Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

FYI, automatic macro close up focus stacking (up to 12 images) handheld can be done with an Olympus TG-5 Camera.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

I have shot many, many panos without a tripod, you do not have to have one. Just pay attention to each frame as you reframe for the next shot and overlap at least 20% and you will be fine. At a pinch take a piece of cord with you that does not stretch. Then tie a loop on one end for the camera/lens and a loop on the other end for your foot. When you think you need extra steadying, just take out your string and step into it and then loop the other over the lens and gently pull up on the camera to take out all the slack, then just shoot like you would in hand held low light.

I would leave at home your 35-70 zoom, since it overlaps what you already have and will save you weight and space. The areas between 36 to 49mm that you will be missing out on are negligible and you could simple step forward or backwards to fill in that gap. Same goes for the 51-69mm gap you would suffer.

At worst, you could crop in slightly on the 50mm shot if you needed something between the 51-69mm range.

wmysd Loc: California

It's going to be hot. It will be humid. The sun will blaze. Except when it rains. And there will be rain. And sometimes wind. But its beautiful just about everywhere you look. Enjoy!

ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ

Backup, Backup, Backup.
On such trips, I shot a lot of pictures and try to backup every night to at least 3 separate SSDs. And every time we went out, I had two extra, fully charged batteries.
Because of our travels, I use a bridge camera. In the old film daze, I had 3 lenses and even that small number was a pain. Now I have a Canon SX50 and and will never go back to lugging around all that weight and the space it takes up.
Go light, go simple. And you will find you will enjoy your trip much more.
Chuck

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

That's possibly true. Many of us don't "do" focus stacking--some of us (me) don't even know how to do it (nor is it a priority).

It is quite possible with modern equipment to take very satisfactory pictures hand-held. And, depending on how their off-ship travels are done, lugging along a tripod could be very inconvenient (and too time-consuming). I agree with the recommendation to practice getting steady hand-held shots, and using available support. It is amazing what can be done that way.

anotherview Loc: California

Thanks for practical view.

RightOnPhotography Loc: Quebec,QC

Great advice, thank you!

RightOnPhotography Loc: Quebec,QC

Thank you!

RightOnPhotography Loc: Quebec,QC

Great advice, thank you!