DSLR Choice for Viking Cruise: I have a Canon 70d with 10-22 and 15-85 lenses. Also have a 6d with 16-35 f4L and 24-105 f4L. Other than the fact that the 70d and lenses are a little...

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I have a Canon 70d with 10-22 and 15-85 lenses. Also have a 6d with 16-35 f4L and 24-105 f4L. Other than the fact that the 70d and lenses are a little lighter and less expensive, are there any compelling reasons to take one or the other? It's a 2 week Viking River trip from Amsterdam to Budapest. I'll be shooting mostly landscapes, city streets, and more castles, museums, and cathedrals than I care to. Thanks.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

47greyfox wrote:

I have a Canon 70d with 10-22 and 15-85 lenses. Also have a 6d with 16-35 f4L and 24-105 f4L. Other than the fact that the 70d and lenses are a little lighter and less expensive, are there any compelling reasons to take one or the other? It's a 2 week Viking River trip from Amsterdam to Budapest. I'll be shooting mostly landscapes, city streets, and more castles, museums, and cathedrals than I care to. Thanks.

I'd recommend taking the easiest thing to carry. There is no time to "set up" shots or change lenses/filters/etc. There is no way to use a tripod. You'll be moving very fast, herded along in a large group on a tight schedule. Your main effort is going to be to stay on the edge of the group so you can get an open shot of anything. If you have a really good fixed lens camera, take it along too. By day 3, you may want to leave the big camera behind.

Download city maps of all the cities you'll stay in and keep them on your phone, in addition to your usual map feature which may not always work as expected. That way, when you get left behind in Bruges or wherever because you dallied around and lost your group, you'll be able to find the boat in a timely manner.

The most miserable man on our trip was the one with the full frame rig and determination to take it everywhere. He kept getting left, his wife stayed mad and he never got what he wanted shot wise.

PaulB Loc: Alabama

I am not all that familiar with the 70d, but I own the 6d and it is an excellent low light camera---particularly good for the shots you might take inside cathedrals and castles. I used it on a Danube cruise myself, mostly with a Canon 24-70mm lense. I also took a Canon 75-300mm for shots of points of interest from the boat that were a bit out of reach for the 24-70. My second camera is a Canon T2i which I used with a Sigma 10-20mm for some of the architectural type photos. I would not hesitate taking both cameras, perhaps keeping the 10-22 on the 70d and the 24-105 on the 6d to minimize lens changing.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I can see the merits of having both but am committed to only one. I have a nifty-50 1.8 that I could throw in the bag as well for interior low light opportunities. Ideally, I could start the day with a lens attached that would serve me and have the 50 for special situations since it's light. As far as bags are concerned, hoping to avoid carrying one, but would consider something like a sling?

Itpurs Loc: Carson City, NV

Took this very same trip. Take only your 24-105. It's perfect for the towns and villages. From the boat you'll need at least a 300mm, but rather than drag a heavy monster like that, and would suggest getting yourself a Bridge camera for this trip. Or better yet, beg, borrow a 4/3 outfit with an all purpose lens I.e. 18-150. Honestly, on these cruises there is not a lot of time to set up and get great shots....although, they do happen.

Enjoy, it's a fabulous adventure and the food on Viking cruises is great....

PaulB Loc: Alabama

I tend to carry more than I need. I use a backpack type bag to carry cameras, lenses, chargers, etc. while I am in transit. That bag doesn't leave my sight while traveling to my destination. Once there, I use a sling bag to carry what I decide I need for the days shooting.

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

First, have a great time. Photography on your trip will be fun, but remember to make time for your family if you are not alone.
Group tours are fine if you don't mind being herded around with little chance for anything but snap shots (which are nice for the family album). On tours, you might as well take a point and shoot because you'll be jostling with fellow tour members.
River cruises are wonderful but when you get ashore do not follow the crowds. Do some research before the trip and decide what you want to photograph. Most scenic places are within walking distance of your boat, or take a cab. Wander around and find views that the crowds never see. Enjoy the experience of discovering new angles without someone trying to hustle you along. Have a great time using your choice of equipment to the best of your ability.
Have fun.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

47greyfox wrote:

I can see the merits of having both but am committed to only one. I have a nifty-50 1.8 that I could throw in the bag as well for interior low light opportunities. Ideally, I could start the day with a lens attached that would serve me and have the 50 for special situations since it's light. As far as bags are concerned, hoping to avoid carrying one, but would consider something like a sling?

Sling is your best hope- no time to fiddle in a bag. But again, smaller is better. The fellow I told you about broke his wife's Delft china purchase with his large camera on that sling. He went to a hand strap the next day but he still wasn't a happy man.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Itpurs wrote:

Took this very same trip. Take only your 24-105. It's perfect for the towns and villages. From the boat you'll need at least a 300mm, but rather than drag a heavy monster like that, and would suggest getting yourself a Bridge camera for this trip.

Hmm, that's a thought. So, you'd suggest the 6d and 24-105? I do have a SX50 for shots from the boat.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

minniev wrote:

Sling is your best hope- no time to fiddle in a bag. But again, smaller is better. The fellow I told you about broke his wife's Delft china purchase with his large camera on that sling. He went to a hand strap the next day but he still wasn't a happy man.

Good advice. When I said sling, I should have said sling type bag. Easy to throw over the shoulder, isn't bulky, enough room for body and lens or two.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

47greyfox wrote:

Good advice. When I said sling, I should have said sling type bag. Easy to throw over the shoulder, isn't bulky, enough room for body and lens or two.

You won't have time to root around in it or a place to change the lens. Take it a day and see what you think, then don't be afraid to leave it behind. My sling bag was better than another type bag but I gave it up by day 3. Be sure you have a comfortable strap.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Shakey wrote:

First, have a great time. Photography on your trip... (show quote)

I agree with this advice with one caveat: if traveling with a significant other, take their wishes into account.My husband would have been miserable if we hadn't gone on those tours. His travel style is so different from mine (I'm incautious to the point of foolish). I had to be careful how much I got him off the beaten path because he got so anxious about being lost in a foreign country. And the trip has to be fun for everybody. May take some compromise for some travelers.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

47greyfox wrote:

I have a Canon 70d with 10-22 and 15-85 lenses. Also have a 6d with 16-35 f4L and 24-105 f4L. Other than the fact that the 70d and lenses are a little lighter and less expensive, are there any compelling reasons to take one or the other? It's a 2 week Viking River trip from Amsterdam to Budapest. I'll be shooting mostly landscapes, city streets, and more castles, museums, and cathedrals than I care to. Thanks.

Glue the 24-105 to the 6d, and I see that you also have the sx50 take both, that will cover everything. That's my 2 cents. Make sure that your case does not scream CAMERA so that it's not a target

Itpurs Loc: Carson City, NV

47greyfox wrote:

Hmm, that's a thought. So, you'd suggest the 6d and 24-105? I do have a SX50 for shots from the boat.

Honestly, from experience, that's all you need. I've travelled quite a bit and went through the "take it all" phase, but t have learned the hard way that less is more on these cruise type trips.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

boberic wrote:

Glue the 24-105 to the 6d, and I see that you also have the sx50 take both, that will cover everything. That's my 2 cents. Make sure that your case does not scream CAMERA so that it's not a target

Just thought of a problem of shots from the boat. Remember that boats (even if the ride seems smooth) constantly are moving. Make sure that the shutter speed can overcome camera shake.