CHEESEBURGER Loc: Billings, Mt

We're going to Alaska in May '24. I have a Canon 90D and am curious as to what length lens I should get. My choices are 100-400mm or 150-600. My main concern is the weight of the 150-600mm, around 3.5-4lbs. We won't be doing much walking as we both have mobility issues. I'm looking at Sigma or Tamron lenses. Thanks

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Both the 100-400mm lenses from Sigma and Tamron are as fast focusing as the Canon, and much lighter to carry. The 150-600mm lenses do get cumbersome to carry after a short while.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Whichever lens you go with, make sure you have a monopod. It will make shooting a lot easier. I have the Sigma Contemporary 150-600 and love it for birds & wildlife.

lbarnett25 Loc: Baldwinsville, NY

On an Alaska cruise the 100-400mm would serve you well.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

400mm on an APS-C camera sounds like quite a lot of zoom. It should be enough to capture just about anything that you can see with your naked eye.

CHEESEBURGER Loc: Billings, Mt

I'm leaning toward the 100-400mm but not sure if Sigma or Tamron.

kybob Loc: Versailles, Kentucky

I just completed in August a land and sea cruise tour, I was very limited on what I could carry and also had the debate of a 200-600 or 100-400. I ended up taking the 100-400 and it worked out great. For me I am 65 years old just recovering from breaking my elbow so weight and length were the some of the deciding factors. I have seen some use the mono pod as a walking stick for trails which taking the bigger lens would help out. For me another deciding factor were the tours I was taking. A small boat whale watch and the Tundra Wilderness tour where a big lens would be very cumbersome. On the boat the movement, space on the boat and a big lens that is not very fast kind of ruled out the 200-600 were you need that one more stop so you can crank up the shutter speed and not have a high ISO the 100-400 to give me a little more light. I did use a 1.4 teleconverter when on the Tundra Wilderness tour where I had more light, we had a beautiful day was sunny and clear. Yes we did see Denali. I posted some of the photos I took on UHH of that trip. I still need to post others I took I have just about finished processing them. Have a great time this was one of the best trips we have ever taken.

knessr

As a veteran of four Alaska cruise/land tours, your 100 - 400 will work. But if you are in the market for a new lens, get something in the 70 - 200 or 70 - 300 range. It is the workhorse I used for all the trips and it is a lot lighter to carry.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Go with the 100-400. It is an awesome lens and much lighter than the 150-600. I have had both and sold the Tamron. You can add a 1.4 extender to the 100-400 when needed. Still has very good image quality.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I went to Alaska in 2005 with two lenses. I did not miss many photo opportunities. In 2018 we went on a Danube River cruise. I did not want to lug all my stuff. I purchased a Sony RX10 IV. Its a fantastic camera. You might consider renting one? https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-rx10-iv.
Mark

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

I have been on two Alaska cruises and am just back from Costa Rica. The 100 - 400 is your way to go. Anything larger and heavier is not practical.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I agree with the 100-400 choice, but I would include a short lens for those times the long zoom is impractical. On the other hand, if you intend to purchase a long lens, for the slight price difference, do consider markngolf’s suggestion of the Sony RX10 IV. It’s an amazing camera, and that would suit all your needs on the cruise in one package that would be lighter and more versatile than the DSLR and long zoom lens. I’ve never done an Alaska cruise as I live up here, but i do know what works. Incidentally, my longest lens is 210mm eq.. I don’t do BIF or wildlife at long distance, so it works for me. The 24–600 zoom on the RX10 IV is perfect.

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

I bought a Tamron 50-400.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

That is a good choice if you shoot Sony. But not made in Canon EF mount.

CHEESEBURGER Loc: Billings, Mt

Thank you to all who have responded to my inquiry. I appreciate it very much. I'm thinking the Sigma 100-400mm contemporary. Thanks again, all