Noobie RVing to Alaska with a D5100 - need advice
May 30, 2012 10:51:54 #
Hi all,
I am a Noobie to DSLRs. Just purchased a Nikon D5100 kit with 18-55 and 55-300 lenses. We are RVing to Alaska for 4 months this summer, and I purchased the camera for the trip, for taking scenic view pics, wildlife, and documenting lots of fly fishing. I am curious what you all would advise I take on the trip, and any other advice. I do have extra batteries, flash cards, SB400 flash unit, AF-S Micro Nikkor 40mm 1:2.8G lens, and Ortlieb waterproof camera bag.
I see some of you here are into fly fishing, so any particular ideas there? We are doing an 8 day wilderness float trip down the Goodnews River over on the Bering Sea side of Western Alaska. This retirement thing is everything it is cracked up to be.
I am a Noobie to DSLRs. Just purchased a Nikon D5100 kit with 18-55 and 55-300 lenses. We are RVing to Alaska for 4 months this summer, and I purchased the camera for the trip, for taking scenic view pics, wildlife, and documenting lots of fly fishing. I am curious what you all would advise I take on the trip, and any other advice. I do have extra batteries, flash cards, SB400 flash unit, AF-S Micro Nikkor 40mm 1:2.8G lens, and Ortlieb waterproof camera bag.
I see some of you here are into fly fishing, so any particular ideas there? We are doing an 8 day wilderness float trip down the Goodnews River over on the Bering Sea side of Western Alaska. This retirement thing is everything it is cracked up to be.
May 30, 2012 11:55:37 #
Good for you JSandK! Sounds like the trip of a lifetime and I would love to do that! I'll put that on my bucket list. Alaska is THE most beautiful place. I think you have all the equipment you need. The 55-300mm is probably the one I would, personally, leave on the camera, at the ready.
Have a great and safe trip! Viva retirement!
tk
Have a great and safe trip! Viva retirement!
tk
May 30, 2012 12:17:04 #
Agreeing with TK, I also would have a laptop or MacBook Pro to copy off the photos to another storage device and work on processing. Another possibility would be either an external HD or many DVDs as additional backup.
I also would recommend larger number of smaller size SD cards. That way if a card goes bad, you lose a smaller number of photos. Enjoy the trip.
I also would recommend larger number of smaller size SD cards. That way if a card goes bad, you lose a smaller number of photos. Enjoy the trip.
May 30, 2012 12:19:04 #
mremery wrote:
Agreeing with TK, I also would have a laptop or MacBook Pro to copy off the photos to another storage device and work on processing. Another possibility would be either an external HD or many DVDs as additional backup.
I also would recommend larger number of smaller size SD cards. That way if a card goes bad, you lose a smaller number of photos. Enjoy the trip.
I also would recommend larger number of smaller size SD cards. That way if a card goes bad, you lose a smaller number of photos. Enjoy the trip.
Also, great idea! Any worries as to the float trip, tipping over, wet or soaked or lost camera? Maybe taking another camera body with you or looking into a waterproof case for the body. I do believe I've seen one on UHH. I'll look.
May 30, 2012 12:24:48 #
Found something from an old timer here (that I hope is still lurking). Rocco found a site ewa.marine that has a cover with a lens port for the camera. It is zip locked and is much less expensive than other costly waterproof cameras.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=17357&Q=&is=REG&A=details
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=17357&Q=&is=REG&A=details
May 30, 2012 13:01:42 #
I was leery of taking the D5100 on the float trip, but the guide encouraged me to bring it. Many have taken good DSLRs, with no problems, so he says. He did recommend the Ortlieb waterproof bag, which I did get. I also have a waterproof P&S I am taking, and will have that out all the time, taking out the Nikon when safe and weather permitting.
tk, thanks for the web site for the waterproof bag. Probably not do that, which I hope will not end up being a bad decision. Oh well, it's only money right?
mremery, I like the more-smaller-cards idea. I have 3 32G cards, but also have quite a few older/slower smaller cards.
tk, thanks for the web site for the waterproof bag. Probably not do that, which I hope will not end up being a bad decision. Oh well, it's only money right?
mremery, I like the more-smaller-cards idea. I have 3 32G cards, but also have quite a few older/slower smaller cards.
