DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I took my Canon 7dII and one lens, a Tamron 18-270. It worked out well for everything, and it was good to travel light. Dragging a whole bag full of gear and changing lenses all the time cuts into the fun.

lightyear

We live near San Francisco, have taken cruises departing/returning here, as well as those to Alaska from Seattle and Vancouver. Itinerary is all important. Must sees: Glacier Bay ( not Hoonah, which is at the mouth of Glacier Bay with not much to see at Hoonah) to see magnificent glaciers, ice floes with seals on them (May-June),mountains; Sitka ( large old Russian monastery, Russian church, Bear reserve, bird rescue center, whale watching cruise from port);Juneau (city bus out to Mendenhall glacier and walk a mile+ to it and walk on and in it) sad Alaska State museum; Skagway ( wonderful scenic train ride, walk around old 1898 gold rush town in good condition); College Fjord ( cruise close to and among many glaciers); Ketchikan ( easy walk from pier to Creek St., old prostitution located on bank of pretty creek, large collection of totem poles, largest number of stores selling Alaska souvenirs, possible air floatplane trip out to 'Misty Isles'); Victoria, B.c. ( Butchardt Gardens, prettty town with B.C. Legislature bldgs and museum)>
Alaska weather is unpredictable so be prepared for rain at any time, bring insect repellant for mosquitoes. There is lots to see from the ship deck ( glaciers, lighthouses, mountains, whales. etc.)and on land. Wear hiking shoes ashore for rough ground; I used zoom lens ( 24-120) on land and used my long lenses (70-300 or more) on the ship. I had a clear plastic camera rain cover, which I had to use at times. I used a monopod ashore since there was not time for repeated tripod setups. We used Princess and Holland America, very similar experiences.

lightyear

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Dang I hope this changes by next summer.

Woodman80 Loc: Uk

Hi, l sailed around Alaska in 2014 after completing the North West Passage, carrying a Canon 7d and a variety of lenses up to a 100-400 tele. Six years later I have just changed to a Sony RX10iv. Once you get it set up it does all that the Canon gear did and a more, can’t recommend it enough.
Good luck with your trip, we spent a year in Kodiak.
Les

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

16 thumbs up...

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Yeah, I hear what your saying, but for me, the photography IS the fun! On the other hand, I don't want to be ridiculous in how much gear I take (some of it will stay in the room on certain excursions). Based on replies here and on other forums I play on, right now I will probably take two bodies (not always taking them both on excursions, but either leaving one in the room or sometimes giving one to the wife): 5D4 and 7DII. I expect the 24-105 will be my primary walk around lens mounted on the 5D4. I will probably also take the (very light) 10-18mm (It's an EF-S mount so on the 7DII it would be ~ 16-29mm equivalent). For the long-end, I am debating between the Sigma 150-600 or the Canon 300mm f4L Prime with a 1.4 extender. This would be for things like Whale Watching and the Eagle viewing excursions. I'm leaning towards the 300mm with extender because that would give me 420mm (672mm equivalent on the 7D2) but would be consistent f5.6, whereas the 150-600 goes from f5.6 to f6.3 right around 388mm (My theory being, for eagles, more light = faster shutter speed at lower ISOs.) I may take both configurations down to Bosque Del Apache before we depart and see what kind of results I get with each.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Appreciate the suggestion but I'm afraid moving to a new system is kinda out of the question (Although I have been drooling over the new Canon R5, which will accept all my current EF and EF-S lenses and its much lighter)

chopshomer Loc: WI

My bride and I have been to Alaska 3 times (our Happy Place!). Your lens selection(s) should all offer you flexibility to capture the magnificence and magnitude of your surroundings (zoom lenses vs hard mounts). All suggestions provided by your audience are spot-on, but don't forget to take water protection for your equipment! Afterall - Alaska happens to be North America's largest rain forest. Enjoy your adventure and Happy Anniversary to you and yours!

smiller999 Loc: Corpus Christi

I haven't taken a cruise through the inland passage, but we have been to Alaska a couple of times. In May the chances of bad weather are fairly high, so be prepared with some rain gear and a warm coat. You will need wide angle to normal for the glaciers and most other sights. Wildlife will always be a long ways off. Whales you can often get with normal to medium telephoto (if you try to zoom too close you'll likely miss the shot - breaches happen quite sudden;y and end very quickly). But you should have some shots at seals and sea lions, and the occasional sea otter near ports. For those bring the longest telephoto you can, within reason, along with a 1.4x TC. A monopod is invaluable, but a tripod will generally be in the way.

TallTree

Been to Alaska twice, Anchorage, Seward and Talkeetna area. 90 mile bus trip through Denali park. Most shots were under 80mm. Walking around lens and a medium tele would be my suggestion.

wetreed

Your best bet would be the Tamron 18-400. It covers everything you could need.

X50v Loc: California

We have been there three time so far, one cruise, two by RV. I used a lot of telephoto!

jabra

Exactly. And mobility is a key, specially if one ends up as part of a group. If you are able to break away from the group, you'd better know where to go and what to see otherwise you'll waste time wandering around and worrying about not being back onboard on time. One camera, one (zoom) lens, one flash.

jabra

I took similar cruise a few years back. Mobility is a key, specially if one ends up as part of a group. No one will wait until you finish shooting your masterpiece.
If you are able to break away from the group, you'd better know where to go and what to see otherwise you'll waste time wandering around and worrying about not being back onboard on time. One camera, one wide to middle range zoom lens (24-120mm or similar), one flash. Have fun!