Proliferation of "Pro" Gear at Walt Disney World?

[WDWFigment]

We just returned from our December trip and one thing I noticed that hadn't stuck out before was the amount of pro level camera gear I saw people carrying and using in the parks and resorts (most of this was after the two photo-related meet-ups, so I doubt that was the cause).

Much of what I saw seriously put some of my gear to shame, and I felt the stares of others as I stood in their shots (one guy kept shooting everything from like 100 feet away--and he definitely didn't have a telephoto mounted!) with my "amateur" gear ruining their shots. I (half) joked to Sarah that I need a battery grip and nicer tripod so that I appear more legit.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed this trend? Maybe it was pure coincidence...or maybe boards like this, photos by Trey Radcliffe of WDW, and DSLRs continuing to increase in sales have led to a rise in their use at WDW. I really hope WDW doesn't start to crack down (any further) a la Tokyo Disneyland.

[JoeDif]

I definitely noticed more DSLR gear while I was down there this weekend than in past years. I also saw some guy with one of those ring flash attachments hooked up to his external flash :confused3 Maybe he was trying for a Minnie glamour shoot.

[Experiment_626]

I really hope WDW doesn't start to crack down (any further) a la Tokyo Disneyland.What has Tokyo done? Not that I'm likely to make it out there anytime ... well, ever ...

Scott

[ChiSoxKeith]

I was there the weak before you were (missed all the wdwphotography.com meets gosh darn it) but I did see a lot of really nice pro gear.

My experience though was better. While seated at the Lion King show at AK, a very nice lady was seated next to me. I was shooting with my Canon 300D + 50mm f/1.4 and she was shooting with a Nikon (can't recall the model) with a Sigma 50-150 f/2.8. After the show was over we took a moment and looked over each other's shots. It's kinda what is leaning me towards getting a 70-200 f/2.8 next for my bag. Either that or an ultrawide angle lens as I still can't decide.

I tell you what I did notice that was odd, the entire trip I was there......while I did notice a fair number of people who had tripods attached to their backpacks......I did not see a single person actually using a tripod (other than photopass shooters). When I was out for Wishes the couple of nights I would have thought I would have seen them out and about somewhere.

[ChiSoxKeith]

I definitely noticed more DSLR gear while I was down there this weekend than in past years. I also saw some guy with one of those ring flash attachments hooked up to his external flash :confused3 Maybe he was trying for a Minnie glamour shoot.

I saw another guy like that the week before. Couldn't figure out why he had a ring flash either.

[zackiedawg]

Can't say I've noticed too much of a difference in pro gear over the past 10 trips or so...but definitely more in the past 2 years than looking back 4-5 years ago or more. The numbers are still low - like 1 DSLR for every P&S, 50/50 between P&S and camera phones, and 1 Pro DSLR for every 10 DSLRs.

We certainly had fun with our tripods on Illuminations night for the Pixelmania gathering. We staked out a nice lakeside spot between Norway and Mexico, and had at least 12 (I think more) tripods lined up, legs crossed over eachother, with a bevvy of DSLRs and lenses ranging from wides to 300mm primes, remote shutter release cords, ND filters, camera bags dangling or leaning on the rail...we looked like a press corps waiting for the Prince and his fiance...and we got suitable attention and comments by passerby who wanted to know what was happening! :)

[Code]

I didn't really notice very much "pro" gear, but I was surprised at the number of DSLRs w/ kit lenses. They almost seemed to outnumber P&S.

[C&B Young]

DSLR's are definitely the new point & shoot at WDW! Also saw quite a few Canon shooters that had upgraded from the kit lens to the Tamron 17-50, and while shooting on the Pangani trail at AK with our 70-200 we were next to a guy shooting with a 100-400.

[rossb]

I was there Nov 22 - Dec 2 and I didn't notice much "Pro" gear. I saw maybe 2 or 3 FF D-SLRs with battery grips installed and I was certainly looking around. One guy let me fire off a few shots with his D700 and I let him try my D7000. Most people were carrying either a P&S or an entry level D-SLR. I saw many people using Smart Phones as a camera.

[SrisonS]

DSLR use definitely seems to be on the rise in the parks. I'm there often, and have always had an eye out for that type of trend. Oddly enough, it really seemed to be more prevalent when I was there a few times during the past couple of weeks.

