1st time WDW visitor...?'s about what camera gear to take

[amarissa]

My family and I are leaving on Saturday for our first family trip to WDW. After discovering this board, I've spent a lot of time looking at all the fabulous Disney photos and can't wait to capture some of my own! I just have a few questions as a "first timer":

-What lenses would you recommend I take? I have a Nikon D50 and currently have the kit lens, 50 mm 1.8, and 70-33mm.

-What type of camera bag do you carry your gear in while at Disney? I want something that is easy to carry and makes my camera easily accessible.

-Any other great photo tips for a first time Disney visitor?

Thanks for all of you who take time to post your photos on this board and offer such awesome advice....it's a great board!!

 

[YEKCIM]

I'm a D50 owner, too, and leaving Friday for my first trip to WDW with my new Nikon gear. I'm not sure which lens you are referring to when you say "70-33", unless you meant "70-300". I'm going to take three of my four lenses each day, omitting only the 10-20 Sigma. I'll probably alternate between the 70-300VR and the 18-135, and would not be surprised if the majority of my shots are made with the former. I'll use the 50mm for low light (inside, night) shots.

What equipment you use will depend on your shooting style and what subjects you are photographing. My shooting tends to be more toward the telephoto end, using the shallow DOF to blur background and isolate the subject. You may shoot more "panoramic" type shots, in which case the 18-55 kit lens (I assume that is the one you have) would probably be the best. If you don't want to carry everything, you might consider the 70-300, if that's what you have (is it the VR version?) for Animal Kingdom and the 18-55 for the other parks. Since it's small and light, I'd recommend taking the 50mm every day.

I use a photojournalist vest to carry my gear (and all the other junk I carry), but many others use backpacs, sling bags, and small shoulder bags. I like the vest since it distributes the weight pretty well, and all my gear is readily accessible, as long as I can remember which pocket I put everything in.

I'd also suggest you consider packing some kind of plastic bag, even a large ZipLoc, to put your stuff in in case of rain.

Have a great time; hope to see your pix soon!

~YEKCIM

 

[handicap18]

Awesome, another Nikon user! And another D50 user at that! Welcome!!!

I went last June with my D50, 18-70mm lens, 70-300mm lens and 50 f/1.8. When we go in Nov I'll have an 18-135 instead of the 18-70, the 70-300, 50 and also a 90mm f/2.8.

I used a backpack last trip, but that makes for some difficulty in getting lenses quickly to switch when you want. Next trip I'll carry the camera with lens around my neck the majority of the time and I also have 2 lens pouches that attach to my belt. This way I don't have a backpack to carry around as well.

Others like using a sling bag. There are various companies that make them. Use what is most comfortable for you.

As for tips,,, a few quick one I have would be that you'll use the 70-300 mostly at Animal Kingdom and sometimes at MGM for some of the shows like Indiana Jones and Lights Motor Action.

The 50mm f/1.8 is great for indoor rides such as The Great Movie Ride, IASM, and others. Pirates is hard even with this lens as it is very dark inside. I set mine to aperture priority and left it at 1.8 and ISO 1600 and got some very good shots. Its also a great lens for Spectromagic. Again f/1.8 & ISO 1600. Letting the camera set the shutter speed. NO FLASH in these situations.

I personally LOVE The World Showcase at EPCOT for photography. There is SOOOO much detail. Play around with some settings if your comfortable. Especially aperture priority for greater control of depth of field.

have lots of fun and post pics when you get back!

 

[amarissa]

OOPS!! I meant 70-300mm lens NOT 70-33mm lens. That's what I get for trying to do two things at once.

 

[Groucho]

I would agree with the others... chances are that the 70-300mm will get relatively little use. The kit lens should be fine for most outdoors shooting, and the 50mm can be a real benefit to have when indoors or at night (if not using a tripod.) There's an awful lot of low-light stuff at WDW, so a fast lens like the 50mm can get a lot of use. It's also likely to be sharper than your kit lens, so it's a good choice for any time that that focal length is appopriate - I used my 50mm F1.4 for around half of the ~2,500 shots I took on my last WDW trip.

If you need a wide field of view and low-light, you'll have to turn up the ISO level; make sure you're comfortable with that and what trade-offs you make in terms of image quality, ie, noise.

Have a great time, take a zillion photos, and share some when you return!

 

[MICKEY88]

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I use a photojournalist vest to carry my gear (and all the other junk I carry), but many others use backpacs, sling bags, and small shoulder bags. I like the vest since it distributes the weight pretty well, and all my gear is readily accessible, as long as I can remember which pocket I put everything in.



~YEKCIM

I agree 100% I find my vest to be the best way to carry my gear

 

[mtblujeans]