Gear for a Mediterranean Cruise

**jrpower10** · 09-18-2012, 04:31 PM

My extended family is taking a cruise around Italy to celebrate my mother's 75th birthday. First visit to Italy and for the trip I'm trying to decide on camera gear. Trying to balance getting great shots of my one visit to Italy against not letting photography detract from the family getaway. First thought is, being on a boat I probably want WR gear. I have:

DA* 50-135
DA 18-250
31 limited

This sound reasonable, or should I be looking at the 18-135 WR and ditching the other 2 zooms? Thought?

DaveHolmes · 09-18-2012, 04:50 PM

Do you already have 18-135 WR?

The boat won't be a problem... Cruise ships tend to be massive... If your lens gets wet, it's cos you dropped it in the sea...

Dust on the mainland however... Italy is a dusty country[fullstop]

I'd take the DA 18-250 and the 31 Ltd and have a good time (this is bearing in mind I frequently go out and about with only 2 or 3 primes)

Docrwm · 09-18-2012, 06:04 PM

For Italy and the beautiful countryside and stunning interiors I'd want something wider than 18. The 18-250 is a great tourist lens IMHO and the 31 is a great normal length, but for those churches and other sweeping interiors something 15 or less would be my preference.

**jva59** · 09-18-2012, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

For Italy and the beautiful countryside and stunning interiors I'd want something wider than 18. The 18-250 is a great tourist lens IMHO and the 31 is a great normal length, but for those churches and other sweeping interiors something 15 or less would be my preference.

I second Dorwm's view about a wide angle zoom or prime. While Island hopping in Greece two summers ago my Sigma 10-20 was the lens I used the most.

**jrpower10** · 09-19-2012, 01:14 PM

Thanks for the advice all. I have the Sigma 8-16 (forgot to mention that one) so I'll add it to the 18-250 and 31. Should be fairly travel-friendly. Might even use this trip as an excuse to pick up the DA 15 limited

Docrwm · 09-19-2012, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by jrpower10

Thanks for the advice all. I have the Sigma 8-16 (forgot to mention that one) so I'll add it to the 18-250 and 31. Should be fairly travel-friendly. Might even use this trip as an excuse to pick up the DA 15 limited

Very nice. I just got the DA15 and you could do worse

**Michaelina2** · 09-22-2012, 09:47 AM

If I was in your shoes, I'd try to travel as light as possible.

Take a Pentax Q (Q10, maybe) with the 01 Prime, 03 Fisheye, and its new 15-45 zoom, plus three/four batteries/charger, a couple of 32mb class 10 SD cards. Carry it all in a vest with lots of pockets (black, of course) that you'll wear during your waking hours, everyday.

...my 2 cents...

bebna · 09-22-2012, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by Michaelina2

a couple of 32mb class 10 SD cards

Small camera only needs small storage...

You are propably used to your K-5, so it wouldn't do good for you if you change that late to the Q. It got an entirely different feeling to it, who will only slow you down. Be fast with the K-5 and spend more time with your mother. ;-)

**Michaelina2** · 09-22-2012, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by bebna

Small camera only needs small storage...

You are propably used to your K-5, so it wouldn't do good for you if you change that late to the Q. It got an entirely different feeling to it, who will only slow you down. Be fast with the K-5 and spend more time with your mother. ;-)

From my experience in response to the OP's query:

Given the similarities in menu structure and "functional language," the knowledgeable K-5 owner's Q learning curve should be less than 2 days. Two 32mb cards permit 2500 RAW+JPG high quality still captures. Obviously, the overhead (stealth factor, dead weight, support gadget, etc.) difference between the two systems favors the Q.

No doubt a K-5 kit will work just fine. My K-7/K-x kit served me well on my Mediterranean cruise (Venice - Croatia - Montenegro - Santorini - Athens) three years ago. As a result of all that adventure, my only purpose is to suggest that the OP think 'outside the box,' that's all. If I had a do over and the Q had been available (wasn't at the time), I'd be all over it and I'm 70+ years old. Or as the Greeks would say, "Easy... No problem..."

Cheers...

simico · 09-24-2012, 12:37 AM

Originally posted by Michaelina2

Two 32mb cards permit 2500 RAW+JPG high quality still captures.

Erm, two 32MB cards permit 2 RAW files only

I guess you wanted to write 32GB

**Michaelina2** · 09-24-2012, 04:32 AM

Originally posted by simico

Erm, two 32MB cards permit 2 RAW files only

I guess you wanted to write 32GB

Yep... I stand corrected,,, thx...

Anyway, one can put a ton of images on these tiny cards... The very thought of sorting for the best out of 2500 prospects then doing something with them gives me the willies...

