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European River Cruise
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Jul 24, 2018 12:12:20   #
cattleman
 
I'm doing the Budapest -> Amsterdam trip in a month. Adding a few days in Prague and Amsterdam. Plan is my 77D plus new Tamron 18-400 plus a small pocket camera and binocs of course


Monopod yes or no ??

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Jul 24, 2018 12:27:06   #
LESTAHL Loc: Colorado
 
I agree, 18-250 or 270 is all the lens you will need. Take two cameras, however, you never know. I put a kit lens, 18-55, on the backup camera. Also, use 16 GB cards and take several, unless you will be taking videos, then take more capacity per card.

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Jul 24, 2018 12:40:32   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
CharleM wrote:
I should have listed lenses.
EFS 10-18
EFS 18-55
EFS 18-200 (my normal go to lens)
EF 70-300 USM (was great in Alaska)
and a flash Speedlite 580EX
plus a pocket camera OLympus stylus Tough (takes great shots of grandkids in the pool and snorkeling)
I have a large camera back pack (can also carry jackets, etc), a smaller camera backpack (holds all of above) and an old shoulder bag.
Sounds like the big tripod and monopod stay home.
What should I take?


Take the 18-55 for street shots and the 18-200 for long shots on the boat. Forget the Speedlite, most places will not allow use of flash. Tripods in European street shooting would be impossible. Consider a Platypod instead.

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Jul 24, 2018 13:08:03   #
TBPJr Loc: South Carolina
 
CharleM wrote:
I should have listed lenses.
EFS 10-18
EFS 18-55
EFS 18-200 (my normal go to lens)
EF 70-300 USM (was great in Alaska)
and a flash Speedlite 580EX
plus a pocket camera OLympus stylus Tough (takes great shots of grandkids in the pool and snorkeling)
I have a large camera back pack (can also carry jackets, etc), a smaller camera backpack (holds all of above) and an old shoulder bag.
Sounds like the big tripod and monopod stay home.
What should I take?


Do not be deterred from taking your equipment with you--there is enough room in your cabin for whatever you decide to take. Most importantly, be sure to take your widest lens (EFS 10-18mm). My trip last December was up the Rhine--the lens I used the most was the EF 11-24mm. The angles you tend to get on the excursions into the various cities make wider better. I don't know how your 18-200 compares to your 70-300 or to your 18-55, but there will be times (especially inside old places) where faster is much better; there will also be times when you want your longest reach. You will want your monopod, too, even though it will be a pain at times--if you have one that doubles as a cane/walking stick, it will be even more useful (you should be using quick connect/disconnect plates, i.e., Arca-Swiss).

Your trip should be wonderful--Viking really works to make cruising with it a pleasure.

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Jul 24, 2018 13:24:43   #
Papa j Loc: Cary NC
 
No need for mono pod or tri pod even on the ship there is much vibration

J

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Jul 24, 2018 14:12:24   #
aggiedad Loc: Corona, ca
 
We took the Grand European tour in 2011, and later the portraits of France tour. Viking is just great. Lots of walking (I was the one always last in the group). The food was excellent. The tours are included in the price. Everyone was very polite and helpful.

I took a 7D with the 24-105L and the 70-200L 4.5, as well as a 1.4 extender. Also a G12. There were times I wished I would have had a longer lens to shoot some of the castles along the rivers, and a faster lens for some of the interiors. In any case, we got some great shots.

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Jul 24, 2018 15:23:46   #
insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida
 
Are you having a bad day, Billnikon?? Why the wrath?? What's really bothering you?

The writer referred to only one camera body and some lens choices. I doubt that taking what he owns would be too serious of a "camera overload" for his wonderful trip??

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Jul 24, 2018 15:27:40   #
JonClayton Loc: Central Florida
 
You will find most of the interiors are dark so a wide angle lens with a large aperture and a decent tele-zoom will be all you need. I did the Amsterdam to Budapest tour on Tauck and loved it have fun.

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Jul 24, 2018 18:04:38   #
Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin
 
CharleM wrote:
Heading out to a 2 week Viking river cruise next week. Amsterdam to Budapest. Canon 70D with several lenses. Any suugestions on which lenses to take and special places for photos?


Viking cruise is great! We took that cruise a couple years ago and got lucky to be on board Viking Baldur on its maiden voyage. Guess what? Wine flowed without freely, we had Karl Heinz-Zwanzleitner (head chef - known in Europe), great staff, and great excursions. https://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/River-Cruise/7-Top-Chefs-on-the-European-Rivers

I only had my Panasonic ZS50 with me at that time. But took decent photos. Knowing more about digital cameras now, for your trip, take an extra reach lens (e.g., Tamron 18-400 or equivalent) and a fast lens for indoor shooting or excursions with low light such as inside castles, cathedrals, etc. You asked for photo ops - here they are:

Amsterdam - if you have time (own your own): 1) take the boat to travel the canals, 2) Van Gogh Museum, and 3) Anne Franks House. Be mindful of the boats schedule for last trip back to the boat. You will most likely visit Kinderdijk - windmills (through Viking). Back to the ship. Both outdoor and indoor photo ops.

Cologne (Germany) - Cologne Cathedral (Big) and the square where people do their business or public entertainment. Cologne perfume, etc. May visit a public market with the chef. Back to the ship. Mostly outdoor photo ops but some indoor.

