Camera gear on Alaskan cruise

[BecBennett]

I used to be a very avid photographer and took my DSLR camera and multiple lenses with me wherever I went, and I always had the thought in the back of my mind that if I ever went on an Alaskan cruise I'd look into renting a telephoto lens to take with me.

However over the years I've stopped using my camera as much (between all the gear I have to pack when travelling with kids, phone cameras improving in quality, and the ease of not having to lug camera gear all over with me) and for the last few years I've completely stopped travelling with my camera.

Getting to my problem - I'm cruising to Alaska in September. How much am I going to regret taking/not taking my quality gear? I'd be lying if I said that the idea of having a great telephoto zoom lens isn't really appealing to me, but I'd also be lying if I said that I don't prefer to travel light...

I do enjoy creating content for my YouTube channel, but not at the expense of enjoying my holiday. So I don't know what to do

Someone convince me either way please.

 

[fla4fun]

I used to be a very avid photographer and took my DSLR camera and multiple lenses with me wherever I went, and I always had the thought in the back of my mind that if I ever went on an Alaskan cruise I'd look into renting a telephoto lens to take with me.

However over the years I've stopped using my camera as much (between all the gear I have to pack when travelling with kids, phone cameras improving in quality, and the ease of not having to lug camera gear all over with me) and for the last few years I've completely stopped travelling with my camera.

Getting to my problem - I'm cruising to Alaska in September. How much am I going to regret taking/not taking my quality gear? I'd be lying if I said that the idea of having a great telephoto zoom lens isn't really appealing to me, but I'd also be lying if I said that I don't prefer to travel light...

I do enjoy creating content for my YouTube channel, but not at the expense of enjoying my holiday. So I don't know what to do

Someone convince me either way please.

I agree that the one thing a phone doesn’t really do well is a long zoom. If it were me (and I have a DSLR) I would take it and one good zoom lens to take those shots that you might not be able to get otherwise, especially if this is a once in a lifetime trip. You won’t have to take the camera everywhere you go, but it could be very handy for taking photos from the ship where you don’t have the option to “zoom with your feet” or if you go on an excursion involving wildlife viewing.

 

[OKW Lover]

If there is any place where taking quality camera gear is important it's Alaska. Having a long zoom is important for many situations. But so is a good wide angle. The scenery is just spectacular on both the grand scale and on the micro scale.

 

[richtravel]

What strength DSLR zoom would one recommend for Alaska?

 

[Calantha]

I took my camera bag to Alaska. I don't have any super high zoom stuff, but I do have a small selection of decent quality lenses. I'm so glad I did. Whale watching/hiking and even just taking pictures from the ship were so much better with my regular camera.

 

[OKW Lover]

What strength DSLR zoom would one recommend for Alaska?

At least a 200mm (based on traditional 35MM standards).

 

[jcarwash]

We aren't really experienced photographers at all, but we are glad we had my son's 300mm lens for his Nikon for our Alaska cruise last year. We used a it a lot and got some really great photos, especially on glacier day. So if you're an avid photographer and know what you're doing, I'd suspect you'd want to have your quality gear with you.

By comparison, we had the same Nikon and lenses with us on our last western Caribbean cruise and I could have left it at home, because it wasn't used once. Just used our iPhones and my Lumix point and shoot.

 

[Yensid29]

On our DCL Alaska cruise last year the zoom I took was my 100-400. I wish I had more zoom. I got some good shots but had to crop them a bunch. So for this years cruise, I bought the 2x converter to get me to 800mm. But unfortunately adding the converter I lost 2 stops on the lens so now at 800mm I am at F11. I'm concerned that at F11 I am going to need a lot of light to get a fast enough shutter speed to stop anything moving especially on the whale watching boat rocking up and down.

So to answer your question, yes take your camera to Alaska. It's the main reason that I bought the camera.

 

[OKW Lover]

. I'm concerned that at F11 I am going to need a lot of light to get a fast enough shutter speed to stop anything moving especially on the whale watching boat rocking up and down.

typically on a whale watch boat you'll be close enough you won't need the 2X teleconverter. Or even the full 400.

