Viking River Cruise photography advice
May 8, 2017 10:03:26 #
I would keep it simple. A good walking around lens and a fast lens for inside churches. No need for a flash (many churches and sites inside will not let you use it). Just up you ISO inside to take pics. A tripod will be a burden to carry and no time to set it up. Expouser bracket to take good pics on the move. We went on that tour and believe me, you will not have much time to fool with lens changes etc. Enjoy the beautiful sites and cities and the trip up the river.
May 8, 2017 10:07:41 #
bpulv
Loc: Buena Park, CA
When I started cruising several years ago, I brought two cameras in a rollaway with five lenses, flash and accessories. After a couple of cruises I realized that most of my equipment never came out of the suitcase. I now limit myself to a Nikon D800 and a 24-70mm f2.8 lens. With a 32Mp camera I can enlarge images to the equivalent of over 200mm without any noticeable loss of quality. The fact is that if you are going on tours at your various ports of call, you will not usually have time to set up a tripod or even change lenses in most cases.
May 8, 2017 10:20:19 #
We were on the Viking Grand European River Cruise and I took my D7100 and my 18-140MM f3.5-5.6 perfect for a walk around. Pushing the ISO up to 1600 was more than adequate for interior cathedral shots. I will add my Tokina 11-16MM f2.8 for our up and coming trip to the Baltic Sea and Iceland. The key I think is to listen to the tour guides and not miss the trip trying to catch every perfect shot. Buy a coffee table book for that :o)
Jeffak wrote:
I just joined and thought I'd take advantage of th... (show quote)
May 8, 2017 10:23:47 #
Keldon wrote:
You are way over packing and the 70-200 and extenders are completely unnecessary. As BHC said; do not use the tripod on the boat. It's annoying for others and the vibrations of the boat and the river will mess with your focusing.
I have to agree. Two years ago we did the Danube Viking cruise. I took 12-24mm f4, 17-50mm 2.8, and 55-300mm for my apsc body. The % of my photos taken with each lens was respectively 11%, 79%, and <1%. Note that the rest were with my wife's P&S or a cell phone. I would not have missed the long zoom if I had not taken it.
As far as the tripod goes, I advise against it. As mentioned, on the boat it will not be helpful, and on walking tours it will get in the way. The tours include wireless headsets so that you can hear the guide as long as you stay in range. This allows you to hang back for better composition and fewer people in your photos - you will just need to hustle to catch back up.
Lastly, remember that this is a vacation and to relax and enjoy. Photos are nice to have as memories of your trip, but don't make them the primary focus (no pun intended).
May 8, 2017 10:38:20 #
We did the Viking cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in 2011 using a Nikon D300 with a mounted 18-200 lens and a pocketable Nikon AW 130 (waterproof) as backup. I would never lug around all the gear you propose and certainly not a tripod (have fun with that on a moving boat or on walking tours). We just did an Oceania cruise from Barcelona to NYC with a Nikon P900 and a pocketable Sony. We are going on another cruise in France later this year and will take the P900 again but may also take the Nikon D5200 since my wife keeps wanting to borrow the P900. I know all about the small sensor but if you frame properly, there is never much need to crop very much unless you're shooting beyond the moon and prints are great at 8x10. You learn to focus long shots by leaning, propping, etc.
May 8, 2017 10:46:56 #
I did that cruise 2 years ago. In my humble opinion you will be bogged down with equipment overload. I use a Canon 70d for travel. Took along a wide 10-20, my Canon 70-200 and my 18-135. All I needed and used was the 18-135. It's your trip so take what you like. I recently purchased the Fuji X-t2 with the 18-55 lens exactly for this purpose, a lightweight traveling camera. I got tired of lugging all the gear around. It's a great trip, enjoy!
May 8, 2017 11:04:05 #
Hi Jeffak. I have done the Danube riverboat cruise and agree with other comments that you are overpacking. You definitely do not need a tripod. There is surprisingly little motion on the boat and a lens like the 70-200 you mentioned would be good for shooting from the deck. On land, I would think that the 24-70 you have will serve you well. Each city will have different needs so you'll need some flexibility. You probably will not be using a flash much (many churches and museums restrict flash use). Also, because of tour times, you'll be doing a lot of shooting in the mid-day hours. Enjoy, Budapest and Prague are amazing cities. And yes, Budapest really is two parts, Buda and Pest.
May 8, 2017 11:27:28 #
kenpic
Loc: Edmonds, WA
I would not take the flash or the tripod. The 24-70 should be all you need. I also suggest you take extra storage cards--in fact, one per day. Keep them back in your cabin, not with the camera. That way if you camera gets stolen, you won't lose your photography. (You can replace the camera, but not the photos.) I had a friend that went on a wonderful safari. She had her camera stolen from her hotel at the end of her trip and lost all her pictures.
May 8, 2017 11:37:17 #
Seems to be a theme here. Who carries your gear? Travel with less. We sell cruises and I've made many river pictures. Advice: Travel light. You didn't say why you make pictures. For fun or profit? Typically most go to social media. I have often used a " bridge" camera ie Lumix FZ-1000, with built in 24-400+mm and 1" sensor that enlarges well to 20". Nice 4K video, flash, internet link and Leica lens. You might need some reach for castles or Die Lorelei. Otherwise go med-wide. One body, one lens. Let your feet do the walking. And mostly ... Enjoy your holiday. Jim
May 8, 2017 11:53:55 #
You've only missed one thing: the two boys to carry it all. It's a vacation, not work, go easy on yourself, your goal is to return more relaxed, not less.
May 8, 2017 12:02:03 #
Patrick9
Loc: Muncie, IN
Unless you have a contract with National Geographic, take a good P/S or superzoom and enjoy the trip.
May 8, 2017 12:32:50 #
I have taken 2 Danube cruises with Viking. I found the high water vapor near the river causes lots of haze, and that makes long shots (ship to castle) very low contrast. They still might be useful as mementos, but they won't win any awards. The shore excursions get you away from some of the fog, but the locations are mostly pretty close. I say reduce the weight and scrap the tripod and the long lenses. That said, I have to admit that my next river cruise is in June, and I plan to take only the D7200 and the 18-300 lens. It's very long, but it weighs less than any other combination I own.
May 8, 2017 13:21:31 #
Jeffak wrote:
I just joined and thought I'd take advantage of th... (show quote)
I think you are overdoing it.. When will you find time to smell the roses
May 8, 2017 13:43:03 #
mikegreenwald wrote:
I have taken precisely that trip, and others. I to... (show quote)
I have to agree with Mike. You will use the wide-angle to medium zoom the most but do not listen to the nay-sayers about a good 200mm+ tele for on the boat and an extender may be helpful. You usually travel down the middle channels and the river is wide enough that you will want to use it for the shoreline shots. I did the same trip you are doing and it was marvelous weather late July that there was very little haze and my tele shots came out very crisp and clear. You will be happy with the 24-70 for almost all of the shore excursions. As some one said crank up your ISO for the interior shots and you should be fine. The point and shoot is great for unobtrusive shots at some of the venues you will probably go to. Everyone is right about the tripod most of the sites are crowded and will be a pain to set up.
May 8, 2017 13:43:36 #
bobforman
Loc: Anacortes, Washington State
Did a similar trip last year (Bucharest to Budapest) and rarely used telephoto; don't over-pack that equipment. Another tip, tip the bartender at the beginning of the voyage not at the end.
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