We're planning a family (5) vacation to Alaska June 2007. Although we've put a deposit on a cruise, the debate rages on regarding cruise vs. land-based. In either case, we're thinking we 'll need better photo gear than our Canon A540 and Kodak C330. The kids are pretty handy with these units, but we wonder if we should upgrade.

What do we need to know for good results in Alaska?

Comments on the cruise vs. land debate are welcomed.

Canon 20D! easy to use, battery life great! but if its really cold that will kill the best of batteries, 5fps good for action/sport, and a fair 8mp for quality images, and you can pick them up for a very good price now, but im bias i love my 20D,-------- and there is no choice ------ ALASKA!!!!!

Whatever you choose im sure it will be great.

Alaska in July shouldn't be that cold that you will have to worry about battery life, but if you find yourself shooting in cold weather I've found that keeping a set of spare batteries in a pocket next to your body keeps them warm and ready to go.

Alaska won't be a problem in the summer battery wise. It's warmer than you think. A 20D will work fine, just make sure you have a good range of lenses, if your on land or ship you'll want something wide and something long....especially long for wildlife.

JS

We're planning a family (5) vacation to Alaska June 2007. Although we've put a deposit on a cruise, the debate rages on regarding cruise vs. land-based. In either case, we're thinking we 'll need better photo gear than our Canon A540 and Kodak C330. The kids are pretty handy with these units, but we wonder if we should upgrade.

What do we need to know for good results in Alaska?

Comments on the cruise vs. land debate are welcomed.

If you're sticking with Canon, then any Canon D-SLR would be fine as an upgrade from your existing cameras. Let the kids go wild with the A540 and C330 :)

As for the cruise vs land debate, depends on the level you and your family want to get involved in the photographic side. If you're looking for 80% relaxation and 20% photographic expedition, then the cruise it is. If your kids are older and don't mind "working" to get some in-close-and-personal wildlife images, then the land-based would be my suggestion.

Your choice of lenses will vary depending on your decision.

I traveled to alaska in june of 05, WOW!!! 95 degrees, ON THE GLACIER, not kidding.

The weather was hot and humid at some points, but for the most part comfortable. Everybody in town was saying it usually gets around 80~ at the highest, and we were present for a new record. If you get the chance to take a helicopter to a glacier, do it, it was one of the most beautiful things ive seen. you actually land on the glacier and walk around, and there are 60ft crevices you can fall into, lol. they let you drink the melting glacier water and its really a fun tour. take a look at that if you find a place that does it.

anyway, i wouldnt worry about battery life at all. 1 battery should be fine for 500 photos or so, thats with my 350D. I had a P&S at the time, so I couldnt stress my SLR with that trip, lol.. I did bring my SLR on our cruise to bermuda, and i was getting around 450-550 shots per battery.