I’m going on an Alaska Inside Passage cruise and am renting gear for it and figured this would be a good opportunity to try Nikon. I’m planning on a Z8, 24-120, something wide and something long, but I really don’t know what to get. Wide is probably a 14-30/4, but if there is a small, sharp prime that may be preferable. Long is where I’m stuck. Options are the 400/4.5 + 1.4tc if I need more reach, 100-400, or 180-600. I know on paper the 180-600 is the obvious answer, but it is a lot more weight than the other two. If I were shooting with Canon (which I suppose I could do instead) the 100-500 is the easy answer. I’m not planning to bring a tripod or monopod, but could bring one if it will be useful.
For those who have done this trip, what would you recommend? This is a family trip more than a photo trip, but photography is still a priority. I’ve spent a bit of time in Alaska, but never in this part of the state. This is also my first time on a cruise and from what I’ve been told this particular ship (Celebrity Edge) isn’t particularly photo friendly.
I did the inside passage in late May of this year and here's what I took (I shoot Sony, but it'll give you an idea of what worked for me):
- A1ii (the Z8 will work quite well), Tamron 17-50f4, 70-200f4, 300f2.8 (I occasionally shot the bare lens, but more often with the 1.4 or 2 TC) and the 50f1.4 (for portraits on the ship)
When shooting wildlife in Kenai Fjords National Park and Glacier Bay NP, I used the 300 with the 2x TC several times and think 600 is good to have. I used the 70-200 for shooting glaciers and on some of the hikes and the 17-50 to get the whole glaciers in one shot.
I'd be very tempted to take the 14-30, 25-120 and 400 and the 1.4 TC. I had a balcony room, so I shot some from that and I also shot quite a bit from the track that goes around the ship. Our boat had a small viewing area on the front of the boat, so I shot a bit from that also. I did a bit from the top of the ship, but not much.
Finally, I used AI (Gemini specifically) to find out what and where to shoot as well as where the best spots on the boat are. The advice was pretty good and very fast and easy to get.
Just got back. My 24-90 was in for service, so I took a 35mm and a 75mm. I wish I had the 24-90 with me . If you go to Skagway, do the train. The 24-120 should be on your Z8 full time. It's a great lens.
LEICA SL2APO-SUMMICRON-SL 1:2/35 ASPH. lens35mmf/11.01/125s100 ISO0.0 EV
gregfountain wrote:
If you go to Skagway, do the train. The 24-120 should be on your Z8 full time. It's a great lens.
In fact I am going to Skagway and I am taking the train. It was kind of an impulse decision so I’m glad to hear good things about it. Most of my photography in Alaska in the past was on days off from video shoots. I just brought a 15, 35-70, and 90 and always felt like it was a good mix of lens size and weight. Ultimately I think I ditched the 15 because of weight. I figured the 24-120 gets me that in one lens.
The White Pass Railroad in Skagway is very good. If you end up in Juneau, see if you can get on a wildlife tour with Gasteneau Guiding; they did a fantastic job and we saw quite a few whales.
Been on over a dozen Alaskan cruises, mostly Celebrity.
RoamingScott I agree with his kit. Maybe add a wide prime, especially if you go to Hubbard (pray for blue sky) and for around the ship. I think I used a 40mm, but I also had a Q3 43 with me. Also with your long lenses, you will get tired of taking pictures of Bald Eagles...
Also, from Skagway the train is great but if you can they may still have jeep rental tour, Skagway to Carcross, Yukon. Done that a few times. Just great, AND you can get a picture OF the train across the valley, plus stops multiple time. Opportunity to see Mountain Goats if you have good eyes and binocs.
. If you go to Skagway, do the train. The 24-120 should be on your Z8 full time. It's a great lens.
