pbraymond wrote:
YOLO, if the cost is not prohibitive, get the great white.
Sage advice next (that I almost never follow lol): not every moment needs to be covered with a focal length. It’s ok to just enjoy the experience.
Sounds like a great trip, enjoy!
Thanks, For sure, I'm trying to get better at the YOLO aspect of trips and certain things. Also agree on just being there and not hiding the whole time behind a viewfinder. I'm usually pretty good at limiting the number of seemingly identical photos and trying for those that are maybe more unique.
Silver Salmon Creek Lodge is a super choice -- you will have an unforgettable experience. My wife and I were there about 12 years ago -- I would love to go back, but too many factors will probably keep that from happening.
They will get you very close to the bears, so you really need a good tele-zoom in place of your 300mm f/4. If you can spring for the 150-400mm, it's a no-brainer. However, you also shouldn't overlook the OM 100-400mm Mkll -- bears don't move all that fast, so slower shutter speeds are not a big issue. That lens is sharp and has Synch IS so hand holding is no problem -- you'd save money and weight.
When I went I shot with an Olympus E-M5 and the Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 and got a lot of 'keepers'.
If you would like to see my images from that whole Alaska adventure, including SSCL, here is a link to my gallery on Pbase:
Thanks for sharing your experience sounds like it will be a great trip. You got some great shots and that 75-300 certainly punches above its weight!
Thanks for the comment. The 75-300mm is, in my opinion, a greatly unappreciated lens. It is a perfect travel option for those times when you're not sure if you'll need that kind of reach. It was the best I had at the time, and performed above my expectations. I still have it and won't part with it -- just in case.
I visited Silver Salmon Creek for a week in July 2024, and it was a top-5 experience for me. I'm a Canon shooter, and took 2 full-frame R3s (one rented as a backup), an RF 28-70/2.8, EF 300/2.8 with 1.4x and 2x extenders in case I needed it for low-light shooting, and an RF 100-500/4.5-7.1 with 1.4x extender. The 100-500 was ideal, and I only used the 1.4x a couple of times. I never found the need to take the 300 out at all. The bears sometimes approached quite close to our group of 7 photographers and 2 guides, so being able to zoom back to 100 was in valuable. It was also useful for getting environmental images of the bears as the scenery in the background was spectacular. I don't know OM lineup, but I recommend an equivalent zoom.
vbnut wrote:
I visited Silver Salmon Creek for a week in July 2024, and it was a top-5 experience for me. I'm a Canon shooter, and took 2 full-frame R3s (one rented as a backup), an RF 28-70/2.8, EF 300/2.8 with 1.4x and 2x extenders in case I needed it for low-light shooting, and an RF 100-500/4.5-7.1 with 1.4x extender. The 100-500 was ideal, and I only used the 1.4x a couple of times. I never found the need to take the 300 out at all. The bears sometimes approached quite close to our group of 7 photographers and 2 guides, so being able to zoom back to 100 was in valuable. It was also useful for getting environmental images of the bears as the scenery in the background was spectacular. I don't know OM lineup, but I recommend an equivalent zoom.
So pretty much resigned to getting the 150-400. I see them used on here from time to time, but none now. As an alternative used source I see them on MPB quite a bit. Any input or experience on MPB? Looks like a decent return policy if all isn't ok and a 6 month warranty.
Pwdrhound wrote:
So pretty much resigned to getting the 150-400. I see them used on here from time to time, but none now. As an alternative used source I see them on MPB quite a bit. Any input or experience on MPB? Looks like a decent return policy if all isn't ok and a 6 month warranty.
MPB is a first class business. I have done a lot of buying and selling/trade with them and have never been disappointed. They are honest and make the transactions about as smooth as you could hope.
I once traded a lens on another piece of gear and after I sent them the lens, they emailed me back to tell me that they were increasing the amount they had originally quoted for my lens -- that impressed me.
Congrats ahead of time on the 150-400mm -- it will server you well on that Alaska trip.
Pretty much ready to pull the trigger on getting the 150-400. As soon as tomorrow. Would have been today except that we finally got a decent snowstorm and it got delayed to the store. There is the current $200 off and an additonal 5% off right now. So while not quite back down in price that's $650 off; probably as good as it's going to get; and good used from MPB (without "moisture that is ok") is still $7500.
For this type of an investment it seems prudent to get an extended warranty of some kind. There is the OM Protect/Ultimate Care at two different levels and prices. And then there is the Mack warranty that is available from the retailer where I'll likely buy it. I've decided to buy locally for a couple of reasons. Since there is no price difference, support the local store, and they can assist with any initial issues.
I can buy the OM warranty from the retailer, but they offer the Mack warranty and the rep I've talked to states it's a good warranty (of course, wouldn't expect anything else).
Any experiences, good or bad, with Mack warranties or OM warranties? Thoughts in general in getting warranty for this?
Pwdrhound wrote:
Pretty much ready to pull the trigger on getting the 150-400. As soon as tomorrow. Would have been today except that we finally got a decent snowstorm and it got delayed to the store. There is the current $200 off and an additonal 5% off right now. So while not quite back down in price that's $650 off; probably as good as it's going to get; and good used from MPB (without "moisture that is ok") is still $7500.
For this type of an investment it seems prudent to get an extended warranty of some kind. There is the OM Protect/Ultimate Care at two different levels and prices. And then there is the Mack warranty that is available from the retailer where I'll likely buy it. I've decided to buy locally for a couple of reasons. Since there is no price difference, support the local store, and they can assist with any initial issues.
I can buy the OM warranty from the retailer, but they offer the Mack warranty and the rep I've talked to states it's a good warranty (of course, wouldn't expect anything else).
Any experiences, good or bad, with Mack warranties or OM warranties? Thoughts in general in getting warranty for this?...Show more →
First, congrats! You're no doubt going to love that lens.
Second, as far as warranties I can't speak about the Mack warranties, although they've been around forever. I have used the Olympus warranties in the past and they have always been really good, but haven't used one in a while. With the lens you are getting, I would be inclined to get the OM extended warranty if you feel the basic warranty is not adequate length wise.
For me personally, I tend to shy away from extended warranties, unless there is a decent discount offer to get one. Since manufacturer warranties are there to cover defects, I normally feel like those would show up during the normal warranty period.
gmccroskery wrote:
First, congrats! You're no doubt going to love that lens.
Second, as far as warranties I can't speak about the Mack warranties, although they've been around forever. I have used the Olympus warranties in the past and they have always been really good, but haven't used one in a while. With the lens you are getting, I would be inclined to get the OM extended warranty if you feel the basic warranty is not adequate length wise.
For me personally, I tend to shy away from extended warranties, unless there is a decent discount offer to get one. Since manufacturer warranties are there to cover defects, I normally feel like those would show up during the normal warranty period.
I picked it up yesterday and it is nice. The salespeople in the store were also impressed and sounds like they hadn't had one in the store either ever or for a while.
I generally agree with you on extended warranties. But I go thru a little mental exercise which semi-relates to a ration of the cost of the warranty/length to the cost of the product. In this case for the basic OM Protect it's a little over $300 to extend an additional 2years. I have 365 days to add it either way.
And then I think the better idea would be to look into a rider on my homeowners insurance for all my photography gear to cover theft, damage, etc. Not sure how much that costs yet, but maybe the way to go.
PV Hiker wrote:
I would not add it to your home owners insurance. People report that if you have a claim your insurance company can raise your rates or drop you.
We have a personal articles policy with State Farm for our camera gear. That has nothing to do with your home owners policy.
Get familiar with the lens and practice a lot. Enjoy Alaska!
