Alaska. a cruise. i am going on

[Billginthekeys]

Okay, so i am officially going on an alaskan cruise this summer . anyway, i wanted to know everyones thoughts on what to take. I have till middle of june, and i plan on getting some stuff between now and then so lets see what we can figure out.
for those interested this is the cruise im taking: http://www.rssc.com/voyage/details.jsp?code=MAR070613

Anway. I plan on buying my MKIIN before the trip. so im putting that on the list for sure.

of what i have heres what i plan on taking for sure:
20D (probably leave the BG at home)
17-40
24-105
400 5.6
300 2.8 + extenders.
580EX
all packed neatly in my nature trekker

Here are my other thoughts:
-the aforementioned mkIIN
-a ultrawide angle lens. i am torn between the 10-20/22 sigma/canon and the 12-24 sigma. On the one hand the 10-20/22 is less expensive, more compact, and take front filters. on the other hand the 12-24 works on full frame, so i could use it on my MKIIN or any other body for that matter.
-Tripods!! i currently have my manfrotto, and it does a nice job as a compact travel job, but i kind of want to order up my 1325 and wimberly II. while on the ship it wont be in the way, and when i go on shore it could be useful.
-storage. i will have my laptop with me so i will probably buy a portable external hard drive and back up on dvd.
-1.4x extender. i will buy it so i can have maximum reach on my 300 2.8 stacked with the 2X on the 1D.
-a macro lens? ive never been to alaska, anything worth getting a macro for. if not ill probably just bring along my 50 and tubes for fun.
-my other thoughts were about taking a 100-400 (borrowed from a friend) and leaving the 70-200 and 400 prime home. i feel it might work better as a second lens on the 20D while the 300 is on the 1D.

If anyone has any comments to make on any of my thoughts, or anything about alaska itself that i have not mentioned. Any comments at all are appreciated.

[Permagrin]

on ship, you might consider a monopod vs. a tripod...

[SYS]

You completely forgot to mention both CPL and G/ND filters...

Also, I like the idea of replacing 70-200 and 400 prime with 100-400 (for whale watching and such)...

[Billginthekeys]

Originally Posted by Permagrin

on ship, you might consider a monopod vs. a tripod...

ohh, i forgot, im definitly taking my CF monopod. but i really enjoyed having my tripod for night shots on my last cruise, and once you are on the ship it doesnt get in the way, unlike moving from hotel to hotel.

Originally Posted by SYS

You completely forgot to mention both CPL and G/ND filters...

Also, I like the idea of replacing 70-200 and 400 prime with 100-400 (for whale watching and such)...

ohh yes, i forgot all about that. i think i am ready to spring for a real Lee filter system. what all do i need to get for a good setup? mainly for landscapes on my 17-40, and whatever UWA i end up getting.

[SYS]

Originally Posted by Billginthekeys

ohh yes, i forgot all about that. i think i am ready to spring for a real Lee filter system. what all do i need to get for a good setup? mainly for landscapes on my 17-40, and whatever UWA i end up getting.

If you want the all Lee filter set up, then get the following:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=277329

While I have no problem with the quality part of the set up, I was furious at having to pay what appeared to be 20-30x the actual manuafacturing cost for the UWA adapter (take a look for yourself in the above link and tell me whether that circular thingy with a big hole is worth paying $79.99 or whatever the heck I paid for) and the holder.... Now, if you can stomach that, then the question is where to get the set up.

If you order it (like I did) from the 2filters.com, then you'll be waiting for about 2 weeks or longer only to learn that they backordered the Lee set up from..... ding ding ding ding ding... Hollywood, CA! (Hint: order the set up directly from the Lee company here if you'd like to see your package sooner):

http://www.leefiltersusa.com/

If you're not willing to pay for that little circular adapter thingy and that practic holder thingy at such outrageous prices, then I'd suggest that you go with a cheaper HiTech (price-wise, that is) set up that I've heard nothing but good things about. Hope this helps.

[Jon]

If you're going to have the 300 and 1.4xTC, why take the 400? And I don't think I'd want to swap out the 70-200 2.8 for the 100-400. With the 70-200 and 300 you've got f/2.8 basically out to 300 mm and f/4 beyond that. You're at around f/5.6 with the 100-400 there. The AF of the 1D will handle it - but you'll want shutter speed while you're on shipboard as there's also the slow motion of the ship to deal with.

