What lens to bring in a cruise?

It depends on what you already have and what you like to photograph. What cruise are you taking, and what shore excursions are you planning? None of this information is in your original post. As a veteran of about 15 cruises, I suggest an ultra-wide for ship interiors, a wide-to-short telephoto for general purpose photography both on and off the ship, and a longer telephoto for ship details and any other object you want to zoom in on.

On a recent cruise, I took all five of the lenses in my signature, but never used the 10-22. In its place I used my Rokinon fisheye and de-fished its images when necessary. On my 70D I used mostly my 15-85, 8mm fisheye, and 70-300L. I used my 70-300L more than usual because my shore excursions included the San Diego Zoo.

I would take, in order of priority, my 15-85, 8mm fisheye (or 10-22), and 70-300L for my crop-sensor 70D. For pool-photograph and snorkeling, consider an underwater camera, such as my Olympus TG-2.

Heya,

Based on your experience, just take the 5D3 with 17-40 and 35L. 17-40 for all day every day. 35L for the low light night time stuff. But then again, is that the best time to have a heavy SLR toting around? Kind of annoying, especially if your lady friend wants to dance or something. Can't help but suggest you learn to use your EOS-M a little more. It can do most of what you're going to shoot on that trip, and the little 22 F2 is fine in low light. Yea, it's not a fast to focus system, but it's easy-mode to use, small, inexpensive, yet produces really great images that are high enough quality for wall hanging if you put even an ounce of effort into the comp/exposure.

Very best,

Full frame and 35 L will make a good choice for a cruise ship. Perfect for low light indoor group shots and wide enough to capture some of the scenery.

some combination of:

1 if FF is a must: 5D3 w/24-70II
2 if FF is not a must: 70D w/? - best flexibility = ef-s 18-200
3 fuji X100s (or t?)
4 a smaller sensor camera, I keep a G12 around - when small, flexible & unobtrusive are all important.

35mm is still not wide enough for me.

If your primarily shooting on the ship only you do not really need a long lens. Even the 85L would be a stretch. The 85L would certainly give you some great photos but very likely extremely low in % of photos over the entire trip. "IF" your shooting mostly on the ship I used my 24Lmk2 and 16-35Lmk2 alot. If your going to the "shows" you may find you'd want a longer lens but again it'd be a low % of photos.

Recently I had a new A7s in my hands.......locally one of the rare camera's in stock in any store. I didn't pull the trigger but the temptation was unbelievable. My micro 4/3 no longer meets my high iso demands. But I'll have to admit my last trip my Olympus OMD EM-5 (with 25 f/1.4, 50mm equiv) was a great companion to my 5dmk2.

I never travel light. Never going places that are unsafe and having good camera bags means I'll have the gear for the shot I want to take. (almost always)

For the day trips on land I would bring my:

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

and for the museums or night time on the boat I would bring my:

Canon PowerShot S120

If I just have to have a SLR on the trip and I'm "traveling light" then I carry at least the:

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Big camera, big bag, expensive lenses invites thieves.

We were on an Alaskan cruise this summer, and while on board the ship I used either a 40mm pancake or 16-35 f/4L IS on a 5D3 for everything, except for using a 7D + 100-400L to shoot wildlife and close ups of glaciers. I also brought along a 270EX Speedlite -- it's nice and compact for travel. I didn't own an EOS M then, but I would probably have brought it along and used it with the 22mm pancake in place of the 40mm pancake on the 5D3, based on my use of it over the past couple months.

For the shore excursions, it really depends on what you plan on doing as to whether you will need a telephoto. The 100-400L was critical for me there because we were looking for wildlife in Denali and taking a couple of whale watching excursions, but otherwise my 24-105L was my most used lens on land, followed by the 16-35L.

Based on that, I would think that your 35L and 17-40L would probably be adequate.

Where's the cruise too?
I just got back from a week long cruise and couldn't imagine what you would need a 70-200 for unless it was an Alaskan cruise. If I had your equipment it would be the 24-70L and 35L for night.

Depends where you are traveling.. For a Caribbean cruise I'd be doing quite a bit if partying, then the lightest kit possible (6d/ no grip, 24-105 in my case) and leave it in the bag when you go party at night. Now if it's an Alaskan cruise, light kit plus a crop sensor and the longest lens you've got (for glacier panos and wildlife).

On our last cruise (10 day Carribbean), I took my 40D with the 28-135 and my 70-200 f/4. For carry-around when touring the islands we stopped at, I had them in my TT Turnstyle sling bag. Easy carry & I had my range covered.

Thank you guys. Sorry, forgot to mention, this will be a Caribbean cruise.
I already have a waterproof P&S and a S110 that I plan to bring with the 5D3/lens. I just realized why I was able to get lots of keepers with my 35L when we went to NYC last Christmas. It was great for environmental portraits which the 85L can't reproduce.

In addition to the P&S, I think I made up my mind and bring the 5D3 + 35L and EOS M + 17-40L when I want something really light.

Last question, should I bring a tripod, monopod or both?

I just did a cruise to the Caribbean and only had my 5D2 and 24-105 and a 600EX, and a gorilla pod. I was not wanting for more other than like 2 times. And even than it was not that big of a let down that i didn't have more with me.

Honestly, I would not want to bring any prime lenses with me. The spaces are small and full of stuff. I think you will find you dont have room to do the foot zoom. And where there is room, something will be in the way.

Mark1 wrote in post #17269661
I just did a cruise to the Caribbean and only had my 5D2 and 24-105 and a 600EX, and a gorilla pod. I was not wanting for more other than like 2 times. And even than it was not that big of a let down that i didn't have more with me.

Honestly, I would not want to bring any prime lenses with me. The spaces are small and full of stuff. I think you will find you dont have room to do the foot zoom. And where there is room, something will be in the way.

Thank you. Do you think F/4 and a flash would be sufficient?

It was for me. For safety, the boat never gets that dark. There is always light coming from somewhere. I took the 600 but I don't think I ever used it.