willy6419

Rain gear and camera protection a must. Most animals are far away, so longer reach the better, but you also need high shutter speed, because the animals are often moving and you are excited. A zoom gives you flexibility for that time when, wow, it won't fit in a 300 mm, so it's a head/eye and partial rack shot!

I found the 'normal' shutter speed reciprocal was often disappointing and then was told by a 37 year teaching professional photographer that he uses 2 times that reciprocal for today's digital sensors. That tip helped my sharpness. Another tip at a photo class was to 'get a pretty good shot' by initially using one of the program modes that fit your occasion--ss, aperture, while concentrating on composition, then move to manual to improve as the animal, person, etc. hangs around.

Camera shake is hard for me to avoid, when 'animals suddenly appear' and 'excited me' wants the shot, so breathe and slow down so you like the results. Technique, SS, reach and low to variable light are the challenges.

And practice, practice, practice before you get there so you know your camera, create muscle memory and can adjust seamlessly.

Have fun. We spent 5.5 weeks land tour and its an awesome place.

TGanner Loc: Haines, Alaska

If you are coming to Haines, I can show you the best of Alaska. https://timenspace.net/photography-workshop/

Georgeski

I would recommend a lens like the Sigma 28-300mm I have for my Nikon setups--lightweight and good reach for far subjects.

tims.ak Loc: Butte, Alaska

That lens would be fine or the Tamron 18-400 as mentioned. A monopod and cleaning supplies as it'll probably be wet. And extra memory card so you can take endless photos. Nothing as horrible as seeing the perfect opportunity only to have your camera tell you the memory is full. Make it light and easy to use so it compliments your travel, not burdens it. Have fun. Enjoy our beautiful home.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I took my Nikon 200-500, 28-300 and did well. Some balked at the 28-300 but it did fine. I got lucky... no rain. But I had a rain sleeve in my bag as well as lens wipes.

piperplt

That's good info as even using the rule I still had some blurry shots. Everything is a compromise and sometimes having to open the aperture wider to get a fast enough shutter speed can cause focus issues just from the shallower depth of field. For that reason I usually try to use a higher ISO first and somewhere in the F8 to F11 aperture and only go wider if I absolutely have to. Another thing that can help is I used the motor drive function a lot with wildlife using it to shoot short bursts. I would recommend using that function if your camera has it. That will definitely increase your chances of getting more keepers. The biggest mistake I made was not changing the focus to AI Servo mode on my 5D Mark III as in hindsight I think it would have tracked the focus better particularly when trying to capture a breaching whale. I guess I'll have to go back and do it over!

jbettes

Walked in your shoes many times but to accurately answer your question what are you hoping to shoot? Whale watching, bears, caraboo a 70-200 is ideal. If going to the Inside Passage and wanting to shoot Eagles a 100-400 on a 400 +/- zoom on a gimbal head.

tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska

To get photos of Alaska wildlife you need a very long lens. It is dangerous to get close to a bear or a moose. A 500 or 600mm should do it.

tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska

Great photos!

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I've done Alaska twice, once in 2007 with a D50 and again in 2014 with a D7000. Both cameras wore the Nikon 18-200 VR lens exclusively. I think the 18-300 would probably do a fine job for you.

2007: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/collections/72157601967848026/
2014: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/collections/72157648510965310/


DSC_0267a by David Casteel, on Flickr

aubreybogle Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I lived on Kodiak for three years, and travelled extensively in Alasks. I shoot Canons, and recently purchased the Tamron 18-400 that I have mounted on a Canon 7D Mk II. It is my first non-Canon lens, and I purchased on an impulse after reading reviews to see how it performed. After some preliminary shooting, I find it is better than I expected. Sharpness and contrast are not as good as my 70 - 200, but for $650 it is perfectly acceptable. Plus, it gives you the flexibility to capture images at a wide range of distances. Paired with a good f 1.4 50 mm prime and you should be well equipped for low light, wildlife and landscapes without breaking the bank. Enjoy Alaska, it is a spectacularly beautiful place.

Ted Evans Loc: Jasper, AL

I have been to Alaska and I were you,
buy or rent from Lens Rental of Cordova
(Memphis) TN. a Canon 7D ii and two
lens - a Canon 24-105ii and a Canon
100-400ii, both their best lens - L series.
With this combo you can get most
good shots of any wildlife. With the right
exposure you can get landscape or
wildlife sharp and clear and cropable.
Wishing you a great trip! You can have
Lens Rentals ship it to you to any nearby
FedEx store and return it from the same.
I did this in Anchorage.
store w/o having to take the additional
weight.

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

I recently went to Alaska and took my D5300 with a Tamron 18-400. It took some excellent pictures. Even at 400mm, the pictures were clear, the only issue is overcasted and rainy skies. Take some rain shields for you gear, they are available from Amazon or B&H. Good shooting!