Cameras at Disneyland

[jlparedes]

Hey all, I have a Nikon D50 digital SLR that I love to shoot with and I have a Sony pocket sized point and shoot digi that takes great pics too. I wanted to bring both to DL but now I'm wondering if I'll get tired of carting the big one around? Since there will be me, hubby, nephew and daughter (2) I think one of us will be with the stroller at all times, however I'm still not sure I want to cart it aorund and I don't want to leave it behind in the hotel.

Questions:
- Do you carry you digital SLR around the park? Do you use your camera bag or buy something special?

- Is there a safe big enough to hold my SLR at the HOJO in rooms?

Thanks again.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

the camra we borrow goes in a camra case that hangs around our neck and shoulder. we want to get our own but may hold off and just borrow grandmas again lol

 

[NostalgicDad]

Well, I'm biased towards taking pictures like crazy with my D80 so I'm going to say definitely take your D50 into the parks. I always have my camera in hand ready for the next shot. But, I do realize how cumbersome it can be, especially when you have other things to carry. I also carry my camera bag and am able to put other things in it as well. We are a family of 5 with our youngest at age 7. My DD10 likes to carry around the little Nikon P&S so that keeps her busy. My DS14 will sometimes carry the camera bag but that usually takes an act of Congress.

So, to answer your first question.......I do carry the DSLR at all times. But, I'm also used to being the pack mule so I don't mind it too much. I just know that I would hate not having it when a good photo opp presents itself. I'm not sure about the safes at HoJo since I've never stayed there.

 

[DangerMouse]

The Premium View rooms at the HoJo (and a few of the Deluxe in bldg. 2) have in-room safes that would be big enough for your camera. There are also a safe at the front desk that you can use if you don't happen to have one in your room.

 

[Sy-]

I brought My D70 with me last time I went to DL and wore it around my neck with a strap that I bought from the Camera store in DL because I forgot my strap at home. I wore it for all of the first day. and left it in the hotel room for the next 3 days because its just too big and clumsy when getting on and off rides. Same goes with the video camera. It was great on the second day but after that...ughhhhhh.... For my next trip I got my small P&S (Nikon S52c) and my small video camera (Sanyo Xacti E1). Haven't bought the Xacti E1.. Waiting for the E2 which should be out before I leave (crossing fingers)

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We take a backpack in to the parks, so we put our camera in there. I always want to have it on me. There have been a few times where I'd leave it back in the room, thinking we wouldn't need it. That is of course when a great moment happens, that I'd love a picture of! So I always make sure it's in the backpack now.

But yes, our safe in the room at Hojo's was plenty big for our camera, and our laptop, and a few other things as well. Good size safe.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

When we were in WDW, my shoulder was quite sore from carrying my rather small point and shoot around all day long, so my mother volunteered to take it back to the room for me since they were leaving the MK before I was. Thinking that my shoulder could use the rest, I agreed. And when I left the park, there was Mickey waving goodbye to everyone as they filed out of the park. Moral of the story: Keep your camera on you. You never know what photos may arise that you wish you had.

 

[stacymomof2]

I have the Canon Rebel xt...it got kind of heavy carrying it around...but I couldn't leave it behind (and wouldn't...the safe in our room at DLH wouldn't hold it)...

The ONLY thing I'm changing for the next time is I am getting rid of the neck strap that came with it...no padding and painful after a while. I have seen a couple of cute ones with plenty of padding on ebay and etsy.

I really want to get a new lens, one that has more of a zoom and better quality than the kit lens I have...but OUCH! They are expensive. I just need to head to our local camera shop that sells used glass...and one day, a macro!!

 

[disfamily07]

I have the Nikon D50 also and took it with us to Disneyland
for our first family trip this last Dec. I was concerned that it would
be to big and bulky but I didn't want to leave it at home and regret
the pictures I would end up with if I didn't take it. I ended up
going and buying a camera bag that was just big enough to hold
my camera and and an extra lense and it worked perfectly. I never
really felt like it was a burden to carry around.

I would say to take whichever camera you feel most comfortable using.

 

[silence]

i guess i am in the minority here. we bring all 3 of our cameras each trip....but usually leave 2 behind in the hotel

i just always plan on a day to take pics with the DSLR and always have my pocket sized canon handy for those impromtu pics.

 

[Vala]

i guess i am in the minority here. we bring all 3 of our cameras each trip....but usually leave 2 behind in the hotel

*raises hand*

I bring my small Kodak for the quick action shots, and often haul my DLR around as well. Seeing we're on property this year this may change though and I'll run and pick the heavy one up at the hotel for the parades and fireworks. So far we have stayed in hotels too far away for a quick run to get something.

 

[disneylandhunni]

I would say bring your smaller camera! You are going to be going on rides and things like that and definatly would be annoying to carry!

 

[StitchMad]

When we visit the parks, we take my digital, my Mom's digital and my Dad's SLR.

My Mom and I either put our cameras in our pockets or carry them, and my Dad usually keeps it around his neck or in the bag. It's really not a big problem to us, probably because we take pictures of EVERYTHING.

If you're into photography, and want to take some good, creative shots at Disneyland, I really suggest taking your best camera. Who cares if it's annoying? As long as you get the shot with the memories, isn't that worth struggling around a bit?

 

[Danauk]

We will be taking in my small kodak point and shoot plus my DSLR. Since we usually take a bag into the parks with us to keep sun cream, wallets etc in I will probably put a couple of my lenses in there too. I guess though DH will carry the bag and I will keep the DSLR around my neck then put it into the bag when we are on the rides if I need to.

 

[HappinessIs]

We took our larger camera last year and we were constantly taking turns holding it when going on rides, etc. This year I plan to take only our smaller camera.

 

[jlparedes]

Thanks for all the great responses. It gives me something to think about. I am a big time picture taker and ALWAYS have some sort of camera with me, so I'm thinking I might regret not having my SLR with me. Since we have a little one, the stroller will never be alone and I think we'd be ok hauling the camera bag in with our stroller. Then I can keep my PAS in my baggalini that I just bought online LOL. Dang Disboards already having me shop for things for the trip. Thanks again for all your suggestions and opinions.

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

I've been asking myself the same question ever since our trip became a reality. I've been a photography geek for many many years and I take a LOT of pictures, and I like them to be good ones. However, while my Digital SLR is amazing and my baby (i even named it) when I go on camping trips and other active outings, I tend to take my point and shoot, because I couldn't BARE it if something happened to my Digital SLR. Its too much of an investment to get damaged. Also, I'm lazy, so I'm not dragging my heavy equipment when I go hiking/rafting/etc... and the same will hold true for me at disneyland.

I think some people take some AMAZING photographs at disneyland, but I plan to be artsy with my photography work through other ways. I want pictures of my vacation for the memories, not for the sake of their artisticness. You know, snapshots of me and my friends, things to remind us of our trip, not necessarily an award winning photo that i'll take ages to compose and wait for the right lighting for. I'm on vacation

 

[Sy-]

Disneyland is better experienced with both eyes wide open rather than with 1 eye through a viewfinder! Just my opinion!