camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Usually LESS is MORE. You could do this simple or as complicated as you want to do it. A problem that has been burdening travelers with cameras is weight.
Although I have never traveled to Alaska I am gong to treat it as another photographic subject and a general purpose lens like the Tokina 24-200 should be good for 90-95% of the photographs you will make in that cruise.
Between the 24-200 and the Sigma 12-24 for better wide angle coverage you should be well armed for that trip.

bonnieyagiela

We went to Denali last year. I took my Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS lens and got some great shots that I wouldn't have gotten without it. Those animals are far away most of the time, although we had some bears come pretty close to the shuttle. I switched to video mode when they came close. I even got shots of a Golden Eagle. You won't find Bald Eagles in Denali since they stay close to water. I got a lot of shots of Bald Eagles in Seward, though. Take your longest lens with perhaps an extender, if you have one. I used my wide angle for the amazing scenery!! Have fun!

TGanner Loc: Haines, Alaska

If you are coming to Haines, look me up! www.TimeNSpace.net

MikeC

My wife and I took a 16 day sea/land cruise through the Inner Passage to Glacier Bay and Denali National Park two yeas ago. Truthfully I took to much camera equipment with me that I never used. Carried my Canon 70D with a SL1 as a back up and four lenses; 18-55 mm, 15-85 mm, 55-250 mm, and a 40 mm pancake lens on the SL1. On the ship I used nothing but the 18-55 mm lens for scenic shoots in the wide angle mode. I used the 15-85 lens on the bus tours through the several bus tours through the National parks and the glacier tours having found the 55-250 mm lens to bulky to use on the bus. Never used the SL1 or my Polaroid filters, just set my camera to scenic mode. Most times a telephoto lens will be a hindrance to your picture taking because of the fog and rain which you will incur almost every day. A lens hood and plastic bags are a necessity because of the weather. Forget a bipod or monopod for shipboard use since the ship's engine vibrations will negate your camera/lens sharpness. BTW, I got a grizzly bear and her two cubs close up (20 feet) at Mendenhall glacier will just my normal 18-55 lens! Be glad to answer any questions you may have about your upcoming trip.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

If you can afford it, a great camera would be the Sony Rx10iii. It has an optical zoom range of 600mm and a 1” type sensor. Additionally, the clear image zoom allows for extending that to 1200mm. It effectively eliminates a lot of heavy camera gear and provides for vey good quality images. You’ll be able to bring in those far off critters, yet have a wide enough lens for those landscapes, and it’s fast enough to use indoors. It’s expensive, but worth it.

WillieC

The views In Alaska are unbelievable so the Tokina for the ultra wide views.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Sigma 12-24.
I had one until it was stolen. Loved it and it was sharp.
It fills the missing focal range perfectly.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Couldn't agree more. Don't fail to "see" because you have your eye glued to the viewfinder. Can't count the number of times I observed this happening: Didn't see that whale breach? But you got one more (redundant) photo of a another cruise ship.

dds48

Hi mvetraneo2
I did Rocky mountaineer and cruise from Vancouver through the inside passage to Alaska in May.
All I had was a 24-70 and 70-200 and I found this was enough, but I did have two cameras avoiding the need to change lenses.
If you are sail through Glazier bay you may not have time to keep swapping lens.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

My choices would be the
Sigma 12-24. You really will want a wide angle
The Tokina 24-200

If you can beg, borrow or steal a Rokinon (Samyang) 8mm fisheye, you will get some very interesting photos. Also, for about $25 you can get the Fisheye Hemmi software that will take out the barrel distortion. That gives you an unbelievable 8mm wide-angle. I'd even loan you mine, but it is for Nikon.

Jim Bob

Avoid duplication.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

sb has it right!!

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

The first time I took a cruise to Alaska, I took a ton of lenses and accessories in a Tenba rollaway. Most went unused. In my opinion, only three lenses are required for Alaska. First, a super-wide angle lens (90 degree angle of view or more); not a fisheye. That is because you will be shooting a lot of unbelievable landscapes. Second, a 24-70mm f2.8 zoom for most of your other shots. Finally, a long telephoto for wildlife photography. Don't forget to take a camera mounted electronic flash for interior and other situations on the ship. Leave everything else at home. This combination is not only well suited to an Alaska cruise, but to most cruises.

I have used the same combination of lenses for several cruises in several areas of the world. The trick is to travel as light as possible because unless you are on a round trip cruise from a port near your home, you will have to transport your equipment on an airplane; hopefully in the passenger cabin.

This is how I do it. I have a gadget bag that just fits under an airplane seat with enough room for my feet on either side. The gadget bag contains my camera body three lenses and accessories and a rain cover. DO NOT FORGET THE RAIN COVER. I have a Slinger lens case attached to the shoulder strap of the gadget bag. It contains my electronic flash unit. If I have additional small items that will not fit in the gadget bag, I attach a second Slinger lens case. Sturdy items such as battery chargers, electrical cords, adapters, etc. go in my checked suitcase along with my clothes. I do not take a tripod because of the weight and bulk and instead use high shutter speed to compensate. I normally do not shoot video. If I anticipate that I will shoot video, I put a monopod in my checked luggage.

Enjoy Alaska!

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

Are you saying photographers don't need advice? Why do you post stuff like this? It means nothing, just kind of a put down.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Take the Canon 2.8 for.wide.angle.opportunities, od.which there qull.be plenty. Also sunshine, even in summer is at a premium, so the 2.8 a good.choice