framer

Has anyone got info on how these suites will be laid out.  They claim it's going to be 710 sqft which is huge.  These are on Sky Princess Sun deck in front. 

framer

I finally booked a photo cruise on the new Enchanted Princess in 22 months.  Athens - Santorini, Greece - Kotor, Montenegro - Sicily (messina) - Naples and ending in Barcelona, Spain .  

I still need to book others for the late summer/fall of 2019,  January 2020

2 hours ago, mccampbell3 said:

We will be on the Regal in M108 next month. Do you recall if the bedroom area had a power outlet? Assuming they are twin ships. Thank you!

M108 has a extra open elec plug behind the TV in the bedroom.  I put a strip to allow me to plug in all phones and tablets.  works great.  WIFI reception was strong.  Door to balcony was always open.  Best cabin along with M107 on the Royal Class ships.

framer

8 hours ago, Thrak said:

soooooooooooooooooooooooooo love being retired!

I agree, I just wonder how I ever had time to work.

I pay for the cruise with a CC that give me the most free time before I have to pay and not give them a dime in interest and or collect any reward. 

Never get the Turkey on a Princess Ship.  Swanson makes a better turkey dinner.  Seriously...

Everything else on that dinner is wonderful, just not the turkey...You been warned.

framer

On 10/31/2018 at 12:51 PM, gambit57 said:

I'm not thrilled with ThinkTank at all.  The back of mine frayed on its first trip/use, which was only 7 days long.  No velcro.  Just rubbing against cargo shorts and jeans.  Customer Service department was useless.  I generally like the construction, but at the prices they charge, I can't say that they're worth it.  I'm FAR more pleased with my various LowePro bags and they're a tiny fraction of the cost of a comparable ThinkTank. 

For the record I've used their Customer Service and found it the best.  I even once lost my special tripod straps to secure it under the bag.  Call them up trying to buy them and they mailed me a new set at their expense.  I got 4 different bags one over 10 years old with heavy use that still looks fantastic. 

framer

It's also small enough that nobody ever ask to weigh it and with no wheel you don't need to worry about having it gate checked.   WOW! Australia/NZ that a real vacation, enjoy.

framer

Checkout Thinktank.  I have several for different occasions.  The one that serves me best on cruises when I can't take much is their "Lens Taxi"  It's a small backpack that made for 400-500 exotic lens;however, it comes with many dividers that allow you to create your own space.  It will work with your 70-200 attached, plus 3 more small to medium size lenses+some accessories.  It can fit under any aircraft seat because it's only 9" wide and 8-9 inches tall.  Another feature it has is a tucked away waist belt that can transfer weight off your shoulders if needed.  Extremely versatile IMHO.

https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/long-glass-backpacks/products/glass-taxi

  Hope you find that perfect case.

framer

check out https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/camera-rain-covers

I have an old model and have used it with winds in excess of 50 mph in a downpour.  I was soaked, camera was dry. 

You get what you pay for. 

framer

I take full advantage of any perk that make my life easier.

My tip on laundry, underware/t-shirts, socks can go to the laundry. Everything else gets cleaned, never put cotton shirts, or jeans in the laundry unless you want to give them to small kids.

We do stop and help the 1st day wanderers with glazed over eyes. Many times they are within 20 feet of what they are looking for.

Don't forget to try room service it free. Lunch can be delivered to your balcony. If it's a nice day with little wind I prefer it to HC. Breakfast, if you use the card the night before just write what you want. I've never been told no or they can't do that. You can also use the online order app for breakfast just put what you want that's not listed in the note or comment section. I always tip $3.00 cash on a delivery.

You have fun in Oct. I have to wait till Jan 2019.

framer

Never had an issue taking a good size camera and lens into a cruise theater. My D810 is so quite on Q-mode that the wife sitting next to me can not hear the camera noise. I also make sue the focus assist light stays off and monitor on the back is not used. I use a 70-200 f/2.8 for the lens.

All pictures are for personal use.

framer

1st I do use the D500. #1 choice would be the 200-500 Nikkor, 2nd lens 17-55 f/2.8 DX get this one used. A Nikkor 105 f/2.8 macro might be a third lens choice to cover the space between the 55 and the 200 plus give you macro ability.

