Dream with me: Alaska cruise, money is no object

[peety3]

Let's imagine you're going to go on an Alaska cruise, and you've got the biggest gift certificate LensRentals has ever seen just burning a hole in your back pocket. Assume that you've got a bag with four 1Dx bodies, or some 1D4 or 1Ds3 if you prefer, along with two gimbal-head tripods, a ball-head tripod, two monopods, and it's a 20-minute drive from your house to the cruise ship terminal (i.e. you don't have to fly, and you aren't limited in baggage count). Figure on a whale-watching expedition and maybe a bear-watching expedition. Oh, and you won't have a sherpa to carry anything for you, but it's OK to mix-and-match lenses depending on what the day's schedule holds.

What would you take?

[Joel Eade]

The latest version of the following lenses:

14mm f/1.4
16-35mm f/2.8
24-70mm f/2.8
100mm f/2.8 macro
70-200mm f/2.8
300mm f/2.8
200-400mm f/4
600mm f/4

Accessories:

2 extra Canon Camera batteries and 2 chargers
1.4 X TC III(2 copies)
2.0 X TC III
12mm and 25mm extension tubes, maybe 2 of each
580 EX II flash (2 copies) and better beamer
16 powerex AA batteries and charger
Lee Big Stopper neutral density filter system and correct lens adapter rings
Cable release
12 32gB high speed Sandisk Compact flash cards
12 32gB usb thumb drives
Card Reader (2 copies)
MacBook Pro with Lightroom and CS6 as well as an external HD for backup
Cleaning kit for lenses and sensor
Rain covers for cameras/lenses
Mulitple dessicant paks to help keep moisture down in the gear cases
2 think tank airport bags and one large "dry bag" for off ship excursions

Just a "quick" list of things that come to mind and not including personal items/clothing. I might expand it if I had to plan for real:D

[peety3]

Why 16-35 if you're already bringing the 14 and the 24-70?
Why 300/2.8 if you're already bringing the 70-200/2.8 and the 200-400/4&1.4?
Any consideration for the Zeiss 15 instead of the 14/2.8?

(And thanks for the input!)

[conropl]

Is there a 14 f/1.4? f/2.8 yes, but 1.4?

[HDNitehawk]

Is there a 14 f/1.4? f/2.8 yes, but 1.4?

You miss the obvious, it is a "dream" cruise

[HDNitehawk]

Why 16-35 if you're already bringing the 14 and the 24-70?
Why 300/2.8 if you're already bringing the 70-200/2.8 and the 200-400/4&1.4?
Any consideration for the Zeiss 15 instead of the 14/2.8?

(And thanks for the input!)

Why bring zooms at all. With that many bodies just put a prime on each one and get a good harness to carry two or three at once.

[conropl]

You miss the obvious, it is a "dream" cruise

Then I want a 14mm f/0.5 and a 1200mm f/1 with appropriate motorize mount so I can move that much wieght around.:rolleyes: Or better yet, a 14-1200mm f/1 constant aperture throughout the zoom range... not possible, but one can dream.:p

[conropl]

Being a little more serious though, I like Joel's list; but I would add:


17 and 24 TSE (24 would be my priority)
24 f/1.4L II (sounds redundant, but I would like to do some night time work)
Lee GND set (reversed, hard and soft versions for each) with holder
Good Polarizer (high end B&W)
Intervolometer... again for night shots and maybe a time laps.
I would like to take some Zeiss just to try them.


Pat

[Joel Eade]

Why 16-35 if you're already bringing the 14 and the 24-70?
Why 300/2.8 if you're already bringing the 70-200/2.8 and the 200-400/4&1.4?
Any consideration for the Zeiss 15 instead of the 14/2.8?

(And thanks for the input!)

The 14mm is for night sky images ie astrophotography (I did mean 2.8, sorry)...Zeiss would be fine just didn't think of it:o
(I was thinking about the 24mm 1.4 I guess)
The 16-35 is general landscape use
The 24-70 for landscape and portraits/other images on the ship.....perfect carry around lens for full frame camera, awesome IQ
The 300/2.8 for flight shots of bald eagles....light, unbelievable IQ, blazing fast AF and perfect length for close in flight shots
The 70-200mm 2.8 just to fill in these focal lengths...too good a lens not to have on the dream trip
The 200-400 f/4 ...perfect for large animals such as whales and bears....a bit heavy for hand held flight shots

Some of these over-lap in function as you mentioned but if you damage or lose one you will have some redundancy and still be able to get the shots.

