Suggestion on Lens: I am taking a trip to Alaska in May and I am wondering what type of Lens I should be taking. I have a Canon Rebel T6 and I do have a EFS 55-250mm lens. I am a...

bonzo

I am taking a trip to Alaska in May and I am wondering what type of Lens I should be taking. I have a Canon Rebel T6 and I do have a EFS 55-250mm lens. I am a novice with this camera and the world of lenses. I just want to be prepared for taking pictures of Glaciers and wildlife. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Navywife66 Loc: NC

Oh wow enjoy yourself!! I have heard its beautiful! There are many worldly travelers on here that I am sure will let you know what they suggest! I have yet to get out and travel but do know I would be asking too!

BB4A

bonzo wrote:

I am taking a trip to Alaska in May and I am wondering what type of Lens I should be taking. I have a Canon Rebel T6 and I do have a EFS 55-250mm lens. I am a novice with this camera and the world of lenses. I just want to be prepared for taking pictures of Glaciers and wildlife. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The Rebel T6 and EFS 55-250mm is a good combo. I would suggest that you look at renting the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM lens for this trip. This will give you:
1. An easy to shoot and not too heavy to carry lens, with;
2. Great Image Stabilization (IS) and extra reach for the slightly longer range wildlife subjects you will probably come across, and;
3. Absolutely top quality photographs = the main reason you want to take a camera to Alaska in the first place!

Here's a link for what I believe is a reputable rental company: https://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon-100-400mm-f4.5-5.6l-is-ii

I hope this helps?

Beemerrt

I am on a cruise to Antarctica now. I wish I had a 18 to 400mm. I change from a 18 to 55mm to a 55 to 300 and it is awkward sometimes. Do they make such a lens? I have a Nikon D5500.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I used an Olympus 75-300mm lens equivalent to 600mm lens and needed it.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I've driven up twice, May will be the 3rd. I'll take 3 lens, 18-200 VRII, 70-300 AF-P and a 150-600. Just have fun.

bassplayer59

Beemerrt, I haven't used it but Tamron makes an 18-400 lens.

http://www.tamron-usa.com/product/lenses/b028.html

ChrisKet Loc: Orange, CA

Beemerrt wrote:

I am on a cruise to Antarctica now. I wish I had a 18 to 400mm. I change from a 18 to 55mm to a 55 to 300 and it is awkward sometimes. Do they make such a lens? I have a Nikon D5500.

I took my Tamron 18-400 lens with my Nikon D7100 with me for 3 weeks in Alaska and got some great shots of breaching humpbacks, brown bears and Sled dogs!

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

bonzo wrote:

I am taking a trip to Alaska in May and I am wondering what type of Lens I should be taking. I have a Canon Rebel T6 and I do have a EFS 55-250mm lens. I am a novice with this camera and the world of lenses. I just want to be prepared for taking pictures of Glaciers and wildlife. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Haven't made that trip ..yet, but I find the 55-250 when I use it is all I can hand hold effectively, so if I took a longer lens I would have to add something to stabilize it, tripod/monopod, just something to think about. Bob.

wetreed

The absolute best choice would the Tamron 18-400. I can speak from experience. This lens has excellent image quality and is the most versatile lens ever. Sigma makes a 60-600 which sounds great, but I have never used it so I cannot speak on this lens.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Rent a longer lens, you’ll need it. When we went to Alaska, my longest lens was a 70-200 and it wasn’t enough. Take a look at the Tamron 18-400 or other lenses mentioned here. Bring a monopod as well, packs into a carry on and doesn’t weigh much.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The most important thing is to enjoy the trip. If you let photography and your gear take over, it could be a real drag.

Some ideas -
https://www.discoverak.com/camera-gear/
https://www.pointsinfocus.com/blog/2017/12/camera-gear-alaskan-cruise/
http://dailywildlifephoto.nathab.com/photography-guide/whats-in-the-camera-bag-alaska/
http://www.discoveryvoyages.com/planning-your-alaska-vacation/camera-equipment/

Capt Vern

I took NikonD700 with 50mm f1.4, 70-200VR and 2XTC11. Met a Pro with same setup in Canon gear. Times in Dinali when more reach would have helped. Wife carried Nikon D90 with 18-200VR, she also got lots of great photos except not as sharp.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

bonzo wrote:

I am taking a trip to Alaska in May and I am wondering what type of Lens I should be taking. I have a Canon Rebel T6 and I do have a EFS 55-250mm lens. I am a novice with this camera and the world of lenses. I just want to be prepared for taking pictures of Glaciers and wildlife. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The easiest upgrade for you is the Canon 70-300 IS II nano - very hand holdable and affordable ! If you are not terribly fussy ( like selling your work) - you can crop your way to 500mm with this lens. The best case scenario for this lens would be with a better body however. As mentioned already, the Tamron 18-400 can also work nicely - again, if you are not seriously fussy.

OR, you could spend a LOT more money and get the Canon 100-400 new or used or rent if you ARE fussy.

..

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Why not the 18-55? I am not familiar with Canon but the Nikon version is indeed a very good lens. The 18-55 could be your most used lens for that trip.