bring the 'big camera' or not?

[cherokeemamma]

I have been shooting with a DSLR for years now and before that had a Nikon 35mm with several lenses and a mounted flash. I take my camera most everywhere with me and love doing so. I take it to the parks and carry it on and off every ride. I hide it under my shirt to protect it from water rides and I keep it out all of the time. I will definitely bring my DSLR and use it 99% of the time for the cruise. I did purchase a smaller Nikon point and shoot but I find the quality is lacking and I really hate the slower shutter. I use it mainly for video. I
f weight is an issue why not bring the body and one smaller lens...this way you have it and will not wish for it later.
My DS got an underwater video camera that is about the size of a credit card and very thin. He will use this at the beach and for snorkeling...we are excited to have this. From what we have seen it takes great underwater video.

I must agree with the PP that said the quality of the picture is mainly due to the photographer. You must have an "eye" for shooting. 10 people could photograph the exact same object or scene and you will get 10 different shots. Also for me shooting pictures is relaxing because I have a passion for photography. I would never think of shooting pictures as a chore because I love it....always have.

TTFN
Darlene

 

[lbgraves]

We have gone from taking a 35 mm and small digital camera to investing in a regular point and shoot over the years. In Alaska DH took some great pictures with it, but I found myself wondering how much nicer they would have been if we had a stronger zoom lense. I just got him a Rebel T3 for Christmas and can't wait to see what pictures he gets on our next cruise. We'll just have to go back to Alaska one day to get those shots.

 

[mellyp]

for me, I will bring my big camera. I am not happy with only point and shoot camera.

 

[spicycrab]

My two cents...

I agree the camera is pretty bulky, but a few things I did on the my last trip that made it seem less cumbersome.

- I chose one lens and stuck with that.

- I borrowed a friends smaller camera bag for excursions (mine is rather large and can accomodate four lenses). It fit nicely into my backpack.

- As for taking it on the plane (and folks probably won't agree with this) - I wrapped the camera in a t-shirt and carried in on my carryon. I put the case in my checked luggage. That way I could take it out whenever I wanted. (This coming from the person that referred to this camera as "baby camera" when she first bought it.)

- I also carry the camera around my neck like a purse and hang the camera to the side. It doesn't seem to be as heavy this way.

I think if you don't bring it, you *may* regret it. After all, isn't that what we buy these things for?

 

[jbuckent]

I bring both.

We do beach excursions and so the DSLR stays on the boat and we instead bring the underwater P&S. P&S's do just fine outdoors. If we have time after excursions to go back out and walk around I'll bring the DSLR and try to get some more artsy photos.

On the boat I usually have my DSLR out with the P&S in my camera bag. If DH and I go different ways he takes the P&S and that way we both have a camera if wanted.

Up at the pool, our kids are small typically only in the Mickey pool and we can't go in the pool so the bag with camera is always next to us so I'm not worried about leaving it unattended. When they get older and we can move on to the goofy pool I will be leaving the DSLR in the cabin. Besides the pool is outside and P&S's do fine outside.

Most of the time you will be fine with only a P&S. If you want to bring the DSLR only because you think you will get better photos, then I'd probably leave it at home, you're outside most of the time where a P&S is just fine. But if you are the kind of person who truly enjoys taking photos you would be disappointed if you didn't have your DSLR.

 

[gglockner]

The best camera is the one that you have with you.

If you feel that your DSLR is too big and heavy that you won't take it along, or you're going to leave it in your cabin because you're afraid it will get lost, stolen or damaged, then take your point-and-shoot.

Alternately, if you have invested money in high-quality lenses and you believe that virtually no point-and-shoot can compare with the DSLR in terms of speed and picture quality, then take the DSLR.

Personally, I take both. When I have both, I use the DSLR 80% of the time, but I have a point-and-shoot in my pocket at other times, just so that I can capture the moment. Even more, when I went on DCL this summer to Alaska, I rented pro-quality lenses for my DSLR. The pictures were amazing, with many as good or better than the pro photographers. I'm very glad I did. In fact, I liked the lenses so much that I bought copies of them when I returned.

 

[mmouse37]

Welcome to the cruise board gglockner! I see this is your first post and we welcome you!!!

You will find all sorts of great info here about DCL. If you have any questions, just ask away.

Glad you joined us!!!