[Icemann]

I was their Dec 3-9 and I saw alot of tripods and DSLR'S .It was running about 50/50 with Nikon and Canon.Their were two D7000 that I saw and the guys said they really were enjoying them and said their were a great upgrade from their old DSLR'S,didn't say what they had and I forgot to ask.I hung out with a few guys at DHS one night that were on the photowalk just watching and taking notes.Their were alot of pro telephoto len's at least 300mm or larger at MK a couple of nights.DTD I saw alot of tripods and nice DSLR's but alas no Dan.I have noticed more DSLR's with upgraded len's and backpack's with tripods hanging off the back.I'm going to try and make the next photo walk and thats all that will be done if I can go down.

[Chikabowa]

When I was there in September I took notice of a lot of SLR's, but that really isn't unusual anymore, anywhere you go!

It kinda takes a lot to impress me anymore when it comes to gear. I was shooting my kids in the pool at the Poly with a D3 and 24-70 and noticed another guy sitting over in the sand area with the same set up. But that was the only other pro set up I saw while there (and I could tell that some of the shots he was getting were awesome :) ). We only go once a year, and I typically see 1-5 really top line gear while walking around the parks.

[ssanders79]

It makes sense to me. A lot of people had 35mm SLRs, then digital came along and only P&S were affordable (for the most part). The mass market jumped to the P&S for the pure and simple fact it was new and it was a digital medium that could be managed on a computer. No more film. I was one of those who sold my Rebel + glass for a Sony P&S. Then after a few years the P&S headaches made me look towards a dSLR. This was also about the same time when the prices were manageable.

Now entry level dSLRs are the in the same price range making it an easy jump for people to switch from P&S. Thus, the majority of people walking around with just kit lenses.

[ColleenG]

We were there in early November and I thought too there were more people with DSLR, but chalked it up to me having one too now. Kind of like when you get a new car, suddenly you notice them every where. Unfortunately most of the time I was using my kit lens. Maybe for next time I'll pick up that Tamaron 17-50. But I did have fun with my new UWA. The tripod got stashed in the bottom of the stroller.

[ukcatfan]

Not a WDW example, but a couple weeks ago I saw a guy at a middle school band performance using a 7D with a white telephoto lens sitting about 30-40 rows back and using the pop up flash on every shot :headache: He was right in front of me and my 50mm prime was getting almost the whole stage in the shot. That flash was doing nothing and it showed that was about what he knew about his multi-thousand dollar investment. It just goes to show that DSLRs have become somewhat of a status symbol anymore. Just because you see nice gear it does not mean that the shots are going to be nice.

I did spend on day last week at WDW and did notice a lot of DSLRs. I was visiting with an old friend, so didn't pay too much attention to what they were. I did notice a few Pentax ones though due to the different colors.

[Hoosier37]

It makes sense to me. A lot of people had 35mm SLRs, then digital came along and only P&S were affordable (for the most part). The mass market jumped to the P&S for the pure and simple fact it was new and it was a digital medium that could be managed on a computer. No more film. I was one of those who sold my Rebel + glass for a Sony P&S. Then after a few years the P&S headaches made me look towards a dSLR. This was also about the same time when the prices were manageable.

Now entry level dSLRs are the in the same price range making it an easy jump for people to switch from P&S. Thus, the majority of people walking around with just kit lenses.

That's me - I had a Canon SLR, then sold it and went to a digital P&S, and this past July finally got an entry level DSLR, the Rebel XS/1000D. AND, when I go to WDW in March I'll be walking around with either the kit lens or my 50mm/1.8 because the budget only stretches so far.

LOVE reading the boards here, though. I'm drooling over the equipment a lot of you have!

[WDWFigment]

Eh, sounds like it was just coincidence, then.

DSLR use at WDW, in general, seems to be on the rise, but this isn't all that surprising, since it's on the rise everywhere. I noticed an inordinate (I thought) number of folks with higher end DSLRs. Probably just coincidence given others' reports, though.

[pgowder]

We just returned from our December trip and one thing I noticed that hadn't stuck out before was the amount of pro level camera gear I saw people carrying and using in the parks and resorts (most of this was after the two photo-related meet-ups, so I doubt that was the cause).

