a few belated tips from my trip last year for those who haven't packed up yet
- take a macro lens, July is prime time for wildflowers in the Lofotens and Svalbard (at least it was last year) - my major omission
- take a waterproof bag, the zodiac and some landings can be wet, my Dakine backpack worked very well (for my gear - you might need a second bag for long lens)
- i used 5D2, 7D, 24-105, 100-400, 400 5.6, and 1.4x with Feisol 3441 (took but didn't really use 50 1.4 and Voigtlander 20 - plenty of light and 24mm was wide enough). the 400 5.6 was useable because there's usually enough light (to handhold with the 7D) and the boat is a stable tripod platform moving thru the pack ice looking for pola bears. using the 400 + 1.4x requires liveview with CD focusing on a tripod with cable release - about the only time that worked for me was in a colony of little auks as they tended to take off and return to the same rock. no question that the 500 and suitable tripod would be better if you're used to the weight and bulk. i considered renting a 400 DO, but my experience is that it doesn't like the 1.4x. the relatively fast focusing of the 7D worked well with the 100-400 for birds in flight. the 5D2 and 100-400 worked well for landcscapes and closer bears in the ice
- if you're planning a trip, i recommend the Antarctic Dream - nice boats, good crew, excellent guides, and complete itenerary