brontodon

I'm going on a cruise along the Seine River from Paris to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. I'd like to travel light, yet have as much versatility with my Nikon D7100 as possible. The lenses I'm choosing among are:

Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-4.5 VR
Nikon 15-140mm f/3.5-4.5 VR
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6 VR
Nikon 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 VR
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (either AF or MF "pancake" version)

We'll be walking on shore excursions each day, and shooting from the boat the rest of the time. I should probably go with just the 11-16 and 18-140, which keeps me to just two lenses. I usually bring a fast 50 with me, and I'm thinking of the MF version because it's so tiny. But I just don't know how much "reach" I'll need when shooting from the boat. The 55-200 is very duplicative of the 18-140 but it's very lightweight. The 18-55 is very lightweight for walking around, but the 18-140 is more versatile. The 70-300 would give me the greatest reach, but it's the heaviest lens on the list.

Any suggestions, especially from people who may have taken such a river cruise and know what it's like? Thanks in advance!

RolandDieter

Take the 11-16 for excursions. Also the 15-140, for excursions plus while shooting from the boat. Bring the 70-300 for shooting from the boat ... the weight won't be a problem if you leave it on the boat where you will most likely want to use it. You probably won't need it on shore.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I would take:

Nikon 15-140mm f/3.5-4.5 VR

Nikon 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 VR

Have a great trip.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I would bring at least three, and maybe four, in your checked baggage if necessary. On long excursions like this, I stuff a smaller bag, sufficient for a camera with lens and one spare, into a suitcase. Then I can go heavy or light depending upon the day’s schedule. Photography is a big part of our travel adventures, and I like to have options.

The travel light viewpoint is also valid. It mostly depends on your own perspective.

I envy you for the chance to have this experience, whether with one lens or five!

Andy

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Rivers in France are fairly narrow, not anything like the Mississippi , so a really long lens from personal experience is not really needed. I would take the 18-55 and the 55-200 plus the 50 mm 1.8 pancake for night shots or urban street shots. I did just fine with a Fuji 16-55 and 55-230 (which I used once or twice in 2 weeks).

French towns are incredibly compact so the 18-55 would be great, the 50 mm when you are being discrete. French do not like having their pictures taken by tourists, so I kept the Fuji at waist level and used the tilt screen.

Try and avoid Normandy the same day Trump is going to be there, because Security is expected to be extreme and very, very limiting for tourists. That being said, the Normandie countryside is simply beautiful, but bring a lightweight rain jacket, 'cause it's wet over there.

What cruise line?

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Take the wide angle, the 50mm f1.8, sell all the rest and buy a 28-300mm. With the 28-300 you'd basically have one lens to put on your camera except for wide angle needs. The 50mm would be for low-light needs.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

I have been On Viking Riverboat cruises. Take the 15-140 and have a great time.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

My wife and I have taken several river trips. As a result of this EXPERIENCE I now only take a pocket Sony camera in a belt pouch. Taking any DSLR is TOO much. My favorite travel Sony's are the HX90V and HX99V, both have a Zeiss 24-750 zoom lens capable of 20X30 sharp enlargements. And they have pop up viewfinders that act just like your DSLR.
The belt pouch keeps you hands free for those shore excursions.
Please do not take your DSLR, you will not be needing it if you take a pocket camera.

billmck Loc: Central KY

I haven’t taken this river cruise, but I’ve done several others. I wouldn’t be planning on many shots from the boat, as movement usually takes place at night and you’re generally docked all day.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

I used to travel with a D7100 for several years (I have a Sony A7 III now). I traveled with the Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-4.5 VR (as far as I know there is no 15-140) all the time. It is a very good all-purpose lens that will serve your needs best. Others have pointed out that a longer lens won't be useful for this particular trip--I agree. 140mm on a APS-C system actually is quite long.

I also would take the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. In my travels with the 18-140 I found many situations where I wanted a wider lens, so I got the Sigma 10-20. But the Tokina 11-16 will be fine as well.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Took a barge trip in France several years ago. I would take the 15 (18 in your text but 15 in your list?) - 140 and your 50mm. You won’t see wildlife but the vistas will be grand. The 50 will come in handy for low light. I am a great believer in less is more! You may find your room to be quite small, I think. When we were on the barge trip, we had to unpack and they took the baggage away. There was no room for the luggage.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Have done several river cruises, although not the one you are going on, but as a matter of camera/lens philosophy I find that I have always, at some time or another on every cruise, appreciated having brought along my lens with the greatest optical reach.

As an additional thought: How about getting a P900 and taking it on the trip? Will make a good backup camera for the future. (Of course if you shoot RAW that lets the P900 out!) Just a thought!

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I agree, the 11-15 and the 18-140.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I have taken this cruise with Viking. I always say the same thing: travel lite. One lens. (I take my trusty old 18-270.) I suggest you take the 18-140 and enjoy!
Steve

agillot

15/140