Much of what I saw seriously put some of my gear to shame, and I felt the stares of others as I stood in their shots (one guy kept shooting everything from like 100 feet away--and he definitely didn't have a telephoto mounted!) with my "amateur" gear ruining their shots. I (half) joked to Sarah that I need a battery grip and nicer tripod so that I appear more legit.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed this trend? Maybe it was pure coincidence...or maybe boards like this, photos by Trey Radcliffe of WDW, and DSLRs continuing to increase in sales have led to a rise in their use at WDW. I really hope WDW doesn't start to crack down (any further) a la Tokyo Disneyland.

I noticed it! I even saw 3 or 4 people walking around with 70-200 lenses around their neck. They weren't setting up for a shot, this was their walk around lens!

[Revan]

Just came back two weeks ago and saw the same thing - Nikons and Canons with 70-200's at the parks, lots of DSLR bodies. I also saw a lot of the opposite - people taking shots with cell phones.

I left my 7D at home and took a Sony NEX-5 with 18-55 and got some amazing shots.

I didn't want the weight, but wanted to be able to shoot RAW, AP/SP, etc. I thought it was a great combo and got some fun pano's using the in-camera software too.

[beachclub]

honestly dont pay attention nor care what others are carrying. Its not the gear that makes the photographer, its the photographer. Half of those people are prob using their camera for the first time anyways.
I walk around with Pentax gear that 99% of the population would feel is an inferior camera system (which its not, especially with the k5), how would I feel if I worried about what others think...I just dont let it intimidate me.

Does anyone think its humanly possible for disney to really cut down on
photographs in their parks? I mean, isnt this years promo making memories or whatever it is all about photography?

And if they singled out DSLR's only, isnt that kind of discrimination?
I dont think its possible to enforce such a thing.

We just returned from our December trip and one thing I noticed that hadn't stuck out before was the amount of pro level camera gear I saw people carrying and using in the parks and resorts (most of this was after the two photo-related meet-ups, so I doubt that was the cause).

Much of what I saw seriously put some of my gear to shame, and I felt the stares of others as I stood in their shots (one guy kept shooting everything from like 100 feet away--and he definitely didn't have a telephoto mounted!) with my "amateur" gear ruining their shots. I (half) joked to Sarah that I need a battery grip and nicer tripod so that I appear more legit.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed this trend? Maybe it was pure coincidence...or maybe boards like this, photos by Trey Radcliffe of WDW, and DSLRs continuing to increase in sales have led to a rise in their use at WDW. I really hope WDW doesn't start to crack down (any further) a la Tokyo Disneyland.

[WDWFigment]

honestly dont pay attention nor care what others are carrying. Its not the gear that makes the photographer, its the photographer. Half of those people are prob using their camera for the first time anyways.
I walk around with Pentax gear that 99% of the population would feel is an inferior camera system (which its not, especially with the k5), how would I feel if I worried about what others think...I just dont let it intimidate me.

Does anyone think its humanly possible for disney to really cut down on
photographs in their parks? I mean, isnt this years promo making memories or whatever it is all about photography?

And if they singled out DSLR's only, isnt that kind of discrimination?
I dont think its possible to enforce such a thing.

Tokyo doesn't allow tripods. At one point, Disneyland didn't allow lenses over a certain length (many stadiums have a similar lens restriction). It's doubtful DLSRs or cameras in general will ever be banned, but no tripods could be a big loss.

[pgowder]

Tokyo doesn't allow tripods. At one point, Disneyland didn't allow lenses over a certain length (many stadiums have a similar lens restriction). It's doubtful DLSRs or cameras in general will ever be banned, but no tripods could be a big loss.

I don't see it coming to that. Not sure why Tokyo doesn't allow it, but that's a different country and culture.

I think that Disney has been embracing the online WDW communities and enjoy the extra PR that it generates. With their new campaign I hope they will actually encourage more photography in the parks.