[peety3]

Being a little more serious though, I like Joel's list; but I would add:


17 and 24 TSE (24 would be my priority)
24 f/1.4L II (sounds redundant, but I would like to do some night time work)
Intervolometer... again for night shots and maybe a time laps.
I would like to take some Zeiss just to try them.



What are you envisioning with the TS17 and/or TS24? I've rented both in the past for other reasons, and they hadn't jumped anywhere near the top of my list for the cruise. Likewise, what are you envisioning with the 24/1.4? In my head, the "value" of a 24 would be wide-angle shots with the balcony railing in a corner for perspective, and at f/1.4 (or nearly so) only a small sliver will be focused, which in my head seems like a less-desirable shot than f/8 and tripod (in which case I have that covered with the 24-70, or perhaps the TS24).

I've done the intervalometer thing for time lapse, and liked the results: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL47E5215D4BA0EA1C That was done with a 40D and the 10-22 zoomed out to 10mm. For convenience of dual memory card slots and longer battery life, I'd love to pick up a used 1Ds3 and put our 16-35 on it for similar work, but that might be beyond my ability to justify between now and next summer. ;)

Thanks all for the input, and keep it coming! I have a surprise to toss out, but I'll wait a few weeks before I peel back the lid on that.

[conropl]

What are you envisioning with the TS17 and/or TS24? I've rented both in the past for other reasons, and they hadn't jumped anywhere near the top of my list for the cruise. Likewise, what are you envisioning with the 24/1.4? In my head, the "value" of a 24 would be wide-angle shots with the balcony railing in a corner for perspective, and at f/1.4 (or nearly so) only a small sliver will be focused, which in my head seems like a less-desirable shot than f/8 and tripod (in which case I have that covered with the 24-70, or perhaps the TS24).

I've done the intervalometer thing for time lapse, and liked the results: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL47E5215D4BA0EA1C That was done with a 40D and the 10-22 zoomed out to 10mm. For convenience of dual memory card slots and longer battery life, I'd love to pick up a used 1Ds3 and put our 16-35 on it for similar work, but that might be beyond my ability to justify between now and next summer. ;)

Thanks all for the input, and keep it coming! I have a surprise to toss out, but I'll wait a few weeks before I peel back the lid on that.

The Tilt/Shifts are becasue I have never used one, and always wanted to. Also, I assume any cruise around Alaska would allow some land excursions, which is when I would like to take a the 24 TSE to get some super sharp landscapes with DOF from your nose to forever. The 17mm TSE is because the 24mm may not be wide enough for the grandness of Alaska.

The 24mm f/1.4L II is for night shots of the stars. The f/1.4 plus a high ISO camera should allow for great shots with a fairly short shutter speed (see some of Jonathans recent shot http://www.huyerperspectives.com/Landscapes/Canmore-Alberta#!/i-8VZpDQK ), but maybe not a short enough shutter speed for a moving boat. As for the DOF, with a FF camera and focused at the hyperfocal distance of 44.6', the DOF at f/1.4 is from 22.3' to infinity. :cool:That alows me to get a pretty good foreground and a nice star filled sky in sharp focus. Works for me.

If you want some easy time laps shots... get a GoPro with different stick-on mounts. Stick a mount on the side of the boat where no one will see it and let it start taking pictures or movies. It sets up easy, it takes decent pictures, it comes with a water proof housing, you can set it up and walk away, and it is cheap. Here is my first attempt at a time laps: http://www.flickr.com/photos/60479608@N05/9338641160/

Pat

[HDNitehawk]

I thought either a 24mm f/1.4 was missing from Joel's list as well.
I think I would add it and the 35mm f/1.4 L and leave the 16-35mm behind. You just wouldn't need it.
I would think you would get some good land / seascape views on a cruise, but what do I know I have never been.

Also the 100mm macro? Great lens but not sure where it will come in handy. Maybe bed bugs in your cabin?

