Right Camera for Alaska Cruise: My wife and I are taking a cruise to Alaska next week and are trying to figure out what camera to take. We are both amatours but have a lot of reading...

rbweddle

My wife and I are taking a cruise to Alaska next week and are trying to figure out what camera to take. We are both amatours but have a lot of reading material. I have a Canon T2i with EFS 18-135 kit lens and EF 50mm, 1.8 lens and a Canon SX500IS. My wife carrys her Panasonic DMC-TS3, which she loves. Since I'm not know for making smart purchase decisions, I was also looking at buying a Canon SX50?????
My camera knowledge would probably limit shooting in Auto or Program and play with the ASA setting. Keeping in mind weight concerns and camera ease of use, what would you hogs recomment.
Thanks

Bruce and Carly

skiman Loc: Ventura, CA

rbweddle wrote:

My wife and I are taking a cruise to Alaska next w... (show quote)

As the 18-135 lens will not give you much reach, unless you are willing to rent a zoom in the 300-500mm range I would take the Canon SX50IS.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

rbweddle wrote:

My wife and I are taking a cruise to Alaska next w... (show quote)

The SX50 would allow you more of the 'feel' of a dSLR with the viewfinder, and also a fully articulating LCD to use when light is bright and you can't use the viewfinder due to angles, etc. Much more flexible than the SX500

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

Wahawk wrote:

The SX50 would allow you more of the 'feel' of a dSLR with the viewfinder, and also a fully articulating LCD to use when light is bright and you can't use the viewfinder due to angles, etc. Much more flexible than the SX500

The other thing is the reach. I had a 300mm on my trip and could have used every bit of the 1200mm on the SX50.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

The SX50 HS is a very capable camera that also has features to assist the user especially when using the long zoom capabilities. I have a Canon S100 and a 70D. The SX50 is my walk-around camera. Lot of camera in a compact, light weight package. Also, look at Canon's online store for good discounts on refurbished cameras. It's my preferred way of buying Canons. Good luck!

Violameister Loc: michigan

rbweddle wrote:

My wife and I are taking a cruise to Alaska next w... (show quote)

Since you are leaving next week, I would take the cameras you are familiar with. I have seen much too often the predicament of travelers with "new" cameras who are at a loss to use them properly. The Cameras you have already and know how to use are perfectly capable of taking wonderful pictures. You might miss the closeup of the Grizzly, but there is so much more there that is well within the capability of the cameras you have you should do fine.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

47greyfox wrote:

The SX50 HS is a very capable camera that also has features to assist the user especially when using the long zoom capabilities. I have a Canon S100 and a 70D. The SX50 is my walk-around camera. Lot of camera in a compact, light weight package. Also, look at Canon's online store for good discounts on refurbished cameras. It's my preferred way of buying Canons. Good luck!

I was at our local Staples store and they had some SX50's on sale for $319!! Listed as a close-out.....

Longhorn Loc: Austin, Texas

I just returned from the inside passage tour. On board ship I used a 70-300mm lens most of the time. On land tours I used a 16-35mm and the 70-300mm which was usually all I needed. You need several hours of practice if you purchase the SX50. It is a very good camera but only having a week to practice would make it difficult to use on your trip..Good luck--it is a great trip.

rbweddle

Thanks hawk eye. I have some time on the T2i and SX 500 but not enough I'm sure. I have also looked at Nikon P600. It has a longer reach, I believe, but would appreciate any comments. Of course, I could take my AE-1 with the 300mm lens. LOL
Bruce

rbweddle

Longhorn, sorry for wrong name. Looked at wrong line

Longhorn Loc: Austin, Texas

rbweddle wrote:

Thanks hawk eye. I have some time on the T2i and SX 500 but not enough I'm sure. I have also looked at Nikon P600. It has a longer reach, I believe, but would appreciate any comments. Of course, I could take my AE-1 with the 300mm lens. LOL
Bruce

rbweddle, you can always use Programed mode on the camera you choose. I believe even the SX 50 has this mode. I am not familiar with the Nikons.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

We did an Alaska cruise in June.
Very disappointing for me. Glacier Bay was closed when we were there due to a reported 1000 seals having pups on the float ice in the bay. In all fairness, I did see 4 seals on one float as we cruised by.
So all we got was a glimpse of the white faced glacier from about 5 miles away, and none of the black faced glacier.
I had the son's Cannon point and shoot (20X zoom), and our cell phones and the wife had her IPad. :?
While we did get some nice pictures, I would not consider it again without some really good glass to look through.
The big ships just don't get that close, nor stay long enough.
College Fjord was good.
But no calving of the Glaciers on our trip at all. Some "white thunder" to be heard.
I now have a Nikon D3300, 18-55 mm, 55-200 mm, and a Tamron 150-600 mm lens on order. I shall not be denied reach again.
Enjoy your trip though.
PS:Mono pod and/or tripod recommended. And binoculars. ;)

Longhorn Loc: Austin, Texas

SonnyE wrote:

We did an Alaska cruise in June. br Very disappoin... (show quote)

SonnyE. We took the cruise the last of June. The cruise ship went to all the glaciers in Glacier Bay plus The Hubbard Glacier. The ship got very close to all the glaciers and spent plenty of time at each glacier: so it must depend on your cruise line. The 70-300mm zoom worked well.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Longhorn wrote:

SonnyE. We took the cruise the last of June. The cruise ship went to all the glaciers in Glacier Bay plus The Hubbard Glacier. The ship got very close to all the glaciers and spent plenty of time at each glacier: so it must depend on your cruise line. The 70-300mm zoom worked well.

Yeah probably. I hear Norwegian is a better line.
What line?
We were on a Princess. I forget the ship's name. It might have been the Sea Hag. But I will never forget the pounding of the shaft if they applied much more than about 15 miles an hour. The ship had to crawl along.
Had it been an airline, it would have been grounded.
I did NOT give it a favorable review. :thumbdown: I felt entirely ripped off.
I swore my next trip, should I live that long, will be by land with private operators for the highlights.
I really enjoyed the land and the people we met. The Alaskans, and the "Summer Alaskans" were exceedingly friendly. :-D

Longhorn Loc: Austin, Texas

SonnyE wrote:

Yeah probably. I hear Norwegian is a better line. ... (show quote)

Sorry to hear about your trip. We were on the Crown Princess and had a great experience. But our experiences are getting away from the original post. I would be sure to take the cameras I was most familiar with and if you get a new one shoot Programed or automatic until you are up on the camera.