Aussie Disneyland Planners come on in and lets plan together :)

[keptwoman]

Flea, the reason I want that lens is the aperture. The 18-55 lens has an aperture of 3.5-5.6. An aperture of 1.8 allows much more light in, which allows a faster shutter speed and/or shorter depth of field. I think the depth of field control is really important, photos of my kids turn out much better with my telephoto because it has a better aperture, but it's not always convenient to be a mile away.

 

[arje]

What keptwoman said is the same reason I also bought the 50mm (however I went for the 1.4, not 1.8. More expensive but I wanted the USM). I remember reading an article, (can't remember where, either laughingplace.com or Miceage). But the guy showed photos that he had taken on Small World. The same photo using the standard 18-55 and with the 50mm 1.4, and the difference was incredible. With the 50mm, he did not use a flash (obviously as they ask you not to), and the photos were amazing.

After we bought our lense, we took it to Disney on Ice at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre (sitting in literraly the last row too) and used it and most of our photos were great. The colour that I was able to capture and the image quality (in most cases) was amazing, so I would definitely consider buying the 50mm 1.8 if you can afford it. I will more than likely use it as my main lense on our next trip day or night and plan to get some awesome fireworks (if I can) shots as well.

The only downside is that being fixed length, you may have to consider some of the close shots or shots where you want a lot in the picture. For example when we do at home shots at parties etc, we need to go back to the 17-55 for the range, but that is only one down side I think there is.

One last thing, I have a link to a website (on the home computer) where a guy has a very good explanation as to why the Cannon 50mm should be in every one's kit bag as well as other lenses. When I get home, I'll attach the link to this post.

 

[keptwoman]

I drrooooooool over the 1.4 in a most unhealthy way If we had the $$ I would so buy that one over the 1.8!! However I will have to remain consumed with lust for the most part and just be happy we are somehow managing a holiday to NY and Disney in the year we thought we'd be slumming it on the Gold Coast

 

[Flea]

What keptwoman said is the same reason I also bought the 50mm (however I went for the 1.4, not 1.8. More expensive but I wanted the USM). I remember reading an article, (can't remember where, either laughingplace.com or Miceage). But the guy showed photos that he had taken on Small World. The same photo using the standard 18-55 and with the 50mm 1.4, and the difference was incredible. With the 50mm, he did not use a flash (obviously as they ask you not to), and the photos were amazing.

After we bought our lense, we took it to Disney on Ice at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre (sitting in literraly the last row too) and used it and most of our photos were great. The colour that I was able to capture and the image quality (in most cases) was amazing, so I would definitely consider buying the 50mm 1.8 if you can afford it. I will more than likely use it as my main lense on our next trip day or night and plan to get some awesome fireworks (if I can) shots as well.

The only downside is that being fixed length, you may have to consider some of the close shots or shots where you want a lot in the picture. For example when we do at home shots at parties etc, we need to go back to the 17-55 for the range, but that is only one down side I think there is.

One last thing, I have a link to a website (on the home computer) where a guy has a very good explanation as to why the Cannon 50mm should be in every one's kit bag as well as other lenses. When I get home, I'll attach the link to this post.

Great thanks - I'd like the 1.4 but again it's not in the price range (and since I'm an amateur I'll start with something cheap). We have 14 days away so I should find it easy to plan some of the close up pics I take. Mostly I like to just capture my childrens expressions etc so 50mm fixed is fine.

If you have them uploaded I'd love to see some of your pics taken with the lens I've been on Flickr and had a browse and I'm quite happy with them. I understand it's a lightweight plastic fantastic but again being a newbie I'm happy to put up with that until I learn more

 

[Flea]

Flea, the reason I want that lens is the aperture. The 18-55 lens has an aperture of 3.5-5.6. An aperture of 1.8 allows much more light in, which allows a faster shutter speed and/or shorter depth of field. I think the depth of field control is really important, photos of my kids turn out much better with my telephoto because it has a better aperture, but it's not always convenient to be a mile away.

Brilliant thanks for that info - I'm learning about aperture and stuff so it sort of all makes sense.

 

[melbarkwith]

Now I'm online looking at camera lenses when I should be working

Why, oh why, are the Nikon 1.8mm so much dearer than the Canon (which I found for $149 on the Dick Smith site if that helps anyone) ??? On the plus side, I'd get the GST back when we go.

