Canon camera advice needed

[PoohLover78]

Hi all,

I have a "tiny" problem that I need some advice with. I had been planning to take my Canon 60D to WDW with me to take indoor photos at the dark rides like Mermaid, Haunted Mansion, Nemo etc. and Wishes, Electric Parade, Illuminations. I've experimented with settings for quite some time now and already know what to expect with my 60D and how to handle it. Now... I broke the 60D :/ Canon tells me it's gonna take 4 weeks minimum to get it repaired which is gonna be cutting it really close to my trip to WDW. With my luck, it'll arrive the day after I've left.

As a replacement, I am able to borrow either a 1100D or a 350D from family members. I am not familiar with either cameras and how their abilities compare to the 60D. I know they will both offer me less features, but I don't know how they compare to each other. I've looked into renting a 60D for peace of mind and it's just not in my budget right now. So I need a little help. Which one would be a better fit for accomplishing indoor and night shots? And most of all at what settings with either camera? Will be upping the ISO on either of these introduce too much noise? I'm quite happy with how the 60D handles noise on higher ISO settings.

I'm looking to take the regular 18-55mm lens to WDW - the one that came in the kit with the 60D. I don't have the specs handy at the moment as it's not one of my regular lenses. It's a compromise though to not having to carry too many different ones. I'm also looking to take a Sigma 80-300 with image stabilization for day shots (so no problem with settings here) and possibly Illuminations. Don't think I'll need the Sigma for Wishes and most definitely not for indoor and Electric Parade. I also don't think I'll take any night shots that would require the Sigma. Though, Fantasmic might be one.

Anyways, I'd take any advice from you guys that I can get. You're all pretty familiar with shooting at WDW, so I hope someone knows what the second best body would be for me after the 60D. I still have a little time to get used to the camera and experiment, I just wanna do it with the right one!

 

[photo_chick]

Both the 1100D and the 350D are going to be a pretty decent step backwards in noise/ISO performance and range. That said, I used the 350D for a long time and often shot at it's limit of ISO 1600. It's workable if you know how to handle noise reduction in editing. You can get dark rides with them IF you have a fast lens. You'd need that fast lens to take the indoor ride shots with the 60D as well, the two lenses you listed just don't pull in enough light to do things like that.

Settings for dark rides, parades at night... things like that my approach is Tv mode. Set the minimum shutter speed you need to avoid motion blur/shake. Then just keep on bumping that ISO up until you have the exposure. Others will have different approaches. None of them are wrong. You just have to figure out which works best for you.

 

[nbaresejr]

The canon 1100d and 350d are a big downgrade from the 60d. I would say its going to be extremely difficult to get the indoor shots with those camera and the kit 18-55. If you look at good night shots on this board they are done with lenses @ 2.8 or better. On the crop (t2i to t5i, 60d and 7d, they all use basically the same sensor) 3200-6400 ISO is pushing it for ISO in my opinion and will be fairly noisy. My t2i is set to not go over 3200 ISO, personal preference.

Outdoor night shots will be similar. Fireworks people use tripods and long exposures. Parade shots again most people shoot 2.8 or even better 1.4 and somewhere around 1/200 to cut down on motion blur.

The shots you are looking to get are some of the most difficult to take. Even with the 60d and the kit lens they would be very difficult.

I would say send the 60d to Canon ASAP and hope to get it back before the trip. While you do that borrow the 350d just in case your camera does not arrive back from the shop in time.

 

[hakepb]

It looks like the 350D was the low end counterpart to the 20D in 2006 with a DIGIC II processor.

The D1100 is a 2011 step down from a 450D? But it does have a DIGIC 4 processor and should be better at high ISO.

I would read through the reviews at DPReview, with an eye on the physicàl controls, because lower end models usually have fewer options.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d


http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos1100D

 

[photo_chick]

It looks like the 350D was the low end counterpart to the 20D in 2006 with a DIGIC II processor.

The D1100 is a 2011 step down from a 450D? But it does have a DIGIC 4 processor and should be better at high ISO.

I would read through the reviews at DPReview, with an eye on the physicàl controls, because lower end models usually have fewer options.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d


http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos1100D

The 350D is a little older than that. It was the second digital Rebel, the XT. The D1100 is the Rebel XS and was Canon's response to the Nikon 40D. It's actually in many ways a lesser camera than the older 350D.

 

[PoohLover78]

Thanks for all the input. My camera already is with Canon and has been for a couple weeks. It's an insurance case, hence they first had to give an estimate, now it's with the insurance for them to give the ok to Canon and then it'll be repaired. Hence the 4 weeks :/

So I guess the 350D would be my better choice than the 1100? It's kinda what I had already gathered.

On a side note, I have a 50mm/f1.8 The reason I didn't consider taking it up until now is that I think with 50mm indoors for rides, the shots would be zoomed in too close.

 

[nbaresejr]

On a side note, I have a 50mm/f1.8 The reason I didn't consider taking it up until now is that I think with 50mm indoors for rides, the shots would be zoomed in too close.

