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Miss Dot

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Posts posted by Miss Dot

    Lensess for Alaska

    in Photo & Camera Discussions

    Posted

    This was a GREAT lens. I ended up with some minor changes to my "lens plan" at the last minute, as a friend wanted to borrow a walkaround lens. I was a nice guy and let him use my 24-70/2.8, so I ended up with:

     

    600/4 II + 1.4x TC III on a 1Dx

    100-400II on a 1Dx

    16-35/2.8II on a 1D3

    14/2.8II - I'd occasionally take the 1Dx off the 100-400 and put the 14 on for wide stuff.

     

    We did a "small boat" (capacity 148) excursion out to Misty Fjords and back, and the 100-400 was a REALLY nice range for a lot of stuff, and caught a lot less wind than the 600's hood (scoop?).

     

     

    Have you posted any photos from your cruise? I'd live to see some!

    Rain pants?

    in Alaska

    Posted

    I just paid $35 for a pair of rain pants! Hope I won't have a need for them but if there is down pour I'll be ready in Alaska or home;)

     

    We just did the same! Same hopes too HaHa

    Lensess for Alaska

    in Photo & Camera Discussions

    Posted

    If your thinking about renting the new 100-400 Mk II it's is your best bet for the cost of the rental. It's a very sharp lens from experience. It only weighs about 5 oz. more than the 70-200 Mk II and has the same image quality.

     

    I would look at borrowlenses dot com for rentals. I've used them in the past and they seem to ship equipment in pretty good shape.

     

    Not to sound obnoxious but your killing me with the 600/4 and adding the 1.4x to it. Why take a 10k + lens and put a piece of equipment on it that will degrade the picture? If your shooting a FF body (like a 5D Mk III) and want the longer reach you would be much better off renting a 7D Mk II with the 1.6 sensor than using the converter. If you are currently using a crop body you really don't want to push it much further than the 800-900mm range because when you go that long even the slightest atmospheric conditions (haze) will also degrade the pic.

     

    BTW, I use the Manfrotto aluminum monopod (~$65) and you can beat it on the side of the boat without breaking it. A little heavier than a carbon fiber model but much more durable and not an issue putting it in your checked luggage (I do all the time). I hate to lose a carbon fiber model and you have very little chance that will make it past TSA if you try to carry it on a plane.

     

    As for the 600mm (or if you rent something similar) a tripod + gimbal head works so much better on a boat or shore if you have the room.

     

    Alaska is a great place to shoot. Here are two pics I took up there last summer (cruise + land tour) that speak for themselves. They were taken with a Canon 1D-X using a Canon EF 800mm f5.6 lens. I have used the 600mm f4 and it doesn't come close to the image quality of the 800mm. Both picks were taken in the 125-150 yard range on a tripod/gimbal head combination. Hope you have fun!

     

     

    p105954602-5.jpg

     

    p131097975-5.jpg

    Those photos are amazing! Did you rent that lens; if so from where?

    Bear Viewing

    in Alaska

    Posted

    I'm always very content to see bears during my Denali trips so I've never taken a bear viewing excursion. I think Budget Queen has been to all of them so she will be along soon to provide experienced suggestions.

    In the meantime, look at this link for info on the bear viewing areas/experiences accessible from Ketchikan. The experiences are different.

     

    http://www.experienceketchikan.com/bear-viewing-in-alaska.html

     

    Also, look at a few trip reports that include bear viewing .... JozieRhodes and Mollanjake are 2 reports that come to mind because they includedlots of photos. I think both families went to Anan.

     

    (Personally I'd be leary of any tour that says ' bear search'. I don't want to drive around searching for bears.... I want you to take me to a bear viewing platform )

     

    Here's JozieRhodes photojournal. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2073674&page=3

    What percentage of time/trips have you seen bears in Denali

    1st ever Alaska Cruise shore tour advice sought

    in Alaska

    Posted

    Most of the private tours I have booked for my first Alaskan cruise in June, deposits are taken and balance is payable either on the day of the tour or about 6 weeks prior.

     

    Vancouver, I have also booked a HOHO trolley and also Rocky Mountain Sea to Sky train to Whistler and back.

     

    I have booked the Misty Fjords flight with Island Wings in Ketchikan as heard many good reports of this. I have also booked Whale Watching in Juneau with Hank & Marv again due to great reports of their trips.

     

    I'm getting pretty excited already. Hope you have a great cruise.

