<p>So my wife and I are finally checking off one more item on our bucket list and are headed to Alaska from mid to late August this year for a 12 day rail/cruise tour with Princess Cruises. First cruise for us. First and very likely our only time in Alaska. We are obviously excited. getting old is not so bad it seems. :)<br>
We will fly into Flagstaff, and be with the Princess cruise group via bus / train to Denali, McKinley, Whittier/Anchorage, and then on the ship seeing Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan as well as seeing glaciers on the way. At least 2 small group photography tours already planned and several other excursions along the way. I will probably shoot far too many pictures! :)<br>
I am trying to decide on what camera equipment to bring with me on the trip. Here is what I have available.<br>
Canon SuperZoom SX50 IS (12MP) (24-1200 mm zoom equivalent)<br />Apple iPhone 6+ (8MP)<br />Canon 60D (18MP)<br /><br />Canon EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5 <br />Canon EF 24-105 f/4 L IS<br />Canon EF-S 55-250 f/4.0-5.6 IS II<br>
Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS<br />Canon EF 100 f/2.8 Macro<br /><br />I want travel as light as possible but also shoot as much as possible at best quality. I know, it is impossible. :) <br>
I want to pack it all in my Domke F-2 bag so I am looking to leave somethings behind. (I am bringing my smaller tripod with ballhead also.)<br>
My plan is to have my wife use the Canon SX50 to get distance shots of wildlife, scenery, etc. using that 1200 mm effective zoom. Since most of our work ends up on my computer screen for our enjoyment (minimal printing) and I use Lightroom to post process everything, I am not too worried about the image quality of that little sensor. It beats lugging a large zoom lens around.<br>
I find myself using my iPhone 6+ a lot now for up close people shots both indoors and outdoors. It has essentially replaced my DSLR for spur of the moment shots. So that is going for sure also.<br>
My current DSLR lens plan is to leave behind the 17-55 and the 100 macro lenses. I can easily store the first 3 lenses, the 60D and the Superzoom in the F-2 bag, with my batteries, filters, etc. <br>
Two choices to make: <br>
1) Leave the 10-22 behind?<br>
2) Leave the 24-105 behind and bring the 17-55 instead, since it pairs well with the 55-250?<br>
Would I use the 10-22 that much on deck or outdoors or are we so far away from stuff that the wide angle is not really needed? An alternative for wide angle shots is to use panoramic mode on my iPhone. Not as great quality as my 10-22, but one less lens to carry. Of course if I have a chance to shoot a night scene Aurora Borealis and I needed that 10-22 and don't have it, I will be very bummed. But do I need it for that remote possibility, or can I get by with just the 24-105? people who traveled to Alaska - did you use their super wides that much?<br>
Regarding the 17-55: Can I get by without a 2.8 lens indoors on a cruise ship? Not sure what lighting levels are like. The 60D is ok at ISO 800 and hand held I am usually ok at f4.0 for decent light levels, but I hav eno idea what the cruise ship lighting will be like - dimly lit church or bright rooms? I prefer the 24-105 for minimal lens switching especially if it is rainy when we are on land. <br>
Any thoughts or feedback is appreciated.<br>
Thanks.</p>