p.1 #1 · A slightly different Alaska cruise question
My wife and I are taking our first Alaska cruise this summer. I primarily shoot wide landscapes and wildlife. I'd like to keep my kit reasonably light and fit it into a mid sized photo pack.
I plan to bring only: A7rv, 16-35 GM II, 300 GM, both TC's. I'm not looking for advice about these but am wondering if I will miss a mid-range lens.
Would you:
- go with the two lens plan
- add the FE 70-200 f/4 macro
- add some other mid-range zoom or prime
p.1 #2 · A slightly different Alaska cruise question
larsjen wrote:
My wife and I are taking our first Alaska cruise this summer. I primarily shoot wide landscapes and wildlife. I'd like to keep my kit reasonably light and fit it into a mid sized photo pack.
I plan to bring only: A7rv, 16-35 GM II, 300 GM, both TC's. I'm not looking for advice about these but am wondering if I will miss a mid-range lens.
Would you:
- go with the two lens plan
- add the FE 70-200 f/4 macro
- add some other mid-range zoom or prime
Great trip, with beautiful scenes to photograph. I used my 16-35, 24-70, and 70-200 quite a bit. The 300 with TCs will be valuable to have (I had the 100-400 but the 300 with TCs will be much better, as long as you also have the 70-200). I might also add a small prime in the 35-50 range for walking around the towns where carrying a larger lens might be awkward and inconvenient. My choice was the Sigma 45mm. You don't have to carry it all each day.
In term of scenes, there are wide vistas that call for wide angles or normals or short tele (the 16-35 and 24-70), wildlife or landscape elements that call for a telephoto (the 70-200 and 300 + TCs), and walking around towns and stores (the small 35-50 prime). If you wanted to drop one, I personally would take the 24-70 instead of the 16-35, but that is a matter of personal preference.
p.1 #3 · A slightly different Alaska cruise question
I'm taking one myself and plan to take my 300 with both TCs (wildlife), 70-200f4 macro (general shooting and telephoto landscapes), Tamron 17-50 (wide landscapes) and my 50f1.4 for evening shots and portraits.
p.1 #4 · A slightly different Alaska cruise question
The combo I used was the 24-70mm, 35mm f1.4, and the 300mm with the 1.4 converter. My body was the A7RIV and with the 61 megapixel crops were never an issue. Alaska is big and I felt 24mm was wide enough for 90% of my shots. The 35mm worked well as my walk around and 420mm was great for the wildlife I saw and cropped in tighter in editing.
p.1 #5 · A slightly different Alaska cruise question
We have a similar Alaska cruise planned this year. Do I really need as wide as 16mm?! I was planning to just take a 35-150mm and a 200-600mm (for wildlife). And of course, I'll also have our 28mm Leica Q point and shoot for any street shots and such. Am I covered, or do I really need to also take my 16-35mm, and/or 35/1.8, and/or my macro lens? Thx
p.1 #6 · A slightly different Alaska cruise question
Hi Lars. My wife and I have been on four Alaska cruises and have taken a lot of pictures there.
I think your current two-lens plan for Alaska should be excellent for vistas and wildlife. Don't overthink it. Just be sure to bring those teleconverters for your 300!
- Chris
(I'm the fellow who bought your macro lens and then joined you for a photo shoot a few years ago. If you want any excursion advice for the ports you'll be visiting send me a PM.)
p.1 #7 · A slightly different Alaska cruise question
I like what you've already decided to bring but I would encourage you to take the 70-200/f4 Macro. It's a versatile lens and you'll see plenty of 'little' things (ie flowers, berries, bear tracks, etc.) that the FL will be used quite a bit.
p.1 #9 · A slightly different Alaska cruise question
larsjen wrote:
Thanks to everyone for your responses. Very helpful!
I decided to go with 20-70, 70-200, 300, both TC’s. I’ll stitch vertical shots for wide panos.
That sounds like an excellent and reasonably compact set of choices. Well-done.
p.1 #10 · A slightly different Alaska cruise question
Hi Chris,
Good to hear from you. Thanks for the excursion advice offer but we already booked them.
Let me know if you come back to shoot eagles. I can tell you best possible dates in light of tides and fish spawning.
There is also a great botanical garden nearby that is in full bloom May-June.
I still have that great owl shot you sent me. It inspired me to find owl locations here and 2025 was my best owl year.
