Alaska lenses for D7100: Greetings fellow hoggers. I am traveling to Alaska late May 2015. Will cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage for seven days, then go by bus/train into Denali...

nascar27 Loc: Kansas City, MO

Greetings fellow hoggers. I am traveling to Alaska late May 2015. Will cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage for seven days, then go by bus/train into Denali National Park and spend time at a couple of lodges. I am renting two lenses for this trip to use on a Nikon D7100. My main topics of interest are landscapes, wildlife, and casual people/structure shots in some of the villages that we will visit. Here are three choices I am debating: Sigma 18-35 f/1.8, Tonkin 11-16 f/2.8, & Tamron 150-600. I would appreciate any feedback/suggestions you would be willing to share. Thanks in advance.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

I would want all three, the Sigma for all of you interests, the Tokina 11-16mm for landscape (it's great for prominent fore grounds) and star, milky way and northern lights, and the Tamron for wildlife. If I had to leave one out I would substitute one of my medium range but slower zooms for the Sigma.
Btw I hope to be there next fall!
Have fun, and post your best when you get home!

nascar27 Loc: Kansas City, MO

Thanks for your response. I will do my best to post some (hopefully) winners! 8-)

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I would definitely take a mid range zoom - preferably light weight and compact - like the Tamron SP 70-300 VC - and a wider zoom like the Sigma 17-70 OS. Longer than 300 gets sticky .....maybe 300 f4 with 1.4X ?? The Tammy is big - and heavy - if you not mind carrying it .

nascar27 Loc: Kansas City, MO

Thanks for your input. 8-)

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

Without question the Tamron 150-600mm--you'll use all the reach you can carry. Personally, of the two left, I'd take the Sigma 18-35mm as the second. But, you're missing a big chunk of range between 35mm and 150mm. I took an 18-300 and used pretty much the entire range.

nascar27 Loc: Kansas City, MO

Thanks for the reply Don. 8-)

tamalero Loc: Mexico

I second on the Tokina 11-16mm.
also a 50-300mm or 18-300 for the middle area.

But honestly, In the only trip I did to Alaska (via Cruise), I ended using the tokina 11-16 and the 50-300mm more( I would have probably used the Tamron if I had one.
I did not use anything between 20 to 50mm.

jmw44 Loc: Princeton, NJ USA

I was able to borrow a Tamron 150-600 for wildlife over the weekend. It would serve you very well. Worked superbly on my D7100. I did not find it overly heavy for its size, but a good sling strap would be a very good idea. I always carry my Nikon 18-300 and didn't find it much more difficult to handle than that. Have a great trip. I look forward to seeing some pictures.

Michael

Photosmoke

I have a D7100 along with several others , I think it's a great camera. I have three Tamron lenses, and am very pleased with all of them. I have made several trips to Alaska you will want to have a long lens, fantastic place to photograph.

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

Check out the Nikkor 80-400 VR, it is awesome. On a D7100' it is equiv. to 120-600. Couple with a Nikkor 18-200/300 you should be all set.
My $.02.
Duane

Robin Poole Loc: Missoula, Mt

nascar27 wrote:

Greetings fellow hoggers. I am traveling to Alaska... (show quote)

Take your Tameron zoom and possibly a mono pod. When you get to Denali your travels will be by bus. They will stop for wildlife but in most cases you must stay in the bus to do your shooting The animals do little posing within good shooting distance The weather will probably be cloudy or rainy most of the time. It'll be abitch to carry all the equipment but by going the extra mile, you'll get some bitchn pics. I've been up there at the end of June for a couple of days for the last two summers. Absolutely Beautiful! Robin

nascar27 Loc: Kansas City, MO

tamalero wrote:

I second on the Tokina 11-16mm.
also a 50-300mm or 18-300 for the middle area.

But honestly, In the only trip I did to Alaska (via Cruise), I ended using the tokina 11-16 and the 50-300mm more( I would have probably used the Tamron if I had one.
I did not use anything between 20 to 50mm.

Thanks for info tamalero. 8-)

nascar27 Loc: Kansas City, MO

jmw44 wrote:

I was able to borrow a Tamron 150-600 for wildlife over the weekend. It would serve you very well. Worked superbly on my D7100. I did not find it overly heavy for its size, but a good sling strap would be a very good idea. I always carry my Nikon 18-300 and didn't find it much more difficult to handle than that. Have a great trip. I look forward to seeing some pictures.

Michael

jmw thanks very much. 8-)

nascar27 Loc: Kansas City, MO

Photosmoke wrote:

I have a D7100 along with several others , I think it's a great camera. I have three Tamron lenses, and am very pleased with all of them. I have made several trips to Alaska you will want to have a long lens, fantastic place to photograph.

Thanks a bunch Photosmoke. 8-)