MJ

 

[jelo]

I've always loved my Minolta Maxxum, the end result was always fabulous! So when it died, I bought another one and was so thrilled that it was so much lighter and smaller than the older version.

I had a trip 4 years ago to Vegas, didn't want to bring the Minolta for the inconvienance etc....so I bought 8 disposables...big mistake!! Very few pics even turned out and not well. I was so disappointed, but glad both of my friends shared their shots with me

I was given a Canon Powershot 2 years ago as a gift. I figured I would probably only use it rarely, as I still preferred the Minolta. But I've found myself liking the easy portabiility and comfort of this little camera! And the pics aren't bad at all, so good in fact I even considered selling my Minolta...poor thing hasn't been out of the camera bag in over a year!

 

[taswira]

I have a big Nikon DSLR that I got for professional use (wildlife photographer, with occasional sports & travel photography). I took it on one cruise. Never again.

For cruises, now I always take a good, small, lightweight point and shoot camera and leave the DSLR at home. I've had no regrets whatsoever.

jelo - I have to agree about the Minolta Maxxum. I had one LONG ago and I don't think it ever took a bad shot. Fabulous is right! Have had a few Nikons since, 35mm and DSLR. Great cameras, but I still think my best shots ever were with the Maxxum.

 

[NWDAD]

We bought a Nikon D7000 last spring for our Alaska cruise and several lenses. We also have a Nikon and a Luminx P&S. We ended up with over 3000 photos and took the DLSR almost everywhere. I am glad we had them all. Gave one of the P&S to our DS(9) to use and she suprised us with some great shots. We have picked up a water proof P&S for our next cruise next year.

Kevin

 

[pearljammer]

We took both. I found that the DSLR could zoom where my point and shoot just couldn't. The point where I stopped taking the DSLR with me (Nikon D40) was when we knew we had all the pics we needed and it was sea day so we stuck with the point and shoot. Otherwise, we had both with us all the time and I didnt' find it to be much of a bother. When you get tired of it, leave it in the room and carry the other. Again, it was a zoom factor for me.

Pictures meaning nothing to someone one day? I could care less!! I'm live for today and want as many memories as I can have for not only myself when I'm old (and perhaps don't remember things) but for my son to have when he's older and perhaps a father of his own. When I'm dead I won't know but I'll know that when I lived I help create beautiful and fond memories to last my lifetime and the lifetime of those who want to enjoy them.

 

[Grumpymom73]

I apologize for hijacking this thread but.....
just wondering what P&S you all use. I'm looking to purchase a new camera and have been looking at the Canon Powershot Elph 310HS. I would love to hear what others use and if they are happy with it.
Thanks!

 

[Sharonstamps]

I have a Digital SLR and took it. I also took my zoom lenses that go with it. I also took my compact digital. I took my big camera to almost everything on board. You will be glad you have a zoom lens when you are docking; there is to much to get pictures of that will benefit from the zoom lense.

I got great shots of the family at dinner. I always took it to dinner when everyone (extended family) were there.

I did not take my big camera to excursions. I left it on the ship in my room. The compact was good for Castaway Cay and other excursions because you are not missing any pictures.

The quality is so much better with the SLR, you won't be sorry you lugged it with you - espeically when you get home and download your pictures!

Have fun!

 

[Who's your Mickey?]

I am wondering whether or not to take along my nice big camera and lenses or to just bring a small point and shoot. Obviously, the big one is more trouble to bring considering that we are flying, but it take such great photos. However, what I would like to know is whether you enjoyed having your big camera or found it a pain. For instance, on deck or activities, you can't just leave it on a chair or anything, the way you can hide away a small one. Did you find you needed to take it back to the room frequently to protect it (from water, etc) or did you not find this to be an issue?

Take it... It may be more cumbersome, but you'll be glad you did.

 

[MikeAndNick]

I am wondering whether or not to take along my nice big camera and lenses or to just bring a small point and shoot. Obviously, the big one is more trouble to bring considering that we are flying, but it take such great photos. However, what I would like to know is whether you enjoyed having your big camera or found it a pain. For instance, on deck or activities, you can't just leave it on a chair or anything, the way you can hide away a small one. Did you find you needed to take it back to the room frequently to protect it (from water, etc) or did you not find this to be an issue?

I am guessing you bought your nice big camera and lenses for a reason. Is that reason something like you wanted realy good pictures of your kids enjoying Disney?

