Going to Hawaii and Alaska need Help

[MJM]

Hi All:
This is my first post. I have read and tried to learn from others at P.O.T.N., so here goes.. I am new to the slr format. I purchased a Canon 30D 1 week ago and I can't wait until I know what I'm doing!:confused: I will be attending my first son's wedding in Hawaii (Oct) and will be going on a cruise with my husband to Alaska (Sept). Do I need filters for these different conditions? Quite a debate on P.O.T.N... "to filter or not to filter" that is the question...very clear. The many answers are what got me confused! If yes, which type (s) is/are suggested? The lenses I'm going to be using will be Canon EF s 17-85 with Canon hood and possibly Canon EF 75-300. My other photo experience was with point and shoot cameras. I want to graduate to a higher level of "hobby" photography so all comments will be much appreciated. Thanks MJM

[allanc]

A circular polarizer will make your shots in Hawaii and Alaska even more stunning.

[calicokat]

I'd suggest a wide angle lens, maybe the 10-22. You will be seeing some great landscapes

[Denny G]

While in Hawaii I used my wide angle about 95% of the time. I have a Canon EF 20-35 2.8 L, it is on older discontinued lens. Using this lens and a Canon circular polarizer I was very happy with my shots. Use your EFS 17-85 while in Hawaii

While in Alaska (also on a cruise and also in September) I took my wide angle, my 50mm 1.4 and my EF 70-300 4.5 - 5.6 DO IS. I used the 50mm mostly around the ship and used the 70-300 the rest of the time (also with the polarizer). Use your 75-300 in Alaska.

Filters. Yes mention filters on this forum and you will hear a lot of Yes and No's. They are mainly talking UV, Sky and Haze filters. My opinion is don't buy these. However when you are really into photography you may want to look at color filters. If you are on Maui while in Hawaii visit The Eclectic Image Gallery. Or, just check out their web site at http://www.eclecticimage.com/. You will get an eye opener as to what filters can do.

So, for your trips, I think you are all set, except buy a Polarizer and maybe a 50mm lens. But the most important purchase should be a Storm Jacket for your camera. It rained two out of the five days we were in Hawaii and it rained everyday of our seven day cruise to Alaska. (not all day mind you but it did rain).

Denny

[MJM]

Thanks alanc, calikokat, and Denny! I have been busy at work so am jut now reading your responses. Circular polarizer sounds good to me. If I get up the nerve I will post some of my pics for critique. MJM

[MJM]

Hi All, Where would I buy a storm jacket for my camera? Is that what they are called? Also, what brand filters do you like to use? Is the thin kind (5mm or less)preferable? Should I be concerned with whether or not I get threads on the front of the filter? OMG! I'm drowning in available choices! I know now for sure I am a Newbie in good standing. Thanks MJM

[Denny G]

Try this web site:

http://www.stormjacket.com/

[NetDep]

Hi - Just back from an Alaska cruise (FANTASTIC time and will post pictures as soon as I am brave enough) and learned a couple of things (1) Get a RainJacket and I will be ordering one when I get home today - not a LOT of rain but enough to be irritating and thankfully one of the other folks had a small bag to loan me - during an awesome eagle shoot so I would have probably either damaged my camera or missed shots otherwise (2) Get a spare lens cap (and a lens hood) or get a little bungie thing - when taking off the lens cap (for above eagle shoot) on the rocking small boat for the photo safari I dropped the cap and rather than "follow it down" I chose to let it go off the bow of the boat and get the shot (3) PRACTICE with the camera before leaving - I bought my Rebel XT new for the cruise and glad I at least played with it a little - gave me the courage to play with the shutter and got a good "cotton candy" shot of a waterfall (and knew how to put in "sports" mode for following the eagles down to the water in continuous mode) - out of over a 1,000 snaps I must say I am quite pleased with about 10 - and that I am happy with and (4) GLAD I bought a backpack - when I bought the camera I bought a shoulder bag with it (like everyone else I think) then when I thought about the trip got just the cheap Canon backpack - IT WENT EVERYWHERE with me and I really have fallen in love with it - carried camera gear - passports - a snack - and all the extras to make life quite comfy during the excursions. I would do another cruise in a minute - and more excursions - have learned a lot reading POTN and learned A WHOLE LOT on the cruise. I am sure I will bore you all with more stuff - but for now - SNAP SAFE!! Thanks, Tim.

[Denny G]

Hi Tim. Glad you enjoyed Alaska. We did, and we are going back next year.

What ship were you on?

The Storm Jacket is one of the best things I've bought for my camera (Canon 20D). Two weeks ago we were in Sedona Az. On the second day we took a jeep tour with bad looking clouds. The jeep driver kept saying that the rainy season wasn't due for another month. Guess what? It started to rain and rain hard with lightning. I had my Storm Jacket attached to the outside of my backpack. I put it on my camera. Then got into my back pack for our plastic ponchos. The other people on the tour were looking at us like we must be nuts for carrying rain gear in a dry arid area. We stayed dry, they didn't. More important I kept right on taking pictures.

There are more rain protection for cameras other than the Storm Jacket. Take a look around and see what suits your way of shooting.

Denny