Equipment suitable for Alaska Landscape and Wildlife
Mar 6, 2018 11:08:44 #
Going to Alaska (Denali) and a cruise. Need suggestions on Nikon equipment for shooting landscapes and wildlife. I have been reviewing equipment specs, but still confused. Please help. Thank you.
Mar 6, 2018 13:56:54 #
On the cruise, in locations like Glacier Bay, a wide angle zoom like the 28-300 is perfect, as the vistas are broad and wide. If you're on a sea/land cruise, and your visit to Denali is via the guided bus tours, the drivers know where to look for and where to stop for wildlife. You will be shooting from inside a bus with windows that slide halfway down, in confined quarters, so a superzoom may be hard to move around. I would bring a 70-200 and a teleconverter for wildlife and the 28-300 for landscapes.
Mar 6, 2018 16:04:42 #
Mar 6, 2018 18:00:46 #
Mar 6, 2018 19:16:35 #
Hey, Misto, what do you own in available camera equipment now?? And if you have to purchase something new, what is your budget range??
Mar 7, 2018 06:24:03 #
D40x. Nikon DX SWM Micro 1:1. Vivitar 2x Converter. Tamron 18-200 1:3.5 - 6.3 Macro. Nikon 18 - 55 1:3.5 - 6.3. Budget range is variable. Would like to get upper range equipment recommendations. Do not want D (single digit) bodies. I have always been interested in the D700, but I am sure the latest camera bodies have greater capabilities.
Mar 7, 2018 07:44:53 #
Mistophocles wrote:
D40x. Nikon DX SWM Micro 1:1. Vivitar 2x Converter. Tamron 18-200 1:3.5 - 6.3 Macro. Nikon 18 - 55 1:3.5 - 6.3. Budget range is variable. Would like to get upper range equipment recommendations. Do not want D (single digit) bodies. I have always been interested in the D700, but I am sure the latest camera bodies have greater capabilities.
You can get D700's for chump change now. I had that camera for a trip up to Ak 5 years ago and all my shots were spectacular. Took a 14-24, 70-200, and 80-400, and pretty well covered the range. One thing to consider is "run and gun" shooting. If you are on a tour, or have other people with you, you will slow down the party if you are always stopping for a shot. Think of how to shoot on the fly and be mobile. You may miss a few shots, but you may enjoy the time better.
I now travel with a A6500 Sony with only 2 lenses on the road. More when I am at home. But, I want my wife to enjoy her time too, not be bogged down with me composing endless shots.
If you wanted to stay with Nikon, of course, get the D850, and the trinity of lenses along with a (hmmm) 400mm 2.8 or so.
Mar 7, 2018 08:23:47 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Mistophocles wrote:
Going to Alaska (Denali) and a cruise. Need suggestions on Nikon equipment for shooting landscapes and wildlife. I have been reviewing equipment specs, but still confused. Please help. Thank you.
Do not take long lenses to Alaska. They will get in the way of your fun. Take a small super zoom camera, you will be a lot better off. Your welcome. But, if you insist, if it were me, I would take my 28-300 on a DX camera.
Mar 7, 2018 09:46:01 #
Mistophocles wrote:
Going to Alaska (Denali) and a cruise. Need suggestions on Nikon equipment for shooting landscapes and wildlife. I have been reviewing equipment specs, but still confused. Please help. Thank you.
If you want to have fun - get a Sony RX10 IV and you are done.
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Mar 7, 2018 10:06:58 #
imagemeister wrote:
If you want to have fun - get a Sony RX10 IV and you are done.
..
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Prepare for cool wet conditions—salt spray on board and rain on land. Whatever high-end gear you take, I would also pack a small super zoom. Shots of others with their cameras stuck out the window and on land would be interesting.
Also, don’t forget to take snapshots of life aboard the ship. A smaller camera might better suit that purpose (as might your smart phone. Take backup batteries and cards. A well designed photographer’s vest will be an excellent friend.
Will you be uploading? (laptop or tablet?)
Mar 7, 2018 10:56:25 #
Oh my gosh--don't worry too much about equipment. Alaska provides so many opportunities for spectacular photos at every turn, just take a camera[s] with which you are totally comfortable. The fellow above gave good advice who said to take something you could use quickly/confidently so you don't hold up your group, assuming you are on a group tour, which you are required to do at Denali Park itself [older green school buses take 30-40 people at a time thorough the park to lessen the impact of multiple cars]. I took great photos with a pocket-size Canon digital with a 12X zoom lens.
Mar 7, 2018 11:13:36 #
I agree with RGReel, don't worry too much about equipment. Take what you are comfortable with. Two years ago I went to Denali with a Nikon D3200 with an 18-55 and a 55-200 that came with the camera. I got what I felt were some great shots no matter what lens I was using.
Mar 7, 2018 11:23:41 #
I did probably the same cruise plus Denali etc. When it comes to wildlife I was surprised by the rarity of animals and the distance (particularly in Denali). I would advise the longest lens you can afford or giving up the idea of photographing animals in Denali. We liked a small plane tour we took (it was expensive but worth doing) and all extra excursions offered.
Mar 7, 2018 11:53:49 #
imagemeister wrote:
If you want to have fun - get a Sony RX10 IV and you are done.
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Or the RX10 III. Either will work wonderfully with its excellent 24-600mm zoom!
Mar 7, 2018 11:58:26 #
In Denali take the longest Bus Tour you can sign up for,,,,at least the 6 to 8 hour tour even better the 10 to 12 hour tour,,,lunch is provided and they have rest room breaks,,,the problem is shooting inside a school bus with windows and the wildlife sometimes on the wrong side of the bus but it is spectacular to see Grizzly Bears, Caribou, Moose, Dall Sheep and other Wildlife and a lot of fun,,,,I also highly recommend the Neets Black Bear Boat Tour in Ketchikan the tour is along a Salmon Hatchery and will see a lot of Black Bears and Eagles,,,I took three lenses covering 15mm to 800mm,,,carried in a Newswear ChestVest.....
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