Going to Alaska

I used search and did not find my answer. I am going to Alaska in lato June. We are making the normal trek to Danali. I haven't done much landscape. I will be taking my 7D. My only L lens is the 70-200 2.8 mk 2. Lens suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You might want to consider the Sigma 17-70 “Art”. See https://www.adorama.co​m …osk.html?Catego​ryID=60933. I suggest you get it from Adorama, as they have a good price and include the Sigma dock for tweaking the lens. If you pick the configuration carefully “Accessory bundle” the price doesn’t go up and they throw in some stuff like a polarizer, lens cleaning stuff, etc. The stuff isn’t the best of quality in comparison to a $100 polarizer, but something is better than nothing. Actually when I bought my “kit”, I was surprised at the quality as compared to some smaller Hoya premium polarizers that I have.

If you want critters, a longer lens might be helpful too.

How are you traveling around? If you are in a bus, you won't have room to swing anything longer than a 200 unless you open the window (if it opens) and then you'll block the view of everyone behind you. If you taking tours such as whale watching, a 500 mm lens is nice and even avoids the need to be "in front" to get a nice shot.

Some shots here: https://www.flickr.com …s/7215763462934​7684/page1 As the images are geotagged, you can see where I was when I took the shot.

We are taking the Danali tour from cruise line. (Pre cruise) it is kind of a 2 day trip. I have a 2x in bag but have not used it much. I can't afford 500 mm L glass. Any acceptable options?

I can't afford 500 mm L glass, either

I used (and still use) a Bigma (Sigma 50-500 with image stabilization). Consider Lensrental.com or Borrowlenses.com as well. It will cost a little more, but arrange to get it several days before your trip so you can see if it is working properly and get used to using it. You'll find it useful during the cruise as well- seals sitting on ice, sea otters, birds, bears on shore, etc.

If you must have a long lens, and I personally believe a 500mm might be a bit on the too long side, consider renting from lensrentals.com. You can probably get something for the short term a a very reasonable price.

Now, I said 500 might be too long and I say that based on my Alaska travels which did not include Denali. But looking over my trip pictures I see the longest I used was around 250mm with a zoom on a 60D. That was a few bald eagles in the top of a pine tree. Denali may have altogether different wildlife.

Enjoy the trip, make sure you pack some stuff to protect the camera, etc. from rain which is quite common.

John from PA wrote in post #18822319
If you must have a long lens, and I personally believe a 500mm mioght be a bit on the too long side, consider renting from lensrentals.com. You can probably get something for the short term a a very reasonable price.

Now, I said 500 might be too long and I say that based on my Alaska travels which diod not include Denali. But lookig over my trip pictures I see the longest I used was around 250mm with a zoom on a 60D. That was a few bald eagles in the top of a pine tree. Denali may have altogether different wildlife.

Enjoy the trip, make sure you pack some stuff to protect the camera, etc. from rain which is quite common.

Interesting how experiences differ. There were times I wished for more than 500 mm.
Denali has caribou, mountain goats, marmots, bears, moose. Also nice landscapes. I found the 500 useful to get the one shot at the mountain before the clouds rolled in.
I was switching lenses to get both animals and landscapes.

I appreciate all your information. We are excited. Most of my photo experience is youth sports.(lately u10 hockey) So i am nervous about the landscape and wildlife. Much practice this spring.

Was in Africa last summer and used a 17-55 f2.8 and 100-400 MkII on a 7D body and was happy with that combination. But, I could see that Alaska on a cruise might need more reach than 400mm on the long side.

Not saying these were the best quality but I used an 18-135 on a 60D and also carried a 70D with Sigma 150-500 mounted on it. These focal lengths covered a great span and was shooting constantly with one or the other.Not having to change lenses was good. They are also light in weight. Sure, I would have liked to owned L glass but then I wouldn't have been in Alaska two times.
Alaska is a paradise for photography IMO, Denali is truly "the Great Land".
There will be Wildlife and Landscapes that are too far, then in a few minutes both may be too close.
I have a 120 -300 Sport, love the lens but would not want the weight in Denali.

If you are on a tour bus they may turn around at mile 52, try to go as far as you can. I was on a tour bus that did this so I opted to get off and catch a green park bus that took me to Wonder Lake at mile 82, was a good decision. Weather and time kept us from going further, mid Sept so that morning no snow but by that evening Mountains were snow covered.

Consider lenses that will cover a wide focal range, your 70 -200 is a very good lens but I think you will find it too long and too short much of the time. While on the bus in Denali you will not be wanting to change lenses often or have too much gear as it will likely be crowded.

We’ve only addressed the OP’s question concerning lenses, but to those here that have done Denali, is a monopod beneficial, especially if the OP rents something out in that 400 to 500mm range?

John from PA wrote in post #18822574
We’ve only addressed the OP’s question concerning lenses, but to those here that have done Denali, is a monopod beneficial, especially if the OP rents something out in that 400 to 500mm range?

I have been on an Alaskan cruise twice, and each time also spent a week on a similar land tour that the OP is doing. I brought a monopod with me the 2nd time, and found it very useful when taking whale watching excursions out of Juneau and Ketchikan. Those were the only times I used it, though.

As for equipment, on our last trip I brought along a 5D3, 7D, 16-35mm f/4L, 24-105L, 100-400L and 40mm f/2.8 pancake. I also brought a tripod, which I used mostly around Denali. This trip encompassed the week long cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver, preceded by a land tour around Denali and Wrangell - St. Elias national parks.

Scott, that is or is similar to our trip. We spend the night at Danali. Are there suggestions for photo locations once there? Better to buy Sigma or Tamron super tele or rent L glass?(if I won lottery moot point)

williambeeler wrote in post #18822659
Scott, that is or is similar to our trip. We spend the night at Danali. Are there suggestions for photo locations once there? Better to buy Sigma or Tamron super tele or rent L glass?(if I won lottery moot point)

We stayed at two different places around Denali over three nights on our last trip. We went through Princess Cruise line -- not sure which you are using. From their Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge I was able to get some great shots of the mountain, including some at sunrise around 3am (I was the only person outside shooting then). The other lodge nearer to the entrance to the national park doesn't offer much in the way of views from the lodge, which is in a little town.

Within the park, you will be at the mercy of the bus and what unfolds during your trip. Hopefully you are taking the longer bus ride into the park -- the first time we were there, we went a shorter distance into the park and did not see as much. From our more recent trip in 2014, I was able to capture some great views of the mountain towards the far end of the bus trip. Here is one that I enlarged:

The OP seemed to be interested in landscape so that is why I think he needs something much wider than the 70 - 200, and if Wildlife is an interest, that time of year it may be too short.

A monopod is very useful, I had mine on constantly with the 150-500. It not only helps to steady the camera for shots but I found it easier to carry my camera on the bus and be at the ready.
A tripod is nice to have but they are not welcome in many areas, bus, ship, train or excursions. Not saying they can't be used but you have to be careful and some places they are forbidden. My 18-135 on the 60D was on a rapid strap, very useful.

Now as to Wildlife there is no correct answer, the time of year and weather will have a lot to do with that. Scott didn't have much luck in the park, I how ever shot Grizzly, caribou and many Moose with the 18-135. Saw over a hundred Moose, many Grizzly, Dall Sheep. Weather was bad, well into Sept, so the bears were feeding heavy at lower elevations. Moose were rutting and stopped traffic for 30 minutes at one point. In June this will not be happening. I did not see" the mountain" because of weather, 3 days and no Denali showed for me. It was a trade off, bad weather equals lots of Wildlife, good weather = good Landscape and maybe a great shot of the Mt.