The trip is booked!!

[PolynesianMedic]

My step-mother-in-law has decided to take my wife's family and hers, at least 25 people, on the Disney Cruise! She booked it last week and we are all going on the Western Caribbean 7 day cruise over the last week of April, AKA Jersey Week. This will be the first Disney cruise for all of us, and I am REALLY looking forward to it. Anyone have any suggestions for me? I have heard nothing but the best about the cruise line, and since I just was on a Princess cruise this summer I will have something to compare it against. This brings me to my question. I have a UV filter as well as a Circular Polarizer for my lenses. When is the best time to use each? Is there a better time to use one over the other? I was basically told when we bought the camera, that the polarizer was for bright sunshine outside shots, because it would bring out the colors better (more true). Is this accurate? I got the camera at Best Buy so for all I know it was some kid pulling something out of his but to make a bigger sale.

 

[Roger]

UV filter is usually more for protection rather than for use. In some rare circumstances it can clean up some atmospheric issues supposedly. The use of filters for protection is a personal decision. Some people prefer to not use them claiming it affects the image quality. Personally, I'm on the filter bandwagon. Banging a $xx filter on a $xxx lens is cheaper than a new $xxx lens or a $xxx repair to a $xxx lens. (Don't start anything about putting a $xx filter on a $xxxx lens on other forums, you'll start Thread War XLVII)

Circular polarizers: Useful to reduce reflections/glare from reflective surfaces like glass or water. Just have to rotate it until you see what you like. You do lose light however. The color affect depends on atmospheric conditions, and works in a similar way by eliminating errant light photons. Or is it waves? I don't know the exact physics of it. But I used the circ polarizer a lot more with my film camera than I do now.

The color thing doesn't always happen. It depends on the weather, placement of the sun, alignment of the moon with the celestial orbiting object fka as Pluto, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Craig]

We have friends that RAVE about the cruise. They go twice a year.

I'm with Roger on filters. I always use a uv filter for protection. For me it is far easier and less scarier to clean fingerprints and smudges from a filter than from the front element of my $1000++ lens.

 

[mSummers]

I'm with Roger on filters.

Me too. Its much easier to replace a filter than a $1000+ lens. And as far as image quality goes, I believe that if you buy good quality filters to go on your lenses, you will take good quality photos. I always have a UV filter on all of my lenses and have never seen any image quality loss because of it.

 

[Tim]

I have a multicoated UV filter on all of my lenses for protection only. UV rays have NO EFFECT on digital so don't let anyone tell you otherwise, the UV filters are for protection. i agree with roger, that some folks are of the "i didn't spend $2000 on a lens to put a $50 filter on the front of it." i think to myself, have fun with the repair bill when you scratch the front element...

circ. polarizers reduce glare and reflection from non-metallic surfaces. they can also boost colors but they always work best when 90 degrees to the light source. they also rotate and you can see the effect if any in the viewfinder. i don't usually use one because i swear by lens hoods and they get in the way of the polarizers. think polarized sunglasses, same effect.

 

[Tim]

btw, congrats on what sounds like an awesome trip. we've never been on a diz cruise but its in the future plans... i am sure you'll have a great time.

 

[gary]

ok here's my .02, as usual ymmv, put filter on the lens, put the filter on the lens, put the filter on the lens, if you don't agree, sit down, write out a check for $1000, then tear it up, that's as close as you want to get to the scratched front element repair bill, i have no lenses that do not have a uv protecting the front, if i buy a lens and i don't have the size i need i order one immediately, and i go so far as to not take the lens out of the box until i have the filter in my hands ready to install

ok as a dcl veteran of 3 cruises, you need to be prepared, to have a great time, suggestions, if someone else is footing your basic costs, save up the money, as soon as the window opens, try to book a 3pm massage at the cabanas at castaway cay, worth every $
feeling the warm breeze, cabana sides up, hearing the gentle surf sounds, follow it up with a trip to the nearby beach bar for a colada, your choice of flavor, mine's strawberry, finishes up just in time to head back to the ship,
bring lot's of memory, more than you think you'll need, i easily shoot 2000 + on that kind of trip, get the hang of high iso for the shows, i believe you have a canon?, really give serious thought to the 17-55 f/2.8 IS, great lens for that kind of trip, my show shots over in my phanfare site from the med cruise were all with that lens, it'll do the job
be aware of iso at all times, that carribe sun esp midday can really make for some strong reflections and contrast shadows
key west, don't bother with any dcl excursions, walk around and take the conch train on your own
bring a tripod for the sunset from deck 10, aft, same view as from mallory square, less competition for tripod space, get and use the remote, and do mirror lockup, you'll have a good chance to come away with something worthy of wall hanging, that's assuming the ship doesn't pull out until after sunset,

 

[PolynesianMedic]

Those are some beautiful photos. What does a lens like that run?

 

[Roger]

The 17-55/2.8 IS? $1k

 

[PolynesianMedic]

WOW! I'll have to admit that I am a little naive about some of the prices for this stuff. I guess I have a few pennies to save then. Hopefully, it won't be an issue between now and April. Besides, Christmas is coming. . .

 

[jcvalenti]

Have fun on the trip ! We've done a few big group trips to WDW (never a cruise) and they've all been a blast. Exhausting, but a blast.

As for filters, I've never used UV filters, but I've seen lots of comparison shots and I can't see any image degradation. If it makes you happy, use it. I'm usually not worried about scratching the element since I've usually got a lens hood on.

As for the Circ Poly, I really like the effects you can get with them on outdoor shots - especially of water. I would definately add one to the lineup for a cruise - I think there will be a lot of unique and interesting beach and water shots you can get with it.

Have fun on the trip !