Princess Cruise Line/Alaskan Cruise and Rail
Jun 16, 2018 07:41:18 #
Katcas
Loc: Rhode Island
I am a Nikon D850 user and a landscape photographer. My question is has anyone taken this trip? If so, which lenses did you bring? Tripod? I am considering my 24-70 and 70-200, and filters. Were there any areas that just stayed with you that you would want to go back and shoot again? This cruise and rail takes the passengers from Vancouver to Fairbanks. Final question did you spend more time on the port or starboard side of the ship when photographing? Thanks in advance for your input.
Jun 16, 2018 07:48:04 #
Taking the cruise to Alaska next week and bringing Canon 6d Mark II, Canon 16-35 f2.8 and Tamron 28-300mm.
Jun 16, 2018 08:02:29 #
jmsail365
Loc: Stamford, Ct
We took this cruise with Princess a number of years ago. During the rail part we stopped in Denali National Park overnight. We did a tour of the park, that would be one area that would be great to be able to shoot again. Also College Fjord when we were on the ship. Seeing the glaciers was very impressive. For that location either side of the ship would have been okay but be prepared to move to the other side depending upon what's going on.
Jun 16, 2018 08:15:13 #
I did this 4 years ago. We went on the first run, too cold, snow and rain. I recall being on the starboard side of the boat- Photos were useless, calving is a watching experience, set the camera to video with sound. The rail line has a lot of scenic pools of water in different colors. With the rainfall there were a lot of waterfalls along the tracks, but you need to be ready. The train does a switch over and and that is nice to photograph.
Jun 16, 2018 08:19:11 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
Those are great choices! Skip the tripod but do throw in a monopod. We took a shorter version of what you’re doing. You might want to include some shooting gloves/mittens, it can get cold, a lightweight hat would be good too. Sign up for all the excursions you can fit in. Have a blast!
Jun 16, 2018 08:20:14 #
We did the trip in 2005 and would like to do it again. We used a D200 with an 18-70 and a 70-300. Got really great shots even without the benefit of today's equipment. Just remember the ship is always moving and vibrating so you can't just lean on a rail to get a clear picture. The whole trip is a photographer's dream. Just take plenty of memory.
Jun 16, 2018 08:42:27 #
Katcas
Loc: Rhode Island
Thank you for your feedback. Any comment on lenses. If I increase focal length which I do have, I increase weight. Always a consideration.
Jun 16, 2018 09:07:51 #
Did that trip! On Princess. Train up to Denali! Wonderful experience. Take your lens with the longest reach, at least, but I like your 24-70 also. I think you will come back wishing you had had more than 200 reach with you.
I never missed the tripod and was happy not to have to carry it along.
I never missed the tripod and was happy not to have to carry it along.
Jun 16, 2018 09:21:11 #
Katcas
Loc: Rhode Island
I have a 300 and a 600 in addition. Just worried about weight verses reward.
Thank you for you comments.
Thank you for you comments.
Jun 16, 2018 10:40:48 #
Katcas
Loc: Rhode Island
I have a 28-300. Though of replacing the 70-200 with that. Please report back on this trip and what worked.
Jun 16, 2018 13:07:12 #
We just got back from an Alaska inner passageway cruise. It didn't include a rail component or Denali. I got some fairly good shots from the ship, but, frankly, the best shots were on the shore excursions, by far. In Juneau, we took the Five Glacier float plane flight and got some great shots. In Sitka, we took the catamaran nature tour - great shots of eagles, whales, sea otters, various bears, fishing trawlers, and bears.
One suggestion - often, the scenery from the ship favored taking a series of shots which I later composed into a panorama. I got a lot of keepers that way.
One suggestion - often, the scenery from the ship favored taking a series of shots which I later composed into a panorama. I got a lot of keepers that way.
Jun 16, 2018 13:22:40 #
Katcas
Loc: Rhode Island
Perfect! Was your cabin port or starboard and did it matter? One more question please. What Lenses did you bring?
Jun 17, 2018 03:25:17 #
bpulv
Loc: Buena Park, CA
DWU2 wrote:
We just got back from an Alaska inner passageway c... (show quote)
I always take a super-wide angle lens with a minimum 90 degree AOV for whichever camera I am taking when I go to places like Alaska and use it for about 40% of my shots. It allows me to take panorama like photos with single exposures. That is especially helpful in situations where taking a panorama series is difficult or not possible such as from a moving tour bus.
Jun 17, 2018 06:13:00 #
Your 24-70 is a must for the glaciers, if you go to Denali the 200 won't be enough. I have been there twice.
Jun 17, 2018 06:38:31 #
Katcas wrote:
I am a Nikon D850 user and a landscape photographer. My question is has anyone taken this trip? If so, which lenses did you bring? Tripod? I am considering my 24-70 and 70-200, and filters. Were there any areas that just stayed with you that you would want to go back and shoot again? This cruise and rail takes the passengers from Vancouver to Fairbanks. Final question did you spend more time on the port or starboard side of the ship when photographing? Thanks in advance for your input.
Go to the bow of the ship. This should eliminate what side of the ship you spend more time on.
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