Cruise to Panama Canal

[GvilleMike]

Our first cruise!!! Any advice on taking sunsets or sunrises on a large cruise ship I will be using a Canon crop-frame with a 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 and tripod. We will be stopping in Aruba, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. I plan on using my PowerShot in most of these locations due to concerns of thief. I would like to use my DSLR on the excursion to the rain forest of Costa Rica. We will be on an aerial tram and I will replace the UWA with a 70-300mm f4-5.6 for wildlife shots. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Bobsart4]

Shoot to the East in the morning and West in the evening L O L Seriously I like to bracket all my shots because sometimes you may want to bring out more detail when you get to PP . Have fun I'm envious

[wolfd]

Have fun.

[GvilleMike]

Thanks Bob and Wolf. Bob I guess I will need to take a compass so I can tell East from West!!!

[Larry D]

No need to leave the good camera on board.. most of those countries are much better behaved than closer neighbors

For sunsets, you may want a little longer lens... the ultra wides show a lot of real estate, but don't do justice to the light.. but, still, frame it the way you like..

In Central America the humidity is very, very high.. take this into account whenever you step outside the ship or a building.. you will likely fog-up..

I have a bunch of shots from around the area, as well as through the locks, scattered here on the Landscape pages.. You will be fine - have a good cruise

[meinster]

Originally Posted by Larry D

No need to leave the good camera on board.. most of those countries are much better behaved than closer neighbors

For sunsets, you may want a little longer lens... the ultra wides show a lot of real estate, but don't do justice to the light.. but, still, frame it the way you like..

In Central America the humidity is very, very high.. take this into account whenever you step outside the ship or a building.. you will likely fog-up..

I have a bunch of shots from around the area, as well as through the locks, scattered here on the Landscape pages.. You will be fine - have a good cruise

Humidity should not be an issue, as long as your room is not freezing cold.
I lived in Costa Rica for quite a while, and travelled quite extensively due to the job, I never had any problems with fogging up. just treat equipment with care. I suggest at night, using a lens cleaner to keep your lenses crisp and clear. the last thing you would want is to take a picture and find out there was a film on the lens.

Few words of advice:

1. Watch out for sudden downpours.. they can come in quickly and if camera is not weather sealed,, you may be in trouble.
2. Always be on the look-out, I know it is common sense and I don't want to scare you. but..golden rule #1: Use common sense, Rule #2: Do not carry your camera in plain sight. Rule#3, If it is too good to be true.. it is., Rule #4, if a stranger offers to take you to a 'wonderful site', DON'T GO!! Rule #5, If you must carry a backpack, carry it so that it is in front of you. Rule #6, Don't advertise that you are a tourist, some people make the mistake of carrying a flag in their backpack or hat,etc. that screams tourist. Rule #7 See rule #1.

One thing that tourist miss.. They pay Retail prices.. Haggle!! and have fun!! be prepared to walk away, some of those tourist destination have HUGE mark-ups.. and haggling may get you a good deal, and most stores have similar items, if you don't get a good price at one, next one may have it. Cash is KING!! Only place where you would not haggle is the larger stores (in malls, etc). Haggling can be a lot of fun, just don't show how much money you have, only carry a little bit, and if you need more, excuse yourself and get it out. Don't take out a wad of money in front of the person,, if so, your haggling is over!! LOL It is like playing cards, don't reveal your hand.

Oh and a trick, if the price is still not 'fair' (Don't be too cheap), walk away, you may get called back. Don't give away that you want the item.


If taking pictures of people, ask with a smile, you will be surprised how many say yes, and leave a small tip. We are a friendly folk (I was born in Costa Rica), and we are pleased to make your trip as enjoyable as possible.

I am sure you will have a ton of fun..

[meinster]

Originally Posted by GvilleMike

Our first cruise!!! Any advice on taking sunsets or sunrises on a large cruise ship I will be using a Canon crop-frame with a 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 and tripod. We will be stopping in Aruba, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. I plan on using my PowerShot in most of these locations due to concerns of thief. I would like to use my DSLR on the excursion to the rain forest of Costa Rica. We will be on an aerial tram and I will replace the UWA with a 70-300mm f4-5.6 for wildlife shots. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Are you going to the Cloud Forest?or Braulio Carrillo? I am guessing Braulio Carrillo if your stop is on the Caribbean side.

If so, not sure what camera you have, but have it on AI servo mode, the animals move around quite quickly. and of course IS is important with the movement of the tram. You should be able to see plenty of:

1. birds including resplendent quetzals, bare-necked umbrella bird, snowcap, brown-billed scythe bill, black-crowned antpitta, golden-browed chlorophonia, flame-throated warblers, long-tailed silky-flycatchers, yellow-eared toucanet, and latticed-tailed trogon. On the lower Caribbean slopes, tanagers and hummingbirds are particularly easy to spot.

2. mammals including howler and white faced capuchin monkeys, tapirs, Deppe's squirrel, white-nosed coati, northern tamandua, jaguars, white-tailed deer, ocelots, pacas, raccoons, and peccaries.

[GvilleMike]

THANK FOLKS! You have all been very helpful.