What else do I need in my bag

[ChrisNikon]

Ok, that's good to know. If it's that heavy, the last thing I want to do is buy a lens that I'm not going to use as often as I should.

On the plus side, I can probably get both the 35mm prime and the 70-300, and perhaps even a tripod, for the cost of the 80-400.

Thanks!

[tbob]

The cheese sandwiches are a good idea although I have some amendments. The consensus opinion here (where we have black bears and a large population of grizzly bears) is when traveling in bear country to have a stout walking staff; preferably about 5 to 6 feet long, and always bring a friend. Get your friend to carry the cheese sandwiches, then when the bear approaches use the staff to trip your friend and run as fast as you can.

[The Blue Boy]

Mmmm......cheese sandwiches....

*droolz like homer*

Having read the above replies and having had a bit of a rummage through the grey matter (didn't take long) I'd suggest a monopod, as a tripod is a bit useless on a small boat.

I'd also reccomend the 70-300mm. Although it's not the fastest lens, it's done me some good service.

Plus, there's nothing worse than having freezing cold hands, so gloves. I use pro-cycling gloves in really cold weather. Work a treat.

(Me, in gloves)

[benm]

Since this is a once in a lifetime trip for you I would suggest a backup camera, even if it is only a P&S.

[rpcrowe]

1. Cheese sandwiches for feeding the bears lunch on your shoots.
2. Rubber band to hold the Nikon together when it starts to fall apart (only kidding).
3. Pen/paper to write down phone numbers of attractive Caribou who mistake you for a famous photographer.
4. Pan scourer for clearing the lens of ice.
5. A pair of running shoes so you can get away from the bears after you fail to give them a cheese sandwich.
6. A print of somewhere warm and sunny.
7. A boot to kick yourself with that you didn't go to Hawaii instead.
8. An ice knife to make the cocktails
9. A copy of National Geographic to give you some shot ideas.
10. Thermal underwear.

Does that help? Have a nice trip!

If a bear chases you and a friend; just run away. You don't have to be able to run faster than the bear. YOU JUST NEED TO RUN FASTER THAN YOUR FRIEND!

[ChrisNikon]

I'm certainly hoping to avoid getting that close to bears in any and all situations - met one up close and personal in New Hampshire a couple years ago and that was close enough for me!

Thanks everyone. I've got most of the items nailed down, only two real outstanding questions:

1) Tripod - I've read the tutorial on the site about tripods in general, and done some research on my own. My concern with a monopod was only using it in this specific instance, where a tripod seems to have more versatility. I've been looking into the options, so that should be licked in a little bit here.

2) The bag - as the list of needed items has grown, especially the things that didn't even occur to me till afterwards, we've out-stripped the size in my current camera bag. Since I'm going to be doing a fair amount of traveling, via plane, boat, and ultimately foot, I was thinking of a backpack-style bag that would have enough space for all my photo equipment, laptop, etc.

Does anyone have something like this http://www.clikelite.com/shop/large-hiker/ . Looks pretty successful to me, but I'm not sure if there are better backpack-style holders that would also have space for other, non-photographic equipment.

[Dave Humphries]

2) The bag - as the list of needed items has grown, especially the things that didn't even occur to me till afterwards, we've out-stripped the size in my current camera bag. Since I'm going to be doing a fair amount of traveling, via plane, boat, and ultimately foot, I was thinking of a backpack-style bag that would have enough space for all my photo equipment, laptop, etc.

Does anyone have something like this http://www.clikelite.com/shop/large-hiker/ . Looks pretty successful to me, but I'm not sure if there are better backpack-style holders that would also have space for other, non-photographic equipment.

Bear in mind (sorry, I couldn't resist) to keep it within carry-on size limits for your flights - the last thing you want to discover (at airport) is that this is too big and has to be checked in, at extra cost and massive risk of loss.

Have a good trip,

[tameigh]

As to the cruise itself? When I did a cruise like that, we went fly fishing for salmon, saw bears less that fifty yards, eagles flew over our heads so close that one could hear the wing beats. Walked on glaciers. Watched huge glaciers from the ship. I would say that of all of the things I remember from that trip, pre photography addiction, my priority would be on sharpness rather than reach in a lens for such a trip.

[tbob]

You may want to consider the option of a belt and modular system if you are going to be hiking quite a bit, or even a little. I use a think tank belt with a harness and various modules, configuring the final array to suit my plans for the day. The system is very comfortable and I can carry a ridiculous amount of gear comfortably and be able to change lens and filters quickly and easily. And the never have to put anything on the ground where it can get muddy, wet or go astray. For travel the entire thing packs into one of their rolling bags with lots of space for non essentials like deodorant and toothpaste

I was using a backpack, I gave it away to my daughter since using this system

This is the company /www.thinktankphoto.com/default.aspx

Have a great trip

[tameigh]

When we were fishing in Alaska, the guide gave us yellow whistles to blow in case of a bear. He said they were everywhere, you could tell by their scat along the banks of the stream. I asked him how he knew it was bear scat. He said "Just look at the yellow whistles in it."

