Thanks for all the reply’s ! Like the photos that have been posted. This trip is going to be a hard one for me because of the limited size I will have in being able to carry equipment. My kitchen sink mentally and what I would normally travel with, I have been shooting Nikon for over 50 years, and have shot, owned / still own just about every camera and lens they have produced and I am used to carrying 3 or 4 bodies and plethora of lenses. As I have aged I have found going on hikes, walking on tours, etc. carrying a big DSLR (D850 or D810) with accompanying glass (big and heavy) after awhile I could not hold it steady and my shots where blurry and soft and did not enjoy taking pictures any more. So I switched to mirrorless Z7 and Z6 followed by the Z7II and Z6II great cameras, landscapes they are the best. But not the same control and focusing I had gotten used to with the D850 for shooting….birds. A friend who will remain nameless who is younger was always Sony this and Sony that, gave me his Sony rig to borrow I shot with it for a couple of weeks, I had the most of the control I had with the D850 (able to select different focusing modes with programmed buttons) and my keeper rate went up to D850 or better levels, with silent shooting another plus. I know wait for the Z? It will be better, well sad to say, I am impatient, getting old, and time is short. So like many of my birder buddies and ones here making the painful switch to Sony for wildlife/ birds. Nikon for landscapes and will carry both. Here is a shot from the Sony and the one below with the Nikon D850 from my 2018 Alaska cruise which was sea only, I have never done the land part.

I have been trying to go on a land and sea cruise to Alaska which has been canceled three times and now scheduled for late June/July next year. I have had to much time to think about this trip which is a 11 day land tour going by bus and train from Fairbanks to Whittier the cruise is from Whittier to Vancouver. This will be our 3rd time on the cruise portion so I know what to expect there. I am trying to cut down on my take everything mentality since on the bus / train segment I am limited to having to fit all I need including medication and valuables in one backpack. I have the Shimoda 30L backpack was going to take the Sony A7R IV with the 16-35 and either the Sony 100-400 f5.6 with both the 1.4x and 2x tele-converters or the Sony 200-600 f5.6/6.3 with the tele-converters. I have heard the bus ride into Denali the 200-600 might be too big for shooting on the bus and so I am leaning more toward the 100-400 with the 1.4 attached. Any who have taken one of these land cruise tours what are your thoughts? My backup/2nd camera will be a Nikon Z7II with 24-70 f2.8.

We too are booked on a cruise, ours is in June of 2021 and I have heard the CDC has now announced that all cruises must be no longer than 7 days until NOVEMBER of 2021. We have already heard from friends that have had their cruises canceled that are longer than 7 days. Also depending on when this cruise is Canada still has not announced if and went they will open their ports again to cruise ships. Which there is a law that no ship can leave and return to a US port unless it docks at a foreign port before returning. So I am thinking we are once again going to reschedule our cruise for 2022 and hope a vaccine has been provided to the world.

Has anybody flown on an American Airlines ERJ145 and ERJ175 lately (I mean like last 4 to 6 months)? I have heard new Federal regulations for these size aircraft are no longer allowing two carry on bags, just one "personal" item. I have used a ThinkTank Airport Advantage for years and not had any problems in that is fits under the seat. But a friend flew United on a ERJ145 two weeks ago and they where Gate checking "anything" with wheels regardless if it fit under the seat or not and where allowing only one personal item. He ended up pulling out most of his stuff and cramming it in his pockets and then exchanging the contents of his backpack with the Advantage. I have a trip coming up and it is all on ERJ145 and ERJ175 planes and will be taking a D850 (24-70/f2.8, 70-200 & 500) and Z7 (14-30, 28-70 f2.8 & 35 f 1.8). If this happening then I will rethink my packing and what I will take.

Thanks

We went on the Coral Princess a small ship by today’s standards out of Vancouver the last week of May and first of June for a 7 day cruise and then turned around and came back to Vancouver on another 7 day cruise. For two reasons increase our chances of good weather in each port and everything I read, heard and found out after the fact was the land portion was a lot of riding on buses for long hours, getting up very early to catch said bus, with a lot of moving around not really enjoying just taking it in. Also the chance of seeing Denali is like 30% so not my idea of fun.

This also allowed me to pack more gear since i would not be doing the land portion where they also limit how much you can carry on the bus/ train with you. So I took the kitchen sink 5 Camera’s 6 Lens mono pod. Took over 8000 shots. If when I got back the usage was as follows; 24-70 highest percentage, 200-500 second with it zoomed out to 500mm for all but like 10 shots (I since have dumped it in favor of a 500mm fixed lens easier to hold) 28-300, and last with about 2-3% only a 14-24. I found doing piano shots with either the 24-70 or 70-200 gave me more up close of what I wanted the 14-24 was a lot of water and sky and a line on he horizon of the land. Out of all the cameras 3 DSLR, 1 high res point and shoot, and GoPro. Used them all was glad I had 2 full frame bodies out on deck at the glaciers and whale watch, did not have to worry with changing lens. Had a smaller DSLR for about town and walking tours. Used the point and shoot in the ship, and water related tours (rafting, high speed banana boat). I also took a water proof bag to put things in was the envy of all. Water resistant bags will not resist water long in Alaska.