 

[BecBennett]

I was sort of hoping everyone would try and convince me to leave it at home

The problem is we're coming from Australia, so it will mean an extra carry on bag, plus we're doing a 2 week motorhome tour of the Canadian Rockies before the cruise, so I'm really trying to travel light. But it sounds like a good quality camera with a long zoom might be worth while packing

 

[fla4fun]

I was sort of hoping everyone would try and convince me to leave it at home

The problem is we're coming from Australia, so it will mean an extra carry on bag, plus we're doing a 2 week motorhome tour of the Canadian Rockies before the cruise, so I'm really trying to travel light. But it sounds like a good quality camera with a long zoom might be worth while packing

Could you rent both a camera and zoom lens near where your cruise departs/returns? They you would only need to bring memory cards with you and you would still have the option of better photos. Unless you will want the camera for the Rockies as well . . .

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I used to be a very avid photographer and took my DSLR camera and multiple lenses with me wherever I went, and I always had the thought in the back of my mind that if I ever went on an Alaskan cruise I'd look into renting a telephoto lens to take with me.

However over the years I've stopped using my camera as much (between all the gear I have to pack when travelling with kids, phone cameras improving in quality, and the ease of not having to lug camera gear all over with me) and for the last few years I've completely stopped travelling with my camera.

Getting to my problem - I'm cruising to Alaska in September. How much am I going to regret taking/not taking my quality gear? I'd be lying if I said that the idea of having a great telephoto zoom lens isn't really appealing to me, but I'd also be lying if I said that I don't prefer to travel light...

I do enjoy creating content for my YouTube channel, but not at the expense of enjoying my holiday. So I don't know what to do

Someone convince me either way please.

when we travel, it's my job to take the quick photos (from tour bus, or a "Oh, look at that!" shot with not much time to prepare). My husband takes his good camera for those "look, a bear! (waaaaaay over there) shots.

 

[Memepoppy]

I used to be a very avid photographer and took my DSLR camera and multiple lenses with me wherever I went, and I always had the thought in the back of my mind that if I ever went on an Alaskan cruise I'd look into renting a telephoto lens to take with me.

However over the years I've stopped using my camera as much (between all the gear I have to pack when travelling with kids, phone cameras improving in quality, and the ease of not having to lug camera gear all over with me) and for the last few years I've completely stopped travelling with my camera.

Getting to my problem - I'm cruising to Alaska in September. How much am I going to regret taking/not taking my quality gear? I'd be lying if I said that the idea of having a great telephoto zoom lens isn't really appealing to me, but I'd also be lying if I said that I don't prefer to travel light...

I do enjoy creating content for my YouTube channel, but not at the expense of enjoying my holiday. So I don't know what to do

Someone convince me either way please.

On our cruises to Alaska, I always take my DSLR, and 18-135 and 100-400 zooms. You'll have plenty of opportunities for both wide angle and zoom. My wife takes pics with her phone, and for the normal, touristy stuff phones are more than adequate. Photographing bald eagles, bear, whales, at a distance, the phone won't get you the results your looking for, especially if you want to enlarge and print. I took a lot of scenery with the wide angle, and the phone quality was more equivalent here. I never take the camera on Carribean cruises, but wouldn't do Alaska without .

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Passionate hobbyist here. You are traveling a long way... But bring the DSLR. My trip to Alaska I only had up to a 300 zoom. Not enough really. My next trip-I hope to go back, I will bring a longer lens. You will want wide as well. Just bring a hood for it-it can be really wet. Sounds like an amazing trip. I would not want to be seeing all the sights wishing I had my camera...

 

[jimmymc]

Alaska has plenty of wildlife, and you'll want your long lens and DSLR. Alaska is unfortunately difficult to pack light for, but IMO it is worth it to have comfortable clothes and a good camera.

My compromise for traveling to beautiful areas is bringing one body and one zoom lens. My phone can handle any landscapes or close ups, but it's not going to get a good picture of a bear 100 yards away.