     

    Pat

     

    This will be our first time to Alaska in June also . We booked Island Wings & Harv & Marv based on reviews too. Now looking at the HOHO. Need to check into the Groupon.

     

    When are you going in June?

    Neutral Density Filter? Remote Shutter Switch? Tips?

    in Photo & Camera Discussions

    Posted

    Variable ND is a great tool but may take some experimenting since maximum metered exposure is usually 30s. A single variable ND can cost as much as three regular ones but provides way more in-between options as well as a greater maximum density than all but a few specialized units.

     

    Remote shutter is really useful if you want to be in the photo but for steady release, the 2s or 10s timer built into the camera's functions will provide you with plenty of time for the vibrations from pressing the shutter to subside.

     

    Dave

     

    Do you have a recommendation of a good ND filter?

    Vancouver trolley company

    in Alaska

    Posted · Edited by Miss Dot

    Thanks for the links! I'm still looking for the Translink Day Pass. After looking at the Hop on Hop off that may be a good choice for us and cheaper than what is offered thru the cruise line.

     

    Does anyone know if the tickets for the Hop on Hop off can be bought at the Cruise Terminal??? I know in NYC you have to purchase them at certain places. Also, I notice the Hop on Hop off shuts down at 6:30 pm; how would we get to the airport after touring?

     

    SORRY answered my own part one of the question. Here is the answer for anyone else looking:

     

    Where can I buy my ticket(s)?

     

    We make it easy to ride with Big Bus. Here are 6 ways you can buy your ticket(s).

    1.Right here on bigbus.ca. Simply go to the 'Buy Now' page and follow the steps. You can Buy, Print & Go in just a couple of minutes!

    2.At the WESTCOAST Sightseeing Welcome Centre in Gastown (Stop #1 on the map). Or at the Canada Place Kiosk (Stop #3 on the map)

    3.The concierge or front desk staff at your hotel.

    4.Directly from the driver as you Hop-On at any Big Bus stop.

    5.From a Big Bus sales representative at select stops.

    6.From various Big Bus retail outlets around the city.

     

    Maybe a good answer for the 2nd part of my question (anyone done this train)???

     

    There is an underground stop right across the street from the cruise terminal (Waterfront), and for $4, it took us right up to the YVR airport in about 20 minutes. It sure beats the $40 per person the cruise ship wanted to bus us to the airport! Make sure to take the YVR train or else you will have to get off the train and transfer.

    Vancouver trolley company

    in Alaska

    Posted

    To clarify... how many days are you in Vancouver? What do you hope to see?

     

    Looking at the route map... you can get a $9.50 Translink Day pass may be better value.

    http://bigbus.ca/home/route-map

     

    I guess it's cheaper than the LandSea Tour....

    http://vancouvertours.com/tour/pre-cruise-vancouver-city-tour/

     

    Thanks for the links! I'm still looking for the Translink Day Pass. After looking at the Hop on Hop off that may be a good choice for us and cheaper than what is offered thru the cruise line.

     

    Does anyone know if the tickets for the Hop on Hop off can be bought at the Cruise Terminal??? I know in NYC you have to purchase them at certain places. Also, I notice the Hop on Hop off shuts down at 6:30 pm; how would we get to the airport after touring?

    If we don't fly, will I regret it forever?

    in Alaska

    Posted

    Hi my hubby and I did an Alaskan/Canadian Rockies Cruisetour last year. This was going to be our 1 and only time to Alaska so wanted to fit in as much as we could. Alaska is not a cheap place for excursion, even if you book them yourself which is what we did. We took a Float plane trip up into the National Park which also landed on a small lake, we were able to get out and walk around and take photo's. We also did a whale watching trip and a train ride up to the Yukon and along the Gold Klondike trail. All 3 excursion were amazing, we are so glad we took them, we spent over £1000 on them ( worth every penny ). I really feel if you can you should go for it as you might regret it after.

     

    Was your float plane trip with Island Air?

    Princess lodging

    in Alaska

    Posted

    Miss Dot, I took a similar tour in 2013 and I would strongly suggest skipping the Dinner Theater/Show ("Music of Denali") at the Denali Princess. It was overly hokey, the food was not good, and there was not enough for the table. We tried asking for more food, but it never appeared. There is a tour offered that goes on a Covered Wagon ride ("Covered Wagon Adventure with Backcountry Dining"), which I found to be much more enjoyable and had much better food.

     

    Thank you so much; that is just what we have tried to switch to. There is $20.00 difference between the 2 but Princess is wanting to charge us $34 each to switch

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