Lens for Alaska

[sjrellis]

Ok, ya'll helped me at Christmas time to decide to buy dh a Nikon D90. We are going on an Alaskan cruise in August and I want him to be able to get up close and personal with the beauty! The lens he has is whatever comes with the D90 body (I do not know exactly). What should I look at for a zoom? TIA!!!

[K1W1]

"He" probably has the kit 18-55 zoom lens so I would suggest the 70-300VR to complement it for the close up shots on the trip.

[accord2003]

second that.

The 70-300VR is a very nice lens for the price.

[fionndruinne]

I would guess he has more like the 18-105mm kit lens, but I could be wrong.

Hard choice, really. Looking back on my Alaska trip and what I would've brought, if I had any knack at all in photography at the time... an ultrawide for drawing in those crazy landscapes, something a little bit longer for mountain "portraits" and such, and something like the 70-300mm VR for wildlife etc. Oh, and a tripod! Must-have there.

[ramblingman]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2980753925_a07473bf2e.jpg
I go with the 70-300 myself ...this was last summer with the 55-200 witch was very nice too!!

[ramblingman]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/2980752675_0dc019d24c.jpg

And don't forget to go for a Glacier walk ...it was a blast ....this was a feeble attempt cause I had just bought my D60 and was learning to use the camera ....with him and knowledge of using the D90 already ...your pictures should be breath taking ...btw it rains alot up there ...rain coats and possibly a cover for your camera ...you can buy clear covers sleeves that go right over your camera!

[ramblingman]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/2981608008_be50d09aaa.jpg

Salmon fishing boat ...really enjoy your trip !!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2980755237_b623a9009e.jpg

[mugsisme]

Um, if you take me a long, you are welcome to borrow any of my lenses. I have the 70-300 ...

[sjrellis]

Thanks for the suggestions and photos (and offers ; ) ). I'm gonna shop for the 70-300.

eta: Thanks for the suggestion for the camera to have its' own raincoat! We have ours, but had not thought about the camera!

[sjrellis]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/2980752675_0dc019d24c.jpg

And don't forget to go for a Glacier walk ...it was a blast ....this was a feeble attempt cause I had just bought my D60 and was learning to use the camera ....with him and knowledge of using the D90 already ...your pictures should be breath taking ...btw it rains alot up there ...rain coats and possibly a cover for your camera ...you can buy clear covers sleeves that go right over your camera!

Where can I get them?

[shshsh]

And remember to compensate +1 EV (or so - test it!) when shooting snow and glaciers! Otherwise stunning landscape shots might be just dull gray.

See also

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/exposing_snow.shtml
http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/techniques/camera-skills/landscapes-and-architecture/294628/shooting-winter-landscapes.html