Suggestions please for shooting Alaska outdoors: Equipment: Nikon D5100 DSLR w/ 18-55mm package lens. Polarizing and UV Filters Tripod - Remote shutter release We are planning a trip...

JRGSr

Equipment:
Nikon D5100 DSLR w/ 18-55mm package lens.
Polarizing and UV Filters
Tripod - Remote shutter release

We are planning a trip to Alaska this summer and rather than buy postcards (jk) I'd like to get some really good shots of the outdoor scenery. I know, "bright, overcast, snow, animals, (okay, I'll stop because the list don't). I am looking for a lens (an affordable lens) for shooting the outdoors. I'm thinking these will be mostly from a tripod.

amehta Loc: Boston

What is "affordable" for you? There are several zoom lens options at different price points. The Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR lens is quite good, and an excellent value for $400. Better zooms are going to be $1000-$2500 or more. You could also consider renting something better than you can afford, but keep in mind that any better lens than the 55-300mm will also be significantly larger.

A monopod may be more convenient than a tripod.

You have to overexpose for snow pictures, but underexpose to properly expose an animal in the snow. Spot metering may be your friend.

I'm hoping to be in Alaska at some point this summer also! :-)

amehta Loc: Boston

If you're somewhere with snow right now, practice during the next few months photographing squirrels, deer, birds, or other wildlife in the snow. If you have trouble with exposures, you can post pictures here and get help learning.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Two lenses I can recommend for your trip.
First the Nikon 18-300mm because of its sharpness and range.
Second, the Nikon 28-300mm because of its sharpness and range, and you may someday want to move up to a full frame body.
Both of these lenses can be had for right about $1000 and would do a wonderful job.
Best "tip" I can give for shooting Alaska in the summer is to have LOTS of DEET based insect repellant with you, the mosquitos there can carry you AND your camera off!!!

JRGSr

amehta wrote:

What is "affordable" for you? There are... (show quote)

Well, the $400 sounds 2.5 to 6.5 time better than the others -- lol. Why do you suggest the monopod, just the weight and speed of setup?
Should I consider a manual focus 70-300 f4-5.6 @ $160. I think it might require the tripod or monopod and remote shutter release. BTW - very southern tip of Alabama

amehta Loc: Boston

menalice wrote:

Well, the $400 sounds 2.5 to 6.5 time better than the others -- lol. Why do you suggest the monopod, just the weight and speed of setup?
Should I consider a manual focus 70-300 f4-5.6 @ $160. I think it might require the tripod or monopod and remote shutter release. BTW - very southern tip of Alabama

I wouldn't get a manual focus lens if you're going to try to shoot any Alaskan wildlife, like an eagle. I think you get a lot more for the $400 than the $160.

A monopod is much easier than a tripod in every way if you are moving at all. If you need to walk 30 feet to get a different shot, you're not as likely to trip over it. If the eagle is flying, you can track it more easily. If you're on a whale watch boat, people aren't going to get mad at how much space you're taking. It takes care of most of the camera movement for shots as slow as 1/4 - 1/8 sec, especially if you also have VR. And it packs better.

I guess you're not going to be able to practice in the snow. Then practice at the beach, sand as similar reflective properties to snow.

JRGSr

MT Shooter wrote:

Two lenses I can recommend for your trip. br Firs... (show quote)

I like all of your suggestions - especially the DEET! I hear nightmare stories of the skeeters up there. So often I hear that we need the cold to "kill off the insects" LOL

I have used the Porters Camera Store website and have picked up a few tips from there and I may even take advice from amehta and post some pictures for advice but for now I only have the 18-55mm w/ a macro and tele lens adapter and the filters I mentioned.

Thanks much.

amehta Loc: Boston

menalice wrote:

I like all of your suggestions - especially the DEET! I hear nightmare stories of the skeeters up there. So often I hear that we need the cold to "kill off the insects" LOL

I have used the Porters Camera Store website and have picked up a few tips from there and I may even take advice from amehta and post some pictures for advice but for now I only have the 18-55mm w/ a macro and tele lens adapter and the filters I mentioned.

Thanks much.

That is a fine lens. It doesn't matter which lens you're using when learning about exposure, and exposure challenges.

JRGSr

amehta wrote:

I wouldn't get a manual focus lens if you're going... (show quote)

It's pretty obvious that you have "been there, done that". These are very good points and I do appreciate them.

We may just do that - head for Panama City Beach tomorrow and see what turns up

Thanks again

amehta Loc: Boston

menalice wrote:

It's pretty obvious that you have "been there, done that". These are very good points and I do appreciate them.

We may just do that - head for Panama City Beach tomorrow and see what turns up

Thanks again

If you're at the beach, you get to practice both sand and water exposures, that's great.

I did a 5 week trip to Australia and New Zealand last year, another "once in a lifetime" type of trip. And, everything went carry-on for the flight out, since I had a 50 minute connection at LAX. I was traveling light, except for the camera equipment, there I took quite a bit. My biggest lens was also my most used lens, so I can't complain. I posted a few here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-172326-1.html

JRGSr

amehta wrote:

If you're at the beach, you get to practice both s... (show quote)

http://www.amazon.com/55-300mm-4-5-5-6G-Digital-Microfiber-Cleaning/dp/B00DGBWHJC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388854886&sr=8-2&keywords=nikon+55-300mm+f+4.5-5.6g+ed+vr+af-s+dx+nikkor+zoom+lens+for+nikon+digital+slr

Sorry to be a bother but, I searched Amazon and found this - am I missing something. It is priced considerably less that the $400. I promise not to be so intrusive all the time!

JRGSr

OMG! I visited your gallery! AWESOME, just AWESOME. Loved every one of them!

amehta Loc: Boston

menalice wrote:

http://www.amazon.com/55-300mm-4-5-5-6G-Digital-Microfiber-Cleaning/dp/B00DGBWHJC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388854886&sr=8-2&keywords=nikon+55-300mm+f+4.5-5.6g+ed+vr+af-s+dx+nikkor+zoom+lens+for+nikon+digital+slr

Sorry to be a bother but, I searched Amazon and found this - am I missing something. It is priced considerably less that the $400. I promise not to be so intrusive all the time!

A lot of us here have a strong preference for "reputable" dealers, because we value aspects of customer service, including timely delivery, actually getting the product we ordered, and a hassle-free return policy if there are any issues. When there's an ebay or amazon link, the first question is, "who is actually selling the product?". In this case, it's "Circuit Street", who I have never heard of. There are a handful of dealers which people here have had good interactions with. Look at this post to see some of the names: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-173870-1.html

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

menalice wrote:

It's pretty obvious that you have "been there, done that". These are very good points and I do appreciate them.

We may just do that - head for Panama City Beach tomorrow and see what turns up

Thanks again

You have gotten some good suggestions on lens options from the others. You did not say how you were taking this trip...car, rv, train, boat? But, you will be carrying all your gear everywhere, so you will want to think about that. Some of the whale watching boats are quite small and you won't have a lot of extra room. I recommend the boat trip to the glaciers in the kenai pennisula going out of Seward. These are a little larger boats, but still not huge. If you take a float plane tour of Denali or some of the fjords you will be very cramped. There is a lot to see in Alaska and the climate varies quite a bit in the Summer from one area to another.
I have only been once for 2 weeks, but it is one of our best trips ever. I would love to go again.
I know that you will have a great time. Oh...forget the tripod and go with lightweight monopod as amheta suggested.

amehta Loc: Boston

menalice wrote:

OMG! I visited your gallery! AWESOME, just AWESOME. Loved every one of them!

Thanks. :-)