Cheers... M

09-18-2012, 04:31 PM	#1
jrpower10 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 935	Gear for a Mediterranean Cruise My extended family is taking a cruise around Italy to celebrate my mother's 75th birthday. First visit to Italy and for the trip I'm trying to decide on camera gear. Trying to balance getting great shots of my one visit to Italy against not letting photography detract from the family getaway. First thought is, being on a boat I probably want WR gear. I have: DA* 50-135 DA 18-250 31 limited This sound reasonable, or should I be looking at the 18-135 WR and ditching the other 2 zooms? Thought?

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09-18-2012, 04:50 PM	#2
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	Do you already have 18-135 WR? The boat won't be a problem... Cruise ships tend to be massive... If your lens gets wet, it's cos you dropped it in the sea... Dust on the mainland however... Italy is a dusty country[fullstop] I'd take the DA 18-250 and the 31 Ltd and have a good time (this is bearing in mind I frequently go out and about with only 2 or 3 primes)

09-18-2012, 06:04 PM	#3
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	For Italy and the beautiful countryside and stunning interiors I'd want something wider than 18. The 18-250 is a great tourist lens IMHO and the 31 is a great normal length, but for those churches and other sweeping interiors something 15 or less would be my preference.

09-18-2012, 07:03 PM	#4
jva59 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,409	Originally posted by Docrwm For Italy and the beautiful countryside and stunning interiors I'd want something wider than 18. The 18-250 is a great tourist lens IMHO and the 31 is a great normal length, but for those churches and other sweeping interiors something 15 or less would be my preference. I second Dorwm's view about a wide angle zoom or prime. While Island hopping in Greece two summers ago my Sigma 10-20 was the lens I used the most.

09-19-2012, 01:14 PM	#5
jrpower10 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 935 Original Poster	Thanks for the advice all. I have the Sigma 8-16 (forgot to mention that one) so I'll add it to the 18-250 and 31. Should be fairly travel-friendly. Might even use this trip as an excuse to pick up the DA 15 limited

09-19-2012, 02:45 PM	#6
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by jrpower10 Thanks for the advice all. I have the Sigma 8-16 (forgot to mention that one) so I'll add it to the 18-250 and 31. Should be fairly travel-friendly. Might even use this trip as an excuse to pick up the DA 15 limited Very nice. I just got the DA15 and you could do worse

09-22-2012, 09:47 AM	#7
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,300	If I was in your shoes, I'd try to travel as light as possible. Take a Pentax Q (Q10, maybe) with the 01 Prime, 03 Fisheye, and its new 15-45 zoom, plus three/four batteries/charger, a couple of 32mb class 10 SD cards. Carry it all in a vest with lots of pockets (black, of course) that you'll wear during your waking hours, everyday. ...my 2 cents...

09-22-2012, 10:17 AM	#8
bebna New Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Leipzig, Saxony, Germany Posts: 6	Originally posted by Michaelina2 a couple of 32mb class 10 SD cards Small camera only needs small storage... You are propably used to your K-5, so it wouldn't do good for you if you change that late to the Q. It got an entirely different feeling to it, who will only slow you down. Be fast with the K-5 and spend more time with your mother. ;-)

09-22-2012, 03:18 PM	#9
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,300	Originally posted by bebna Small camera only needs small storage... You are propably used to your K-5, so it wouldn't do good for you if you change that late to the Q. It got an entirely different feeling to it, who will only slow you down. Be fast with the K-5 and spend more time with your mother. ;-) From my experience in response to the OP's query: Given the similarities in menu structure and "functional language," the knowledgeable K-5 owner's Q learning curve should be less than 2 days. Two 32mb cards permit 2500 RAW+JPG high quality still captures. Obviously, the overhead (stealth factor, dead weight, support gadget, etc.) difference between the two systems favors the Q. No doubt a K-5 kit will work just fine. My K-7/K-x kit served me well on my Mediterranean cruise (Venice - Croatia - Montenegro - Santorini - Athens) three years ago. As a result of all that adventure, my only purpose is to suggest that the OP think 'outside the box,' that's all. If I had a do over and the Q had been available (wasn't at the time), I'd be all over it and I'm 70+ years old. Or as the Greeks would say, "Easy... No problem..." Cheers...

09-24-2012, 12:37 AM	#10
simico Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Budapest Posts: 821	Originally posted by Michaelina2 Two 32mb cards permit 2500 RAW+JPG high quality still captures. Erm, two 32MB cards permit 2 RAW files only I guess you wanted to write 32GB

09-24-2012, 04:32 AM	#11
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,300	Originally posted by simico Erm, two 32MB cards permit 2 RAW files only I guess you wanted to write 32GB Yep... I stand corrected,,, thx... Anyway, one can put a ton of images on these tiny cards... The very thought of sorting for the best out of 2500 prospects then doing something with them gives me the willies... Cheers... M

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