What camera lenses do you suggest I take on my land/sea Alaska adventure? Greetings Hoggers! While I haven't shared my stuff on this forum at all, I have followed it day-to-day to gain...

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What camera lenses do you suggest I take on my land/sea Alaska adventure?

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Dec 8, 2014 18:04:28 #

chopshomer Loc: WI

Greetings Hoggers!

While I haven't shared my stuff on this forum at all, I have followed it day-to-day to gain knowledge as an "observer". With so much "talent and experience" here, I need to seek advice on the recommended camera lenses I should pack for my land/sea adventure to Alaska that will occur August 2015 as a retirement thingy (for me) that's been on our bucket-list forever!
What I love to photograph are landscapes and wildlife...Alaska has ALL of that!
My 2 cameras are Nikon DX format (D5000 & D7000). I have a variety of fixed and zoom lenses available up to 600mm, but I want to lighten my back-pack during the trip!
Thanks in advance for your help!//Larry

Dec 8, 2014 18:17:42 #

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

A little more detail on your lenses would be helpful. Is the 600 something like a Nikon f4 600mm or a $150 Chinese manual focus mirror lens?. If it is something like the 150-600 Tamron, you probably only need to cover the Wide side for scenics. So, be more specific.

Dec 8, 2014 18:51:21 #

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

We've been up a couple times now and it depends on what you would like to shoot. Bald Eagles are as common in Alaska as Seagulls are in San Francisco. I recommend a long lens for that and other wild life. The scenery is fantastic, so something in the 24-105 range worked for me.

Also keep in mind by August, it will begin to get wetter and darker, not staying as light out in the earlier Summer months. We toured the state for a week and then took a cruise back down to Vancouver the year before last. We were there over the Summer solstice in June, it was amazing. The golden hour lasted all night as it never got completely dark.

Have fun.

Chris

chopshomer wrote:

Greetings Hoggers! br br While I haven't shared m... (show quote)

Dec 8, 2014 19:26:31 #

DrWilk Loc: .

Just exactly how will you be travelling? Cruiseship one way, I'm assuming. Bus? Rental vehicle for the land portion? You mentioned a backpack. Is that your camera bag or will you be doing any actual backpacking? If all your travel is by vehicle or boat and no actual hiking, why worry about weight?

Put your long lens on one camera and leave it there for wildlife and have a good mid-range lens permanently on the other for landscapes and town shots. A 16-70 or slightly larger maybe.

Dec 8, 2014 21:20:03 #

MarkD Loc: NYC

I don't know what lenses you have. I would take my Tamron 16-300 VC PZD and Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6. I would also take my Nikon P7800 for the times I didn't want to take a DSLR.

Dec 8, 2014 22:24:04 #

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

This is probably just me, but my Tamron 15-300mm is perfect for just about everything except very far away objects. It is lightweight and sharp. That's the lens I want to have with me if I were limited in my carrying capacity.

Dec 8, 2014 23:24:21 #

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

I find the Nikkor FX 28-300 works great for me.

Dec 9, 2014 00:23:58 #

J. R. WEEMS Loc: Winchester, Virginia

Might want to consider, August I believe is the begining of hunting season in Alaska. Be careful hiking and be aware of BOTH two legged and FOUR legged critters out there and consider at lease a blaze orange hat if off in the bush and be sure to make some noise while hiking. Not going alone is a good idea as well. JMHO Wide angle and the 600 would be my choice. :)

Dec 9, 2014 00:41:17 #

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I yearned for reach.
I now have it.
If weight is a concern (And with today's air travel being the PITA it is) I would now go with a Wide angle, something in the middle, and my Big Tammy for those shots I couldn't get.

Or if you will, an All-In-One, and a super telephoto.

And I highly recommend a monopod. I got a Sirui P-326.
I love it!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Sirui+P-326&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Dec 9, 2014 06:28:17 #

62sprk Loc: Illinois

We went there this past July for a land based trip. If you go to the backwoods of Denali you will definitely want a long reacher. I took my new Tamron 150-600 and loved it. It did get a bit heavy when hiking, but worth it. Most of the time I had the 18-270 on. I also took a Go Pro. That is very light and offers digital pics as well as video. We used that a lot while ziplining and on the glacier tours. It's a great trip!!

Dec 9, 2014 09:53:43 #

chopshomer Loc: WI

Yes - I have the Tamron 150-600 that I intend to take with me. I am also considering the Nikorr 17-55. My D5000 does not shoot RAW where my D7000 shoots both JPG/RAW simultaneously. My conundrum is whether I take both camera bodies or not. Decisions, decisions! :roll: Thank you for your feedback!! :thumbup:

Dec 9, 2014 09:55:46 #

chopshomer Loc: WI

Thanks for the advice, Sonny! I appreciate it.

Larry

Dec 9, 2014 10:02:18 #

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

There was also a rather lengthy thread on this a few months ago. You might want to try searching for it.

Dec 9, 2014 10:08:18 #

chopshomer Loc: WI

Chris F. wrote:

We've been up a couple times now and it depends on... (show quote)

Thanks for the tips, Chris! We're really looking forward to it!

Larry

Dec 9, 2014 10:09:32 #

MarkD Loc: NYC

chopshomer wrote:

Your D5000 shoots RAW and RAW+JPEG unless something is wrong with it.

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