Photonut2020 Loc: Northeast Pennsylvania

Thanks for your suggestion. Oh heck, I think I’ll just taking the 400. I bought it specifically for this cruise and after using it for a year now it just seems heavy. I usually take it on hikes. That’s probably why it seems heavy after a while. Not planning on hiking on this cruise. Lol.

Bette

Photonut2020 Loc: Northeast Pennsylvania

Oh and BTW, those are great shots. I am psyched.

Bette

Photonut2020 Loc: Northeast Pennsylvania

Oh I like that idea a lot. Thanks for that suggestion.

Bette

Cubanphoto

If you have taken a river cruise, you know it is convenient - you don't unpack and pack. So two cameras with the lenses, the long zoom in one, it is easy.

Photonut2020 Loc: Northeast Pennsylvania

Wow That’s a great shot. We hope to do the tulip festival the day before the cruise. I’m leaning on taking the 400 for on board and maybe one of the lighter kit lenses for walk around. Or just the 400 and my cell phone. Lol. We were supposed to go last April but was cancelled due to covid.

Photonut2020 Loc: Northeast Pennsylvania

Lots of great information. I’d love to see your pictures. I’ll PM you if I can figure out how to do that.

Bette

Photonut2020 Loc: Northeast Pennsylvania

That’s the 400 I have. I’m probably going to end up taking it. I love that lens and use it almost exclusively. I might take a smaller lens for off the ship walking around.

Thanks
Bette

ksmmike

I'm taking that same cruise from Amsterdam next June, assuming all goes well till then :) I have also taken the Budapest cruise from Viking. The first time I took a DSLR with a 28-300 and a 58mm 1.4 for indoor churches. It was all I needed. I have recently switched to a Z7II and will likely take the Nikon 24-200, a 20mm F1.8 and maybe a 50mm F1.8 for the indoor shots again. I have to research better what photo opportunities are out there in each city, but since I'm more of a landscape guy, I will likely take the 20mm over the 50mm if I can only take one lens along with the 24-200 but I have a feeling I'll end up taking the 3 lenses. I don't think I'll be taking the 300mm F4. Yes, there were a few times I wish I had it the first time, but it was minimal. With a 45 megapixel camera and a 200mm long end lens, I would think I can crop if I really need the longer view.

I agree with most that on those cruises, since much of your time is walking around cities, you will need to travel light and will be shooting in the 28-100 range for most images anyway. At least thats what I found on my first trip.

Photonut2020 Loc: Northeast Pennsylvania

Hi Chuck we are doing the same cruise in reverse in April of 2022 as well on Viking. We were supposed to go in April of this year but was cancelled. I bought the 400 specifically for this cruise but now I I was thinking do I want to carry the weight. I’m thinking I’ll have to bite the bullet, get back in shape and take it with me along with an iPhone 13 lol.

Hoping our cruises don’t get cancelled. Enjoy your trip as well.

Bette

HamB

A small monocular or binocular device is useful for watching the scenery while underway.
Pack light, life on board is informal, but bring good walking shoes.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Reconsider the 18-400. I took that exact cruise, using only an 18-270 lens. The 18-400 would be very versatile. I got a lot of interesting street photography shots with it, including many from the ship.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I took a coach tour in 1980 that included Amsterdam and its surroundings. I took a lot of photos using a Nikkormat FT camera and a 28-200 zoom lens. There are 4 Albums in this Collection about Amsterdam, etc.--they aren't fantastic quality, but you might get some ideas about what to see: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/collections/72157626195049005/. My 2010 visit had more photos of Zaanse Schans: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/sets/72157625564623963/.

DICK32

Be adventurous in Europe. I do a trade show in Nuremberg, Germany. Then I travel. I talk to customers and other exhibitors and get suggestions. One was Rhine River Tour: They suggested the KD boat. Google it. We stayed in Wiesbaden—close to Frankfurt Airport. A small town that’s friendly to Americans. US military is located there. Got on the KD boat in the morning. Went up passed the Lorilie one of the most beautiful parts of the Rhine. Then the boat returns or you catch another KD boat coming back. You can get off in almost any town. We paid 35 Euros. Upper deck seats 150. Easy to take pictures from and excellent restaurant on lower deck.

Go To Munich. Visit the English Gardens and watch them surf on the river that has a wave pool. Ryan Air has Cheap flights from country to country.
Or drive to other countries easily. Garmin GPS has Europe chip. Go to London from Paris via the Chunnel. Turn in the rental car and rent a new one at your destination. You may have to take a taxi to get to the rental car place. Get a car that has a panel in the back that hides your luggage and camera gear. I get good pictures with 200-400 lenses for distance. And 50 MM, 105 MM Micro for close up.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

That’s a neat trip; one we really enjoyed. The 55-250 will do most of the heavy lifting and be adequate in the river stops. I’m with you on carrying around the 400. Have a great trip!

MT native Loc: Big Sky Country — Montana

I have a Tamron 16-300 and I would take it in a flash. Tim Grey went to Europe recently and he used the 18-400 and it swears by because of the flexibility of the lens. Not trying to get you to spend more money but these lenses are modestly priced. We went on that same trip years back and a light weight telephoto will be the only one you’ll want IMHO. Have a wonderful trip. The river cruise is wonderful.