Need to update my gear. Trips to AK and Isle of Skye

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Matt.

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I have a couple of trips planned this year. Isle of Skye (~5 days) and Alaska (24 days). Both will be landscapes, and AK will have a little wildlife (mostly bears!). My current kit is a well travelled old Canon 5dmk2 and 17-40L, 85 1.8, 50 1.8. When I do trips like this I tend to purchase a second camera and long lens, and sell when I return. On previous occasions this has been a 7d and 100-400L. However, I'm sure everything has moved on a little now, and I'm very out of touch with the gear from the last ~5yrs.

I don't want to spend a fortune, but for sensible sums (~£1k) what would you recommend I do? (I could sell some gear and buy again, or buy additional gear). The easy choice would be what I've done before and get a 7d and 100-400L to take on the trips alongside the 5dmk2 and 17-40L.


Thanks
 
Matt. said:
The easy choice would be what I've done before and get a 7d and 100-400L to take on the trips alongside the 5dmk2 and 17-40L.
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You could certainly do worse. However the 7D Mk II is *much* better than the Mk I, especially in low light, and the 100-400 Mk II is *much much* better than the Mk I.

Summer before last I went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Svalbard, and that's the primary kit I took. I was blown away with the quality of the images, pin sharp right down to pixel level. Plus the high-ISO capability of the camera meant I didn't have to think too hard about settings: for example just dial in 1/2000th at f/8 and let the Auto ISO take care of itself.

If your budget will stretch that far, I'd certainly recommend it.
 
look at the 80d before a 7d2 if you want lower cost.

my 80d is on par with my 7d2, just lacks the metal build, less fps. In some ways its better, the tracking for bif is possibly, fractionally slower but works. The angled touchscreen is good for landscapes and the images to my eyes look cleaner at certain iso.
 
The 7dmk2 looks like a possibility for a second body, the 100-400L mk2 is too expensive. Not sure on the 80d, I'd be a little concerned with the build of it. I'll check out some reviews. Is it worth switching the 5dmk2 for a mk3?
 
I've decided to try and find the following items used:
- 7d mk2
- 100-400L
- 24-105L

I might replace the 5dmk2, not sure yet though. The 5dmk3 is old, the mk4 too expensive, maybe the 6dmk2?
 
LongLensPhotography said:
Instead of the old and soft 100-400 you should opt for excellent but non-stabilised 400mm f/5.6L prime. You'll want high shutter speed for the bears anyway.
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I suspect a zoom will be fairly beneficial for where I'll be going, so I'd rather get the 100-400L. I've had a few in the past, so know all about them!

I went to look at kit today. The 6dmk2 is fairly interesting as an alternative to the 5dmk3. The 5dmk3 feels so much better though, but is likely too old and outdated to be worth getting.
 
Matt. said:
I suspect a zoom will be fairly beneficial for where I'll be going, so I'd rather get the 100-400L. I've had a few in the past, so know all about them!

I went to look at kit today. The 6dmk2 is fairly interesting as an alternative to the 5dmk3. The 5dmk3 feels so much better though, but is likely too old and outdated to be worth getting.
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Ok, if you want zoom you would be better off getting a new Sigma or Tamron offering. They are actually better optically. An alternative is a cheapo ebay 70-200mm f/4 non-IS + 400mm prime. This is actually an excellent combo, far better than anything else for that price.

I completely reject the idea that 5d mk3 is outdated / not worth getting or worse than 6D II. That's false. The places you will be going to for a start require a properly weather proofed camera. Sensible options are 7D I / II, 5D III / IV / S / SR, 1 DX. Please not the absence of 5D II, 6D or any double digit body in that list. You can chance it but if the weather turns awful wet or cold and it dies tough luck.
The sensor of mk3 is better than anything any 6D ever had. Same for AF. Most reviews of 6DII are not really glowing. It is not a bad camera but that is the best you could say - not great for a new product at that price. Of course buying mk3 at UK new prices would be silly. Look around for a good used one.
 
I've started buying a little kit now. Got a 24-105L and 7dmk2. The 100-400L or whatever long lens I buy will probably come in a month or two. Got to spread out the cost a little!

I'm fairly sure I'm going to keep the 5dmk2 and not change it for these trips. I think the cost is a little too high really. However, theres always the possibility of buying a 5dmk4 later in the year when I don't need the 7dmk2/100-400L any longer.

Now I just wish it wasn't such terrible weather over easter and I could get out and test this kit!
 
Matt. said:
The 5dmk3 feels so much better though, but is likely too old and outdated to be worth getting.
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It is certainly a good upgrade from a 5d mk 2 though. They are holding their value incredibly well also.
 
On trips like this you should definitely take 2 bodies.......IMHO keep the mk 2 as well... where are you going in AK?...Katmai? the bears can come pretty close, but if you are shooting them fishing (say Brooks lodge) you'll need a longer lens.