How about adding a Lee Holder and a good set of filters.

[UmiKaibutsu]

I would much rather have a helicopter than a cruise ship. A helicopter with a couple of high performance snow mobiles on the skids, so it would need to be a big helicopter. You can hire a bush pilot for relatively cheap up there in Alaska, then get some dirbikes or high performance snow mobiles wherever you choose to go.

So if you go on the cruise ship, make sure to take pictures of all the people with intestinal viruses and get good shots of the engine room catching on fire and make sure to take lots of long lenses so you can see to across all the water.

I've actually done a cruise up there, it is wicked. But it is also cool to go inland to remote places. I didnt have a bush pilot up there but I know some and they're crazy.

I would take my 5D3 with the 24-70 LII and be happy with it. Maybe I would prefer covert insertion into North Korea or something, take an extra 1600mm L lens or something to that effect. I would certainly need a sat phone with good data to get my images out fast in case a sniper shoots me or something.

[Kayaker72]

Regardless of where I am going, with the largest Lensrental gift certificate ever but still going on a trip, I am going to try a couple of cinema lenses. If I had to decide right now, I'd probably grab the CN-E 24 T1.5 and the CN-E 30-300 T2.95-3.7. Just checked and lensrentals doesn't seem to rent the CN-E....but in my dream they would. I don't believe I saw anyone mention smaller cameras, with the biggest lens rentals gift certificate ever, I'd probably rent the Leica M9 or Sony RX1, something to put under the coat and take fishing with me in Alaska ;).


Other than that, and getting more specific about Alaska, I am in pretty much agreement with others, I'd have the 1.4x and 2.0x TC's. I don't recall seeing them mentioned, but I'd do something like this:

Hiking "Kit"

24-70 f/2.8 II
70-200 f/2.8 IS II
2x TC
Various filters and light weight tripod stand (you know I am going looking for a waterfall)
As I am on a cruise, these would be day trips, but I may still rent a f-stop Loka pack.

Bear Viewing "Kit"

1.4x and 2x TC
24-70 f/2.8 II
200-400 f/4 1.4tc
600 mm f/4 II
800 mm f/5.6
Tripod system

Eagle Viewing "Kit"
Probably about the same as the Bear Viewing "Kit"...I've read about some locations were the eagles are very close to you, so probably throw in the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II

Landscape

24 mm f/1.4
24-70 f/2.8 II
70-200 f/2.8 IS II
(could add a prime or two here)
Needed filters and filter holding systems.
Tripod
Medium format system (going with Lensrentals, the Pentax 645D, but normally would have considered others)

Ok...time to wake up and go to work....I think I pretty much ignored any size or carrying capacity limitations....but hey, my dream....

[ahab1372]

Iron man suit will solve the transportation issues


Arnt

[peety3]

OK folks, time to "step it up" on this one. LensRentals' Black Friday sale is right around the corner, and I'd like to put in a reservation for the cruise while I can take advantage of 25% off. I'll toss out my initial thoughts, and let you folks nudge me in other directions if you see fit.

Parameters: my wife and I both shoot Canon, and we want to approach a point where we each have a "full kit" independently (i.e. we don't have to borrow from each other to get most shots).

Current gear: bodies 1Dx, 1Dmk3, 5Dmk3, 7D, 7D. lenses 14/2.8, 16-35/2.8II, 24-70/2.8, 24-105/4IS, 70-200/4IS, 70-200/2.8IS, 85/1.2, 100/2.8 IS Macro.
Likely purchases between now and then: second 1Dx, 300/4IS, 1.4x TC

Key parameter: she's a "don't move my cheese" shooter who prefers lighter weight gear. She gets the 5D3 and likely the two 7D. She's not good at managing shutter speed via ISO to overcome that which IS would fix, so IS is essential where appropriate.

(* means item to rent)

Dream/overkill kit: for me, 1Dx with 600/4II* and 1.4x TC, 1D3 with 300/4IS, 1Dx with 70-200/4 non-IS*, 24-70/2.8 in a lens case, Zeiss 15/2.8* in lens case. for her, 7D with 200-400/4&1.4x, 7D with 70-200/4IS, 5D3 with 24-105/4IS, 14/2.8 in a lens case. Monopod for each of us to handle the heavy lens. My concern is if she decides the 200-400 is too heavy for her, I end up with the 600/4 and the 200-400/4, which is potentially an unmanageable combination on two monopods. I also think the 600 could be too much for whale watching, and would potentially earn second fiddle as "just" a bird lens.

