ceallachain Loc: Cape May, NJ

About to embark on a Panama Canal cruise with stops in Cartagena, Columbia, Aruba, Puerto Limon Costa Rica, and the Cayman Islands. Looking for suggestions for which lenses to take. I have the following lenses to chose from: 76-300mm, 10-18mm wide angle, 50mm,18-55mm, 15mm fisheye. Anybody who has done this cruise have any advice on which to take? My initial thinking is the 75-300mm and the 10-18mm wide angle. Trying to keep this to a minimum. BTW they're all Canon and I'll be using a T6i. Thanks.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Definitely the 50mm, you probably won't need the long lens, the 18-55mm would be ok.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I recently cruised through the Panama Canal and used only one lens, it was a 25mm prime on a M43 camera which equates to 50mm on a full frame.
I did take a small zoom lens but never used it, the image quality of the 25mm is so good that you can crop to a 100% and still have an excellent photograph.
In my opinion I would advise you you to use good prime lens with the equivalent focal length of 50mm.
Have a great trip.

cthahn

Are you a photographer when you have to ask someone what lens to use.

printer273

If you can't say something constructive don't say anything at all!! He was asking to see if someone has been there before to see what they used. You weren't much help

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

For Cartagena you will definitely need the 10-18mm on your T6i (PS it's Colombia). The narrow streets and the fort beg for WA lens use. The 75-300mm will definitely be required. Not sure where in these areas you are going but in the jungles you will encounter many exotic birds and creatures as well as plants that are beyond belief. If you have room also bring the 18-55mm I do not see the fisheye being of general use unless you have room for it. Enjoy your trip

Eblong Loc: Colorado

I also am about to embark on a Panama Canal traversal (#3). l. In the past I have used a mix of 50 MM and my favorite walk-around lens. This year, it'll be my Tamron 16-300, plus I'm adding in my 10-22 mm wide angle into the rotation taking turns on my 80D. There is more to see than just the locks, so making a variety of lenses a good idea.

My avatar is from our first Panama Canal cruise. I was told I looked like that all day long, from about 4AM until the ship left Panama waters. The decks will be likely be crowded as the ship approaches the locks, so be prepared to be there early or have to jockey for position. It will thin out as the day goes on, but some determined souls will be there all day long.

There is a lot to see and photograph along the sides of the ships as well as the Bow and Stern when in the locks. The ship and shore crews and activities are fun to see and capture, which is why a zoom lens is handy. I have actually used a longer zoom for the buildings and people along the way. Of course, we were on a Disney ship, which brings out the families to wave at Mickey, making some fun shots even if only for us.

Consider a tripod or monopod since the day typically starts early, and things happen before and about daylight. The ships program (on the ships we frequent they are called the Daily Navigators) should let you know the ship's schedule for the day.

Enjoy and make sure you have fully charged batteries and plenty of memory cards for the Canal day. There's no time to charge and download until the day is over, and then it'll be close to dinner.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

We took that cruise about five years ago, the canal is an awe inspiring construction project especially considering the equipment that was available when it was built.
Regarding the choice of lenses, I had a 70-300 mm and a standard 50mm with me. At sea, anchored offshore, and in most ports (when shooting from the ship), I used the zoom lens and was very glad to have the longer "reach". If I went out to shoot pictures on/of the ship or passengers and in the dining rooms, the 50mm was more than adequate. The new canal was then still under construction, but could be easily seen and be photographed (with the longer lens) from the ship.


Enjoy the cruise!

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

If you are only taking two, then I concur with your initial thought. By the way, don't miss the Zip Lining in Costa Rica. And take your camera on the lines.

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

When I went to Costa Rica a couple of years ago, I took my 18-200 an 11-16. Both were indispensable. One, to capture wildlife in the canopy, the other for wide angle shots of the gorgeous terrain. Wish I had a telephoto with a little more reach at the time. Enjoy!

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

What a stupid comment, the OP was asking for advice about a trip he will never make again so he wanted to learn which was the best equipment to take.
He has received lots of useful tips except from you, if you can't say something useful don't bother to say anything!!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

This is a good forum just for such questions. Especially when not taking everything along as to what worked for others who did the same trip.
I learn a lot from these hints as to what to take.

Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado

Take them all. You bought them to use, didn't you?

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

We did the Canal two years ago; just before the new locks opened. I took both a Nikon D800 and a D90. The D800 with my DX Nikkor 10-24mm was used for 95% of the pictures and the D90 with a 70-300mm FX lens was used for occasional long shots. You need a super wide lens to truly capture the grandeur of the experience.

One piece of equipment you will probably need and that you might not think of is a good quality rain cover for each camera. Close to the Equator in places like Cartagena and the Canal, the temperature is 85 degrees and near 100% humidity year round. When we went through the Canal, we experienced an unbelievable monsoon rain just after we passed under the Rainbow Bridge. About 1000 yards past the bridge, there was a lightning ground strike just to the north of the bridge that produced the loudest sound I have ever heard following which the air turned to Niagara Falls. I was able to photograph one of the Canal Company's tug boats in the driving rain because my camera was properly protected (I will post the photo when I find it). I have included a few pictures to show you what to expect. Everything shown was shot with the 10-24mm except for the salt water crocodile, which was shot with the 70-300mm.

Rainbow Bridge

(Download)

Near Exit of the Gatun Locks and Lake


Saltwater Crocodile

(Download)

Bow of Ship

(Download)

Gutan Locks

(Download)

Ships Waiting to go Through Canal

(Download)

Miraflores Locks and Lake

(Download)

mikedidi46 Loc: WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA

I used the 18-135 and the 24mm pancake, also the 10-18 w/70D