The landscape is great but the wildlife is spectacular, Humpies, etc.

Depends on location.

Skye also has lots of wildlife, many birds WT Eagles, Goldies etc) and also otters.

George.
 
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I am definitely taking two bodies. My expected kit list is:
5dmk2
7dmk2
17-40L
24-105L
100-400L

I am not too bothered with wildlife photography, but will have the 7d and 100-400 just in case.

I'll be going to:
Anchorage
Katmai (brooks falls)
Wrangell St Elias (base camping trip)
Valdez
Fairbanks
Denali
Seward
Kenai Fjords
Etc...
 
Let me throw in a sigma 150-600c. Not as compact as the 100-400 but it does produce excellent shots.
 
Matt, that's a great trip!!

You'll get a superb variation in scenery and wildlife, and depending on when you go, Brooks Falls is superb for the grizzlys, they may come very close!

It's a few years since I was there but I don't think much will have changed, I presume you are staying in Denali?....great landscape opportunities here as I'm sure you know.

At peak season, they limit the time at Brooks that you can spend on the main viewing platform, but this tends not to happen first thing in the morning and last thing at night before and after the day trippers fly in.

I think you've covered the focal lengths well as the 7D2 will give you the reach for wildlife and the landscape will be covered with the 5D2.

There's a great lodge at the end of the road in Denali which is where the flight seeing pilots stay...it's basic but the food is good and it's very reasonably priced, I can send you the info if you want....just pm me.

Have a great trip....wish I was going again!!

George.
 
wave01 said:
Let me throw in a sigma 150-600c. Not as compact as the 100-400 but it does produce excellent shots.
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Problem with that is the weight....you can only get to Brooks in a small float plane and the weight restrictions are quite stringent.
We dumped gear in Anchorage at a hotel for these side trips.
If Matt really wants to spend some money, I'd upgrade the 100-400 to a mk2 (if that's not what he's got)
 
Matt. said:
Now I just wish it wasn't such terrible weather over easter and I could get out and test this kit!
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But isn't that the point? Easter in the UK is a "breeze" compared with 24 days in Alaska... You want to make sure your kit is weatherproofed properly....

Have you contemplated hiring the 100-400 Mk2 ?
 
Jelster said:
But isn't that the point? Easter in the UK is a "breeze" compared with 24 days in Alaska... You want to make sure your kit is weatherproofed properly....

Have you contemplated hiring the 100-400 Mk2 ?
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Good point. And I would imagine the very cold with annoying sun they get there sometimes will mist up a lens faster than you can turn the camera on.
 
GTG said:
Good point. And I would imagine the very cold with annoying sun they get there sometimes will mist up a lens faster than you can turn the camera on.
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Depending on when Matt's going, it probably won't be that cold or the bears will still be hibernating!!
 
Jelster said:
But isn't that the point? Easter in the UK is a "breeze" compared with 24 days in Alaska... You want to make sure your kit is weatherproofed properly....

Have you contemplated hiring the 100-400 Mk2 ?
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Renting kit for 3+ weeks isn't worth it. It's cheaper to buy and sell. I may get a mk2, but I suspect I won't want to outlay the money given the expense of everything else.

The Sigma 150-600 Contemporary won't work as it's not weather sealed.

Tamron 150-600 G2 is possible, but I know little about it, and am a little concerned by focusing issues, and resale complications.

Unfortunately I'm only day tripping to Brooks Falls as overnight stays were unavailable and insanely expensive. However, I'll be camping 3 nights in Wrangell St Elias out in the real wilderness!

The trip is verging on being more hiking/adventure led than photography, but the photography gives me the excuse to go to places, so I need the kit!
 
Fine, well you'll have a great time.

One other point....again I'm sure you'll have seen the publicity, but if you are going to Skye then make sure you have accommodation booked as it's getting insanely busy, but the scenery is splendid.

George.
 
I looked at the Tamron. The lack of effective weather sealing, size, and weight have removed it from the running. Weight and size are a significant issue as I need to hike up hills and into the wilderness with my gear.

I'll be getting a Canon 100-400. Just need to decide whether there's any reason to spend the extra on the mk2. I'll be selling it later this year, so in reality it's more about the money I want to temporarily assign to purchasing this and the value loss upon sale. I doubt I'll use it much, it's just for bears in AK really.
 
If you can stretch the the Mk2, I urge you to trade up. I sold my MK1 and later upgraded when budget outlawed. No annoying trombone zoom either.
 
Chipper said:
If you can stretch the the Mk2, I urge you to trade up. I sold my MK1 and later upgraded when budget outlawed. No annoying trombone zoom either.
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I quite like the super fast zoom action of the mk1. I still don't quite understand all the hate for it on the internet!
 
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