Trip equipment change

[kiev4a]

As I have previously noted, we are leaving in less than two weeks on a week-long cruise to Alaska. My original equipment list for the trip included:

Nikon F4
Nikon F3HP
50mm 1.8 Nikkor
20mm Nikkor
24mm MF Nikkor (it arrives tomorrow)
Tokina 80-200 f2.8 MF zoom
35-135mm Nikkor AF zoom
Kiron 2X extender
Flash.

All the equipment plus film will fit in a large backpack camera case I used when we went to Maui in 2002.

Over the weekend, however, I loaded everything in the pack and came to the following conclusion. It's overkill and heavy.

Here's my New List:

Nikon F3HP
The F4, is pretty heavy and bulky and I don't need the AF feature. The F3 isn't exactly a lightweight but still beats the F4 in that category. In addition, I'm still one of the few people in the world who doesn't trust cameras that lack manual film advace capability.

Nikon FM
I recently decided to take it instead of the F3 but since I'm not taking the F4, it will be my second body. While shooting some test shots on the FM after replacing the light seals, I remembered how nice and small it is.

Nikkor 50mm f1.8 ai lens.

Tokina 80-200 f2.8
Still worth hauling around although it is heavy.

Kiron extender
Combined with the Tokina the extender gives me 400mm capability should we encounter whales or other wildlife.

I have decided to leave the 35-135MM AF Nikkor home. It also is heavy and without it my only gap is from 50 to 80mm. I still may take my Tokina 35-105 ai zoom as it is very compact and much lighter than the 35-135 Nikkor.

Electronic Flash

20mm Nikkor

24mm Nikkor
There isn't much gap between the 20 and 24mm lenses but I suspect that the majority of my shooting will be wide angle. The 24mm is probably my favorite lens (although I thought the 20mm would move into that status when I got it earlier this year).

If I decided not to take the 35-105 Tokina I'll probably throw in a 35mm Nikkor prime. As I said, I am a wide angle guy..

I'm also stashing a folded up shoulder bag in my luggage, to be used for carrying the FM and a few lenses when exploring on shore.

To some, all the gear may seem like hunting mice with a 300 Winchester Magnum rifle. But being on a large ship gives me some latitude--the only limiting factor being the plane trip from here to Seattle. Also, one the most attractive things about the trip for me is the photo opportunities (and the food).

Anyone got any suggestions?

[heath]

What about a tripod or monopod? With the 200 and 2X extender combo, can you hand hold if the light drops and you have touse a slower shutter speed, like if you are shooting a whale at sunset? You can get some pretty good compact tripods for very little money. I bought one a couple of years ago that is so compact that it can fit IN some camera bags, or even in a large pocket. Extends enough that I don't have to bend too low to use it. It weighs next to nothing and cost me less than $40 AUD. I have used it for my 300D with 80-200 zoom with no problems, and it is sturdy enough to support my video camera too.

Heath

[herron]

Wayne:
I'm having the same dilemma. My wife and I are going on a Mediterranean cruise in June, and deciding what to take is a chore! My wife insists I take my Canon 300-D digital, but I also wanted to bring my Mamiya NC1000 (and a few lenses), and my Mamiya 35-S rangefinder (its lens is fantastic).

I have a giant camera bag, or a spare aluminum camera case that they could go into, but when it's all together (including film and flash) it's just too heavy to think about lugging onto an airplane, and then carrying through customs...and it's way too big to put into another carry-on bag (and there is NO WAY I would ever check it)!

I was originally going to bring a good tripod...but I'm re-thinking that option, too.

[kiev4a]

I have a Bogen monopod that I bought years ago that I'm going to stick in a suitcase (probably will raise eyebrows when they scan it). It also makesa a dandy walking stick.

I'm sure I'm taking more gear than necessary but better over than under prepared. I lugged my knapsack case, two Nikon FMs and about four lenses around Maui when we went there. The Pack fits in overhead storage on most aircraft--except for a few of the little commuter jets.

[herron]

Wayne:
I've thought about a monopod, too, but I always have better luck with a tripod, when the situation calls for a camera held steadier than my hands do it anymore!

Just didn't want the hassle of lugging a tripod around all the time, for the 5% of shots that might need it...guess I can't "have my cake and eat it, too."




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Maybe one of those mini-tripods!

[unclebill]

Whoa,
That is still heavy and I am relative young and in decent shape. If I am traveling abroad, the only system that will come with me is my Olympus OM-1 with the 50, 35 and 28 widangle and the 75 to 150 zoom and that is it the rest is film and maybe a monopod.

Bill

[kiev4a]

Although we will have our Canon A80 digital along, I'm just not comfortable not having a secondary film backup camera, I don't think I've ever had a camera fail when I was the only one available but I'm sure one would if I didn't have a backup! If I was daring I would just go with the FM.