[Pea-n-Me]

honestly dont pay attention nor care what others are carrying. Its not the gear that makes the photographer, its the photographer. Half of those people are prob using their camera for the first time anyways.
I walk around with Pentax gear that 99% of the population would feel is an inferior camera system (which its not, especially with the k5), how would I feel if I worried about what others think...I just dont let it intimidate me.
These were similar to my thoughts as well. Who cares what anyone else has? Sometimes you talk to these people and they have NO CLUE what they're even doing. In other words, they put on a good show. (Obviously not all, but some.) Maybe they can afford the gear or whatever, but it doesn't mean they always know how to use it and/or get good shots with it.

I once met a woman who came over to see what I was doing one evening when I was taking night shots using a tripod. She introduced herself as a professional photographer. I asked her opinion on what I thought was a pretty basic question about settings and she replied, "I don't know, I only use Auto". :eek:

Then one summer I was at a big baseball tournament out of state. They had "professional" photographers there using pro cameras mounted with those $5K mega lenses you see at sporting events. Meanwhile I was shooting with my lowly Olympus and 18-180 f/3.5-4.6. Sure, I had a little lens envy that day. :laughing: But once we got home and saw the shots, it was almost comical. On the ones they took, heads were cut off, gloves, feet; many were out of focus; shots simply not flattering to kids, etc. Mine, OTOH, were pretty darned good, and parents said they actually preferred mine. The difference being that I'd perfected these shots because I'd shot them so much and I knew my subjects better so could portray them in the most flattering light. I suprised myself seeing I was the better photographer that week, but it taught me a lesson about confidence.

Tom, I think you have reason to hold your head high. Your shots tell the real story. :thumbsup2

[rmdavis]

I noticed it! I even saw 3 or 4 people walking around with 70-200 lenses around their neck. They weren't setting up for a shot, this was their walk around lens!


I was probably one of those. I got my 70-200 right before I left and wound up using it a LOT playing with the lens and trying my best to learn it. In fact I think it and my 50 1.8 were the only lenses I used this time.

[giantstu]

I got some strange looks in May on Kili safari's with my 300L 2.8 on my 7d and my 70-200L 2.8 on my 1d mk2!!

I normally have 2 bodies on my in wdw, one with the 70-200 on and another with a shorter lens on.

I only do this to save on changing lenses over when outside , i use the optech dual to carry them and have the vertex 300 on my back.

[ChiSoxKeith]

I got some strange looks in May on Kili safari's with my 300L 2.8 on my 7d and my 70-200L 2.8 on my 1d mk2!!

I normally have 2 bodies on my in wdw, one with the 70-200 on and another with a shorter lens on.

I only do this to save on changing lenses over when outside , i use the optech dual to carry them and have the vertex 300 on my back.

Nice!

[zackiedawg]

Our Kilimanjaro driver, Brandon, was at first shocked, then very pleased, to find his safari truck filled with 10 or more huge lenses - 300 F4s, 300 F2.8s, 80-400s, 50-500s, etc. He was giving his spiel when he caught a view of the lenses in the rearview, and proceeded to make comments about it for the remainder of the ride. It made for a very fun safari ride, and he made a little more effort to stop (on demand, with all of us chanting 'stop! stop!') when we'd get a good shot opportunity. I'm sure the other folks who happened to get on that truck were wondering what they had gotten in the middle of. :)

[Raindown]

At one point, Disneyland didn't allow lenses over a certain length (many stadiums have a similar lens restriction).

Disneyland might still be touchy on larger lenses. I saw a guy with a larger zoom, no idea what it was, who was stopped at security so they could ask a higher up person to OK it. It took all of 10 seconds but still. Honestly, I even looked over at it.

You really just don't see a lot of the gear everyone is describing at Disneyland. Often times, I won't have seen another tripod all day and only one or two for fireworks if at all. Sure the DSLRs are there, but probably not many people are packing more than one lens. I think I've caught of total of maybe 3, 70-200s (just benchmarking a popular lens). A few CMs have commented that they liked my camera (a nothing special 7D), especially photopass.

[WDWFigment]

These were similar to my thoughts as well. Who cares what anyone else has? Sometimes you talk to these people and they have NO CLUE what they're even doing. In other words, they put on a good show. (Obviously not all, but some.) Maybe they can afford the gear or whatever, but it doesn't mean they always know how to use it and/or get good shots with it.

