Dev'sMom

Hello all. I was hoping to post a review in early July about our Alaska trip and my new camera. Unfortunately we couldn't go. I was diagnosed cancer in mid-June. I'm in the midst of chemotherapy now. I'm praying to be able to beat this terrible disease quickly. And re-book for 2020. I feel most terrible for my young son. I need to be here for him as he grows up. There's so much more I want to do with him. I'm praying to have many more quality years with him. He and I are best friends. Everything I do is either directly or indirectly for him. I can't even look at the camera right now. Once I get some good news about my health, I will feel comfortable planning again and learning the camera to capture the all-important memories with my son. I'm struggling emotionally for him as much as I am physically.

p.s. I'm re-posting this in my other longer threads where I got helpful replies to my questions, where I intended to report back.

Hello all. I was hoping to post a review in early July about our Alaska trip and my new camera. Unfortunately we couldn't go. I was diagnosed cancer in mid-June. I'm in the midst of chemotherapy now. I'm praying to be able to beat this terrible disease quickly. And re-book for 2020. I feel most terrible for my young son. I need to be here for him as he grows up. There's so much more I want to do with him. I'm praying to have many more quality years with him. He and I are best friends. Everything I do is either directly or indirectly for him. I can't even look at the camera right now. Once I get some good news about my health, I will feel comfortable planning again and learning the camera to capture the all-important memories with my son. I'm struggling emotionally for him as much as I am physically.

p.s. I'm re-posting this in my other longer threads where I got helpful replies to my questions, where I intended to report back.

Hello all. I was hoping to post a review in early July about our Alaska trip and my new camera. Unfortunately we couldn't go. I was diagnosed cancer in mid-June. I'm in the midst of chemotherapy now. I'm praying to be able to beat this terrible disease quickly. And re-book for 2020. I feel most terrible for my young son. I need to be here for him as he grows up. There's so much more I want to do with him. I'm praying to have many more quality years with him. He and I are best friends. Everything I do is either directly or indirectly for him. I can't even look at the camera right now. Once I get some good news about my health, I will feel comfortable planning again and learning the camera to capture the all-important memories with my son. I'm struggling emotionally for him as much as I am physically.

p.s. I'm re-posting this in my other longer threads where I got helpful replies to my questions, where I intended to report back.

Hello all. I was hoping to post a review in early July about our Alaska trip and my new camera. Unfortunately we couldn't go. I was diagnosed cancer in mid-June. I'm in the midst of chemotherapy now. I'm praying to be able to beat this terrible disease quickly. And re-book for 2020. I feel most terrible for my young son. I need to be here for him as he grows up. There's so much more I want to do with him. I'm praying to have many more quality years with him. He and I are best friends. Everything I do is either directly or indirectly for him. I can't even look at the camera right now. Once I get some good news about my health, I will feel comfortable planning again and learning the camera to capture the all-important memories with my son. I'm struggling emotionally for him as much as I am physically.

p.s. I'm re-posting this in my other longer threads where I got helpful replies to my questions, where I intended to report back.

Hello all. I was hoping to post a review in early July about our Alaska trip and my new camera. Unfortunately we couldn't go. I was diagnosed cancer in mid-June. I'm in the midst of chemotherapy now. I'm praying to be able to beat this terrible disease quickly. And re-book for 2020. I feel most terrible for my young son. I need to be here for him as he grows up. There's so much more I want to do with him. I'm praying to have many more quality years with him. He and I are best friends. Everything I do is either directly or indirectly for him. I can't even look at the camera right now. Once I get some good news about my health, I will feel comfortable planning again and learning the camera to capture the all-important memories with my son. I'm struggling emotionally for him as much as I am physically.

p.s. I'm re-posting this in my other longer threads where I got helpful replies to my questions, where I intended to report back.

Hello all. I was hoping to post a review in early July about our Alaska trip and my new camera. Unfortunately we couldn't go. I was diagnosed cancer in mid-June. I'm in the midst of chemotherapy now. I'm praying to be able to beat this terrible disease quickly. And re-book for 2020. I feel most terrible for my young son. I need to be here for him as he grows up. There's so much more I want to do with him. I'm praying to have many more quality years with him. He and I are best friends. Everything I do is either directly or indirectly for him. I can't even look at the camera right now. Once I get some good news about my health, I will feel comfortable planning again and learning the camera to capture the all-important memories with my son. I'm struggling emotionally for him as much as I am physically.

p.s. I'm re-posting this in my other longer threads where I got helpful replies to my questions, where I intended to report back.