Likely choice: for me, 1Dx with 200-400/4&1.4x*, 1D3 with 70-200/4 non-IS*, 1Dx with 24-70/2.8, Zeiss 15/2.8* in a lens case. for her, 7D with 300/4IS, 7D with 70-200/4IS, 5D3 with 24-105, 14/2.8 in a lens case. Monopod for the 200-400. Lighter weight overall, skips the 600/4II altogether while "rebalancing" the pieces.

General thoughts: leave the 70-200/2.8IS home. She may take the 100 Macro as well. I might rent (or buy) the Zeiss 100 Macro to take as well. Don't know if I'll take the 85/1.2. Any other specialty lenses that'll see decent use that you'd recommend? Any other lens combinations you can think of? 16-35 just doesn't have much "magic" as I remember it, so I prefer the Zeiss 15.

[Kayaker72]

Your "likely choice" seems pretty darn good. Your longest lens will 560 f/5.6. Unless you have a second 1.4x TC to stack on the 200-400 f/4 + 1.4x. Your wife will max out at the equivalent to 480 f/4 without a 1.4x TC.

You mention monopods but no tripod. I understand if you'd only be shooting wildlife, but I would think that a tripod could be very helpful with landscapes.

Sounds like a great trip.

[Busted Knuckles]

I also think the 600 could be too much for whale watching, and would potentially earn second fiddle as "just" a bird lens.


I would think you would use that combo w/ a TC on a 7d for bear watching too - I recall a video about a bear and a camera that Roger gave us last year.:) :) :)

[peety3]

Honestly, I'm not much of a landscape shooter, and there's also something to be said about being able to open the doors without having to reach around 17 lens cases dangling from every corner of my vest. I figure I will carry the 200-400 with camera attached by its tripod foot, and ball-bungee the monopod to the lens. I can carry the 24-70 over my neck and the 70-200 from my other shoulder. One lens case, maybe two, can hang from my photo belt. It'll be crazy enough to take the camera off the 200-400 and attach it to the Z15; I think it could be even crazier if I'm juggling a TS as well.

The 600 is an attractive idea for bear watching, but I seem to be struggling to land any truly good bear tours. I see the logic in putting the 600 on a 7D for ultimate reach, but I'm "addicted" to having the big wheel set for ISO, which isn't possible in the 7D. I manage ISO aggressively to keep noise low while also dialing up my shutter speed if I'm facing vibrations or other challenges. As such, the 1D bodies remain my workhorses. I'm also a little hesitant to roll with two primes at the upper end of my range, knowing that I'm normally a zoom shooter.

I anticipate taking a tripod with gimbal head and a tripod with ballhead for on-ship use (balcony, out on deck). I'm also going to buy a monopod soon and get plenty of practice "tossing" the monopod into my left elbow so I can grab an alternate camera quickly.

[peety3]

Random thought: if Canon releases a new 100-400, I suspect my whole plan goes out the window. :)

[Kayaker72]

Mine too.... ;)

But not so random, looking at the kits, it would fit in very nicely.....

[DavidEccleston]

On the other hand, if Canon announced a new version of the 100-400mm, you'd have plenty of time to re-plan before it actually came out.

[peety3]

On the other hand, if Canon announced a new version of the 100-400mm, you'd have plenty of time to re-plan before it actually came out.

Yes and no. "Announced" and "Shipping" (and "Available for Rental Reservations") tend to be three different dates. Regardless, LensRentals.com is running a Black Friday sale for a few days where we can make two reservations for any ship date at 25% off. I think I can drop items out of a reservation, but I can't add others in after the fact.

[peety3]

My plans are now reasonably firm: a rented 200-400/4 on a 1Dx, my 70-200/4 non-IS on a 1Dx, a 24-70/2.8 on my 1D3, and a rented Zeiss 15/2.8 in a pouch on my belt. I have a Lowepro vest/belt combo with a LensExchange 200AW, coolest lens case ever. I'll be getting a BlackRapid Double strap to integrate with the vest, and carry the 24-70 and 70-200 on that, with the 200-400 on a monopod over my shoulder.