I once met a woman who came over to see what I was doing one evening when I was taking night shots using a tripod. She introduced herself as a professional photographer. I asked her opinion on what I thought was a pretty basic question about settings and she replied, "I don't know, I only use Auto". :eek:

Then one summer I was at a big baseball tournament out of state. They had "professional" photographers there using pro cameras mounted with those $5K mega lenses you see at sporting events. Meanwhile I was shooting with my lowly Olympus and 18-180 f/3.5-4.6. Sure, I had a little lens envy that day. :laughing: But once we got home and saw the shots, it was almost comical. On the ones they took, heads were cut off, gloves, feet; many were out of focus; shots simply not flattering to kids, etc. Mine, OTOH, were pretty darned good, and parents said they actually preferred mine. The difference being that I'd perfected these shots because I'd shot them so much and I knew my subjects better so could portray them in the most flattering light. I suprised myself seeing I was the better photographer that week, but it taught me a lesson about confidence.

Tom, I think you have reason to hold your head high. Your shots tell the real story. :thumbsup2

I'm sure a lot of them have no clue what they're doing. In searching for a wedding photographer, I found that many "pros" are pro by name only. I guess that goes for any occupation, though. I know plenty of people in my field who have no business here.

That doesn't stop me from having gear envy, and more importantly, from being irritated when I get "the look" from someone who has nicer gear whose shot I might be in the way of (I shoot up close with a UWA or fish quite a bit) who thinks they have some sort of inherent right to their shot since they have better gear. (I have no idea whether they actually think this, but it sure seems like it!)

I got some strange looks in May on Kili safari's with my 300L 2.8 on my 7d and my 70-200L 2.8 on my 1d mk2!!

I normally have 2 bodies on my in wdw, one with the 70-200 on and another with a shorter lens on.

I only do this to save on changing lenses over when outside , i use the optech dual to carry them and have the vertex 300 on my back.

I know of a couple other people around here who do this; no offense, but it seems like substantial overkill. For me, vacationing at WDW isn't like shooting a pro sporting event. If I miss a shot, so be it. I think carrying gear in that manner would distract from the vacation. Just my personal feeling, obviously your mileage may vary.

Disneyland might still be touchy on larger lenses. I saw a guy with a larger zoom, no idea what it was, who was stopped at security so they could ask a higher up person to OK it. It took all of 10 seconds but still. Honestly, I even looked over at it.

You really just don't see a lot of the gear everyone is describing at Disneyland. Often times, I won't have seen another tripod all day and only one or two for fireworks if at all. Sure the DSLRs are there, but probably not many people are packing more than one lens. I think I've caught of total of maybe 3, 70-200s (just benchmarking a popular lens). A few CMs have commented that they liked my camera (a nothing special 7D), especially photopass.

I did notice far fewer DSLRs and 'pro' gear at DLR. Maybe that's a byproduct of the type of visitor? DLR typically has local AP holders whereas WDW has vacationers. Even the photography community for WDW is much stronger (although I know a couple incredible DLR photogs).

[Nayan]

I remember the first digital camera I bought was the very expensive Kodak (I think it was a Kodak) that held less than 20 pictures. It was a large, black heavy thing, no card slots but boy did I have a blast with it. I don't remember the cost but I do know everyone who asked me about it thought I was nuts to have such a thing for that price. Fast forward to today and not only are cameras much lighter but much less expensive, making them available to just about anyone. I am still in the learning stages of DSLR's and all my camera can do, but it doesn't surprise me to see folks at Disney dripping with digital goodness.

[MICKEY88]

I know of a couple other people around here who do this; no offense, but it seems like substantial overkill. For me, vacationing at WDW isn't like shooting a pro sporting event. If I miss a shot, so be it. I think carrying gear in that manner would distract from the vacation. Just my personal feeling, obviously your mileage may vary.
.
being one of those other people, I take no offense, when you carry 2 cameras all the time it isn't a distraction, it's second nature.
2 cameras, my 28-75 2.8 and my 80-200 2.8 allow me to shoot an entire float, switch cameras and get a head shot of one of my favorite characters, switch back and get the float from a different angle, all quite seemlessly
.

personally I think carrying a tripod, planning shots in advance and taking the time to set up some of the awesome shots that you take, would be more of a distraction

do I think what you do is substantial overkill,,no, i think it is your style, and what works best for you,

[AlbertZeroK]

I noticed a lot of kit lenses.