Hello all. I was hoping to post a review in early July about our Alaska trip and my new camera. Unfortunately we couldn't go. I was diagnosed cancer in mid-June. I'm in the midst of chemotherapy now. I'm praying to be able to beat this terrible disease quickly. And re-book for 2020. I feel most terrible for my young son. I need to be here for him as he grows up. There's so much more I want to do with him. I'm praying to have many more quality years with him. He and I are best friends. Everything I do is either directly or indirectly for him. I can't even look at the camera right now. Once I get some good news about my health, I will feel comfortable planning again and learning the camera to capture the all-important memories with my son. I'm struggling emotionally for him as much as I am physically.

Significant drain as it hunts. I keep Airplane mode set to "On" except for the few times I need to transfer a shot to my phone.

 

Dave

Thanks for confirming! Airplane mode it is then.

If I decide to fiddle with filters before our trip, between uv, nd, and polarizer--which for the 18-135mm and which for the 12mm wide angle lens? Is the answer just "yes" ;)?

Considering what I'll be aiming for--glaciers, mountains, wildlife, landscapes, many with my family in the foreground, I'm trying to narrow down what I buy before vs after the trip to Alaska.

olya1972, I'm glad to hear you were happy with the ship! Thanks for reporting back! Sounds like my family will like the BBC show and enrichment lectures when our turn comes in about a month :)

Yes would've been nice if an external charger was included. Great battery/charger info, everyone!

I read a couple of reviews that mentioned turning the camera's wifi off saved battery power. Has anyone tinkered with this? The reviews said the camera is always looking for a wifi signal, which causes more battery use, so turn it off when just taking pictures and video, turn back on when actually needed.

I made a tradition of hot tub sail aways. Found it quieter (and better views) AFT, outside teen center. Good in any weather!

woohoo that's a great idea!!! :)

I'm glad it's working for you. Your comment made me check out the product on B&H; I've rarely seen such negative reviews! :eek:

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1303950-REG/wd_wdbvpl0010bbk_nesn_storage_solutions_for_my.html

I saw a lot of negative reviews on Amazon, too. But then lots of good ones as well. I don't plan to use the wireless transfer function, so I'm hoping I don't run into issues with simply copying things over to it. And I think I'll use only 64GB cards, maybe that will minimize issues. For the price, I'll give it a go and hopefully end up with a nice back-up set of all our pics and vids.

Just a thought. You are leaving in 37 days and you are still trying to figure out what camera to buy. Bad idea.

 

DON

Sure, good point, I agree. Since I can't turn back the clock and find time between my job and taking care of my family, I'm going to call it "better late than never." This camera will be used beyond Alaska, and even though I won't know all the tricks within a month, I'm confident that I'll have better photos from it vs our phones, which was our only other choice. I have to start somewhere :)

Anyone know what settings I can use to make it look like I dropped 10 pounds instead of adding it?? :')

if you are open to renting a car in Anchorage you might enjoy a walk to Byron Glacier so your son can play on the snowfield. (about an hour south of Anchorage).

 

https://everything-everywhere.com/byron-glacier-alaska-a-family-friendly-hike-between-anchorage-and-seward/

 

 

And since you're nearby, you could also stop by the Wildlife Conservation center for a walk or drive thru.

https://www.alaskawildlife.org/

How vast that ice field looks! I had no idea about it till you posted this website. Adding it to the next-time list! We'll only be in Anchorage for about 12 hours; train from Denali arrives around 5pm (cruisetour train), then train to Seward leaves early the next morning (booked on our own Coastal Classic). If we have energy to do anything other than dinner during the short time in Anchorage, we will consider renting bikes for the Tony Knowles Trail. Loved it 15 years ago, hope it's still a nice ride on 2 wheels to Earthquake Park.

If people on the Baja and Aloha decks look over their railings, they can see the uncovered portion of you balcony. We have never had a problem with the partially covered balconies of the Caribe deck.

 

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I appreciate the confirmation :)

I'm a little bit proud of myself as I came up with a similar list of filters by reading Dave's page and the dp review website! Must mean I'm learning something :)

I was wondering about RAW image capture as well. I will definitely have to experiment with that esp in any less-than-ideal conditions and then see what surprises come out! I will need Mac OS-friendly software.

I am tempted by at least the polarizer and ND filters. I do a little bit of microscopy at work and so am familiar with what these filters reveal at the micrometer level.

On another note, I am eyeing up the WD wireless portable 2TB hard drive with SD slot to back-up (not move but just copy) the pictures during vacation, just in case...I know solid state is better but they charge for that, too. I will baby the hard drive same as I will the camera.

Digital Camera Review is the photographers equivalent to Cruise Critics for cruisers. See below recommendations for best travel cameras...

 

 

 

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-cameras-for-travel

Yes I read a lot on there (glad to hear it's reputable!) as well as CC member pierces page http://www.pptphoto.com/articles/usi...ers_frame.html in the course of deciding and some of their info tipped me over to the Sony mirrorless. I am finding some great ideas! Can't wait to get hands on with my camera when it arrives!