Go and have fun. Also recommend staying at the hotel right above the cruise terminal was like super convenient bellman took our bags right to the bag drop off for the ship.

Thanks for the info! If I go in the afternoon my wife will definitely be on the shore, the last time we crossed that channel from Molokai to Lahaina that time of day, it was the longest 45 min of her life, she did not eat for days. I thought it was great, best roller coaster ride I have ever had. People talking about the horizon on your photos it is a miracle that some are not vertical! Yes been watching the temps up there. We did an Alaska cruise last year in May, so still have that gear at the ready; long underwear, fleece hoodie, very warm along with artic rated wind / water proof jacket, gloves and pants. As soon as we come down stick it all in a box and ship it home to lighten our load in the suit cases. Already know where the UPS store is in Pia. With lunch reservations at Mamas Fish House!

Amazing shots! I will be there in a week and cannot wait. Have several questions; what where you shoting with? (Full frame or crop, lens), what whale watch company? And what time of day? We will be staying up in Wailea and were looking at a sunrise tour from Pacific Whale Foundation leaving out of Ma’alaea harbor. Heard morning is better for smoother sailing ( less waves).

Wife is not too happy with that choice it will be the second morning in a row being up before sunrise, day before we have reservations for the sunrise on Haleakalā.

Great shot!

I have been to several Butterfly gardens to the point my wife asks when we go on vacation “which Butterfly gardern are we visiting this time?” As to reposnd to the last post many gardens will not allow backpacks, camera bags, hoodies, etc. because you might have a friend hitch a ride out. Also some depending on the location some are in a greenhouse like environment and have very high humidity inside, so I would not recommend popping open my camera and changing lens inside a humid area letting all that moisture inside.
I have been to several where they have hand dryers inside to get the lens of the cameras dry quicker to keep the from fogging over. Then some in more tropical locations just have netting around an area to keep them from flying off.

As to the lens I would take defiantly take the 70-300 butterfly’s move they really do do sit to long and to get close enough to get a tight shot with a wide angle lens would be very difficult for someone who has limited experience with butterfly gardens. I typically take a 70-200 f2.8 so I can get the most light. I just recently started taking a 105 f2.8 macro but some butterfly’s I just could not get close enough too and wish I had my 200mm.

As to taking a flash great idea and have used one when I can, but some butterfly gardens will not allow them because they have other anamals, not just butterflies can be in there, that the flash bothers them. So need to check if you can use one. Also had one tell me that using a flash was “professional” equipment and had to pay a higher fee and started shoving various forms in front of me. I just took the flash back to the car.

Polynesian Cultural Center - need to book way in advance to get in (a month out may be too late, not kidding). I an all day event and lasts until evening.

I am going in 45 days would like to know how your tour was when you get back. I have been looking at Oahu Photography Tours, have read a lot of good compliments.

Who’s photo group tour? And what island?

I was able to get mine from a local camera store in about two weeks back in September. I too am one that love this lens. I have tried it with the 1.4 teleconverter can cannot tell any difference in sharpness, used a D850 and D7200. Now my 'test' was not very scientific IE grid pattern, concert block, just out the back door at a fence and some trees on a sunny day.

[quote=wkillham]We did sunset instead. I highly recommend that you consider that.

We did the sunset on the Big Island last time on Manua Kea it was an amazing experience. Thanks for all the great comments. We will be staying in Wailea so thinking of leaving around 3:00? To see some stars and get a few star shots before sunrise? We are planning doing this the next day after we arrive we arrive so 2:30am will be 8:30am “our time”.

Also would like to just be able to go when I wanted ie best weather but the “ticket” has to be reserved 60 days prior or they do have some they release a couple days prior. I had though I might try getting tickets for several days but if it is good the first morning and then we do not use or need the others we would take the chance away for someone else.

Maybe raffle them off at the hotel for a profit?? Hmmmmm

We have been to Maui several times before and never gone to see the sunrise at Haleakala so going to do it this time. Those out there that have experienced this have any suggestions? I know we now have to get a 'ticket' from the parks department 60 days prior just to go up or take a "tour". Also dress warm, we plan on taking winter clothes and then ship them home, since this will be our first stop of our island hopping. I know before it was a mad house crammed with people and no parking if you did not get there early. This was one of the reasons we did not do it before. Has the ticket requirement changed this dense pack of people and mad rush to get there first some? I am planning on taking a tripod but from photos of the crowd of people looks like that would be kind of in the way or if not in the 'front' next to the rail pointless. Is there a place where there are more photographers setup? (lower lot next to where the rest rooms are? or Upper lot opposite the observatory?) Or just get there before the crowd arrives and get the rail? Any tips appreciated.