What I noticed most was the full frontal assault with the flash with a diffuser by the photo pass photographers. I was shooting with my flash bouncing all over the place. For guys who can prefect the shot, there is not a lot of artistry.

I did get a couple of weird looks with my eos 3 35mm. The shutter sound is musical to me, so is rewinding a roll and it did get a few looks. But I did not notice much other film shooters although I think I saw an ae1!

But what I noticed most was a lot of kit lenses.

[MICKEY88]

I got some strange looks in May on Kili safari's with my 300L 2.8 on my 7d and my 70-200L 2.8 on my 1d mk2!!

I normally have 2 bodies on my in wdw, one with the 70-200 on and another with a shorter lens on.

I only do this to save on changing lenses over when outside , i use the optech dual to carry them and have the vertex 300 on my back.

:thumbsup2:thumbsup2 on the Optech dual harness, best $30 investment in camera gear that I ever made

[giantstu]

I know of a couple other people around here who do this; no offense, but it seems like substantial overkill. For me, vacationing at WDW isn't like shooting a pro sporting event. If I miss a shot, so be it. I think carrying gear in that manner would distract from the vacation. Just my personal feeling, obviously your mileage may vary

I would not normally bring the 300 2.8 over from the uk, but was coinciding our trip with an airshow so the lens was there anyway.

My preference is to use 2 bodies just for convenience, and with the optech harness you don't notice the weight (i don't use the 300 on it though! :headache:)

No offence taken by your comment, and as said above, each person has there own way.

I suffer from severe motion sickness on rides so take photo's whilst the family ride.( Thats why my photo stream in mainly parades/shows)


on the Optech dual harness, best $30 investment in camera gear that I ever made

Totally agree, i couldn't get used to the B/R strap but love the Optech and the way you can quickly swop back to a traditional neckstrap in seconds.

[MarkBarbieri]

I haven't been since the summer of last year. I saw a fair amount of mid-range bodies (D300, 50D, and even 5Ds) but I don't recall seeing anyone with a pro-style body (D3, 1D). I saw several 70-200 f/4s, but only one other f/2.8. Because it is what I know, I noticed Canon stuff a lot, but very little of the glass was L (easy to spot because of the red ring). I think I've seen on 100-400 at WDW and never a 300 f/2.8 or larger.

I can see taking dual cameras to WDW. If I was there with my primary intent as photography, I would consider it. When I'm there, I generally have my wife and kids with me (the best way to visit) and I typically just bring one camera with a mounted lens and a secondary lens. I change lenses between days. I find that it works as the best compromise between carrying too much gear and having too little with me.

[cpbjgc]

...then you better avoid being there when I am down in March. I will be bringing my second camera with me:

http://unboundedlight.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v1/p674869539-11.jpg

I imagine I will have many admiring glances for my plastic camera with its fixed F8 lens :rotfl:

[Icemann]

:thumbsup2:thumbsup2 on the Optech dual harness, best $30 investment in camera gear that I ever made

what Mickey88 said :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

[Groucho]

There's a lot of big gear there - but if you're got a good camera, wouldn't you want to bring it to WDW and give it a good challenge? But, I don't think it's that many. And of course, our definition of "pro" changes. A couple trips ago, I thought I saw a guy sleeping outside Beaches and Cream with a D3 in front of him. A closer glance showed that it was "just" a D300 with a battery grip. By "pro", are we talking FF only? Does a D700 count, instead of a D3S?

If you ask me, a real pro at WDW would be using nothing less than a 645D. :teeth:

I think a lot of what catches our eye is the big lenses, no matter what they're connected to. Like anyone else, I am distracted more when someone pulls out their 70-200mm F2.8 than when they are using, say, a fast 50mm. (And IMHO a 70-200mm on a crop body, as they often are, is not a good choice for Disney! Different strokes...) Heck, I certainly feel more conspicuous just putting the lens hood out on my 50-135mm! And when I mount my huge ancient 300mm F4, it tends to get a lot of sideward glances from those around. I certainly see more big lenses attached to cheaper cameras than pro ones.

It doesn't matter if the lens is good or bad, cheap or expensive - size does matter and we do notice it! Some people certainly enjoy the attention and so they make sure that their camera, like WDW itself, has the "blessing of size."