Frapha Loc: Tulsa, Oklahoma

My wife and I are about to embark on our first ever cruise/tour junket to Alaska. We’ll be inland for 10 days, and end with a 4-day cruise from Skagway to Vancouver. I’m interested in advice as to photography items I should (or should not) consider taking. I’ll be carrying my Olympus E-30 and the three primary lenses I’m considering are my 14-54, 18-180 and/or 70-300. If I could only take 2 of these 3, which would you suggest?

Still wondering about taking the FL-50R flash unit …. I want to travel as light as possible, but still have the photo necessities. Since most of our “excursions” will be with small or larger groups, I’m thinking that taking a tripod may not be wise because of the time to set-up, etc. Any experience or advice from others who have made such a trip would be appreciated. Thanks.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

No question in my opinion that it would be the 18/180 and the 70/300 and absolutly the flash unit as there will no doubt be some "dull" days w/rain where it will help as a "fill in"... I'm sure you will find that the "tour" jaunts will be based fir a lot of photo pauses...
Enjoy yourselves and be be prepared for some fastic scenes... Hope you wil be taking the Alaskan RR jaunt...

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

You are going to be very close to some beautiful mountains with the inside passage. The way to catch these is a wide lens (14-54).
While cruzing you should see lots of whales. Mostly, when surfacing for air (big blow, humpback and tail). Big zoom for those. Big zoom for whale breaching if you are lucky to see it. Sea lions on the red bouys that the ships will pass by.
I found the less wind and wind chill was at the back of the ship. Big ship makes a great wind block.
I did not take a tripod and did not miss it. We were always moving trying to see everything.
If you are going to be in Vancouver for a day or so, the Red Trolleys will give a tour/overview of the town.

Please post images when you get back!!!
Pat

macv dave

Need someone to help with carrying your equipment?
I'm available. :)
Our Alaska trip last year started in Fairbanks, then Denali, then a cruise which did stop in Skagway and ended in Vancouver.
In Skagway, we took the White Pass RR tour and it was great. If you take this trip, keep an eye on the RR car platforms. They're a great place to take photos but get "crowded" quickly.
Have a great time. Looking forward to your posts when you return.

jadeast Loc: Virginia

The lens issue is a personal choice but by all means take a tripod. It's a hassle but the lighting in Alaska is often dark and moody. If you don't want to go the tripod route, at very least take a monopod, it'll add two stops to what you can handhold.also be sure you have apply battery supply! There are times when you're going to be out all day shooting hundreds of pix! Don't run Short! I got onto the Alaska RR from Fairbanks to Denali with a couple who both had Nikons with dead batteries (Which wouldn't have lasted all day in any case) and we traveled through some of the most spectacular terrain you've ever seen! The trains and buses stop often for photo opps some of the land excursions are probably the only places that tripod or momopod are no nos (ziplines or canoe trips). Add a polarizing filter to your gear as well, couldn't imagine making the trip without it! I'd consider adding a backup camera to your luggage that is powered by AA batteries 4 if possible.
A flash unit will be very helpful on the ship interiors by all means pack it! We booked with Princess Cruises and we never had to tote a bag the whole trip. At each leg we placed our luggage outside our door and it was safely deposited inside our rooms at our next destination.
Have a fun trip Alaska is a great place to visit but don't count on the weather being anything like what you see in their travel brochures!

J D

Jim_In_Plymouth Loc: Plymouth MN

Based on our experience last year, I would look into taking a 220 adapter for your battery charger(s). The 110 outlets were limited on our cruise ship, last year.

Enjoy!

KTVasser Loc: Los Altos, California

I brought one of those gorilla tripods to Italy - loved it. It's light, fit in my bag easily, and used it a lot. Was very sturdy, and has a level on it.

You'll need a lens for low light, the late night dusk look is really pretty. (again, more need for a tripod).

When I was in Alaska, I actually found the tundra vegetation really pretty and interesting which would involve macro lens -

Lots of wildlife, if your interested in that - bring the bigger one. If you prefer landscapes - bring the super wide - there are very sweeping panorama's. Or - you could do the stitching thing - which I don't know how to do.

be prepared for rain and bugs. It's a beautiful trip - enjoy!

