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 p.1 #15 · Gear to bring for Alaska cruise this May. | |
Craig Gillette wrote:
Kind of on our "radar," too. Some thoughts, looking ahead, thinking of discussions with those I know who have been on Alaska cruises of different sorts. None were dedicated photographers. Or some family trips and a Rhine River cruise.
While three bodies allows "three at the ready," that presumes you could carry or have them all nearby. It also adds to the "stuff" that has to be dealt with as "carry-on" vs "checked" for the flights. I'd emphasize mid-range and longer in my gear choices.
Big ships versus small ships. Changes itineraries and places you can get to. Small ships get into smaller places. One might be closer to shore, more long lens opportunities with a small ship. On board, especially larger ships, you aren't usually "close" to anything, except in port.
Shore or other side excursions? "Bus" tours to wildllfe or natural areas. That may have long lens opportunities. Small boat whale watches, etc., a big lens can be very hard to handle, tiring?, you have to keep shutter speeds up, lots of motion, shots can come and go quickly. We did a whale watch off California central coast. It was fun, not fast small boat but not a big boat. I get the feeling, it might take several trips or similar activities to get really good at fast "action" with a monster lens.
OTOH, "roadside" (etc.) nature might be an opportunity depending on what's available to you? Busses can be pretty fully seated, too much stuff is a problem getting on and off and moving around with family and fellow travelers.
Group sizes, family, avoiding "missing" views, etc., while dealing with gear? Time is not necessarily your own, sometimes you have to keep moving. Sometimes sharing the "wow factor" with family, or even self, might be better than missing things or experiences.
Gear? I'd take an A1ii and A7CR if I had them. Lenses, may have to go with what you have and are used to? I'd take a mid-range zoom. I have a 20-70/4 recent purchase and a 28-200 that I've found very useful in western US national parks, etc. 28-70/2? maybe a bit overkill but if you have it. I'd expect the 2xmm-200mm range pretty useful and several ways to get there. I currently have a 70-350 for use with my A6700 and A7Riv and might be swapping for 50-300.
Longer than 200mm? The 300/2.8 and TCs? Seems reasonable - but that's a guess, I'm a zoom user. That's 300mm plus two 1.4x and 2.0x longer "primes," essentially with some crop on the bodies. I have a 200-600 and it would likely go. TBH, either seem like I would want something between my mid-range and the monster for convenience, easy of carry, etc. Like the 70-350 or 50-300 supplementing a 20-70, 24-70 or even 28-200. I kind of look at this as I might a trip to Yellowstone. with a lot of ship time.
Tripod? Folks say the ships/boats vibrate so long shutter speeds not helped by a tripod, at least on board. However if hanging out in one place with long shots available and can keep shutter speeds up? May be easier than holding a heavy lens for long periods. Ashore? If night shooting or longer times in a place for wildlife? Sure assuming luggage space and fuss tolerance works for it....Show more →
Thank you! Yes, not planning to bring anything beyond "carry on". The 28-70 is my daily and would feel empty handed without it. I know it is heavy but it keeps me from bringing primes. Looking to take most photos while on the ship. Was even entertaining a drone but I do not have the license yet and would not want to risk it. Would love to hear if anyone has brought a drone and are you even allowed to bring one .
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