How wide for Alaska?

[sight-sea-er]

I've found a lot of useful tips in this forum, but one area I couldn't settle on was how wide of a lens to bring for my Alaskan Cruise.  I use a micro 4/3s camera and wasn't sure how to translate some of the suggestions in other threads which mentioned specific lenses, but without mention of sensor size or crop factor.

 

I'll be taking a northbound Inner Passage cruise this summer, followed by a few days on land to see Denali.  I can see a wide-angle lens being used for the views from the ship, from our Kenai Fjords glacier cruise, on the flight to Taku lodge, and on the various trains between Seward and Denali.

 

Would 12mm (24mm full-frame equivalent) be wide enough for those circumstances?  Normally, I'd consider stitching panoramas when needed, but wasn't sure that would be an option from moving vehicles.  I have a 7-14mm (14-28mm FF) that I am considering bringing, but that's more gear to lug around and more lens-swapping.  I'm happy to leave that behind if the 12mm will get the job done.

[pierces]

With a few exceptions, I have found the 24mm end of my 24mm-105mm standard zoom (full-frame) wide enough for Alaska. I have found that things like glaciers are the only things too wide for a single shot but when a super-wide is used, the magnificent wall of ice gets reduced to a thin white line at the minimum distance between the ship and the subject. A panorama works better IMHO.

 

A wider view works in town sometimes and definitely on the ship, but lately I just use the phone for that.

 

That's my 4¢...

 

Hope it helped.

 

Here's a link to my cruise galleries. You can find Alaska trips with photo info there.

https://pptphoto.com/galleries/Travel/Cruising/index.html

 

Dave

 

 

Edited January 24, 2023 by pierces

[sight-sea-er]

Thanks for the response and for the supporting pictures!   4¢?  Even opinions have to be adjusted for inflation these days, huh? 

 

Anyways, that panorama turned out great.  I was afraid that movement from the ship would impact the ability to stitch, but clearly that's not the case.  I'm glad to know I can leave at least one lens behind and not be regretting the choice mid-cruise.

 

Thanks again!

[sscohen]

I took my 11-20 to Alaska, Galapagos & Antarctica to supplement my 24-70/24-105.  Don't think I will take it anymore as I never use it, just takes up space.  Then I feel obligated to use it.  When I do, I take a few shots with it but I find either of my other two are better.  

[Crew News]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

I am also a 4:3 user and all of my Alaska cruises included only a 12-40mm lens, a 40-150mm lens, and a 1.4 teleconvertor.  This included my visits to Taku Lodge, whale watching, Denali flightseeing, and lots of birds photo ops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[eileeshb]

Those pictures are stunning @Crew News I'll be loaning my 4/3's kit to a friend  if she decides to come to alaska with me as I feel it's justified to bring my Canon 7D/II kit for that trip, looks like she'll have plenty of scope to get some nice shots if the weather cooperates. I've a similar lens pairing for the 4/3s kit I have and it's what I normally bring on vacation with me as it's more travel friendly.  The Canon kits only gets broken out for sports or in the case of Alaska because I'm expecting rain. 

[sight-sea-er]

Thanks, @Crew News!  It looks like my 12-35 should be just fine.  I'll feel fortunate just to see those sights, let alone capture them so well!

[byargertx]

Last Alaskan trip with my Sony mirrorless full-frame body, I used my 24-240mm lens almost exclusively (2,950 out of about 3,000 pics). I felt like the 24mm end was wide enough for almost everything.

[kbnovak]

On 2/27/2023 at 12:36 PM, byargertx said:

Last Alaskan trip with my Sony mirrorless full-frame body, I used my 24-240mm lens almost exclusively (2,950 out of about 3,000 pics). I felt like the 24mm end was wide enough for almost everything.

How do  you like that 24-240?  I've been eyeing it up for an easy travel solution, but see mixed reviews.

[byargertx]

That was one of my first full-frame lenses. It has performed very well at all lengths. I haven’t noticed any issues with focusing time. It has always been very sharp for my needs and provides extra range above the standard zoom ranges.

[peety3]

Several years ago, we were shooting full-frame DSLRs and owned a 14mm f/2.8. For one of our Alaska cruises, I rented the 11-24 f/4 and stuck it in my wife's bag. We were out on the Tracy Arm small boat excursion and my wife went digging in her bag to see what wide lens I packed for her. On goes the 11-24, and a few minutes later I hear her say "yep, we can buy this lens." So for at least some people, wide is good.