 

[Flea]

Now I'm online looking at camera lenses when I should be working

Why, oh why, are the Nikon 1.8mm so much dearer than the Canon (which I found for $149 on the Dick Smith site if that helps anyone) ??? On the plus side, I'd get the GST back when we go.

I'm meant to be cleaning but I'm looking at lenses

It could be soooooooo easy to spend a months pay packet on camera accessories haha.

 

[keptwoman]

Now I'm online looking at camera lenses when I should be working

Why, oh why, are the Nikon 1.8mm so much dearer than the Canon (which I found for $149 on the Dick Smith site if that helps anyone) ??? On the plus side, I'd get the GST back when we go.

Camera Warehouse have it for $127, so maybe try there for the Nikon.
I need to also check Teds and Michaels, we are taking our camera in for a clean next week so it's all sparkly for our trip

eta: sorry, that's www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Ok I'm almost ready to buy this lens.....they are about $170 in NZ so it fits in the budget before we go....

Do the hard sell on me hehe - why should I get this lens apart from price. I have a the 18-55mm lens and the 55-200mm lens that came with the camera. What is the benefit of having a 50mm at disneyland?? I'm by no means a photographer but I do love taking fun photos of my kids etc and like them to look nice. I don't use a flash if I can help it as I like the natural light in my photos and the softness it seems to give (and I can't afford a decent flash yet...maybe while we are away I'll have a looksie).

I was almost considering getting a 28mm-200mm as I thought it would be a carry one lens only type of job but I'm guessing that's not right.

Hey Flea, not sure whether I even need to response to this now since everyone has already given you great information. I will say that you definitely don't need the 1.4mm. The 1.8mm will be fine. Keptwoman is right, the lower the aperture the more light the lens lets in. I would like to caution you though, no matter how fast you get that shutter speed, if you are shooting wide open at 1.8 or less, you better have the steadiest hands in the world or you'll get camera shake and your images will potentially be blurry. Also you would need to be careful where you focused the camera so that the focus doesn't fall in the wrong spot being that it is so narrow. It is a fine line on those dark rides to let enough light in but also to be able to handle those wide open aps.

I used a 50mm 1.8mm lens for my business for several years with beautiful crisp photos resulting. You will be really really happy with it and as you say, it fits your budget really well. I think you will have lots of fun with it.

I will PM you my web address, I use the 50mm 1.4 mostly, however there would definitely still be some 1.8mm images on there. A lay person would never be able to tell the difference.

I can't wait to see the images you capture with your new lens.

 

[melbarkwith]

Camera Warehouse have it for $127, so maybe try there for the Nikon.
I need to also check Teds and Michaels, we are taking our camera in for a clean next week so it's all sparkly for our trip

eta: sorry, that's www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au

Thanks for the link. It's $349 there for the 1.8 - ouch
Maybe I'll practise a bit (lot!) more with the lenses I already have.

 

[Flea]

Thank you for all your help with the lens - I've gone ahead and ordered it and for the price I think I'll be happy

Looking forward to it arriving so I can have a play

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Thank you for all your help with the lens - I've gone ahead and ordered it and for the price I think I'll be happy

Looking forward to it arriving so I can have a play

Yay Flea. You'll love it.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Thanks for the link. It's $349 there for the 1.8 - ouch
Maybe I'll practise a bit (lot!) more with the lenses I already have.

OH no, that's a shame.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

What keptwoman said is the same reason I also bought the 50mm (however I went for the 1.4, not 1.8. More expensive but I wanted the USM). I remember reading an article, (can't remember where, either laughingplace.com or Miceage). But the guy showed photos that he had taken on Small World. The same photo using the standard 18-55 and with the 50mm 1.4, and the difference was incredible. With the 50mm, he did not use a flash (obviously as they ask you not to), and the photos were amazing.

After we bought our lense, we took it to Disney on Ice at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre (sitting in literraly the last row too) and used it and most of our photos were great. The colour that I was able to capture and the image quality (in most cases) was amazing, so I would definitely consider buying the 50mm 1.8 if you can afford it. I will more than likely use it as my main lense on our next trip day or night and plan to get some awesome fireworks (if I can) shots as well.

The only downside is that being fixed length, you may have to consider some of the close shots or shots where you want a lot in the picture. For example when we do at home shots at parties etc, we need to go back to the 17-55 for the range, but that is only one down side I think there is.