 

[Anal Annie]

I apologize for hijacking this thread but.....
just wondering what P&S you all use. I'm looking to purchase a new camera and have been looking at the Canon Powershot Elph 310HS. I would love to hear what others use and if they are happy with it.
Thanks!

Having always been a diehard Canon fan I purchased the Sony Cybershot DSC-H70 for our trip to Europe mainly because it has a 10x zoom and was affordable (less than $200). It starts at a fairly wide angle (25 mm) and because of the zoom range rivals my DSLR lens that is 18-200. Point & shoots with large zooms are hard to find and one with this range is especially hard to find but I refused to purchase another P & S with a limited zoom ability - but my budget was tight as it was sort of a last minute purchase for this trip. I have ZERO regrets that I left the DSLR in its bag the whole trip. I didn't miss having that heavy thing hanging off my neck screaming AMERICAN TOURIST one bit. I was able to walk and take pictures at the same time and I got shots I would've missed otherwise if I'd have stopped to focus the DSLR. Most of the time I didn't have time to fiddle with depth of field & such anyway. We were just on the move too much and went at a fairly fast clip thru the Colosseum, the Vatican, St. Peter's and Pompeii. The private guides we hired were thorough but we had to keep up to their pace in order to see everything we asked to see in the limited amount of time we had for each venue. Even when we were on our own in Paris & Barcelona we were sort of on a schedule to get from one sight to the next. And then there are the crowds of other people that are always in the way when you're trying to "set up" a shot. Just when you think you have a clear shot some mope wanders into the frame, clueless. A hazard of sightseeing at famous landmarks I suppose.

For the most part I was very happy the contrast & color and had to do very little "work" on the pictures (much less than what I would've had to have done with my DSLR). We were in many museums and cathedrals that allowed no flash photography and I know there wouldn't have been enough light for my lens on the big camera to have gotten some of the pics I took. (Granted my DSLR and lens are getting older now as they're circa 2005 I think.)

ANYWAY, I will continue to use my DSLR for sports photography as nothing can compare for the speed but I'm very happy with this purchase for other uses.


(PS) There are a TON of pics on my Med trip report blog if you want to see some of them. The blog is big and takes a long time to load but some of the pics in some of the ports are pretty good I think.

 

[dorkeemn]

I'm a part time pro photographer and we always bring 2 Nikon D40's with us on the cruise - Both have the 18-200 VR mounted and we've never had a problem getting great photos.

My normal cameras are D700 or a D300 - if I didn't have the D40's I'd probably bring the D300, not the D700.

The 18-200 is the only lens we ever bring - it's not the fastest in the world but it gets the job done -

And FYI - I've sold several images from the cruises as stock images. Including some of the beaches and scenery in Nassau.

 

[DixieK]

I’m grateful for all the input, as deciding between cameras has been an issue for me, too.

But I wanted to weigh in on the old photos collecting dust… I spent dozens of hours scanning old family photos, most of which had been boxed since they were taken 40 or 50 years ago. Among them were a series of photos from my grandparents first and only trip to Disneyland in the late 1960’s. Even the pics that didn’t have family were something special.

You never know who your photos will inspire decades from now.

 

[Tower]

Take both your SLR and a point and shoot. Take your little camera every where you go on ship and capture the memories! You can leave you SLR in your stateroom... just a couple minutes away from anywhere on the ship. Use your SLR to create images that you and your family will never forget.

If you don't want the bulk os a SLR, newer point and shoot models take far better photos and video than the ones just a couple years old. Check out the after Christmas sales. For around $100+ I am sure you will find a quality Nikon, Canon or Sony. Do some homework.

That's what we did on our last cruise. DW has a decent P&S that easily fits into a pocket/purse and I have a 'significantly larger' camera. I love my camera, I use it for work for the best shots of construction inspections, but ran into trouble at Costa Maya in a salt water pool at the port. I slipped with the camera around my neck and it got a dunking! It never worked again and had to replace it.

 

[jjgarv]

I always take both. I carry the DSLR around the ship and on non-water excursions. (When I've had it around the pool, I keep it in a ziploc bag, then 'bury' it in the bottom of my tote bag if I have to walk away for a second.) Just can't beat the speed when trying to get shots of family members on the AquaDuck! The point-and-shoot has 'underwater' capabilities, so I take that onto beaches and anywhere that it might get wet.