Tripod - Alaskian Cruise
Mar 23, 2016 10:24:50 #
international architect
Loc: Venice FL
I often use a bean bag. Packs easily, versatile and economical!
Mar 23, 2016 10:26:18 #
Freight Train wrote:
Taking an Alaskan cruise and am wondering if taking a light weight tripod would be worth the effort. Several tours are included. Any experience would be appreciated.
A tripod will not help with ship to shore images unless the ship is completely still. It will work for on ship images.
In my opinion it is more of a nuisance than help. I would skip it.
Mar 23, 2016 11:16:11 #
Even a minimal (lightweight) tripod is worth of taking along.
Slick Sprint tripod (with a better ball head), Velbon and several other makers.
Slick Sprint tripod (with a better ball head), Velbon and several other makers.
Mar 23, 2016 11:16:23 #
Even a minimal (lightweight) tripod is worth of taking along.
Slick Sprint tripod (with a better ball head), Velbon and several other makers.
Slick Sprint tripod (with a better ball head), Velbon and several other makers.
Mar 23, 2016 11:24:22 #
wingclui44
Loc: CT USA
Freight Train wrote:
Taking an Alaskan cruise and am wondering if taking a light weight tripod would be worth the effort. Several tours are included. Any experience would be appreciated.
I had been on a Alaska cruise the last two years, both on land and sea. It had been lots of travelling by bus, train, SUV, even short distance by air plane,(city to city). In most of the situation, you don't need a tripod and you don't have a chance to use it if you are in a particular excursion, either on a small boat or on a bus or SUV, because it has to follow the schedule going from one place to another, and you don't have much time to do that.
That was why I didn't bring tripod, I did bring with me two camera bodies with several lenses from super wide to tele. (wide angle lens on one and tele on the other). This way I won't miss any opportunity. I don't have a zoom lens that can cover all range, in fact I don't trust those kind of "one size cover all" lens.
Mar 23, 2016 11:51:31 #
While you may not need it for every situation, there is one where it is mandatory. You can't shoot the aurora borealis without it. Assuming, of course, that you have some nights ashore (i.e., cruise tour vs cruise only). Also handy if you get a chance to shoot a waterfall with a long exposure/ND filter.
Mar 23, 2016 13:40:26 #
We have cruised three times, and one of them was a two week Alaska cruise; I never took a tripod and never missed it. At all times on the ship the engines are generating electrical power, propulsion, AND VIBRATIONS; you may not feel them, but the your tripod will pick them up through the deck and transmit them if on the tripod to the camera. VR might help, but why risk loosing a once in a lifetime shot?
I'd suggest taking two lenses that can be hand held; maybe a kit lens that covers the 50mm range for on the ship shots and a zoom out to about 300mm or whatever you feel comfortable hand holding. Compensate for any vibrations with a higher shutter speed--NLT 1/500--and push it a lot higher in questionable conditions.
Ir has been my experience that the land excursions are usually so crowded that you won't have room or the time to set up a tripod and frame your shot.
Have a great Cruise; we've talked about "doing Alaska" again.
I'd suggest taking two lenses that can be hand held; maybe a kit lens that covers the 50mm range for on the ship shots and a zoom out to about 300mm or whatever you feel comfortable hand holding. Compensate for any vibrations with a higher shutter speed--NLT 1/500--and push it a lot higher in questionable conditions.
Ir has been my experience that the land excursions are usually so crowded that you won't have room or the time to set up a tripod and frame your shot.
Have a great Cruise; we've talked about "doing Alaska" again.
Mar 23, 2016 14:18:23 #
I always travel with a MeFoto Travel tripod except on a real photo shoot I take two more bigger ones. About 3 lbs for the carbon model and it works well. However, I have done three Alaska cruises with out a tripod (didn't own one then) and did not really need it.
Lately I have been enjoying shots at dusk or after dark, hence the tripod.
Have fun
Lately I have been enjoying shots at dusk or after dark, hence the tripod.
Have fun
Mar 23, 2016 14:27:10 #
With deference to all who said they did not take a tripod and never missed it, no one has yet said they regret having taken it. A travel tripod can be handled without the user being an encumbrance to other tourists in the group. With the legs folded but extended it is slightly heavier but just as effective as a monopod. And once you get accustomed to how your tripod legs work you can be adjusting their length as you walk, thereby reducing setup or tear down time. When I am out and about my camera stays on the tripod virtually all the time. In fact, I have taken handheld shots with the legs collapsed and the ball head loose; the dangling tripod can actually provide extra stability for the few shots I take that way. Take it, and if you choose you can always leave it in your cabin.
Mar 23, 2016 14:34:59 #
On our Alaskan sea and land cruise I brought a tripod, my Nikon and my JVC video camera. While I did use the tripod on land twice, where it did prove useful was when the ship slowly cruised by the Hubbard Glacier. I mounted my video cam on the tripod set it out on the veranda and recorded the entire view along with the narration by the ship's naturalist which was broadcast over the PA system. That video made bringing the tripod worthwhile. Took a bunch of stills too.
Mar 23, 2016 14:42:15 #
Rancher38
Loc: Halfway, OR
Spent a week in the rain, didn't get much of anything let alone using a tripod -- actually be prepared to be disappointed.
Mar 23, 2016 14:53:08 #
JohnFrim wrote:
With deference to all who said they did not take a... (show quote)
I didn't regret taking it on our two Alaska cruises and used it a little on the ship. Since these were cruise only it was no issue to have it in the luggage.
We drove up to Alaska in our camper a few years ago and the tripod was essential for my best animal shots near the truck. But I didn't take it on the Denali wilderness tour or boat excursions. I did take it and use it on our trip into Denali on the regular bus where we got off.
Last year we went on a river cruise in Europe followed by a week travelling by train. I didn't use it at all on that trip and regretted having the space taken and weight added to the luggage I hauled. I would not take it again on that type trip.
I'm not taking my tripod to Africa in April where we will be traveling from camp to camp in a small plane and going on Safari in guide driven vehicles. I bought a monopod for that one to use on the walking excursions.
It depends on what you are doing and whether the journey matters more or less to you than added encumberance.
Mar 23, 2016 15:16:13 #
Freight Train wrote:
Taking an Alaskan cruise and am wondering if taking a light weight tripod would be worth the effort. Several tours are included. Any experience would be appreciated.
I have been on an Alaska cruise and would not recommend a tripod, even a lightweight one. I don't think it serves a purpose on the ship and could just be in the way. Same for the excursions. You will have a great trip. I would love to go again. You just cannot see it all on one trip. But I would recommend two cameras. Or one really good bridge camera with super zoom
Mar 23, 2016 15:41:06 #
I am following this thread with great interest - will be doing the same thing in the future. I know I would bring a heavy telephoto lens. So I am thinking about a Gimbal head hooked to a monopod and using a flag carrier belt to support the thing with my body.
Mar 23, 2016 18:57:16 #
Freight Train wrote:
Taking an Alaskan cruise and am wondering if taking a light weight tripod would be worth the effort. Several tours are included. Any experience would be appreciated.
Take it, I used mine when the ship stopped near a glacier. Also used on several stops one being a low light forest walk.
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