One last thing, I have a link to a website (on the home computer) where a guy has a very good explanation as to why the Cannon 50mm should be in every one's kit bag as well as other lenses. When I get home, I'll attach the link to this post.

Can you share some of the Disney on Ice pics, would love to see them

 

[Andona]

Hey guys I know others are going to NY. I hadn't heard of this place and apparantly the views are better, queues shorter and staff friendlier than the Empire State Building
http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

We did the Top of the Rock last year on our visit to NY - it is absolutely awesome!! We had the most amazing views of Central Park ( in one direction) and lower Manhattan with the Empire State building in the middle. I took a a cheezy photo of DS "leaning" on the Empire State Building. I'll try to attach a couple of our photos. I'd read reports that the TOTR is a better experinece than the Empire State because you get the view of Central Park and you get to take photos of the Empire State at "eye level".

I'd read horror stories of people queuing for ages to go up the Empire State building whereas you can book a timed visit (online) to the Top of the Rock and you go up with no wait at all. There are two levels - one where you are behind glass and another where there's nothing between you and the view.

The only thing was that DH was very uncomfortable up there as he's sensitive to heights - he retreated to the gift shop very rapidly and left DS and I to take all the photos.

If you have no problems with heights I can highly recommend the Top of the Rock.

Andona

 

[Andona]

I've just booked my PS for The Blue bayou. We have a late lunch PS for October 14th at 2:10pm.
I also transferred to book Fantasmic Dessert Buffet for Oct 16th but appearently I can't book that until Sept 16th. Which will be the day before we leave.
Now I just have to remember to do so.

Platypus67, we'll be there the same time as you. We have a PS reservation at the Blue Bayou for dinner on October 15th.

I was a little concerned to read (on another board) that there will be a major convention at the Disney Convention center from Oct 15th to Oct 18th. This will probably impact on the crowds

Guess we will just have to make doubly sure we're at the gates for rope drop!

Bye for now
Adrienne

 

[Ihaveamickeymousekid]

Well i bit the bullet and got the ANZ travel card today, lets hope that the dollar doesn't take off now

Now i just have to start organising my list of things to take, planning an overseas holiday is tiring, i'll need the holiday when i finally get there

Hope everyone elses planning is going well

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Platypus67, we'll be there the same time as you. We have a PS reservation at the Blue Bayou for dinner on October 15th.

I was a little concerned to read (on another board) that there will be a major convention at the Disney Convention center from Oct 15th to Oct 18th. This will probably impact on the crowds

Guess we will just have to make doubly sure we're at the gates for rope drop!

Bye for now
Adrienne

Hey I'm at DL around this time too. I'm there from 12-17 Oct. Are either of you going to the TOT party?

Bummer about that convention. Do you mind PMing me a link to the thread where you heard the info so I can get a bit more info Adrienne.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

We did the Top of the Rock last year on our visit to NY - it is absolutely awesome!! We had the most amazing views of Central Park ( in one direction) and lower Manhattan with the Empire State building in the middle. I took a a cheezy photo of DS "leaning" on the Empire State Building. I'll try to attach a couple of our photos. I'd read reports that the TOTR is a better experinece than the Empire State because you get the view of Central Park and you get to take photos of the Empire State at "eye level".

I'd read horror stories of people queuing for ages to go up the Empire State building whereas you can book a timed visit (online) to the Top of the Rock and you go up with no wait at all. There are two levels - one where you are behind glass and another where there's nothing between you and the view.

The only thing was that DH was very uncomfortable up there as he's sensitive to heights - he retreated to the gift shop very rapidly and left DS and I to take all the photos.

If you have no problems with heights I can highly recommend the Top of the Rock.

Andona

Love your pics, they made me so excited to go there.

I read what you wrote about your husband and heights out to my DH and he said, well that's the same as him. And I said, yeah and you want to go to the Empire State Building which is higher, hehehe.

 

[keptwoman]

Thanks for the link. It's $349 there for the 1.8 - ouch
Maybe I'll practise a bit (lot!) more with the lenses I already have.

They had a Nikkor with a Nikon mount for $199. I have no idea of the quality but it might be worth checking out the reviews.

Thank you for all your help with the lens - I've gone ahead and ordered it and for the price I think I'll be happy

Looking forward to it arriving so I can have a play

I just went to DCW this afternoon to get mine and I've already had a play