves two problems instead of one; supporting the camera/lens, and carrying them safely and comfortably in crowded public places. )

I should also mention......this thing can be worn as a back pack OR chest pack; I have never used in as a back pack; the only places where I need it, I NEED the camera very quickly "accessible"; having equipment on your back defeats that requirement, (again, IMHO ).

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

I have been on an Alaskan cruise. If I were to do it again, I would take a monopod.

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

One other thing is that time of year you will get hours of golden time since the sun may set for only a few hours when you are there

MagicFad Loc: Clermont, FL

Not funny at all, sales slumped because everybody bought into it, now they have to generate new sales. It is Economics 101.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

We have taken several cruises, including a 14 day Alaska trip, and have never found the need to use a tripod or monopod, but for shots from the ship, increase your shutter speed to about 1/1000 (or more) and the ISO to compensate and enable better DOF. On board there is always a deck vibration from the diesel-generators, even when tied to a pier, and any support from the deck or rails will magnify it.

There was a thread about just this topic a week or so ago; try to find it.

Enjoy your trip.

DVJ

With VR and IS, tripod can be eliminated. But a small monopod or a tabletop tripod (can be set on a table, braced against a wall, or a railing, used as a chest pod, on a window ledge, etc.) can be very handy and you can slip it into a pocket when not in use. Leitz makes a great one but it's expensive. Shop ebay for a used minolta or polaroid table top -- these will hold an SLR with up to a 70-200mm safely.