I am not a fan of any 28-200mm lenses, just my2cents.

framer

I think I found something of interest. "Greek Isles Connoisseur" from PCL . It's on there small Pacific Princess ship and it starts in Venice and end in Rome. Now all I got to do is sell the wife on it. It's a bad time of year for her job.

framer

My three top picks so far are:

1. Chile's southern region

2. Italy + Greece, to include Venice

3. Galapagos Islands

All subject to change.

framer

WOW! lots to consider and a few questions

1st:

What about Cuba? There was a ton of interesting pictures there.

 

The Galapagos cruises were amazing and I did it in a Saturday to Monday time frame. By the end of my trip I was jaded over the animals so I wouldn’t go for much longer (but I would go back!).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Who did you use for your trip? Three days enough? I would consider The Galapagos if I could do flight + tour in 7 days. I thought I would need up to two weeks.

2nd:

Tahitianbigkahuna,

Looks lovely, when the wife retires in 5 years I would put that location to the top of my list. I would want to explore for a bit. Nice photos.

3rd:

zackiedawg,

A cruise rounding the bottom from Argentina to Chile will be the most photographically beautiful, through the straits and fjords.

This could be a contender.

More tomorrow, thanks for all the good ideas got me to thinking.

framer

You know some places are better than others, I love Alaska but I hate to drag the wife there more then once every 2-3 years. Am considering Panama full transit, Italy and the Eastern Mediterranean maybe Northern Europe. I'd really like to do Antarctica or Galapagos Islands but I can only be gone 14-15 days max including flight time. Hows Peru or Chile to photograph?

Ideas please.

framer

Really people, I know this is about that plastic baked Alaska but not one person mentioned "The Volcano". It's on the kids menu but worth getting if you have a real sweet tooth. Get it every night.

framer

One one thing that caught my eye was that new 500PF f/5.6. The specs are insane. I am now considering selling my 400/2.8 to get this 500.

framer

On the Z front I've heard the battery life is poor, how are the specs compared to the A7.

framer

Seriously the killer is only one card slot. They seem to have all the specs for a pro body then one card slot. Guess I'll be waiting for round 2.

framer

Canon and Nikon no longer make film cameras.

When you hit a certain threshold, things can switch quickly.

 

The nikon link is broken but I was able to check out the page and also B&H, the F6 is still being sold.

The FM10 has been discontinued.

framer

They still make film cameras...

I'd bet the Pro bodies will be updated every few years for the next 20 years. The DXXXX bodies and lower end FX bodies will be gone in 10 years or less.

They still have that D850 back ordered and it been out a year.

framer

A few comments... As a Nikon shooter for the last 50 years, seriously, I don't plan on going to either of the new bodies. I might consider the next D860 in a couple of years when it comes out. At my age I'm not switching my work flow. My current bodies are D3s, D810 & D500. The D810 with a couple of lenses work for most cruises.

Over the last 50 years Nikon was better, then Cannon was better, then Nikon, then Cannon......... Today I see little difference at the professional level in bodies, pick what you like and are most familiar with.

It will be interesting to see real reviews in the next couple of months.

framer

Ok I agree with farmer I think the horse died a long time ago. But I declare it a tie. Each have valid points but the "I rarely shoot RAW" comment I almost went with pierces being the winner of the dead horse competition then havoc315 redeemed himself with "I love my thumbstick to move my AF point". So it is now a DEAD HEAT of a very dead horse.

 

But my 2 cents, I am an old fart. I am asking here but do not see how on a long lens (ie 500mm or 200 plus for that matter) you can hold a mirrorless camera steady without use of tripod, monopod etc. I like having the camera to my face looking into the viewfinder arms tight against me, the one at the middle of the lens braced back on my stomach. I have seen people with the mirrorless cameras and both arms are out away from their body trying to look through the bottom of their bifocals (this would be me). Plus I love buttons, I can using the function buttons on the front and back change metering, focus points, move focus points, etc.

LOL that's framer not farmer. Be careful I've framed & hung many a politician.

framer

I was amused by the beating of the dead horse was getting. You must never take life seriously to prosper, that takes the fun out of it. Make a living playing is a better way.

Buy more camera equipment when in doubt.

Then go on a two week cruise.

framer

I'm finding this thread... hmmmm LOL...

framer