Koblenz (Germany) - visit the Marksburg Castle along the Rhine. Take the bus to go there. Viking staff will go with the tour. Tour guide will give history of the castle with focus on the military tools and ways the castle was defended; several rooms of the castle. Wear your wireless speaker all the time. Beautiful scenery. They'll give you time to take pictures. Back to the ship for great food/drinks. Ship sails to next destination. Along the way, lots of castles, churches, beautiful houses, locks and more locks. They'll call your attention to the legend of Lorelei.

You may see the birthplace of the printing press (Mainz) you'll probably arrive in the evening (on your own). Bring your fast lens, here.

To Miltenberg (stroll the town). Cameras ready: Gives you a sense of the medieval, romantic life in the 16th and 17th centuries.

To Wurzberg - great architectures; for the sculptures in you, home to the world's greatest collection of medieval master of wood sculptor, Remenschneider.

To Rothenburg - "Romantic Road." Stroll the town. You'll probably have lunch here in one of the German restaurants. Wurzburg Residenz Palace will overwhelm you. Opulence on display. Get your camera ready. I think there is enough light indoor. But, have that fast lens on hand.

To Bamberg - try the German smoked beer (Rauchbier). Used to be the center of the Holy Roman Empire (Emperor Heinrich II). Stroll the town. Band music and dancers probably performing on stage. Lively place. Mostly outdoor photo ops.

To Nuremberg - Events that almost changed how we live. Hitler's rally speech ground (they'll take you there - ready with your camera). Claus Graf Staffenberg. Judgment at Nuremberg. Also, architectural splendors. Mostly outdoor photo ops.

To Regensberg - stroll the town. Mostly outdoor photo ops.

To Passau - Meeting of the 3 rivers. St. Stephen Cathedral big organ will leave in awe. (Outdoor and indoor photo ops)

To Melk - the main event: Melk Abbey. Camera ready (outdoor and indoor). This place is yuuge.

To Melk - small Austrian along the Danube river.

To Vienna - mostly Mozart. St Stephen's Cathedral. Try a tasty pie or specialty in one of the cafes. Lot's of outdoor photo ops.

To Durnstein, Austria - mostly outdoor photo ops. Claim to fame: King Richard I the Lionheart of England was held captive.

To Bratislava - mostly outdoor photo ops.

To Budapest - both indoor and outdoor photo ops (excursion). Camera ready for the nighttime sail to the Hungarian Parliament. Long and fast lens ready.

If you are extending to Prague, good for you. Beautiful city. Lots of outdoor photo ops.

Hope the helps.

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Jul 24, 2018 18:55:50   #
SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA
 
We have just had about four days of back and forth on this very subject, so there should be quite a lot of "opinion" available if you search. I did the Amsterdam to Budapest Viking River Cruise with an addition of extra days in both Amsterdam and Budapest along with a follow-on trip to Prague before flying home. At that time I was using the Nikon D-800. I took the 28-300 zoom as my primary lens and, for me, it worked great! I am very happy with the results and I have blown up some of the pictures to 20 X 30 inches. You will want the range while you are on the ship and looking at the castles and towns alongside. For the excursions, I also used my 16-35 which was great inside churches and the many small towns. As always, I hide a small 50mm f1.4 lens as a "just in case" backup. Sure I would have liked to take more lenses but it is not really practical - at least for us. I did not need a tripod and would recommend against them. In town or cathedrals, you can always find something to rest the camera on or lean on a big pillar. My wife takes her Canon SX-120 which takes great pictures and is very good in low light but I would have been very disappointed without my camera set up. For me, taking pictures is a major part of the enjoyment of the trip. For others, it is just the travel in which case just take the point and shoot.
Scotty

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Jul 24, 2018 20:17:36   #
wetreed
 
The absolute best lens you can take on your trip is the Tamron 18-400. It’s not very big and will give you complete coverage focal length wise. You will love this lens. I would not waste my Time or space with a prime len.

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Jul 24, 2018 22:27:50   #
jrcarpe Loc: Jacksonville,AR
 
Thanks Insman but his sarcasm does not bother me.Sometimes you just have to look past the sly remarks.

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Jul 24, 2018 23:20:56   #
David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA
 
I did a similar cruise on Avalon Waterways (Budapest to Amsterdam) back in 2010. I used a Nikon D50 with the original 18-200mm VR zoom. My photos of that trip are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/collections/72157624729863909/. Although I now have a D7100 and the later version VR2 zoom as my primary equipment, I still take the D50 with the original lens as my backups.

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Jul 26, 2018 21:21:16   #
ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ
 
Steamboat wrote:
My wife and I are considering the Viking Grand European tour


FYI, for what it's worth, Uniworld has a better rating. We will experience that cruise in October. Given that, these comments are quite interesting. To this point, we've only taken Atlantic crossings and Mediterranean cruises.

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Jul 27, 2018 08:47:38   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
Steamboat wrote:
My wife and I are considering the Viking Grand European tour for next year. Can an one speak to the cruse itself?
Food, Side trips, Folks, etc..... I usually don't do cruses as I prefer wandering and exploring but we're getting older.
My wife hears good things about Viking......any experienced travelers here?

Opinions welcome and appreciated.

FWIW always travel light


We've been to Europe many, many times over the last 7 years (>25 times, flying over mostly) and have seen many of tour groups from these cruises while out and about and have followed a few of them just to listen. We usually rent cars and drive along the rivers all over Europe and take many of the same routes, stay at hotels along the way and have had a fabulous time, especially along the Rhine & Mosel in Germany and Danube in Austria and other rives in Europe. Thought about Viking or Avalon but since we've gone to Europe on cruises a few times, the appeal of continuing to cruise hasn't been there, although I hear many love them. I, like you, personally love the freedom to 'wander' to the many little towns, castles and sights along the rivers. Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip

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