My wife will have a 24-105/4IS on her 5D3, a 70-200/4IS on her 7D, a 14/2.8 somewhere, and optionally our 300/4IS. No idea if she'll want her 100 Macro at all. My dad will have my 7D, a borrowed 18-200, and perhaps our 10-22. We'll have a tripod with gimbal head to "claim our space" at the promenade rail when appropriate. I may take our 85/1.2 if space permits.

I appreciate all the suggestions you've provided. I couldn't justify the cost of renting any tilt-shift lenses, and I just recently deleted the 600/4 from our reservation to be more "realistic" with my expectations.

[peety3]

We're back, and although I haven't had a chance to go through the results yet (349GB; ~15,000 images), my kit worked really well. The 200-400 was awesome, the 70-200/4 and Z15 "took turns" on my second 1Dx, and the 24-70/2.8 was handy on my "ancient" 1D3. My vest/belt worked great, keeping the BlackRapid double in place and putting things where I wanted them. The lens case was on my left side, since I kept the second 1Dx with either Z15 or 70-200 on the right side (the Z15 is manual focus, so by being right-side it wasn't strangling me with the strap while I put two hands on it, and the 70-200 was my secondary bear/whale/eagle lens so it could be handled single-handedly if needed). I had a utility pouch on the right with CPLs, memory card wallet, and spare camera batteries which I never needed though it did come close.

Maybe next time will be a 100-400II and a 600/4 with 1.4x...

[Anthony M]

I'm sending my wife off with my 60D, Sigma 17-50 and Tamron 70-300 for Princess Alaska Cruise on Monday with her family.

I was going to go - but I need to stay at home for my Mother, who's 87 and really shouldn't be left - well without constant supervision.
For my Hawaii trip in 3 weeks I'll have somebody in place, that's a yearly thing so I already had that planned out.

My Wife used to be quite a photographer, but she hasn't picked up a proper camera since her Nikon FM. I met her in art school - she was the TA in a ceramics class - and she still paints. So, she can be creative when she wants to be! I thought the 60D would be perfect, and those 2 lenses should cover most everything. I got her a Cotton Carrier, because she can't have anything hanging around her neck with her back. She'll be doing a lot of hiking, and when she does the white water rafting, she'll have a D20 and floaty strap.

The Sigma has been a great little lens, I figure fast enough for inside. I'd give her a flash too, but that might be a bit too much! The pop-up can work in a pinch. The Tamron should be excellent for when she's out on her hikes and needs to get some wildlife. I think we'll be sticking with the Creative Zones though - she'll understand the pictures. If she remembers Aperture Priority, that'd be much better - but one thing at a time! Hopefully she'll like it and start using it.

Any suggestions that might help her along would be appreciated. ;)

[Kayaker72]

We're back, and although I haven't had a chance to go through the results yet (349GB; ~15,000 images), my kit worked really well.

...pictures...or it never happened

;)

[Anthony M]

...pictures...or it never happened

;)

I think that's a bit unfair!
It's not like they had a bunch of state-of-the-art cameras and an assortment of fantastic lenses at their disposal.

Um, oh... wait.

:p

[peety3]

...pictures...or it never happened ;)
We're getting there. I split the week up into 8 separate Lightroom jobs to keep it manageable. So far, wifey has done the first round of cuts on 7 of the jobs, and I've done the second round on those 7. I'm hoping to have the whole batch ready by Friday. I also remembered that I have a few cell phone pictures of the "ingestion/news desk", "camera shelf", "charger shelf", and "lens department" in our cabin that I'll share.

[Mad Hungarian]

Have mercy on him! It took me months to process my own 4000 Alaska cruise photos. I think my policy of "digital is cheap, so snap lots of shots" needs some revising. Digital may be cheap, but my time isn't...

