Cameras...which to take or not take!?!

[melifeld]

I am an avid semi-pro photographer. I love my DSLR. Having said that, there is no way I would take my expensive camera and lenses into the theme parks to be knocked around. Plus the equipment is heavy to carry around, and I am used to it!

I carry a high quality P&S camera that fits easily into the (very small) bag that I carry into the parks. I get amazing shots, without carrying all the weight of my DLSR.

If you must take an expensive camera into the parks, please get a good cross-body strap like one of the Black Rapids. I use these constantly when I am shooting. Just be sure to get used to it first. You will be wider with this on, if that makes sense, by the size of the camera and lens. And you don't want to be hitting people with your camera or bumping your lens into doorways.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[AthenaBolina]

I am an avid semi-pro photographer. I love my DSLR. Having said that, there is no way I would take my expensive camera and lenses into the theme parks to be knocked around. Plus the equipment is heavy to carry around, and I am used to it! I carry a high quality P&S camera that fits easily into the (very small) bag that I carry into the parks. I get amazing shots, without carrying all the weight of my DLSR. If you must take an expensive camera into the parks, please get a good cross-body strap like one of the Black Rapids. I use these constantly when I am shooting. Just be sure to get used to it first. You will be wider with this on, if that makes sense, by the size of the camera and lens. And you don't want to be hitting people with your camera or bumping your lens into doorways. Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

Which point and shoot do you have? I'm always torn on taking my 60D because it is heavy, and then you want to have all the different lenses...it just gets cumbersome. But I have a canon s100 I'm hoping will do the job, I'm just afraid to be without my trusty camera and don't know if I'll get the same shots. I do LOVE the S100 though.

 

[EastonCat]

I am not a student of the art of photography -- for us we have tools that are relatively idiot proof, but provide really nice images to remember our trips.

We bring our DSLR (ND3200) with a 50mm lens and our 18x55mm lens, which we use quite a bit. We also bring our Nikon 1 with the 18.5mm and 10x100mm lens which we use when we aren't carrying a larger bag or when we want two cameras. We also carry a Canon point-and-shoot which we have our kids use to take pictures. And, of course, we have our phones. We mostly use the 50mm on the DSLR and the 18.5mm on the N1, as they are relatively fast lenses (1.4 and 1.6 respectively).

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't take a camera bag. I take a backpack and put any extra lenses in the backpack in individual lens pouches. I generally wear the camera, but leave room in the backpack to put it on those rare occasions I won't be using it.

 

[colbyn]

I took my point and shoot on my recent trip and wished the whole time I has brought my DSLR.

 

[Disneyhabs]

When you bring your cameras, do you bring your camera bag as well? I've been wanting to bring my camera, but I don't have a camera bag, think it will survive a baby bag?

I use this bag now so much smaller and more convenient than the old Lowepro square bag I used to carry.

http://www.costco.ca/National-Geographic-Explorer-DSLR-Sling-Camera-Bag-.product.100013231.html

 

[hultrain]

Probably too late for the OP, unless he/she is willing to buy yet another camera, but I have a mirrorless Sony Nex, and it is perfect for my needs. Quality of photos is similar to a consumer (meaning not professional) DSLR camera, it has the ability to switch lenses, but it is much smaller and lighter than a DSLR. I'm able to keep the camera and two lenses in a small bag (the size of a fanny pack---but I swear it's not a fanny pack!). I go to a slightly larger bag if I want to carry more lenses around with me. I had the camera and 4 lenses in a small bag with me roaming the streets of Paris for a week, and I got great pictures without having to lug around a full-size DSLR




Olympus also makes a good mirrorless from what I hear.

 

[jrdgtr]

I too am a photo lover and when I go I brings my dslr and my olympus watetproof point and shoot. Normally I use the olympus for video on rides and etc. But it is also great if it rains because you can still use a camera without any worry about getting your non weather resistant dslr wet. I always have about 3 lenses with me too. All in a bookbag. But if I don't want to lug around all the lenses I usually stick with either an 85mm or a 40mm prime. I find that those let me be creative and aren't too heavy.