Which lenses to take on a cruise?

bladerunner6 · 12-21-2014, 04:25 PM

I am not going to take all my lenses, that is more bulk than I want.

I have the following:

The two kit lenses:
18-55
50-200

Tamron 90 Macro
Plastic Fantastic 35 2.4

Sigma 28-80 Zoom with Macro

Plus my two screw mount lenses for astrophotography but I am definitely leaving them at home.

I am definitely taking the kit lenses, just too darn convenient for travel.

But I was thinking about taking one more.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, and this forum totally rocks!

**jatrax** · 12-21-2014, 04:35 PM

Take the 18-55 and the 50-200. What I would definitely take that you do not have is a fast 50mm.

My ideal light travel kit would be 18-135, 55-300 and F 50mm f/1.4. Without a fast lens you are handicapped at night or in low light.

Docrwm · 12-21-2014, 04:40 PM

Take the two kit lenses and the 35/2.4. Its faster, a good "normal" focal length, is really light, and has better IQ than the 18-55.

reeftool · 12-21-2014, 04:41 PM

The 18-55 and the 50-200 will have you well covered. The Tamron macro if you think you might have opportunities for close ups plus it's also a good lens for portraits. The 35/2.4 is small and doesn't take up space. The 2 primes are faster and will give you better low light shots also.

aleonx3 · 12-21-2014, 04:41 PM

Agree with Jatrax also, unless you don't plan on taking pictures after sunset or indoors, I would take a fast medium wide lens (your 35f2.4 will do) plus a small hot-shoe flash.

**rod_grant** · 12-21-2014, 04:42 PM

I assume the cruise will stop of at exotic places?
The Tamron would be good for native flowers etc, but would be best on a tripod for macro. Are you taking a tripod?
On the other hand the extra range of the 50-200 might be more useful over all.
It depends on what is going to be the focus of your cruise.
The Sigma's range is covered by the two kit lenses, but then it has a limited macro capability.

If it were me I'd leave out one pair of shorts and pack more lenses!

edit; All the above replies arrived while I was typing. there seems to be good agreement for both kit lenses. I forgot to mention the 35 but I would squeeze it in somewhere (it is a big boat isn't it?).

bladerunner6 · 12-21-2014, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by rod_grant

I assume the cruise will stop of at exotic places?
The Tamron would be good for native flowers etc, but would be best on a tripod for macro. Are you taking a tripod?
On the other hand the extra range of the 50-200 might be more useful over all.
It depends on what is going to be the focus of your cruise.
The Sigma's range is covered by the two kit lenses, but then it has a limited macro capability.

If it were me I'd leave out one pair of shorts and pack more lenses!

My lovely wife and I our going to a few places in the Caribbean, including Belize, Honduras and Cozumel Mexico.

I am not taking one of my tripods. Just too much to carry and pack.

Does that help in your recommendation?

Thanks.

robthebloke · 12-21-2014, 04:49 PM

Just take the 35mm f2.4. It's adaptable to most situations, and will let you just get on and enjoy the holiday.

aleonx3 · 12-21-2014, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by bladerunner6

My lovely wife and I our going to a few places in the Caribbean, including Belize, Honduras and Cozumel Mexico.

I am not taking one of my tripods. Just too much to carry and pack.

Does that help in your recommendation?

Thanks.

Unless you have a special purpose during the cruise, there is really no time for macro shots or set up time to shoot with tripod (although if you have a small one, you may). I did it once before and will never do it again.

**rod_grant** · 12-21-2014, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by aleonx3

there is really no time for macro shots or set up time to shoot with tripod

The voice of experience. I haven't ever desired to going on a cruise, so I never even thought about the time factor on stopovers.

Docrwm · 12-21-2014, 05:22 PM

Given where you are stopping and that you have a K-50, I'd try to take at least one WR lens. Not that you have one but .......

micromacro · 12-21-2014, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by bladerunner6

My lovely wife and I our going to a few places in the Caribbean, including Belize, Honduras and Cozumel Mexico.

I am not taking one of my tripods. Just too much to carry and pack.

Does that help in your recommendation?

Thanks.

Take 18mm and 200mm range as well, you will regret if you don't.

Don't forget polarized filters. It also depends on what you plan to visit at those destinations. For temples in Belize 18 will be good to cover all view. Also in Belize you will take a boat to reach the land.
Honduras and Cozumel- I can not say much because I was not interested in Honduras destinations much, and interested in Cozumel tequilas more than in anything else.

If you want whole ship pictures, 18mm and up would be the best. For views from the ship you may wish bigger than 200mm. Also, getting far enough South, watch for flying fish in water. It was my pain having only 55mm lens and watching fish flying out pretty often.

For your next cruise book St.Marteen and go to Maho beach!

bladerunner6 · 12-21-2014, 05:53 PM

It seems that the consensus is definitely for the two kit lenses and the 35 is also getting a lot of support. I agree,it is a compact and light lens with pretty darn solid image quality. I might have my wife fiddle around with the Sigma zoom though and see if she might want to take it. There are going to be a couple of times when I will be diving that she might want to shoot some pretty flowers or something else like that in macro. But that is kinda of marginal.

Thanks to everyone for rational, positive and productive input. Really, this place is fabulous.👏

**robgski** · 12-21-2014, 05:54 PM

Bad weatehr? Stay inside and shot lounge shots with the 35/2.4, which I think would be a good all-around lens for travel. Keep the 50-200 handy in case whales, dolphins or other oceanic phenomena appear.

micromacro · 12-21-2014, 05:58 PM

Oh, and don't forget to wake up early to shoot sunrise. It's spectacular.

