Alaska tips, please!
Jul 24, 2022 09:31:34 #
Woodworm65
Loc: Lombard, IL
Don’t take more than you can handle, would not advise on the 150 to 600, I just came back and only took one lens 28 to 300 was more than enough.
Jul 24, 2022 10:03:13 #
BeachLady
Loc: Surfside Beach, SC
GLSmith wrote:
Always carry battery backups & bring battery charger to use at night..at least 1 SD card per camera. I went to Denali in as far as you're allowed by tour bus & took a fantastic shot with a 300mm, Wild animals are everywhere, sometimes walking about cities..I took a float plane out of Skagway to a salmon processing plant where there were plenty of bears going for fish within 1100-150 feet of humans.. Have fun
Sounds fabulous! Batteries & 2 chargers and lots of SD cards already packed! I'll charge everything the day before I go to be ready!!
Jul 24, 2022 10:05:02 #
BeachLady
Loc: Surfside Beach, SC
Woodworm65 wrote:
Don’t take more than you can handle, would not advise on the 150 to 600, I just came back and only took one lens 28 to 300 was more than enough.
Thanks for the advice - but I can handle my 600 along with the 18-400. I don't plan on missing anything! ;-)
Jul 24, 2022 10:21:12 #
Just remember, you don’t have to outrun the bear. You only have to outrun your companions.
Jul 24, 2022 10:41:09 #
BeachLady
Loc: Surfside Beach, SC
Xinloi6870 wrote:
Just remember, you don’t have to outrun the bear. You only have to outrun your companions.
Right! I use that quip with friends about the local alligators and the bear in the Smokies!
Jul 24, 2022 11:47:34 #
BeachLady wrote:
Thanks! I'm on an inside passage cruise - what do you think the chances are for Northern Lights (ooohhh--yes, please!!)
No northern lights this time of year, unfortunately.
For your plane and helicopter excursions a 50mm lens will suffice, or a short zoom, such as a 24-70. Long zooms are difficult to use in small aircraft as it is cramped, and long focal lengths tend to magnify the vibrations generated by small planes and helicopters. From the ship, a lens zooming up to, say 200mm will do well. For glaciers, some of them are quite wide that a long zoom lens or long telephoto will only get you a partial shot, especially if the ship goes in fairly close. Those lenses work well for shooting animals and birds on icebergs, though.
Jul 24, 2022 11:56:01 #
BeachLady wrote:
I'm headed to Alaska in 3 weeks. Deciding what to take in way of gear. I'll be cruising, but day excursions will include float plane & helicopter (yes, high shutter speed!) and some walking and a dog sled. Hoping for shots of a black bear fishing for his supper. Thanks in advance!
I took a couple of full frame cameras and lenses as well as a Sony RX10 IV on my last Alaska trip. I used the RX10 IV about 95% of the time. Its 24-600mm (eq.) lens covers everything you'd need!
bwa
Jul 24, 2022 11:57:26 #
BeachLady
Loc: Surfside Beach, SC
Wingpilot wrote:
No northern lights this time of year, unfortunatel... (show quote)
Thank you! Great information.
Jul 24, 2022 12:09:41 #
Corsica fox wrote:
Browns and Grizzly's are the same. The name grizzly seems to have passed out of fashion because it is more threatening.
Generally the “grizzly bear” name applies to those brown bears living more than 80 miles from salt water, and tend to be smaller than their more coastal counterparts.
Jul 24, 2022 12:10:31 #
V2volk wrote:
The only black bears are in Captivity so I was just told in June while in Sitka. Those bears where brought in from lower 48 as cubs after being orphaned.
Who told you that? Alaska has a huge black bear population all over the state.
Jul 24, 2022 13:56:58 #
lreisner
Loc: Union,NJ
BeachLady wrote:
Thank you! I've got a 10-24, so I'll add that. Then 18-400, and wondering about the 150-600.
I took my Sony RX10 III with me on my trip to Alaska. In Denali I saw quite a few bears off in the distance. The Sony is nice and light. The question is, how are you traveling. If it is in a group then carrying the 150-600 could be difficult and possibly not on your camera at the right time. The 18-400 is probably the best bet and possibly the only lens you need. If the 10-24 has a smaller f stop then it is worth taking. I took a plan trip in Alaska and a helicopter in Alaska. Shooting out the window with a long lens could be difficult. I am going to Iceland and Greenland in August and plan to take my Sony RX 10 III my Sony AR7 4 with my 24-70 and 70-180 lenses. If I am on the zodiac or if it raining or misty, I will not want to change lenses and I'll still be covered. My 200-600 is just to much weight to be carrying around and not flexible when I need a wider shot.
Jul 24, 2022 14:10:07 #
BeachLady
Loc: Surfside Beach, SC
Wingpilot wrote:
Generally the “grizzly bear” name applies to those brown bears living more than 80 miles from salt water, and tend to be smaller than their more coastal counterparts.
I've learned something (else) new today! Thanks!
Jul 24, 2022 14:14:44 #
BeachLady
Loc: Surfside Beach, SC
lreisner wrote:
I took my Sony RX10 III with me on my trip to Alas... (show quote)
You make good points - I will have both bodies with lenses at the ready, and a GoPro for videos. My friend will be along (not a photographer) so she will end up carrying whichever camera I'm not using. (Poor girl!)
Jul 24, 2022 14:23:41 #
lreisner
Loc: Union,NJ
BeachLady wrote:
You make good points - I will have both bodies with lenses at the ready, and a GoPro for videos. My friend will be along (not a photographer) so she will end up carrying whichever camera I'm not using. (Poor girl!)
Jul 24, 2022 15:27:04 #
SnoShuSam
Loc: Texas, (ex Virginian)
Having lived there, in three stations, a mono is the best to have. No problem if you have to pick up and move quickly. The 24-105 is great and a long zoom, up to 400 is great, but the 24-105 is the one you want to have. Another thing, layers of clothes cause it can be in the 80's and then dip down to the 50's or below quickly. Take a thin rain jacket and hat too. I've lived in 9 different states and Alaska is my most memorable. One other thing, LISTEN TO YOUR GUIDE!!!! The caps are not for humor. That person is looking out for your safety, pay attention!
My first day in Alaska my Commanding Officer sat me down and looked me straight In the eye and said,
"DON'T F@^% WITH ALASKA! This place will kill you quicker than anywhere else!" He was right, it is both very beautiful and very dangerous if you do not respect it and take the precautions you are warned about.
Have a great time and you will enjoy yourself.
My first day in Alaska my Commanding Officer sat me down and looked me straight In the eye and said,
"DON'T F@^% WITH ALASKA! This place will kill you quicker than anywhere else!" He was right, it is both very beautiful and very dangerous if you do not respect it and take the precautions you are warned about.
Have a great time and you will enjoy yourself.
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