Unless you're nowhere near leaving the 20D out of your equipment list, I'd say to go for the Sigma 12-24. Added bonus is that it's even wider on the 1D than on the 20D, so you're covered if one or the other body goes down.

[Richard_Miami]

What ship? Maybe I can give you some specific guidance, I have been on a LOT of them.

For shipboard work, you will need WIDE - I am sure you already know this, but there are a lot of great photo ops with very restricted working room.. even on the mega-ships.

GO CANES (I am actually wearing a green and orange HURRICANES shirt as I type.. LOL)

[angryhampster]

If you're looking for reliable portable storage, pick up a Nexto CF:

http://www.nextodi.com/english/02product/ultra.html

I had one on my India trip and it worked fantastic. I stored about 10gb of pics while overseas.

[Bushplane Ken]

Last August my Wife and I did the Alaskan cruise thing (Sapphire Princess). We had a great time; so much so, that we are likely to do it again in the summer of 2008. Friends who have seen my photos are very interested in joining us.

I am relatively new to the digital world. I retired my film gear (Olympus OM-1 & OM-2) in the spring of 2006. So I purchased my digital gear with the cruise in mind. I took the follwoing:
[*]

• Rebel XT with battery grip
• EFS 17-85 IS
• EF 70-200 f/4
• EF 300 f/4 IS
• EF 50 f/1.8
• 430 EX flash
• Epson P2000

My Wife carried our trusty A620. We got lots of great shots from it as well. It is also very handy when you want to do the touristy thing and have someone take your photo.

It would be useful to have an ultrawide. I don't have one so I can't offer an opinion as to which.

Given that you have the 300 f/2.8 and the 70-200 plus extenders; I wonder if the 400 f/5.6 is necessary. Don't forget that you will be lugging this stuff around. I do suggest a 'small' pocket digital such as an A series.

Ken

[Marsellus_Wallace]

Originally Posted by Billginthekeys

of what i have heres what i plan on taking for sure:
20D (probably leave the BG at home)
17-40
24-105
400 5.6
300 2.8 + extenders.
580EX
all packed neatly in my nature trekker

Pretty much ready to go. You seem to me.
Maybe leave out the 400, since it's quite a beast and you already have a 300/2.8 + extenders with you.
Maybe you could throw in a 70-200, but i think you can live without that. For top convenience, get a 100-400 and leave your white rocket launchers home.

-the aforementioned mkIIN
-a ultrawide angle lens. i am torn between the 10-20/22 sigma/canon and the 12-24 sigma. On the one hand the 10-20/22 is less expensive, more compact, and take front filters. on the other hand the 12-24 works on full frame, so i could use it on my MKIIN or any other body for that matter.

Get the Sigma 12-24, it's not bad and not too expensive, and on the 1DN it's the widest motha on the planet. I wouldn't buy a 10-20/22 if I were you, since you've got a 1.3x cam. If you still want to, then go for the 10-22.

-a macro lens? ive never been to alaska, anything worth getting a macro for. if not ill probably just bring along my 50 and tubes for fun.

I don't think a macro lens is worth taking along for your trip, but this is personal. Macro photography is time-consuming and anti-social. You will see few bugs 'n' flowers anyway.

-my other thoughts were about taking a 100-400 (borrowed from a friend) and leaving the 70-200 and 400 prime home. i feel it might work better as a second lens on the 20D while the 300 is on the 1D.

Do you bring some carrying slaves with you, too?
Myself, I'd probably take the 100-400 and leave the primes and tc's home. I'd leave the 400 home any time, if you bring the 300/2.8 and tc's with you.

[Billginthekeys]

[quote=SYS;3063551
If you're not willing to pay for that little circular adapter thingy and that practic holder thingy at such outrageous prices, then I'd suggest that you go with a cheaper HiTech (price-wise, that is) set up that I've heard nothing but good things about. Hope this helps.[/quote]
if heard you can buy the cheaper and more reaily avaliable hitech mounts and everything and use the better Lee filters with them, is this true?

