I am taking my Nikon D300 and 17-55 for Alaska cruise next year
What would be the best telephoto lens (Nikon 70-300 or Sigma 50-500, or something else)??
For the money, the best would be the Nikon 80-400mm VR. The 70-300mm VR would be a very good budget choice. I don't think the Sigma 50-500mm has OS (OS=VR) so I'd rule that out as it would need a tripod. The newer Sigma 150-500mm lens does have OS, but it's f6.3. That's pretty slow and the camera will have some trouble with autofocus, especially in low light. The light levels are often low due to heavy cloud cover. SO, my first suggestion is Nikon 80-400mm VR which is a sharp lens and the VR works. It's a good general purpose lens. AF is not fast but you won't need it to be. I do not suggest any lenses that do not have VR (or the equivalent) because with longer lenses you would then need a suitable tripod. Not sure how well taking a tripod around would work for you, and it takes a pretty decent one at that. Budget another $400 for a decent used one.
I had a similar decision to make earlier this year. Our trip was a little different, we took the Alaska Marine Highway system from Juneau to Skagway, and were then doing a 5 night trail hike. The hike drove the gear decisions, the D3 stayed home. I was very happy with my new D5000 with the 14-24 and the new 70-300. I think you'd be pretty happy with the 17-55 and the 70-300. Sure, you can spend lot's more money, I left a 70-200 home. The 80-400 isn't anything special for the money.
I'm tempted to pick up the cheap Vivitar MF 800mm. When you need long, you usually need really long. If your trying to take a quick shot of a whale off a moving ship this lens would probably be fine, usually focused at infinity. It would be hard to take a good picture at that focal lenght off a moving ship.
shooting from a boat, of any size, with a tripod is worse than pointless. engine vibrations and its not steady so get a vr lens 70-300vr or the longer 80-400vr and hand hold.
I'd say rent the 80-400VR if you think size will be an issue but if you really want to get cool shots maybe spent a little more and rent the 200-400 as it has good VR and is f/4 throughout, it is a big lens but it has the advantage of being able to still focus with a TC on it, something that the 80-400 will struggle with given its f/5.6 at 400.
I just received and lens today from this outfit (will be in Ecuador next week). I have had nothing but great service from these guys and recommend them without hesitation.
This year the 16-85 and 80-400 worked very well as a lightweight combo. The VR is invaluable. The tripod was rarely used (only on a couple of land excursions), but you might bring a small one if feasible. Keep in mind that I'm speaking for a serious, but not hardcore user. The 12-24 was also used, though to a lesser extent.
+1 (2, 3 4 5, 6, ?) for the 80-400.
I worried about what to bring to Scotland this summer and decided on this lens.
I worried especially about the light (similar to AK maybe?) but can't imagine a better choice and was on ferries a lot.
nick53097 wrote:
It is once in a lifetime (at least for today) and budget is limited
For Nikon 70-300 VR can I use any tubes to extend a telephoto reach?
sure, but you lose autofocus, would be 3d party TC's
80-400 would be great choice - I know a photog who took the cruise an dthe main lens was the 100-400
Consider you will have indoor shots, outdoor shots, and maybe small boat shots chasing whales
Take what you can to get all the shots.
And also a laptop or some device to offload the memory cards, unless you will bring a box of them
As Louis said, VR is important as deck vibrations will hurt immage quality if you use a tripod while underway. Most of your shots will be handheld. I own and often use the 80-400VR Nikkor, and it would be a good choice. From what I hear, the 70-300 VR is also a great lens for the money. When you start talking about using TC's or tubes, I think you are going to run into the situation of blurry pictures do to lack of speed / light while at high magnification. Now if $ was not a factor, the 300 f2.8 VR with a 1.7 TC would be a nice combo..
I took an Alaska cruise two years ago and brought along my 70-300 VR. It did a great job from the ship deck, and I was often shooting next to a guy with the 80-400 VR. My 70-300 acquired focus a bit faster, but lost a little on the reach (which was often needed in Alaska, but not necessarily when on the ship).
D80 w/ 70-300 VR @ 122mm
D80 w/70-300 VR @ 70 mm
After departing the ship, we went to Denali NP, and that's where I would have given my right arm for some long glass. I still got a few decent shots . . .
D80 w/ 70-300 VR @ 70 mm
Here's where I would have liked more than 300 mm . . .
D80 w/ 70-300 VR @ 220 (this was the best I got of these two, none of the 300 mm came out sharp enough for me . . . more attributed to my lack of skill and shooting from a moving bus)
No, but note it is f6.3. Way too slow for me to consider. Many kinds of wildlife come out in lower light levels such as twilight. Might work for birds in bright sunny conditions.
I took an Alaska cruise two years ago and brought along my 70-300 VR. It did a great job from the ship deck, and I was often shooting next to a guy with the 80-400 VR. My 70-300 acquired focus a bit faster, but lost a little on the reach (which was often needed in Alaska, but not necessarily when on the ship).
After departing the ship, we went to Denali NP, and that's where I would have given my right arm for some long glass. I still got a few decent shots . . .
Here's where I would have liked more than 300 mm . . .
D80 w/ 70-300 VR @ 220 (this was the best I got of these two, none of the 300 mm came out sharp enough for me . . . more attributed to my lack of skill and shooting from a moving bus)
Chris 1/50 is pretty slow for moving animals, I try to stay at least 1/100 if they aren't doing much and 1/500 if they're active. That's using short lenses or lenses with vr were the vr can take care of the camera shake sometimes but mot your or the animals movement. I see the bears were at iso 100, with the D80 I would have been comfortable shooting up to 800 in that scenario and gone for some higher ss.
The VR is invaluable. The tripod was rarely used (only on a couple of land excursions), but you might bring a small one if feasible. Keep in mind that I'm speaking for a serious, but not hardcore user. The 12-24 was also used, though to a lesser extent.