12-21-2014, 04:25 PM	#1
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080	Which lenses to take on a cruise? I am not going to take all my lenses, that is more bulk than I want. I have the following: The two kit lenses: 18-55 50-200 Tamron 90 Macro Plastic Fantastic 35 2.4 Sigma 28-80 Zoom with Macro Plus my two screw mount lenses for astrophotography but I am definitely leaving them at home. I am definitely taking the kit lenses, just too darn convenient for travel. But I was thinking about taking one more. Any thoughts? Thanks, and this forum totally rocks!

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12-21-2014, 04:35 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Take the 18-55 and the 50-200. What I would definitely take that you do not have is a fast 50mm. My ideal light travel kit would be 18-135, 55-300 and F 50mm f/1.4. Without a fast lens you are handicapped at night or in low light.

12-21-2014, 04:40 PM	#3
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Take the two kit lenses and the 35/2.4. Its faster, a good "normal" focal length, is really light, and has better IQ than the 18-55.

12-21-2014, 04:41 PM	#4
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	The 18-55 and the 50-200 will have you well covered. The Tamron macro if you think you might have opportunities for close ups plus it's also a good lens for portraits. The 35/2.4 is small and doesn't take up space. The 2 primes are faster and will give you better low light shots also.

12-21-2014, 04:41 PM	#5
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Agree with Jatrax also, unless you don't plan on taking pictures after sunset or indoors, I would take a fast medium wide lens (your 35f2.4 will do) plus a small hot-shoe flash.

12-21-2014, 04:42 PM	#6
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	I assume the cruise will stop of at exotic places? The Tamron would be good for native flowers etc, but would be best on a tripod for macro. Are you taking a tripod? On the other hand the extra range of the 50-200 might be more useful over all. It depends on what is going to be the focus of your cruise. The Sigma's range is covered by the two kit lenses, but then it has a limited macro capability. If it were me I'd leave out one pair of shorts and pack more lenses! edit; All the above replies arrived while I was typing. there seems to be good agreement for both kit lenses. I forgot to mention the 35 but I would squeeze it in somewhere (it is a big boat isn't it?).

12-21-2014, 04:46 PM	#7
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080 Original Poster	Originally posted by rod_grant I assume the cruise will stop of at exotic places? The Tamron would be good for native flowers etc, but would be best on a tripod for macro. Are you taking a tripod? On the other hand the extra range of the 50-200 might be more useful over all. It depends on what is going to be the focus of your cruise. The Sigma's range is covered by the two kit lenses, but then it has a limited macro capability. If it were me I'd leave out one pair of shorts and pack more lenses! My lovely wife and I our going to a few places in the Caribbean, including Belize, Honduras and Cozumel Mexico. I am not taking one of my tripods. Just too much to carry and pack. Does that help in your recommendation? Thanks.

12-21-2014, 04:49 PM	#8
robthebloke Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 844	Just take the 35mm f2.4. It's adaptable to most situations, and will let you just get on and enjoy the holiday.

12-21-2014, 04:51 PM	#9
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by bladerunner6 My lovely wife and I our going to a few places in the Caribbean, including Belize, Honduras and Cozumel Mexico. I am not taking one of my tripods. Just too much to carry and pack. Does that help in your recommendation? Thanks. Unless you have a special purpose during the cruise, there is really no time for macro shots or set up time to shoot with tripod (although if you have a small one, you may). I did it once before and will never do it again.

12-21-2014, 04:57 PM	#10
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	Originally posted by aleonx3 there is really no time for macro shots or set up time to shoot with tripod The voice of experience. I haven't ever desired to going on a cruise, so I never even thought about the time factor on stopovers.

12-21-2014, 05:22 PM	#11
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Given where you are stopping and that you have a K-50, I'd try to take at least one WR lens. Not that you have one but .......

12-21-2014, 05:52 PM	#12
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Originally posted by bladerunner6 My lovely wife and I our going to a few places in the Caribbean, including Belize, Honduras and Cozumel Mexico. I am not taking one of my tripods. Just too much to carry and pack. Does that help in your recommendation? Thanks. Take 18mm and 200mm range as well, you will regret if you don't. Don't forget polarized filters. It also depends on what you plan to visit at those destinations. For temples in Belize 18 will be good to cover all view. Also in Belize you will take a boat to reach the land. Honduras and Cozumel- I can not say much because I was not interested in Honduras destinations much, and interested in Cozumel tequilas more than in anything else. If you want whole ship pictures, 18mm and up would be the best. For views from the ship you may wish bigger than 200mm. Also, getting far enough South, watch for flying fish in water. It was my pain having only 55mm lens and watching fish flying out pretty often. For your next cruise book St.Marteen and go to Maho beach!

12-21-2014, 05:53 PM	#13
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080 Original Poster	It seems that the consensus is definitely for the two kit lenses and the 35 is also getting a lot of support. I agree,it is a compact and light lens with pretty darn solid image quality. I might have my wife fiddle around with the Sigma zoom though and see if she might want to take it. There are going to be a couple of times when I will be diving that she might want to shoot some pretty flowers or something else like that in macro. But that is kinda of marginal. Thanks to everyone for rational, positive and productive input. Really, this place is fabulous.👏

12-21-2014, 05:54 PM	#14
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,799	Bad weatehr? Stay inside and shot lounge shots with the 35/2.4, which I think would be a good all-around lens for travel. Keep the 50-200 handy in case whales, dolphins or other oceanic phenomena appear.

12-21-2014, 05:58 PM	#15
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Oh, and don't forget to wake up early to shoot sunrise. It's spectacular.