Camera help!

[Nadmars]

Hi all!

Thanks to all the great tips on these boards I think we're about ready for our first family disneyworld trip.
I was hoping the seasoned travellers can help me out.
I'm not sure if we should take an ipad for taking pictures or a regular camera . The advantage of the ipad is I can take quick shots in rapid succession of my kids reactions. However, carrying it around with me at the parks worries me. My small Fuji camera is ok, but after one shot, there is a 5-10 sec delay, so I can miss a great reaction!

So, what do you all find works, I'm not against buying a new camera my Fuji one is older and the zoom isn't great. !
Help!

 

[nbaresejr]

Please do not take your iPad for taking pictures. I say that as nice as I possible can. The photo quality is not the best on them and they are large to carry. Interestingly enough I can't tell you how many people I saw using them for photos on my last trip in April.

An iPhone is a much better option if you have a choice between the two. My iPhone 5 takes really good photos, prob as good as my older point and shoot. If I was not using my DSLR I would be happy with just my iPhone.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Like PP said, an iPhone (4s or 5) takes much better photos than an iPad. Also, an iPad is very large and breakable. Unless you have an Otterbox or the like for it, if it hits the concrete, it's shattered. While the iPad might take photos faster, you're going to have to be holding the big thing in order to get their reaction, anyway. It would be much easier to have a camera with a wrist strap than an iPad when you're trying to capture their faces on Dumbo or the tea cups.

And the weakness of the iPad and iPhone cameras are low-lighting situations. So your nighttime photos will really suffer. Not to mention, it's really annoying when people in front of you are holding up their iPads to take photos of the parades and shows because it's like you're watching it on a television screen. And with dark rides, not only are the shots going to be really bad and blurry, but you'll be interfering with other park guests' experience with the big glowing screen.

My suggestion would be to leave the iPad behind and bring your iPhone if you have one. If not, I'd suggest purchasing a new point and shoot camera that's of higher quality than your current one. I'm sure many other posters can give you advice on a good P&S.

 

[photo_chick]

If the iPad works for you and you're happy with the quality, use it. Lots of people do. Your point and shoot sounds like it may have a slow card in it. Have you tried getting the fastest card it can use?

The problem with asking for advice on a photography board is that many of us are biased against using tablets and often even phones as cameras. We invest a good deal of cash in our gear and the thought of using a simple, everyday device like that instead of a dedicated camera.... well there's a tendency to apply those personal feelings to others. To the point of being derogatory, condescending or insulting to those who really do like using their tablet as a camera (and I'm not necessarily talking about the posts in this thread in that regard). Everyone should use what works for them. If you're happy with what you get from it that is all that matters.

 

[ThurlFan]

Ignoring any considerations about image quality, I would say please don't use the iPad at parades,shows,etc out of consideration for the people behind you. They are very distracting for other viewers, and block a lot more of the view than an iphone or compact camera. Just my 2¢

 

[photo_chick]

Ignoring any considerations about image quality, I would say please don't use the iPad at parades,shows,etc out of consideration for the people behind you. They are very distracting for other viewers, and block a lot more of the view than an iphone or compact camera. Just my 2¢

This is a lot like asking people not to use tripods in the parks. And yes, tripods do pose the same viewing problem for some of us. I see many extended to the user's eye height. Which happens to be right in the eye line of everyone behind them. And for some of us who are vertically challenged it can easily be over our heads and can block a large portion of our view. Yet no one on this board would ever think a DSLR on a tripod could pose the same kind of issue.

Everyone should use whatever camera works for them within the rules of the park, ride or show. If you don't like the view in front of you then you can exercise your option to move.

 

[nbaresejr]

This is a lot like asking people not to use tripods in the parks. And yes, tripods do pose the same viewing problem for some of us. I see many extended to the user's eye height. Which happens to be right in the eye line of everyone behind them. And for some of us who are vertically challenged it can easily be over our heads and can block a large portion of our view. Yet no one on this board would ever think a DSLR on a tripod could pose the same kind of issue.

Everyone should use whatever camera works for them within the rules of the park, ride or show. If you don't like the view in front of you then you can exercise your option to move.

I have to disagree with that statement. I know for myself as we'll as many others on this board we set up tripods and any other gear long before the show and gets spots where everyone standing behind or on the side of me knows what they are in for if they choose to stand by me.

With the iPad people tend to just raise them when they are needed. If this means taking video or pics they get in the way of others standing behind them. Its next to impossible to move for a better stop when the show has already started. There is 0 comparison between tripods and iPads IMO.

 

[havoc315]

Let's face it, an iPad isn't that much bigger than a dSLR. In terms of blocking a view, the most "annoying" thing is when someone raises a child onto their shoulders. A raised child blocks a view far more than an iPad, tripod, or any other camera set up.

But is anyone going to say people shouldn't raise their children on their shoulders for a view?

The only time I think using an ipad as a camera would be inappropriate would be in dark rides, where the bright LCD screen would annoy other riders. (and of course, you're not going to be able to get a picture in a dark ride anyway with an ipad).

 

[mamaCta]

To be completely honest, I think people look ridiculous when they take pictures with a tablet.

I also agree with the above statements about quality.

 

[nbaresejr]

Havac315 makes a great point. While I think it's rude to raise a child in front of others who have staked out a parade location for a while I would never say anything to them about it.

Mamacta I wish there was a like button for your comment

 

[zackiedawg]

I would have to agree with the iPad being a bit more of an annoyance held up than a camera on tripod, or even a child on a shoulder. During the day, the child and iPad are equals for me, but at night the iPad is far more disruptive due to the massive, bright screen - which especially at dark shows, fireworks, etc really distracts me. The smaller the screen, the less the distraction - any cellphone, P&S, etc with a glowing screen is a little annoying, but the iPad compounds that due to the sheer size of the screen.