I might be doing another Alaska cruise myself next year, and i'll probably be taking up something like this:
* A pair of Canon 6D bodies (still need to buy that second 6D).
* 24x105, or 24-70 f/4 IS (if i actually buy the 24-70 f/4).
* 16-35 f/4 IS (my most recent purchase).
* 70-300L
* 400mm f/5.6 (or maybe 100-400 MkII if it comes out and is good and i can afford it).
* 100mm L macro.
* Maybe a 135 f/2 or 200mm f/2.8 for clandestine shots of any show i'm unfortunate enough to find myself in.

* A flash of some sort. Last year i took up my 580ex, but i only used it to snap shots of my cabin. Those cabins are tiny enough that a 90ex would've been fine...
* A light tripod (Gitzo 1542T with small ballhead) for panos and waterfalls.
* My Guragear Bataflea 32L for storing all the stuff in. And my little Lowepro PhotoSport 200AW pack for carrying a subset of stuff on excursions. They both worked pretty well last year.

* The idea of renting a BIG LENS is tempting too. Though i'd be scared or losing or water-damaging it. Renting's not cheap though. I was looking at LensRental prices, and it's approaching $1000 for a 500 or 200-400 with insurance. And i'm still out $1000 if it gets stolen, or $12,000 if it gets wet! I wonder how i'd carry the thing too. It's too big for my Lowepro, and my Bataflae is really too big & pretentious to be carrying around much. Need to buy another backpack? And i suppose i'd need a heavier tripod & head too.

[Anthony M]

Have mercy on him! It took me months to process my own 4000 Alaska cruise photos. I think my policy of "digital is cheap, so snap lots of shots" needs some revising. Digital may be cheap, but my time isn't...


It's fun to beat up on people for doing the same thing I'm guilty of! :rolleyes:

What's worse is when you've got all this fancy equipment you get volunteered as the "official photographer", so a lot of the time I'm having to get pictures for other people before I ever see my stuff!

My Wife will be coming back with an unknown number of shots from Alaska in a couple of weeks, and then it's off to Hawaii for a combination of volunteer work (photography and video), vacation photos, and work photos. So I will have literally over a month of picture taking and video to go through!

I just ordered the Tamron 150-600 - I anguished over that or the Sigma 50/1.4 Art. I might still change my mind, as i could have the Sigma for my trip (but really don't need it that bad with a 24-70/2.8 II), or have something whale watching this fall.

The neatest thing?
B&H now takes multiple cards online so I could use my Canon rebate cards by using that super handy B&H "buy now >" button The Digital Picture so graciously includes on all their pages! :o

Oh, and I got a Vanguard Xcenior 48T rolling bag. I finally hit the limit with the audio equipment. This'll hold the laptop as well. Last time I had my laptop case and camera bag - and packed my tripod (probably still will this time). But I had my 6D, 70-200/2.8 (3 lbs. right there!), 24-105, 17-40, 50/1.4 2 speedlites, ipad, triggers, batteries, chargers etc all in a shoulder bag! Oh, and the D20 and GoPro Hero3 Black.

Here's a sample video - we swim with spinner dolphins every year, and most of the time we have pretty good luck. This is a quick snippit - I can only hold my breath for so long! http://youtu.be/JNRlegA_xy4

So when I get back I'll have a pocket review of the case. I'll post the gear I'll be hauling when I get closer to the date, but this time I'll have a lot of audio gear, and have to figure how much video support I'll take. Like fluid head, steady cam, etc. There's that fine line between fun and work!

[peety3]

Have mercy on him! It took me months to process my own 4000 Alaska cruise photos. I think my policy of "digital is cheap, so snap lots of shots" needs some revising. Digital may be cheap, but my time isn't...

With whales, they're too unpredictable, so shoot now and pick later is our approach. It becomes easy when you're sitting in front of the screen - my wife did "first cut" on 11k pictures in 5-6 hours, and I did "second cut" on 2200 pics in 2-3 hours.


I might be doing another Alaska cruise myself next year, and i'll probably be taking up something like this:
* A pair of Canon 6D bodies (still need to buy that second 6D).
* 24x105, or 24-70 f/4 IS (if i actually buy the 24-70 f/4).
* 16-35 f/4 IS (my most recent purchase).
* 70-300L
* 400mm f/5.6 (or maybe 100-400 MkII if it comes out and is good and i can afford it).
* 100mm L macro.
* Maybe a 135 f/2 or 200mm f/2.8 for clandestine shots of any show i'm unfortunate enough to find myself in.

