john_guthrie1

Just a few more points. Weather in the beginning of the past two septembers has been absolutely fabulous. It was low 70's and sunny everyday from about the first of sept. until the 14th or so. I've lived in Valdez most of my life and I can't remember ever having a summer with as nice as weather as we have had this one so hopefully that will remain for you. Like Tom (?) said I probably wouldn't worry about making your reservation too far in advance. If you do become interested in smaller boats, you could try Honey Charters in Whittier as they sometimes run day trips aboard little boats. Also, in Seward, Kenai Fjords runs the Mariah tour boats (mostly 43' Delta charter boats) which do 9.5 hour trips (either a Captain's Choice or the run to Northwestern Glacier) for around $179. In recent years, Northwestern Glacier has retreated to the point where quite a bit of it is actually up on bedrock, however the trip up the fjord is probably one of the best examples of a recently glaciated area to be had in Alaska.

Phillips' Klondike Express is a very large very fast boat. They do go up College Fjord most times which has been referred to as the Glacier Bay of Prince William Sound. However, I think most of the time they are unable to make it up to the faces of Harvard and Yale Glaciers. They'll then probably spend the majority of their time in Barry Arm and Harriman Fjord.

 

The Major Marine boat is very slow and takes you out to Blackstone or Beloit Glacier which is very close to Whittier but a pretty neat area.

 

I believe that Prince William Sound Cruises and Tours still operates their 6.5 hour Wilderness Explorer trip then which will travel to Barry Arm and Harriman Fjord as well as taking you through Esther passage (which is an amazingly narrow channel of water through 2000 ft. tall landmasses).

 

Though Whittier isn't exactly the best spot for whales, you will have a much better chance to see one on either the Phillips Cruise or the Wilderness Explorer than you would if you went with Major Marine.

Hey, I don't know if you still check this, but I work for Stan Stephens Cruises out of valdez (www.stephenscruises.com). I'd suggest taking our Meares Glacier cruise in mid-august. Best to book now as it fills up fast then. Meares glacier is pretty impressive and if the face of Columbia Glacier (2nd largest tidewater in n. america) is still open (its been closed due to ice conditions since 1983 or so but opened up at the end of last summer and has remained open since) then, and I mean this, there is not a glacier cruise in Alaska that could compare. Last time I checked there was a Whale Watch cruise out of Homer (called Rainbow Charters). Two summers ago, it ran about $135. You probably have a better chance to see Humpback Whales on that trip than the one in Valdez but it really depends on how luck you are. Any more questions, feel free to e-mail me. Sorry I'm seeing this a month late.

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but given the recent

price drop and discontinuedness of the FS4000, I'm just wondering if

the FS4000 is worth the extra $150. I'll be scanning mostly slides.

Is the difference in image quality between the two really that great?

And how much faster is the FS4000 than the flatbed? I'll probably be

using USB to hook these up to the computer as well.

 

Thanks in advance

I've had my kit zoom for about two years now and am beginning to

think that it is time to upgrade. I have some cash and am seriously

considering the 17-40mm and maybe the 50mm 1.8 since it is really

cheap. During the winter, its mostly going to be used for landscape,

but in the summer I work on tour boats in alaska so the zoom comes in

really handy. are the optics pretty comparable on the 17-40 and

things like the 24 and 28mm f/2.8. Any suggestions, etc. are

appreciated since I don't normally spend this type of money on things.