Edit: I just saw that you'll be driving the Canadian Rockies for two weeks before the cruise. You'll want the long camera, even if it means an extra bag. You'll get so much more out of those 3 weeks than you'd lose by having to bring an extra suitcase through the airport and cruise check in.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I used to be a very avid photographer and took my DSLR camera and multiple lenses with me wherever I went, and I always had the thought in the back of my mind that if I ever went on an Alaskan cruise I'd look into renting a telephoto lens to take with me.

However over the years I've stopped using my camera as much (between all the gear I have to pack when travelling with kids, phone cameras improving in quality, and the ease of not having to lug camera gear all over with me) and for the last few years I've completely stopped travelling with my camera.

Getting to my problem - I'm cruising to Alaska in September. How much am I going to regret taking/not taking my quality gear? I'd be lying if I said that the idea of having a great telephoto zoom lens isn't really appealing to me, but I'd also be lying if I said that I don't prefer to travel light...

I do enjoy creating content for my YouTube channel, but not at the expense of enjoying my holiday. So I don't know what to do

Someone convince me either way please.

Thanks for starting this thread, I think we are on the Alaskan cruise before you (late August), and I have been sorting out what camera gear to take.

I was also like you, an avid photographer years ago, got my start in film, and then stopped lugging the gear around. Fast forward a decade or two and we are going to Japan and I decide its a once in a lifetime trip, picked up a new mirrorless and paired with a 28-79 ... and I am so glad I did. My camera phone was top notch, but the mirrorless pictures are my favorite.

Since you are considering renting, and weight is an issue to you, and well, your DSLR camera is old and focusing technology and sensors have improved quite a bit, I might suggest you look into the Sony A7 CR. The 'C' stands for 'compact', and it is, and the 'R' stands for 'resolution' and with a 61 MP sensor you can crop in 200, 300% and still have a good picture. And the focusing? So super fast, super accurate, I almost feel guilty as if I am cheating. I'm hoping the 61 MP means my 100-400 mm will have enough reach, the prospect of carrying anything bigger is not appealing. I second what the others are saying, get a wide angle lens too... you wont regret it especially as you are driving through the rockies. And they are relatively small so that wont be an issue. You can get a fast one and even use it in the dining rooms.

 

[KVH]

You need reach. But, considering your pre-trip, do NOT forget something wide. You need that in the Rockies (inside the boat too). Maybe get a new, better bag that'll work with all the other stuff you gotta carry to mitigate bulky carry on problems. Maybe get a travel-oriented superzoom for a trip of a lifetime and only take one piece of glass?

 

[gatorlisa]

With the plan to also visit the Canadian Rockies, that's even more reason to want good camera equipment. The scenery and wildlife are also very good there. I've done 2 Alaska cruises with Disney. I had an 18-135mm, a 70-350mm, a 60-600mm, and an 11-16mm with me. I used every one of them. Alaska in September you have a decent chance to see bears and you are going to want the long range for them. Whale watching I found the 70-350 was usually the best lens to have on, since they do try and get you fairly close to them. I know they say the best camera is the one you have on you, but I honestly cannot image going to Alaska with nothing but a phone for photos. If you don't want to lug around all the camera and lenses, at least consider getting one of the bridge cameras ("point and shoots" with long range zoom and capability to control aperture, shutter speed, etc.). I feel certain you will not regret having something more than a phone for this trip.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Definitely bring it. We did Alaska on the Wonder in 2012 so it's been a while. I brought my point & shoot and our camcorder and dh brought his good Nikon with various lenses. (Sorry I don't know the sizes.)
His photos are waaaaay better than mine.
Looking at other people's cameras on the cruise made dh say,"I have camera-envy." Some people had really amazing set ups with tripod and all.
If you end up buying new before your trip, be sure to practice with it a while before the trip so that you're familiar with it and not struggling. Hiking on a glacier is not the time to have to stop to read instructions.

Have a great cruise! When all is said and done, and the cruise is over, memories fade but the photos are all we have left of it.

ETA: I never packed so much stuff in my life as we did for our Alaksan cruise and that includes a 14-nt tour of Italy and 12 nts tour of Ireland.
Luckily, the year we sailed Alaska, the Wonder sailed out of Seattle so we could fly SWA and didn't have to pay for bags.