What lens to bring in a cruise?

It really comes down to what kind of photos you want to take. If you want photography of the streets and shops in st. Thomas you might find a 35mm way too long. If you're shooting birds on the same island, you'll find a 400 on the same island too short! I think it all depeneds on your goals. If your goals are to take some snapshots to remember the vacation then pack a G7X or RX100 ii/iii. If you want professional quality photos, then bring professional gear, and accept the burden that comes with carrying it. Bouncing flash inside a cruise ship is completely doable, but will get you some looks for sure. Not using a flash and using something like your 35L will yeild a lot of shots with properly exposed, motion blur free, poor lit photos.

The last cruise I took I brought my 70D, 50 1.4 and 18-135 STM. I found off the ship, I kept only the 18-135 on and in many places it was both too narrow or too short for the shot I wanted. Now, don't get me wrong it got 80% of the shots I wanted, but there were some on both ends I'd want wider or longer. Additionally, there were shots I wanted to take with a tripod and long exposure, but I didn't bring one. However, I don't regret not bringing a longer lens in the least. I don't regret not bringing my 10-18, but only because it wasn't released then. I actually was shopping for a UWA in St. Thomas and found out the prices weren't anything close to special and the selection sucks.

If I were to do it all over again, I'd likely buy and bring either a RX100 iii or a G7X. I could have gotten 80% of the shots I took with either of those and had a lot less camera hassle.

I used my 5dmk2 and olympus OMD em5 as a two body setup. It was and absolutely incredible combo with excellent quality with very little compromise...except lugging more weight.

For my Alaska cruise i was more interested in my family documentation. I used my 16-35 and Olympus with 28mm and 50mm equivalent primes for the most part. When it came to inside the ship I shot primarily primes and achieve fantastic quality. Outdoor on the ship if you use flash you can bounce off the ship and get literally Studio quality photos bouncing flash!!!!

this is the kinda quality my micro 4/3 gives me with a prime!! (please excuse the compression)

IMAGE LINK: http://s378.photobucke​t.com …ay_2012/P524008​8.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s378.photobucke​t.com …ay_2012/IMG_046​9.jpg.html

My philosophy is go big or go small, not inbetween. If I see doing a lot of photography on a trip, I take a full assortment of lenses as well as a couple of cameras, filters and tripod. If it's more a family outing, then I just put my X100 into my pocket and I'm all set.

One of these:

http://www.ebay.com …2a241e525f#ht_2​111wt_1089

I am ENTIRELY joking.

King of Canada wrote in post #17271342
One of these:

http://www.ebay.com …2a241e525f#ht_2​111wt_1089

I am ENTIRELY joking.

Not joking - do they make one of those (a right-angle attachment) for my 70-300L. It seems that such a device would be useful for "babewatching".

545iBMW wrote in post #17269626
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?

P&S cameras are awesome for vacations I set mine op to be fast pull shoot put away. I always take a gorilla pod that works on my sony rx100 and kind of works on my x-100s. I will be getting the next size up when I have a chance. The M seems like an interesting camera but with the 17-40 it is no longer compact. Anyway sounds like you have that worked out to your liking. I would only bring a tripod if I knew I had the time and was planning on doing some photos that could not be done without one.

Tripod on cruise ships is like putting a vibrating massager on your camera The ship's engine may cause issues with sharpness.

Thinking of camera usage do yourself a favor and consider buying a spider holster. Throw the camera on your hip with no strap or at least rubber band it into a roll.

All I say is I have zero regrets lugging my heavier gear to document professional photos of my family during a holiday. Throwing my dslr on my hip with a 24L or 16-35 as a walk around really covered alot of ground. I actually used my eldest as a camera holder I let her use my Olympus em-5 with either 28 or 50mm equiv prime and in good light that camera produces image quality easily equiv to a canon T5i rebel but smaller.

All depends on your level of image quality you "demand".

AlanU wrote in post #17271674
Tripod on cruise ships is like putting a vibrating massager on your camera The ship's engine may cause issues with sharpness.

Thinking of camera usage do yourself a favor and consider buying a spider holster. Throw the camera on your hip with no strap or at least rubber band it into a roll.

All I say is I have zero regrets lugging my heavier gear to document professional photos of my family during a holiday. Throwing my dslr on my hip with a 24L or 16-35 as a walk around really covered alot of ground. I actually used my eldest as a camera holder I let her use my Olympus em-5 with either 28 or 50mm equiv prime and in good light that camera produces image quality easily equiv to a canon T5i rebel but smaller.

All depends on your level of image quality you "demand".

Yes, but cruises hit port an awful lot and there are some wonderful sunsets that cannot be taken without a tripod.

Hogloff wrote in post #17271752
Yes, but cruises hit port an awful lot and there are some wonderful sunsets that cannot be taken without a tripod.

ok..your right

AlanU wrote in post #17271674
Tripod on cruise ships is like putting a vibrating massager on your camera The ship's engine may cause issues with sharpness.

Thinking of camera usage do yourself a favor and consider buying a spider holster. Throw the camera on your hip with no strap or at least rubber band it into a roll.

All I say is I have zero regrets lugging my heavier gear to document professional photos of my family during a holiday. Throwing my dslr on my hip with a 24L or 16-35 as a walk around really covered alot of ground. I actually used my eldest as a camera holder I let her use my Olympus em-5 with either 28 or 50mm equiv prime and in good light that camera produces image quality easily equiv to a canon T5i rebel but smaller.

All depends on your level of image quality you "demand".

Hi Alan. I have been grip-less, strap-less and most of the time, hood-less for a long long time! I also bought a Peak Design clip system and since then, I have been shooting more. If only Canon had FF in a SL1 or A7 form factor, it would be my next camera.

I'm looking for a good travel camera as well. I'd love to bring a FF body and a selection of lenses however I'm a little concerned about making myself a target in some areas, hence looking for a pocketable camera that can make some decent photos.

Hogloff wrote in post #17271752
Yes, but cruises hit port an awful lot and there are some wonderful sunsets that cannot be taken without a tripod.

yes, those small folding $10 targus tripods work !

(with Tamron 17-50)

tristanic wrote in post #17338890
I'm looking for a good travel camera as well. I'd love to bring a FF body and a selection of lenses however I'm a little concerned about making myself a target in some areas, hence looking for a pocketable camera that can make some decent photos.

The Canon EOS M w/ 22mm f/2 pancake lens can be found for around $300. Add the EF-M 18-55mm IS lens for about $100, and you have a pretty versatile and very compact travel setup for around $400. I can fit those items, plus a Speedlight 270EX, CPL filter, extra battery and battery charger in this small travel case by Case Logic. The EOS M + 22mm pancake will fit in a coat pocket or larger pants pocket, and the 18MP APS-C sensor is very similar to the sensor in the 7D DSLR.

545iBMW wrote in post #17265303
Besides wildlife (or bikini clad ladies which I won't be taking any pics), is there any other reason why I should get a long lens?

Even if you're not into a wildlife, a telephoto is a must have on a cruise ship. While cruising (actually in motion), you might be anywhere from 1/4 mile from shore to completely in open ocean depending on your itinerary. Even 1/4 mile off shore will leave you with mostly water in your frame at 35mm - any island, mountain, building or landmark will be lost in the water and sky.

But, for shots inside the ship or in ports you might be able to get by with a 35.

If it were me, I'd be packing a UWA zoom, fast prime in your focal length of choice and an f4-5.6 telephoto zoom (70-200, 70-300, 100-400, etc).