May 30, 2012 14:04:28 #
May 31, 2012 11:19:22 #
May 31, 2012 11:21:24 #
JSandK wrote:
I was leery of taking the D5100 on the float trip,... (show quote)
Buy something to keep the camera dry as you are using it. I lived in Alaska and where I lived it either rained or snowed every day. You can use see through plastic trash bags or look for some on eBay that are specially made to keep your camera dry. I have not bought one yet because I shoot in a dry climate and I have not seen one that fits a 500mm lens yet.
May 31, 2012 12:22:14 #
JSandK, you are going to love that trip! My better half and I have RVed it twice and are planning our third trip for next summer for our 50th anniversary.
I think you have the lenses you need as well as the other items you mentioned. The only addition I would suggest is the steadiest tripod you can get as well as an AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III. The reason for this suggestion is that of the thousands of photos I took with the zoom all the way out, there seemed to be no way I could hold it steady enough! And, I never seemed to have enough reach with the 300mm.
One of the best events of our last trip was a whale watching/Glacier Tour out of Valdez on board the Lulu Belle, I highly recommend that one. They do not stay on a strict schedule but will go where necessary for you to see and photograph whales amongst other sea critters.
Have a great time and we would love to hear about your trip in detail with pictures. (P.S. keep at or below 50mph when the roads get rough and you will be able to see the frost heaves in time to take appropriate action.)
I think you have the lenses you need as well as the other items you mentioned. The only addition I would suggest is the steadiest tripod you can get as well as an AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III. The reason for this suggestion is that of the thousands of photos I took with the zoom all the way out, there seemed to be no way I could hold it steady enough! And, I never seemed to have enough reach with the 300mm.
One of the best events of our last trip was a whale watching/Glacier Tour out of Valdez on board the Lulu Belle, I highly recommend that one. They do not stay on a strict schedule but will go where necessary for you to see and photograph whales amongst other sea critters.
Have a great time and we would love to hear about your trip in detail with pictures. (P.S. keep at or below 50mph when the roads get rough and you will be able to see the frost heaves in time to take appropriate action.)
May 31, 2012 12:31:46 #
of course you will have your laptop to download the days shoots so you can organize them and make notes in a log book of where you were at and what you shot on that day. Last long RV trip I took was only 8 weeks out west and I regretted not keeping the log as complete as I should have. Took probably 6000 exposures and if I had not organized them daily I would not remember now where I was. Have a great trip!
May 31, 2012 14:14:06 #
You are absolutely right, Artsmith. My wife kept a journal and I downloaded pictures every day into folders of where we were.
May 31, 2012 15:41:37 #
I would suggest camera insurance. Sounds like you are going to be having a whale of a time so if your Nikon ended up swimming with the fishes (or whales) you would want some equipment cover.
Not sure how you do this in the states but here in the UK they offer just one off holiday cover, 1 year amatuer cover and Pro cover. Some house insurance policies will cover gear for none commercial risk for not to much extra.
P.s. Have a good trip
Not sure how you do this in the states but here in the UK they offer just one off holiday cover, 1 year amatuer cover and Pro cover. Some house insurance policies will cover gear for none commercial risk for not to much extra.
P.s. Have a good trip
May 31, 2012 23:29:59 #
May 31, 2012 23:33:41 #
jcontreras wrote:
JSandK, you are going to love that trip! My bette... (show quote)
Heard about those frost heaves. They say by the later summer you can see the black tire marks for many yards after the heave from vehicles landing after having been airborne. I will for sure check out the teleconverter. Thanks.
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