Richard HZ Loc: Indiana, US

I will go to Alaska via cruise line at the end of this month. I would want to take some photos of the glacier and wildlifes (bears, eagles, deers, etc.). I am thinking to bring my Nikon D850 and D500 along with Nikkors 24-120mm (for light, in stead of 24-70mm), 70-200mm, extenders 1.7 and 2.0. I will definitely not bring my 800mm and 200-400mm because they are heavy. I am not sure about 200-500mm. Should I bring it with me? Is third body needed? I still have Nikon D4s. Any suggestions? Thank you for your suggestion in advance!

jcboy3

24-120 on the D850, 200-500 on the D500. No need to change lenses or fiddle with extenders.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I suppose 2 bodies are better than one, in that, you won’t have to be switching out lenses all the time. My suggestion is to plan what you’re going to shoot each day and mount the lens most appropriate to that occasion. You list a whole lot of gear, and I’m not sure it’s all necessary. You’ll be on a cruise ship, and schlepping all that gear around can be a drag, especially considering you’ll be working around and through crowds onboard the ship. If I were to recommend anything, it would be your D850 and two lenses, the 24-120 and the 70-200. The 2.0 extender will give you some added reach. If you bring the D500 instead, the crop factor will give you even more reach.

Remember, when the ship cruises by the glaciers, you’ll want as much wide angle as possible. If there is any sea life around, the 70-200 with the 2.0 extender will serve you well.

The end of August can mean some fairly cool temps, so dress accordingly and be ready for some rain. It’s just that time of the year. And also, a tripod may not be a very good idea as there will be all sorts of vibration onboard the ship, and the tripod will transfer it right to your camera, but a monopod might be a good idea, especially if you plan on getting off the boat anywhere and do any walking or hiking.

Richard HZ Loc: Indiana, US

Thanks for your suggestion!

Richard HZ Loc: Indiana, US

Thanks for your detailed suggestion! I have 14-24mm wide lens and a solid monopod. I may bring to the ship and decide which lens/body I use on the specific day. Thanks again!

Dat Quach Loc: California

I agree with jcboy3, 24-120 on D850 and 200-500 on D500. That’s plenty and that’s all you need.

Cruise ships enter the Glacier Bay National Park at very low speed as if they quietly glide on water. Thanks to quiet azimuth thrusters that all cruise ships are equipped with, no vibration is noticeable so the use of a tripod is completely okay.

Richard HZ Loc: Indiana, US

Thanks, Dat!

SHWeiss

For whales and eagles that 200-400 would sure come in handy. I would recommend a trip to a salmon hatchery for bears and eagles, and a whale watch trip.

JDG3

I hate to be a downer but that is a lot of gear to hump around and being on a cruise means you will be competing with a lot of people onboard for photos. My wife and I cruise a good bit and I have modified my camera gear over the years to adapt. Several years ago we went on a cruise through the Panama canal and I thought this would be a great opportunity to get some great shots while transiting the canal and of the jungle during the trip from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I carried my dslr along with several lens, bags, and all the other items I thought I needed. I did get some fair shots but be warned - people line the rails of the ship during the best times, often 3-4 people deep. To think you can set up a tripod or even a monopod is usually out of the question. Many of my shots were with me holding the camera above my head to shoot over the crowds. Then there are the excursions and the buses. Usually these buses are packed to capacity so any equipment you carry with you will be on your lap. There will be quick stops for a few photos and then back on he bus. These excursion tours operate on a strict schedule, so do not expect a lot of time to set up for the perfect shot. Most times, it's off the bus, shoot a few snaps and back on the bus for the next stop. Stopping at small towns or stops for longer times will allow you to set up and take photos, but then again, you are humping all this gear around for an hour or so while you are not taking photos.

I have been to Alaska many times (not on a cruise) and the best photos have been while on my own at my own pace. By flying into Anchorage, you can rent a car and see most of the great places you will see on the cruise and more. I have decided that cruises are for relaxation and now only carry a good point and shoot that does raw and jpgs. These cameras are very good and allow one to travel light and take advantage of opportunities that are unavailable when packing heavy gear. I found that my number of acceptable photos went up when switching over to a point and shoot vs dlsr and extra lens and other gear. You may not have the range in focal length and exposure you would have but the ease of use and quick response times more than make up for it. There are many good models available, I have a Panasonic Lumix which does raw and jpgs, has full manual, aperture and shutter priority along with auto modes. And it slips into a very small bag or jacket pocket.

My advice, take your other gear and try it out. But also buy or rent a really good point and shoot and take it. You may find yourself carrying only the point and shoot by the end of the cruise. I cannot think of a single time I missed not having my heavy gear while carrying my point and shoot. I have many very good shots that I probably would not have been able to get had I had to fiddle with lens and set up.

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

Really, your taking way too much. If you take that gear, you will not enjoy yourself at all. Take my advice, PLEASE. All you need is the Sony HX99 with it's 24-750 mm Zeiss lens and pop up viewfinder, it takes great vacation shots. Trust me when I say, "travel right, travel lite."
Below are some sample shots taken with my previous but same Sony HX90.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Even though I have never been to Alaska, your advice strikes me as spot on. I have traveled a lot and for me cruises on large ships and big tour buses are anathema. When I do go to Alaska I will travel the Inside Passage on a boat carrying no more than twelve passengers and I will make use of the railroad and rented cars.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

I have enjoyed an Alaskan cruise.
Take a good camera body, and a few lenses.
But, enjoy the cruise—it is truly memorable.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

Good thinking. You would need to bring a front-end loader to move it all. IMHO, you need one wide angle zoom and one long range zoom. The long-range zoom on your D500 would give you extra reach. You don't need 3 bodies. If you are worried about mid-distance, you can spirit a 35/50mm aboard also.

Collhar Loc: New York City.

I hope you have a wonderful time . We are going on a cruise in August of 2020 on the Silversea Cruise. It is a `12 day trip. In talking to friends who have gone a similar cruises and based on my experience from other cruises. Well this will be our first cruise of this type. I am taking my D610 and 2 lenses. Maybe just the 28-300MM lens.

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

Just came back from our fourth Alaska cruise, I carry a lot less gear now than I did the first time. I didn't want to have to change lenses, so I brought a D750 with a Sigma 24-105 f/4 and a D500 with a Nikon 70-300 AF-P f/4.5-5.6. Ended up very pleased with the results, but still felt I carried too much. I'm considering the Sony RX10 MK IV for the next cruise.