What would you bring onboard a Caribbean cruise?

I am going on a one week cruise in the Caribbean in March and I am debating what photo gear to bring with me. You can se my options below. I also have a Zeiss ZE 35 f/2 coming this week. My first thought was to bring the 5D and the 7D, the 24-105 and the new ZE 35. Would you recommend something different. Do I need 2 bodies? I plan to shoot everything

If you intend to shoot everything, take everything

Seriously, if you're going to pursue your hobby whilst aboard, you don't want to risk losing any opportunities.

David

I'd bring a Powershot G9 - G12 and a plastic underwater housing or dive bag that fits it. Get a lensmate and a good high quality Circular Polarizer too for those awesome beach shots with clear water and no glare.

Woodworker wrote in post #11703779
If you intend to shoot everything, take everything

Seriously, if you're going to pursue your hobby whilst aboard, you don't want to risk losing any opportunities.

David

I agree with woodworker. I'd take it all. If it were me, and I didn't take it all, I'd be in the middle of the ocean wishing I'd have brought it all. Just make sure everything is insured to the hilt. Better to be safe than sorry. MTC

bsmotril wrote in post #11703806
I'd bring a Powershot G9 - G12 and a plastic underwater housing or dive bag that fits it. Get a lensmate and a good high quality Circular Polarizer too for those awesome beach shots with clear water and no glare.

Yes, I plan to bring my point and shoot with underwater housing. But I also need some "real stuff". I will not bring everything. Remember I will have to carry this as carry on luggage, and the Sigma 100-300mm is heavy. Perhaps I will also bring the 10-22mm. Then I will have a UWA lens for both the 7D and the 5D, and use the 24-105mm on both.

Good tip about the CP filter, maybe even a graduated ND filter?

Always tempting to take everything but weight restrictions can make life tricky.

I would probs take the 7D for the extra reach (and to use 10-22) and leave the 5D. I would then take the Sig 30 as great for light light shots and the 24-105 for general walkaround.

I don't know the Sig 100-300 with regards to weight but guess taking that would come down to whether you expect good wildlife opps whilst there (i.e birds, dolphins and the like from onboard).

Yes, I could leave the 5D at home, but I would like it for those indoor evening shots. Weightwise the 5D is light compared to the 100-300. Would you bring a monopod or a tripod?

celter wrote in post #11704050
Yes, I could leave the 5D at home, but I would like it for those indoor evening shots. Weightwise the 5D is light compared to the 100-300. Would you bring a monopod or a tripod?

True enough the 5D will be light and a backup body is always good. Also forgot you mentioned getting the Zeiss but I would still like the Sig 30 for AF and low light.

As for Mono vs Tripod I am in a similiar situation with regards to trip to Egypt in April. My thinking is that Mono will not help for real low light/long exposure stuff and am not expecting the light to be so bad that I need assistance of Mono that I do sometimes when out in Germany. Also when on holiday do not expect to stand around as much where Mono takes weight off me.

Therefore I am leaving it to the last minute to see if I can fit Tripod in suitcase without the other half needing to leave some clothes at home, otherwise I will make do without.

The gear you mentioned isn't that much. I'd bring it all.

SeanH wrote in post #11704152
The gear you mentioned isn't that much. I'd bring it all.

The gear I mentioned in my suggestion or all of it?

celter wrote in post #11703726
I am going on a one week cruise in the Caribbean in March and I am debating what photo gear to bring with me. You can se my options below. I also have a Zeiss ZE 35 f/2 coming this week. My first thought was to bring the 5D and the 7D, the 24-105 and the new ZE 35. Would you recommend something different. Do I need 2 bodies? I plan to shoot everything

If you are traveling alone and if the trip's purpose is to find things to photograph, take your entire kit.

If you are going with a significant other and/or the purpose of the trip is to have fun (assuming the significant other isn't "into" photography the way you are), then I would leave the heavy/bulky camera equipment at home except for a really good point-n-shoot camera to use for the holiday snapshots.

It is the latter. We are 2 couples travelling together and the others are not interested in photography. However, I am, and I will not go with only a point and shoot camera. Why should I? It will be a great opportunity to take some nice shots. We will also travel to Key West and Naples the week following the cruise. That will give me a lot of sunsets !

sunscreen, floppy hat, bathing suit, hot woman and then you can think about your camera.....oh....I forgot dramamine, cuz you don't want to throw up on your camera or the hot woman.

Bring a strong sense of financial restraint.

Just about every shorline excursion you can buy on board the cruise ship can be bought for a fraction of the price down at the docks.

My wife and I each paid about 75 bucks (plus we rented snorkling gear) for a three-hour tour (a three hour tour).

My brother-in-law followed us with his fiance, and for 20 bucks he and she got on the same small boat (which had plenty of snorkling gear for guests).

Arg!