[MiniChris]

Yeah...I think that's the reason everyone in Montana laughed at me with deer whistles on my Mini...they said they attracted deer, especially ones that had never seen a Mini...and those little buggers were everywhere too...and elk, moose...lots of things bigger than my car.....as to bear scat and whistles, did you ever wonder if they repackaged to used ones...

[Marie Hass]

I know I am not as experienced as the rest of you, but here goes:

1. Take your camera charger and a spare. That way, if you leave one charger somewhere, you still have a spare. It also now won't matter how long you keep your camera on. They are very cheap. I got a spare from Overstock.com for about $6.00.
2. I use a hunting vest. Yhey come in different colors. Lots and lots of deep pockets for everything you need for the day (including a beverage and cell phone).
3. I also use a tackle bag. It is waterproof. Enough room for all my camera equipment. 2 lenses, 2 cameras, external flash, flash bracket, off camera cord, batteries, battery charger and rechargeables - and cell phone charger. Extra cards are essential. You never know if one will go bad. Plus that sandwich or snacks or granola, or what ever you choose.
4. A laptop is an excellent idea. I take mine with me for the day when I am shooting an event. If I have down time, I sit and decompress and check out the pictures. If I do have an external hard drive, I download onto there, then when i get back, I can simply plug and play for processing.

I hope this helps. Carry on for me would be the tackle bag and a big rucksack (holding also my laptop and books).

I traveled in August of '10 with this setup (flying), and it was very convenient.

Hope this is of use to you. Have a wonderful time.

[Shadowman]

I'm certainly hoping to avoid getting that close to bears in any and all situations - met one up close and personal in New Hampshire a couple years ago and that was close enough for me!

Thanks everyone. I've got most of the items nailed down, only two real outstanding questions:

1) Tripod - I've read the tutorial on the site about tripods in general, and done some research on my own. My concern with a monopod was only using it in this specific instance, where a tripod seems to have more versatility. I've been looking into the options, so that should be licked in a little bit here.

2) The bag - as the list of needed items has grown, especially the things that didn't even occur to me till afterwards, we've out-stripped the size in my current camera bag. Since I'm going to be doing a fair amount of traveling, via plane, boat, and ultimately foot, I was thinking of a backpack-style bag that would have enough space for all my photo equipment, laptop, etc.

Does anyone have something like this http://www.clikelite.com/shop/large-hiker/ . Looks pretty successful to me, but I'm not sure if there are better backpack-style holders that would also have space for other, non-photographic equipment.

The monopod would seem as unstable as handholding but it's all in the technique, or so I read. It's all about balance and steadiness and if you can rest the pole against something solid then you will reduce camera shake considerably.

[mythlady]

I use a monopod all the time and love it.

You are going to have the best time. I went to Alaska maybe 8 yrs ago (also pre-photography addiction, darn it ) and it was fabulous. We were on a small ship that held 100 people, but only 68 were on it. Very end of May, early June -- still cold, raining some times. On that small boat, you will get very close to wildlife of all kinds. I love Alaska so much, but unfortunately cannot get the current husband to put it on his bucket list, so will probably not be going back. I never used the word "stupendous" to describe anything in my life, before visiting there. I had wanted to go for so long (since the 50's, when my dad went there) that when the plane came out of the clouds at Juneau, and I saw the mountains rising straight out of the sea, I burst into tears.

Okay, now I'm just embarrassing myself. I'll stop.

[pdinella]

Speaking for myself, if I were going on this trip and I wanted to carry only one lens, I'd sell your current lens and get the Nikkor 18-200 VR version 2 (AF-S NIKKOR 18-20mm 1:3.5-5.6GII ED). Has 72mm filter size. I have it on my D300 and never take it off because the range is perfect for 95% of my shooting. On your DX camera it give you the equivalent full-frame 27-300mm reach. How much more do you want...or need? And you'd never have to take the lens off once during the whole trip! No dust bunnies! Or missed shots!

Just a thought.

[Shadowman]

I am currently in Toronto having stayed overnight and I only carried my 50mm and 18-55mm lenses. I regret not taking my 55-200 or 70-300mm because it would have helped taking photos at a dog show in an overly crowded setting. And why is it that tall people feel they need to stand in the front of a crowd.

[PicsbyChance]

Tripod or Monopod - it sort of depends on what you plan to do with them.

If you are thinking of using a long lense to take wildlife shots during the daylight hours, I would consider the monopod. I use it mainly for holding my camera and lens on the mark while I am waiting for the shot to happen. Not really using it to reduce camera shake while taking the shot. It is also much more user friendly than a tripod and can double as a walking stick. Ofcourse, not while the camera is attached.

If you are hoping to get a chance to take some twilight landscapes on dry land either in the morning or evening using longer shutter speeds, I would definitely consider a tripod. It still amazes me how much even a slight movement during a shot with a 1/30th of a second exposure or longer can blur an otherwise great shot. If you are thinking along these lines, I would also think about a shutter release for your camera if it has mirror lock-up. You had mentioned using the tripod as a monopod by just putting the legs together, I have tried that but wasn't too pleased with the results. But admittedly I am almost twice your age and not the most balanced one in the bunch. (yes, I guess you could take "balanced" more than one way)

However you decide, you are going to have a great time and will come back with some magnificent images!

I'm looking forward to seeing some of the shots you come home with!

Mike