Wow, congrats! Enjoy!

 

I decided to take my own advice and have been watching Lynda.com photography lessons to brush up- and I am so glad I did! I am learning a ton. There is a mirrorless camera course on there, as well as other courses that work for all cameras (like “composition” and “exposure”).

 

Oh, and I forgot to mention: my library offers free Lynda.com access, so check with yours. And if you bought your camera at a local shop, they probably offer classes, too.

Oh that's cool, I'll have to check that out. My pesky job is getting in the way of me learning this camera and photography! :')

Thanks, and we're prepared with rain gear so that won't stop us from being out on decks to see the views!

Glad to hear the Crow's Nest will have nice views. And I hear we're lucky that the Noordam has the "original" layout for the Crow's Nest and Explorations Cafe, etc.

Hey! Just disembarked today! FABULOUS trip! Yes, the decor is dated but SUPER clean and comfy! A couple of answers I got to your questions:

 

1. The pool under the retractable roof is 4 ft 5 in on one end and 5 ft 4 in on the other. I could not find anyone that knew the temp but I felt it and it was very comfortable. There were both children and adults (even older adults) swimming in both that pool and the sea view pool. I only mention older adults as we all know children seem to suffer the coldest water if a pool is available. Haha. We had AMAZING weather the entire cruise. While I know our sunny days are not the norm, I would think that if you have a nice day(s) on yours, late June would mean even more comfy pool time than early May.

 

2. I’ve got a list together for you, I just need to get it sorted now that we are back. Stay tuned! [emoji4]

 

3. There will be two on a 7 day (ours was an odd 6 day before an odd 8 day. Haha so we only had one). The nights will differ based on the itinerary, I think if you call or email HAL cust service they will be able to tell you which nights yours are on.

 

4. Our tv was a flat screen but it did still have a dvd, no on demand. The dvd selection was quite extensive though. We were surprised. Our tv was also on a raised shelf above the vanity so we did get full use of the space. We liked that. I’m attaching a picture, although you can’t see the full vanity, but at least the corner with the tv/shelf. Excuse the mess!! The other pic is of the sea view pool. You will see a lady in it, and this was the day we were cruising Endicott Arm and were almost to the Glacier!

 

Here are some pics of our cabin as well.

 

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Thanks SO much for scouting out all this information for us! The pictures were very helpful, I think we'll be just fine with the Noordam! I hope you had a great time and got plenty of time to relax in between the ports! :)

Hello,

I'm re-posting from the HAL for dummies thread to get a more specific answer on this:

--where are good areas for sail away (day 1 and Alaska ports of call)? I guess there's no view from the Neptune Lounge so not going there.

We'll be in the Noordam the week of June 24th after a land tour. Travelers are me, husband, and 8yo son.

Any other good sail-away trips for new cruisers?

Thank you :)

Fairfield Nana, I'm glad to hear of another happy Sony mirrorless owner!

Well, so I went around 1K over my original budget of $500, and ended up ordering the a6500 with a 18-185mm lens, plus a wide angle 12 lens. Once I saw the images from these camera types, I couldn't resist. I'm hoping it lasts a looong time for that amount! I have a LOT of homework to do in the next 5 weeks to learn this thing!

Happy picture-snapping and cruising, all, and many thanks again for your advice! :)

My sweet mother told me to go for the a6500! It is Mother's Day after all :) So I just ordered it with the 18-135 and the 12! I'm nervous and excited! After reviewing the albeit small differences vs the a6300, I figured the a6500 would keep me happy for a little longer. I originally set out to buy a $500 camera. But the more I saw the awesome photos of the better (and costlier) cameras, I couldn't resist increasing my budget. Good thing I have a job! I hope this camera helps me capture memories from many years of travels with my family, especially my son, the center of my life :)

I'm reading, and learning more, and came upon another issue--filters. Considering how I'll use this camera, for example, in Alaska--glaciers, whale-watching, landscapes, what filter(s) should I take?

Also, will this camera use a standard tripod (if there is such a thing)?

for future planning, is there a lens that would be good for photographing the aurora borealis? wide angle or something else?

I'm going to factor in an extra battery, a carrying case, and several memory cards. What's the max you'd recommend? I'm also looking into an external hd to copy photos over to during vacation.

Proof of a benevolent God. :)

 

Dave

:')True!

What do you think of the18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Compact E-Mount Standard Zoom Lens vs the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS All-in-One Zoom Lens? It's a little bit bigger...heavier, and costlier! Worth it for my purposes? Or better off with 18-135, and give serious consideration to a wide-angle for those landscape images?