Skip the 135/2 or 200/2.8. Either shoot the show with what you've got, leave the camera in the room and enjoy the show, or declare your independence and do something else. After that, you're still looking at 4-5 lenses, which is bordering on too many, though having matched cameras really helps. That said, you can probably choose between the longest lens and the macro on a per-adventure basis.


* A flash of some sort. Last year i took up my 580ex, but i only used it to snap shots of my cabin. Those cabins are tiny enough that a 90ex would've been fine...
* A light tripod (Gitzo 1542T with small ballhead) for panos and waterfalls.
* My Guragear Bataflea 32L for storing all the stuff in. And my little Lowepro PhotoSport 200AW pack for carrying a subset of stuff on excursions. They both worked pretty well last year.
We took one flash, and it got used on formal night for maybe 30 shots total, plus the final night for maybe 5 shots with our favorite waiters.

I strongly suggest you make sure you're ready to go trekking with whatever you assemble. I basically went everywhere with my "standard kit": 200-400/4 on a monopod, 70-200/4 OR Zeiss 15/2.8 hanging from my right shoulder (via BlackRapid Double strap), and 24-70/2.8 hanging from my left shoulder. That put either my secondary wildlife lens (70-200) or the manual-focus ultrawide (Z15) near my dominant hand, and the occasionally used 24-70 in a less-convenient but still ready-to-shoot position. A Utility Case on my right hip had spare battery, gloves, memory cards (in a ThinkTank Wallet, perhaps the Pixel Rocket, on a leash so it couldn't go missing), right where my hand could go fishing without looking. A LensExchange 200AW on my left side held the lens I wasn't using, and since it'd go on the camera hanging from my right shoulder it kept things separated and sane during (admittedly rare) lens changes.


* The idea of renting a BIG LENS is tempting too. Though i'd be scared or losing or water-damaging it. Renting's not cheap though. I was looking at LensRental prices, and it's approaching $1000 for a 500 or 200-400 with insurance. And i'm still out $1000 if it gets stolen, or $12,000 if it gets wet! I wonder how i'd carry the thing too. It's too big for my Lowepro, and my Bataflae is really too big & pretentious to be carrying around much. Need to buy another backpack? And i suppose i'd need a heavier tripod & head too.

See above, and come up with a mechanism that works. In my case, I had the convenience of three cameras, so I just left a camera on the bazooka. Regardless, GET (or rent) A MONOPOD. I can't believe how often I'll use the monopod (and sometimes for odd uses) when I wouldn't think of a tripod, and with practice you can get real good at tossing the monopod into your left elbow so you can grab another camera and shoot without putting down/inverting the monopod. In general, assume you aren't going to bag the bazooka once you're aboard ship. We also had a tripod with gimbal for the big gun, and I think it only got used for one wildlife viewing aboard the ship.

I also encourage you to think through what you'd use when, and make sure it all works together. For me, it worked because I could make the 200-400 my main lens (of sorts), while keeping a secondary handy, and lens changes were truly at off-peak times because of the range I was holding. Had a 100-400 Mk II been available to me somehow, I might have rented the 600/4 instead, and then I suspect I'd be doing a LOT of shooting with the 600 in my elbow and another camera/lens in my hand. That might have made things tougher all around.

We boarded the ship with essentially four gear bags: my normal camera backpack had three bodies and four lenses, her normal camera backpack had two bodies and four lenses, my laptop backpack had laptop and such, and a "rolling duffel" had two tripods (one with ballhead, one with rented gimbal), monopod, and the 200-400 wrapped in a warm coat. It was a lot, but still quite carryable.

[peety3]

Drum roll please...the pictures are posted! Visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/alibear/sets/72157646305661819/ to see the results. Pretty much across the board, if it was shot with a 1Dx or 1D Mark III, I shot it, whereas if it was shot with a 5D Mark III or 7D, my wife shot it. For reference, on page 2, shots BEFB and BEFC were taken seconds apart by "opposing cameras" so you can see our range. A different way to look at it on page 5 with shots BIBA (Zeiss 15/2.8) and BIBC (200-400/4 at 560mm).