But I tend to be fairly conscious about lit screens myself - I never use a live view screen at night or on a dark ride elevated above my head - on dark rides, I turn off my LCDs and use EVFs only - for LCDs that automatically display camera settings and such like my DSLR, I have my LCD set to turn off if my eye goes to the viewfinder, so I actually keep my finger in front of the viewfinder screen when the camera is not to my eye, just so the LCD stays dark. I never pull out a cellphone during a dark ride either. Yet I can't say I've ridden a dark ride at Disney in the past 4 years where there wasn't some cellphone, P&S, DSLR, or other device's glowing LCD screen visible somewhere in the boat in front of me...it's ubiquitous and something many people never even think twice about how distracting it might be to others.

 

[GrillMouster]

The post-shot delay you see in your Fuji camera is likely due to the flash needing to recharge. Turn off the flash and turn on burst mode, then compare it to the iPad (which may not have a camera flash at all).

 

[photo_chick]

Let's face it, an iPad isn't that much bigger than a dSLR. In terms of blocking a view, the most "annoying" thing is when someone raises a child onto their shoulders. A raised child blocks a view far more than an iPad, tripod, or any other camera set up.

But is anyone going to say people shouldn't raise their children on their shoulders for a view?

The only time I think using an ipad as a camera would be inappropriate would be in dark rides, where the bright LCD screen would annoy other riders. (and of course, you're not going to be able to get a picture in a dark ride anyway with an ipad).

I totally agree on the dark rides. If flash isn't allowed you shouldn't have anything that lights up on at all. Including LCD screens of any kind. But people have everything on from cameras to phones and tablets.

I find tall people moving directly in front of me as much if an issue as kids on the shoulders. I come in at just under 5 foot, so most of the world is taller than me. Then again, maybe the fact that I've had people in my way like that all of my life is a factor in the way I feel about the subject of iPads as cameras. If I got annoyed every time something blocked my view I'd be perpetually ticked off. LOL

 

[nbaresejr]

I find tall people moving directly in front of me as much if an issue as kids on the shoulders. I come in at just under 5 foot, so most of the world is taller than me. Then again, maybe the fact that I've had people in my way like that all of my life is a factor in the way I feel about the subject of iPads as cameras. If I got annoyed every time something blocked my view I'd be perpetually ticked off. LOL

My wife is 5 foot so I know how you feel, she feels the same way. I think some of the things we are talking/ complaining about are getting worse and worse over time because alot of these things are becoming accepted by society. A large percentage of people have no regard for others if it means getting what they want. Its terrible and makes me sick but its something i see more and more over time.

sorry for my rant.....

 

[Nadmars]

The post-shot delay you see in your Fuji camera is likely due to the flash needing to recharge. Turn off the flash and turn on burst mode, then compare it to the iPad (which may not have a camera flash at all).

Thank you for the great tip! I will try it out on my camera.

To all the others, let me clarify, I have an ipad mini and like stated will only be using it, if I even decided that, for shots of my kids, not for fireworks and such because of the rapid shots I can take.
Thank you for the tips grillmouster, I will play with my camera settings to see if I can get rapid shots!

 

[HPS3]

I agree with Justin, I have no problem with it during the day, but at night and on rides its just plain distracting. I just don't see how someone wants to hold up a large tablet to take a photo.

Off topic.....I'm tired of getting on the buses and having my 2 and 6 year olds stand while teenagers hog the seats. In all of the years that we've been going to WDW I can probably count on 2 hands the number of times I have sat on a bus. I ALWAYS give up my seat for the elderly or women with small children. What's up with the current generation. I must have been raised differently and I'm making sure my kids follow my example.

 

[ThurlFan]

This is a lot like asking people not to use tripods in the parks.

A tripod does not produce a bright glow and draw your eye away from the fireworks or night parade. I find them irritating even if they are not directly blocking my view. But to each their own.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Thank you for the great tip! I will try it out on my camera.

To all the others, let me clarify, I have an ipad mini and like stated will only be using it, if I even decided that, for shots of my kids, not for fireworks and such because of the rapid shots I can take.
Thank you for the tips grillmouster, I will play with my camera settings to see if I can get rapid shots!

Ah, an iPad mini would be much easier to get a grip on than a regular-sized iPad. One of my biggest concerns about an iPad would be the practicality of holding it up to get the shot and not dropping it. I think an iPad Mini would be much easier to do that with, but I'd still recommend getting an Otterbox or Lifeproof case for it in case you do drop it.

Think about what you're going to do with these photos after you get home. If your answer is "share them on Facebook," then I think an iPad mini would work just fine for shots in the park.

 

[Pixel Dust]

iPad, iPad mini, iPhone, iPod touch...

They all have the same camera (when they are of the same generation). Of those, I would use the smallest device, since it would be the easiest to hold and carry around all day.

First, I would try a newer, faster memory card, as others have suggested. If that still doesn't solve your issue, it is time for a new camera. You can then use that new memory card, for the new camera. I would only use an i- device (or other phone cameras) as a last resort.

 

[hakepb]

iPad, iPad mini, iPhone, iPod touch...

They all have the same camera (when they are of the same generation). Of those, I would use the smallest device, since it would be the easiest to hold and carry around all day.

First, I would try a newer, faster memory card, as others have suggested. If that still doesn't solve your issue, it is time for a new camera. You can then use that new memory card, for the new camera. I would only use an i- device (or other phone cameras) as a last resort.

Not quite. The iPad 1 and ipad2 had sub-standard cameras. The new iPad and mini has the same 5mp camera as the old iPhone 4. (Finally an iPad with an acceptable camera)
The iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 have better 8mp cameras