Headed Out to Alaska Cruise What to Take
Jun 1, 2018 08:36:39 #
We are headed out to take an Alaskan Cruise in a couple of weeks and I am having a quandary on how much gear to take. My main camera is a D810 which will obviously go. I have narrowed it down to 3 lenses, my 16-35, my 24-120 & my 200-500. (Hoping for a whale shot). The question is whether to carry my D300S for the extra reach with the long lens. I loaded it all in my backback and it weighs a whopping 19 lbs. But I'll only carry all that while traveling to and from Seattle. Once I get on the ship it will just be one camera and maybe one extra lens when I'm taking pics. Does anyone have any advice? I could forgo the D300S body but I sure like the extra reach of the crop sensor.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jun 1, 2018 08:56:04 #
I went last summer and pretty much carried what you said above but Canon in my large case that I could treat as carryon luggage. I also carried my soft camera backpack and depending upon what I was doing that day, I packed accordingly for the day. I was really glad I carried everything I did. I used it all at one time or the other. BTW... I am assuming you are doing an inside passage cruise? I know dangerous to assume! However, in Juneau, one of the excursions is a flight in a Dehaviland Beaver to the Taku Lodge on the Taku River for a salmon bake! I got breathtaking shots from the airplane. It was worth every penny!
Jun 1, 2018 09:04:49 #
Having been there several times, I like your camera and lens choices. But I would have backup camera of some choice, also.
Jun 1, 2018 09:07:13 #
Thanks for the info. We settled on the whale sighting trip in Juneau, but something tells me this won't be our last time to do this one. Debating a monopod. Most of where I would use the big lens would be on moving, vibrating vessels so not sure it would help much.
Jun 1, 2018 09:08:19 #
Thanks for the info. We settled on the whale sighting trip in Juneau, but something tells me this won't be our last time to do this one. Debating a monopod. Most of where I would use the big lens would be on moving, vibrating vessels so not sure it would help much.
Jun 1, 2018 09:37:04 #
OldTxun wrote:
We are headed out to take an Alaskan Cruise in a c... (show quote)
OldTxun,
We took a similar cruise in 2010--best one we've ever experienced--you will love it. From my experience you will mostly use the 24-500 lens; it is more than adequate for the long shots from ship to glaciers, and if you plan to take any off ship excursions (quite expensive because most involve helicopter trips) to the glaciers, it will cover them too. For closer up shots on the ship or around town you'll probably be using the 24-120 at about 50mm so why take the 16-35. I found no use for a tripod, it's just one more piece to lug around and there will be no room to set up at the rail for off ship shots as every one else aboard is jostling for space at the rail too. Both and the mono-pod or tripod conduct the ship vibrations up to the camera. Most of your longer shots will probably be hand held.
Jun 1, 2018 09:56:31 #
Thanks everyone for your comments. Confirms what I thought I should take. Hopefully we will come back with a decent shot or two.
Jun 1, 2018 11:27:26 #
You will, the sights and scenery are spectacular! I think I shot about 100 frames with the AE-1, having those processed was a $$ shock, because the other pictures were taken on a pocket Canon digital. I knew I needed a more modern camera, and the processing cost was a strong influence. Bought a Canon 60D shortly before the D70's were released, but no regrets; it's a great camera. A Tamron 70-300 came about a year later.
Jun 1, 2018 13:02:16 #
JohnH3 wrote:
I went last summer and pretty much carried what yo... (show quote)
"a flight in a Dehaviland Beaver to the Taku Lodge"
Loved that place. We bought the plate as a souvenir and use it as a routine serving platter. Last night it had BBQ chicken on it.
Jun 2, 2018 05:39:45 #
sueyeisert
Loc: New Jersey
Take the D300s for the extra reach you’ll need it. I took a cruise there last May. Bring rain gear. Also I used a monopod on the ship and catamaran we took.
A great trip. Have fun.
A great trip. Have fun.
Jun 2, 2018 07:56:26 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
OldTxun wrote:
We are headed out to take an Alaskan Cruise in a c... (show quote)
On the Alaska trip I took two pocket camera's. The Sony HX90V with pop up view finder and a 24-750 mm Ziess T* lens (I shot Zeiss T* off my Hasselblad, yes, it is that good) and my Sony RX100M2 iwth a 28-100 f1.8 (throughout) Zeiss T* lens, both fit into belt pouches leaving me hands free.
Using this combo I could still shot while on a Zip Line, ride a Zodiac and shoot whales and Eagles, ride a train, drive and shoot from a four wheeler, ride a small fishing boat on a narrow Alaska river, and shoot from a helicopter that landed on a glacier.
You will find DSLR's with multiple lenses cumbersome on any trip. And, you will find yourself looking more for lenses than enjoying the ride.
TRAVEL RIGHT, TRAVEL LITE.
Jun 2, 2018 08:33:17 #
I think your pretty much covered....dont forget you can crop forever with a d810.
We went on the same trip about 12 years ago and all I had was a crappy point and shoot...still sick to this day.
We went on the same trip about 12 years ago and all I had was a crappy point and shoot...still sick to this day.
Jun 2, 2018 08:35:54 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
Do take the monopod. That was all I used on our Alaska trip. As to cameras, six of one, half dozen of the other. Either crop for reach in PP, or use the DX in the camera.
Jun 2, 2018 08:41:18 #
We are cruising to Alaska on Celebrity June 17-25 from Vancouver. If you are on the same cruise, look me up. I am taking my Canon 6D Mark II with Canon 16-35mm f2.8, Tamron 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 and Canon 70-200 f4 L with a doubler plus 3 batteries and 3 SD cards. I plan on using the 70-200 with the doubler for whales and other things off the balcony of the ship, and also the 16-35 for scenics off the balcony. The 28-300 will be on the camera for any off-ship excursions.
Jun 2, 2018 08:48:49 #
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