AK Dreamer Loc: Alaska & Nevada

Frankly, I'd take it all. It is not every day one gets to travel to AK. If you are really concerned about the extra equipment, leave the 14-54 lens and the flash. Your 18-180 lens covers almost the same range. Absolutely take the 70-300 lens! As for a tripod, I'd take one and if not then a monopod. They are not that time consuming to set up. The monopod could be used as a walking stick as well. Have a great time on your trip and post some wonderful photos on your return.

eskiles Loc: Palmer Alaska

If you find yourself in Anchorage and have a few days check the 26 glacier tours out of Whittier. The big boats can't get as close to the glaciers as the 26 glacier boys and girls can. You will need to layer up on the warm clothing and when walking around have some deepwoods Off bug repelent handy. We are getting almost 20 hours of light and if you find it hard to sleep, a sleeping mask will help. Your zoom lense will be ok for many animals and scenery but using a tripod on a boat isn't practical but a monopod and a good strong camera strap is recomended to keep the camera from falling into the water. I know you will have a good time and welcome to my great state of Alaska. P/S if you have any other questions you can PM and If I don't have the answer I know people that can.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Sounds like the 14-54 is redundant and unnecessary. Try a lightweight mono-pod that collapses to about 18" instead of a tripod. A mono-pod between your toes and pushed up against a hard surface is almost as stable as a tripod in this application. I'd take a circular polarizing filter. You're going to experience a lot of water and sky that can be enriched by the polarizing effect. If you have a laptop or iPad going with you, download your memory cards daily as a backup because you don't want to lose anything you shot on this awesome trip.

Fathed Loc: Virginia Dale, Colorado

Don't skimp on your equipment. I have been to Alaska several times . And once my brand new zoom lens broke on the first day in Alaska, and i did not have a very good back up. A monopod, flash , polarizer, extra memory cards and extra batteries, as well as a back up camera are wise choices. Bring rain gear for you and your camera. A float plane trip across Cook inlet to see Brown bears is absolutely a priceless excursion ( I think I used Hudson Air, its been a few years ). The Skagway to Vancouver cruise is amazing. Good Luck!

TchrBill Loc: Houston, TX

We took our "trip of a lifetime" in 2009, all the way up to Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean. We did the cruise on the way back. I agree with several others. If it works and you can carry it, take it. You don't have to carry it all with you every time you leave the room or the ship. Just like a tourist, I was walking around Anchorage our first night there, gawking at the scenery, and I tripped on uneven concrete and went down, camera gear in hand. I messed up my shoulder a bit but, I kept the camera off the pavement. I can’t imagine what I would have done if I had broken my only DSLR body on the first day. I took along a decent point and shoot camera in case there was a strong threat of rain. I had my camera set up on a tripod on the deck of the ship as we sailed through College Fjord and Glacier Bay. I didn't use it much when we were on land, but I did use it. I took over 4000 pictures on our trip so, make sure you have plenty of memory. By the way, I put trip of a lifetime in quotes above because long before we left that incredible state, we were already talking about what we were going to do the next time. Have fun and be prepared to be amazed.

Platterivercarol

I am in Alaska right now. Not 15 minutes ago I was yanked out of my bedroll to take a picture of a moose & her baby, not 20 ft from us. Didn't have time to set up my tripod. Got a few ok pictures, but I was so excited & the adrenaline kicked in so it was almost impossible to stop the camera shake. If at all possible, take a tripod.
Enjoy your trip

apholbert

Wife and I were in Alaska this time last year. Was the trip of a lifetime. A week on land and a week on the boat. Take my advice: Rent a 100-400. There is so much wildlife to see, you'll be glad you did. Take the bus into Denali. The bear photos are from the bus.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andyholbert/sets/72157627099685600/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I don't know if someone mentioned a monopod, but I'll mention it now. Monopod. It can also double as a hiking stick, so don't get the most expensive one you can find.

As for the flash, I have never traveled with one, and I've never missed it - but that's just me. I like to travel light. If I ever go to Alaska, I'll take two lenses and a monopod (and a camera).