You can see most of my "get-up" on page 4 in shot BGIB: vest and belt on me, BlackRapid Double strap "attached" to the vest, utility pouch on belt right side for memory card wallet, battery (gotta love commonality of batteries!), filters, cap set, LowePro Lens Exchange 200AW on the left side (that's what the MindSpring Contact Sheet is hanging from, via a red carabiner clip). Oddly I seem to have gotten my cameras "backwards" here, as I usually carried the 1Dx with either Zeiss 15 or 70-200/4L on the right side, and the 1D3 with 24-70/2.8 on the left side (which was handed to the tour guide for this shot), but the 70-200 is in the LensExchange case. Honestly it was extremely functional, but boy did people think I was shooting for NatGeo/BBC/etc. Everything was truly accessible without having to take a backpack off my back. I certainly couldn't run (and wouldn't), but as long as the monopod leg was extended I could shoot anything except the stowed lens in seconds. Since all of my cameras have RRS L-brackets, we've "standardized" that our straps are always attached via the RRS L-bracket - we have four RRS B2-FABNs with BlackRapid D-rings loctited on, and two RRS B2-FABNs with traditional neck straps attached (though we've never used them since going BlackRapid). It's been a bit of an adjustment to cameras that hang upside-down, particularly with learning how to find the lens release button without looking, but it works well for me.

[Busted Knuckles]

Wow, what a trip! Thanks for sharing. I imagine you get "vista fatigue" after awhile, "oh yea just another fantastic vista..." around every corner.

Really like the photos of the salmon in the river w/ the gulls. wondering where the bears were.......

RE: Gear, rather have too much than not enough. Enjoyed your comments on having consistent bodies and leaving the dominant lens attached. I am going to the Dalmatian Coast on a tall ship cruise in October and trying to configure my set up. Doubt there will be in wildlife outside of the bar, so more landscape/architectural type stuff.

Again, thanks so much for sharing your trip and photos w/ us.

[Kayaker72]

Great series Peety. I am only on my iPhone, but some really spectacular stuff.

Just looked up the Dalmatian coast. I have heard that area of Croatia is amazing. Ben Taylor (methodically muddled) spent some time there and the pics were amazing.

[Busted Knuckles]

Yep, unfortunately The lakes" are too far from our path for me to get to.

[peety3]

Wow, what a trip! Thanks for sharing. I imagine you get "vista fatigue" after awhile, "oh yea just another fantastic vista..." around every corner.
Not really - only a brief time on the small boat as we transited from Tracy Arm up to Juneau to rejoin the ship, but then the whale popped up. I ended up parking in the back left (port stern) corner, and every now and then there'd be this FLOOD of passengers running up to see something (I couldn't hear the guide with the engine noise and wind), so I'd just put my head on a swivel and figure out what we had.

The river adventure did end up being a bit fatiguing, so I put the two smaller cameras at my feet and shot a few things with the 200-400, reaching for something else as needed.


Really like the photos of the salmon in the river w/ the gulls. wondering where the bears were.......

Nowhere around. We were on the west side of the intersection of Egan Dr & Channel Dr in Juneau AK (the red roofed building is the radio station, and we parked there then walked out to the channel). Pretty much zero ability for the bears to get there. I think the salmon were farm-raised in that creek, and they were netted off to prevent them from mixing with the native species.


RE: Gear, rather have too much than not enough. Enjoyed your comments on having consistent bodies and leaving the dominant lens attached. I am going to the Dalmatian Coast on a tall ship cruise in October and trying to configure my set up.

I have mixed feelings on having too much gear. I weighed myself loaded & empty so I could tell the floatplane operator what I weighed (since the usual "add 10 for clothes" wouldn't apply); the full kit added 40 pounds. It was extremely comfortable (all on my waist or shoulders, essentially, as I'd carry the 200-400 on my shoulder while still on the monopod), but it was a noticeable burden nonetheless. I definitely would have struggled with the 200-400 AND 600 had I rented both - it'd be VERY hard to open doors with a bazooka on each shoulder. Now, I'm all OK with taking an assortment of gear and picking/choosing based on the day's agenda, but when some of the gear is rented and therefore unfamiliar, there's a comfort factor in at least having the same unfamiliar gear each day and in the same place.