2020 Alaska Trip - Whales & Other wildlife

I am going to Alaska in 2020, and will be renting a lens for the trip. Currently I am looking for some feedback on a great lens for whales as well as other wildlife... no, I will not be going into the deep wilderness. I prefer Canon L series lenses and am trying to determine what is too much... 300, 400? I prefer prime lenses for many reasons; however, am thinking a zoom might be the best way to go for flexibility. Anyone have any experience with this, in that environment? I will be mainly in costal town areas from Mid-Alaska, south.

My wife and I did an Alaskan cruise in June 2018. As you most excursions were close to coast.

I took two cameras. One had the Canon 24-70 on it exclusively and the other the Canon 100-400 II. They were both ready to go while we were on excursions and I could switch back and forth as needed.

We went whale watching and the 100-400 was great as close whales I could go to 100 to capture and zoom out to whatever I needed to capture more distant whales. And the 24-70 was always close at hand if something was really close.

Enjoy the trip!

bogleric wrote in post #18909488
I am going to Alaska in 2020, and will be renting a lens for the trip. Currently I am looking for some feedback on a great lens for whales as well as other wildlife... no, I will not be going into the deep wilderness. I prefer Canon L series lenses and am trying to determine what is too much... 300, 400? I prefer prime lenses for many reasons; however, am thinking a zoom might be the best way to go for flexibility. Anyone have any experience with this, in that environment? I will be mainly in costal town areas from Mid-Alaska, south.

I've been twice, the last trip had two cameras, one had an 18-135 mounted, the other had the Sig 150-500. Too long won't be a problem most of the time, so in L glass I would want at least the 100-400 ll and something wider for landscapes which are beautiful in every direction.
I used the 150-500 in Denali and had good results, would liked to have had something longer for the sheep that were a long distance away but minutes later had Bull Moose at 50 yards. You have to be ready at all times so I'll vote for zooms every time over a prime lens.
Changing lenses is not something I want to be doing often, esp certain times in Alaska.
I've been there in July, nice weather most of the time but did see rain several times while out shooting. Was there in Sept and had sun, rain, snow and ice, all in one day.
We've made plans to return in May of 2020, Denali being as far North as we will go and I'm now considering gear that I will take. Likely will take most of my cameras and lenses , including a heavy 120-300 2.8 with 2x . Probably take my 150-500 too unless I do some trading before May as it is light and easier to carry onto small boats.
I will take a monopod but no tripod or flash equipment. Air travel there and back is my largest concern as I do not have good connections from where I live, quite limited. Packing will be a challenge but I'd rather go light on packing clothing than camera gear. Once there I can buy an extra jacket if needed but cameras and lenses not the case.
Enjoy your trip above all and I'm sure you will, it's a beautiful place!

bogleric wrote in post #18909488
I am going to Alaska in 2020, and will be renting a lens for the trip. Currently I am looking for some feedback on a great lens for whales as well as other wildlife... no, I will not be going into the deep wilderness. I prefer Canon L series lenses and am trying to determine what is too much... 300, 400? I prefer prime lenses for many reasons; however, am thinking a zoom might be the best way to go for flexibility. Anyone have any experience with this, in that environment? I will be mainly in costal town areas from Mid-Alaska, south.

One lens I would definitely take is the version II of the Canon 100 to 400 lens, L Series. Reason being, it has pretty good macro capabilities, which will come in handy if you are beach combing at all. The zoom range of that lens will cover a great deal of your work, too. It’s sharp enough so that some cropping will still yield good images.

Thanks for all the feedback. I was concerned about too long of a lens or at least not the right capable combinations. This helps a lot. Thanks again!