Originally Posted by Jon

If you're going to have the 300 and 1.4xTC, why take the 400? And I don't think I'd want to swap out the 70-200 2.8 for the 100-400. With the 70-200 and 300 you've got f/2.8 basically out to 300 mm and f/4 beyond that. You're at around f/5.6 with the 100-400 there. The AF of the 1D will handle it - but you'll want shutter speed while you're on shipboard as there's also the slow motion of the ship to deal with.

I was thinking of having the 400/ 100-400 in my smaller backpack for lighter hiking days when i wouldnt want to have the big monster on me. But then again you dont go to alaska every day so i think i could tough it out. as for the 70-200, itll probably go. if anything its a question of 100-400 vs 400 vs empty space in the back.

Originally Posted by Jon

Unless you're nowhere near leaving the 20D out of your equipment list, I'd say to go for the Sigma 12-24. Added bonus is that it's even wider on the 1D than on the 20D, so you're covered if one or the other body goes down.

thats my thinking aswell

Originally Posted by Richard_Miami

What ship? Maybe I can give you some specific guidance, I have been on a LOT of them.

For shipboard work, you will need WIDE - I am sure you already know this, but there are a lot of great photo ops with very restricted working room.. even on the mega-ships.

GO CANES (I am actually wearing a green and orange HURRICANES shirt as I type.. LOL)

I am going on the Regent Seven Seas Navigator. I was on its sister ship the Voyager this winter in the Caribean so i am fairly farmiliar with the ship's layout. and yes you are right about the wide part. my 17-40 on my 1D wasnt near wide enough for some stuff on my last trip which is why i definitly plan on the UWA for this one.
Go Canes indeed

[Permagrin]

Bill, it shouldn't be a whole lot different that your last cruise...what did you feel was lacking on that one? That's probably where I'd start anyway...and I agree with the others that maybe take a WA, the 300 w/tc's and the 70-200...those should cover everything you'd need from speed to distance...

[Billginthekeys]

Originally Posted by angryhampster

If you're looking for reliable portable storage, pick up a Nexto CF:

http://www.nextodi.com/english/02product/ultra.html

I had one on my India trip and it worked fantastic. I stored about 10gb of pics while overseas.

thanks ill take a look at it

Originally Posted by Bushplane Ken

Given that you have the 300 f/2.8 and the 70-200 plus extenders; I wonder if the 400 f/5.6 is necessary. Don't forget that you will be lugging this stuff around. I do suggest a 'small' pocket digital such as an A series.

Ken

thanks for the first hand experience. I have several compact cameras by way of my parents so that wont be an issue.

Originally Posted by Marsellus_Wallace

Do you bring some carrying slaves with you, too?
Myself, I'd probably take the 100-400 and leave the primes and tc's home. I'd leave the 400 home any time, if you bring the 300/2.8 and tc's with you.

i personally plan on focusing on nature and birds, eagles being near the top of the list, wherever i can, so i can use all the reach i can get. i even considered renting a 500 F4 but decided against it. Plus, in terms of bulk once i get off the plane and to the room im there for a week and only need to take with me what lenses i need when i need them. But weight is definitly a consideration i need to be consious of.

Thanks for the help all, keep it coming.

[Billginthekeys]

Originally Posted by Permagrin

Bill, it shouldn't be a whole lot different that your last cruise...what did you feel was lacking on that one? That's probably where I'd start anyway...and I agree with the others that maybe take a WA, the 300 w/tc's and the 70-200...those should cover everything you'd need from speed to distance...

yes. thats definitly where im getting a lot of ideas from. I for sure want the UWA this time around because i found too many times when the 17-40 just didnt cut it. I also could use more storage because i was running out of spare space on my laptop. i really didnt use the tripod a lot off of the ship but it was great for sunsets and the like, as well as time exposures, and with a lot of focus on landscape this time around im sure ill want it even more.

[SYS]

Originally Posted by Billginthekeys

if heard you can buy the cheaper and more reaily avaliable hitech mounts and everything and use the better Lee filters with them, is this true?

Actually I was going to suggest that in my earlier message, but I didn't because I had only "overheard" that rather than having the solid facts as to exactly which cheaper set up can work with the Lee filters themselves. So someone else will have to confirm that for ya. You might want to call 2filters.com's 800 number and ask the person directly. They're very good at things like that. If the HiTech or Cokin Z set up works with Lee filters, then you might want to purchase the set up from 2filters.com and Lee filters directly from their Hollywood store.