SteveR Loc: Michigan

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scsdesphotography Loc: Southeastern Michigan

Hi bonzo, Took that trip myself. You will want a wide angle zoom (or prime) say an 18- ?. The landscapes in Alaska are really, really vast, so you will want a wide angle to capture all that majesty. I shot the entire trip with my Sigma 18-200. It did not let me down, but if an 18-300 or more would have been available back then I would've gone with that. BTW, distances are deceiving in Alaska. The base of a nearby mountain appeared to be only 10 miles from our location, walking distance. Nope, it was 150 miles away!

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

ON that note my favorite lens on both my T1i and T4i is my Sigma 17-70, don't (usually) leave home without it. next favorite is getting to be Canon 10-18

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Is it possible 18mm will not be wide enough on a dx camera? If not, the OP might want to pick up a Tamron 10-24mm. The new version is supposed to be nice and sharp.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

In line with the enjoying the trip and given your statement about being new to all this, I would also recommend something more utilitarian like the Tamron 18-400. It has all the range you will be able to take advantage of and it is, I believe, weather sealed. On my trip in 2017, I had a Sigma 150-600 and a few others on a Canon 80D (an APS-C camera as is yours). I never really shot over 400mm. Trying to track anything moving from a boat (if you take a cruise while there and you should) is just a whole different skill.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Or a Canon 10-18.

John O.

I recommend one lens for the whole trip -- Tamron 18-400mm. On your Rebel, your crop factor is 1.6 so that 400mm you have the equivalent of 640mm. I went to Japan few years with a Canon 7D and used an 18 - 135mm and a 70-300mm. I was constantly changing lenses! That's why I use the Tamron for 98% of my shooting -- and so does my wife.

marsdad Loc: NE Florida

You might consider getting a 2x extender, I use one for that extra reach and it doesn't add much weight.

Hip Coyote

A few thoughts...Alaska can be quite cold in May. Was in Denali in May and it was very cold..so be prepared. Shooting glaciers and wildlife are two completely separate types of photography. Glaciers (in my opinion) demand wide angle focal lengths while animals (the kind that can eat you or stomp you to death...) demand long focal lengths. So, get something wide. I would purchase this since it will be used frequently on other outings..cities, street, etc. And RENT a 100-400 canon for the trip. If you end up liking it you can always buy one. And not to be a curmudgeon on this, but most wild life photography on cruises, vacations are not often all that good. Yes, there may be instances where a vacationer gets a great shot, but those are rare. Wildlife photogs spend a lot of time, weeks to months, trying to get that "perfect" shot. If you are on a tour and are restricted by time at a particular location, you may get a shot, you may not. But photos of a bear standing in a field are good for memories, not really to show. I have such photos and keep them for our photo books, but they are not something I am so proud of I would do much more with it. If you are doing a photo tour, going to Katmai National Park or something, then you can expect some great shots. If not, then you will most likely get some good shots for your memory book. I have rented lenses through lensrentals.com...good outfit. Spent a few 100 bucks and sent back the 100-400. I think their insurance covers bear attacks. If not, the lens is big enough to wack the bear with to protect yourself. I wish you safe travels and happy shooting.

racerrich3 Loc: Los Angeles, Ca.

they do have a 18-300, 3.5/5.6 $900 ? and a 18-300, 3.5/6.3 $700 (on sale now $600). i want to know is the 2X converter compatible w/ my D3300.

ChrisKet Loc: Orange, CA

Guess it all depends on what you want. For me, I got a few "great" shots - in terms of: the people I was traveling with who were professional photographers, asked me for my shot of the Mama Brown Bear on the side of the road in Denali - because I got the shot from the bus and they didn't, despite all their great gear and multiple lenses. I was lucky, I know, but my camera and my lens were good enough. Would I put it up against Steve Perry? Absolutely not! Am I proud of it, because of where I'm at with my photography? Absolutely!!!

When you're on the bus, you won't have time to change lenses and take time to shoot; you're shooting through windows and around the other people; if you get really lucky, the action happens on your side and you can get it outside your window. If you want to get professional shots, you're not gonna be on the tour bus with a whole bunch of others. But, with a decent camera and lens, both of which you know how to use, you can get some really good shots to share with your family and friends (and even new people you meet along the way!). BTW - I used my Tamron 18-400 to take some awesome pano shots of the glaciers (Lightroom stitched them together for me!).

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aubreybogle Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I am with the Tamron 18-400 mm group, which I own. I lived in Alaska and this lens gives you the flexibility to use the range of focal lengths you will need to get some great photos. It is also relatively light and compact. I'm certain you will enjoy your trip.

Vector

We, my new wife honeymooned on a one way Alaskan cruise from Vancouver to Seward through the inner passage. Great trip. Definitely one if you like scenery. Re: wildlife, like another person said on this posting, it is truly the luck of the draw. I spoke to someone who had the Sigma 150-600 and got pics of bears on the shore (mile or two away- I'm not good at judging distances). Also was on a wale watch, and someone jokingly called it a whale wait. You have to wait till they come up for air. Didn't see any breaching.

Anyhow, I took my 7D Mk II, Tamron 18-400, Opteka fish eye, and the following Canon lenses: 100-400, 17-55, 10- 20. I didn't take a single pic with the 100-400 as I didn't feel like lugging it around, though I wished I had on the whale watch. I used the Tamron 80% of the time. I would sometimes carry the wide angle and fish eye with me, and use the 17-55 mostly on the ship at night to take pics of other people, scenery, etc.

As most reviews have stated, the Tamron is less sharp at 400mm but did get me the pic of the whale tail (at 300mm) and the Marjorie Glacier (at 18mm). The were post process with Photos. As stated, dress warm and in layers. Alaska is very cloudy and the temperature can change quickly with the could cover. Additionally, the temperature out on the water by the glaciers can be 20 degrees colder than on shore.

I can definitely recommend the 18-400. You might consider a wide angle prime or zoom for landscapes, and something fast for use on the ship at night, budget permitting. One last thing, when fully zoomed, I had a hard time holding the Tamron steady with the standard "photographer's grip". I found it better put my left hand under the lens spreading the thumb and fingers apart like I was holding a plate. Hope that makes sense.

Hope this helped. Either way, have fun!

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

In 2017 I used a 150-600 and a 10-18. I think I would have had better luck with a 2x 70-200 2.8 combo. Here are a few shots from that trip.

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Beemerrt

I am seeing similar scenes in the Antarctica and Galapagos Islands the last couple of weeks. Great pics