SSD 2610 Loc: Pune, India

We are proceeding on Alaska cruise next week. We would be taking shore excursions at Sitka, Ketchikan and also a whale watching tour. I would be carrying a Canon 7D mark II. I request tips on which lenses to carry ( i have Tamron 150-600 and 18-270 besides 18-55) and also some advise on what to look out for as photographic landmarks. I like to do landscapes as well as wildlife.
I hope this is not too general a question :-)

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

I went last year to Juneau and Skagway. I had the Canon 80D with the 18-55, 55-250, and Tokina 100mm Macro. I used all three and can't remember wishing for wider or longer. The 100mm Macro was used exclusively for flora and foliage shots, the 55-250 was used almost all other times except for wide landscapes when I dropped back to the kit lens.

For whale shots I used the 55-250 and set the drive to high speed so that once I started taking shots I just held the shutter release in until I was ready to stop. Focus was on AI Servo and Aperture Priority with the aperture at a wide open setting to ensure a fast shutter speed. ISO was set to 400. This enabled me to concentrate on framing and zooming and not worry so much on focus or exposure. Once you spot a whale the action happens so fast you won't have time for much else. Have everything preset and be ready to shoot a steady stream.

Have fun, you are about to see one of the most beautiful places I have ever been privileged to see.

btbg

Ketchikan and Sitka both have good totem parks. If you are interested in that. Sitka also has kayaking tours, some short in the harbor, some that take a boat first and then kayak. Those longer tours if you are fit give you access to quite a bit of wildlife.

Other things in Sitka, there is a Russian church, a bear enclosure, some great hikes that require a lot of climbing, but have great views. And if you want you can buy some stuff from my grandchildren on the dock.

As far as lenses, it depends on what excursions you decide to take. If you go to the bear habitat the bigger the lens the better. For the totem parks something in the 24-70 range is good. For on the cruise ship your 18-270 or 18-55 will work for a lot of things, but if you want to shoot eagles, or things like sea otters then the 150-600 will be critical. Same thing if one of your excursions is a wildlife watching tour.

In any case hope you have a good time. You will see some great scenery. Keep in mind that it has been unseasonably hot so there is probably very little snowpack on most of the mountains and the waterfalls should be smaller than normal.

Dat Quach Loc: California

I just did the cruise and land tour in late May and took tons of photos. The lenses that you have could be used as follows.

18-55: shore excursions, Creek Street sightseeing, totem museum and totem park in Ketchikan.
150-600: sea life watching tours and birding (bald eagles). Whales and orcas are very fast, you must be ready at all times.

If you plan to visit other places, the same lenses could be used for the same activities in Juneau, Skagway and Kenai Fjords National Park. For a day-long bus ride in or a plane ride over the Denali National Park and Preserve, the 18-270 would be perfect.

Have a great vacation.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

When in Sitka, take a walk through Totem Park. Well worth it. It’s not long, but nice. Take your shortest lens on this walk. Tennis shoes are sufficient for walking Totem Park. When I was going through the Alaska State Troopers training academy there, we did our daily mile run through Totem Park.

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

My tip, your taking too much.
I main travel camera is the Sony HX99V with it's pop up viewfinder and 24-720 mm Zeiss lens. It fits in my belt pouch and takes outstanding shots. Have gone as large as 20X30 without an issue. Has 6 stops of HDR and auto fill flash. What more to you really need.
Stay on top during the inter passage, always much to shoot.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I would leave the 18-55 at home. You will use your longest lens when shooting wildlife, whales, seals, sea otters (my favorites), bears and eagles. Your other lens for everything else. Do take advantage of excursions, especially if you’re getting out on the water in a smaller boat. Do bring a fleece. Be prepared for fog.

SSD 2610 Loc: Pune, India

Thanks so much for your advise. :-)

SSD 2610 Loc: Pune, India

Thanks. I am tempted to take a look at the Sony for my future trips but for this one I am stuck with Canon!

SSD 2610 Loc: Pune, India

Thanks. That's very helpful.

SSD 2610 Loc: Pune, India

Thanks. That's a very useful tip. :-)

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I have been to Alaska twice, in 2007 and 2014. My 2007 photos of Ketchikan are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/sets/72157603461888429/. My 2014 shots of Sitka are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/collections/72157648503535657/ and here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/sets/72157648957337131/. Perhaps they will give you some ideas about what to do. I only had my D7000 with an 18-200VR zoom, and that was all I needed.

TGanner Loc: Haines, Alaska

If you are coming to Haines, I do offer private photography tours. https://timenspace.net/photography-workshop/haines-private-tour/

SSD 2610 Loc: Pune, India

Thank you so much for all the bits of advice. Really useful.

SSD 2610 Loc: Pune, India

Thank you so much. That's very kind of you to share your lovely photos. Gives a good idea what to look for!