sinderone

I will soon be leaving on a cruise around Japan and need some advise on what equipment to take. I will be using my D7100 with an 18-200 lens. I also own a 35mm 1.8 and a 55-300 zoom. Are they worth taking along? Also, should I shlep my speed light with me. At some point weight vs utility becomes an issue. I'm also taking my monopod.

Thanks in advance for your advise with this.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

In addition to your 18 to 200 I would take your 35/1.8 prime in case you want to do street photography of portraits of people that you meet on the islands. Have a great time. I am envious.

Jim Bob

Great advice. Me too.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

You lenses are just fine. Take extra SD cards and an extra battery. Make sure your camera straps are secured well. And don't leave your battery charger behind as one traveller did on this forum. Have a great trip.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Your 18-200 is perfect, as is the 35 mm prime for street photography. Would not bother with the speedlight. Get a Gary Fong Puffer diffuser and use the built in flash.
And, assuming the ship is 120 vac with US style plugs, if you are staying ashore, find out what plug adapters you will need. Ditto on the battery charger.

wireman8 Loc: Toledo, Ohio

I'm here now, beautiful scenery, great people, here three weeks and one more to go, staying in homes rented thru Airbnb I've found electric matching my equipment everywhere we've been, lots of photo opportunities everywhere you go.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

I would take the 18-200 plus the widest lens you have. I would get myself to Kyoto--one of the most photogenic cities in the world, certainly in Japan. Reserve a spot in the tour of the old imperial palace. Beautiful temples and gardens all over the city.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

The 35mm yes. the 55-300, probably no. Your 18-200 will do 97% of the work. Depends on your inclination to subjects, but the 300mm will probably be rarely used. The Nikon 18-200 is a great lens. There will be places to use the f1.8 aperture. I've shot thousands of slides of Japan during my eight years of living there and hundreds in the last few years on trips back to get together with friends. I can't think of any subject that requires the 300mm.

Two major emphases in Japan: Old Japan including places like Kyoto. Modern Japan including Tokyo, Osaka. Also Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Sapporo (if the cruise get to the northern island) Since "cruise" doesn't say specifically, there are lots of other options. Focus on radical changes. (Japan today is very different from what it was when I lived there in the '50s and '60s. You'd have to hunt for old Japan.) Cruise ships don't get you into the back country where a lot of the story exists. The excursions usually include the main shrines and temples and museums, not the reality of modern Japan. If you have the option to visit some of the modern hangouts for younger Japanese, they would be ripe with opportunity for images. Of course, the Ginza at night, and/or Shibuya. If you are a techie, check out Akihabara in Tokyo. A late night on the Chuo-sen (Underground) would give you fascinating images. Also try the main fish market in Osaka or Tokyo.

Also, if you dock in Yokohama, there is so much there. You can get a tour of the Nikon factory (Or at least you could in the past.) Probably Canon as well.

I'm envious. Whenever I go, I'm "obligated" to spend most of my time with friends and relatives. Love to just get away. I fell in love with Japan when I was stationed there in the USAF. Went back to study at a Japanese university. Still love it. I'm almost tempted to offer my services as a translator. LOL.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Considering what you have this is what I would do. The 18-200 VR is a lens that I recently bought second hand not only for an all around lens but also for traveling. That will be my first choice. Your 35mm becomes a 52mm with your D7100 and it will be useful if you have to use it in low light. It is not wide enough with your camera to make it a good lens for interiors. A lens like the 12-24 f4 AFS would be very useful for wide views and interiors with good light. I have no experience with your 55-300.
I travel often and I always end up using only one lens. During my recent trip to Mallorca, Spain, I took my D610 with three lenses but it was the 28-105 AF-D the one that I used most.
I seldom travel with my flash and I would take a tripod instead of a monopod. I use a cheap Dolica tripod.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I give the same response every time someone asks the same question. if this is s vacation and not a photographic trip, take as little as possible. The 18-200, extra cards and battery. That should cover most of your needs.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

I would go further and say take the 35/1.8 and leave the big, heavy zoom behind.

Less is more and Japan is gorgeous in 35mm or 50mm.

bfur396

Lots of good advice above! Pick and choose gear that fits your taste and talent and you won't go wrong. And on the cruises see what off boat options and match them to your interests. I am sure there will be more than you can possibly take! You will have more than enough visits to temples and shrines and after a while they will begin to seem all alike. Street photography there is and can be really interesting if you get off the main avenues and seek out side streets - even in the residential areas. A caution: If you go during the summer and even into September, the heat and humidity, especially from Tokyo south will be a factor affecting your gear. I lived there in the early 60's and have revisited a number of times and it will be a challenge to find areas where you can still see the "old" Japan.
Have a great trip!