I have a 50mm 1.8 also. I have never taken it to Disney. This lens does not work for what I like to shoot at home because its to long for indoor house pics of friends and family (this may differ for others). Indoors I prefer to shoot with my Sigma 17-50 2.8 and a canon 430ii.

With that said. If I were you I would take it to Disney. I think it would be a good length for night parades and could have some use on Mermaid and a few other dark rides.

 

[hakepb]

IMHO, indoor ride photos are fun technical equipment (to "justify" a new, fast lens or a new full frame body) and skill exercises, but they really provide little story value in a family vacation album.

For indoor character meets, (which are generally a priority) a good flash would probably help more than a lens with your camera choices.

If you are looking to have some fun taking pictures in indoor rides, I would take the 50/1.8.. But you would be more limited to, say, getting a head shot of Jack Sparrow in the treasure room.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

If one of your goals are the dark rides, the lenses that you have are not the best for that endeavor. IMHO, you have two choices: First, forget about the dark rides and just enjoy them. Your second option is to purchase a lens. If this second option is your choice, then I would recommend one of two lenses. The first is the Sigma 30mm f1.4. The second is the Sigma 18-35 f1.8. The 18-35 is a little more expensive however it gives more options. I currently have the 30, but the 18-35 is on my radar screen.

 

[photo_chick]

Thanks for all the input. My camera already is with Canon and has been for a couple weeks. It's an insurance case, hence they first had to give an estimate, now it's with the insurance for them to give the ok to Canon and then it'll be repaired. Hence the 4 weeks :/

So I guess the 350D would be my better choice than the 1100? It's kinda what I had already gathered.

On a side note, I have a 50mm/f1.8 The reason I didn't consider taking it up until now is that I think with 50mm indoors for rides, the shots would be zoomed in too close.

I've used the 50mm f/1.8 on a crop body on dark rides at Disney. It's totally workable. Yes, wider is more desirable, but if the 50 is what you have then use it. Also, the 50mm f/1.8 on the 350D is a nice travel package. It's super light. I've used that combo quite a bit in the past. The kit lens will not get you dark ride shots on any of the cameras that have been discussed in this thread. It just isn't fast enough. So take the 50.

Edited to add... you are totally not limited to Jack Sparrow's head in the treasure room. I think people really overestimate how long the 50 is on a crop.
50mm f/1.8 on a 50D

 

[PoohLover78]

After reading all your input I redid my "dark" settings with the 350D I borrowed and just then it occurred to me that I had forgotten to factor in one thing in my experiments - the ride vehicle will be moving. I feel like a total dud now! Of course longer exposure (which I went for, down to 1/60 at times) will result in blurry pics. Yeah, facepalm moment.

I am now looking into getting another lens as I will most certainly reuse it in the future. There's a Tamron 28-85 (or was it 125?) on sale here but it only has a steady f2.8. You think I would get by with that? The 30mm 1.4 that was suggested above is whoa expensive in Europe. And I don't really like my 50mm for indoor shots at all. It was a hand down from my dad. He bought it, never used it, handed it to me, I have used it a couple times to try it out...

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Why not rent a newer better body and a lens to match?

 

[mom2rtk]

After reading all your input I redid my "dark" settings with the 350D I borrowed and just then it occurred to me that I had forgotten to factor in one thing in my experiments - the ride vehicle will be moving. I feel like a total dud now! Of course longer exposure (which I went for, down to 1/60 at times) will result in blurry pics. Yeah, facepalm moment.

I am now looking into getting another lens as I will most certainly reuse it in the future. There's a Tamron 28-85 (or was it 125?) on sale here but it only has a steady f2.8. You think I would get by with that? The 30mm 1.4 that was suggested above is whoa expensive in Europe. And I don't really like my 50mm for indoor shots at all. It was a hand down from my dad. He bought it, never used it, handed it to me, I have used it a couple times to try it out...

I have on occasion gotten by with a 2.8 lens on a dark ride, but usually have to go to 6400 ISO to get there. Even then it's iffy.

Of course, some dark rides are darker than others. You would be fine on IASW. Others, not so much.

 

[hakepb]

After reading all your input I redid my "dark" settings with the 350D I borrowed and just then it occurred to me that I had forgotten to factor in one thing in my experiments - the ride vehicle will be moving. I feel like a total dud now! Of course longer exposure (which I went for, down to 1/60 at times) will result in blurry pics. Yeah, facepalm moment.
...

Danielle's (Photo Chick) Captain Jack picture is 1/60 in EXIF, but it is also ISO 3200 (and the 350D only goes to ISO1600. The T3/1100D has up to ISO 6400)

I think you are OK with the 1/60 if you can get enough light..just might be a bit more miss than hit if a boat bumps a rail right as you press the shutter.

 

[PoohLover78]

Why not rent a newer better body and a lens to match?

I've looked at a few rental places, but right now it's just not something I can justify. If I compare cost for a new lens which I can reuse (or resell) in the future to rental prices.... rental prices are usually about the same, if not higher.

I have on occasion gotten by with a 2.8 lens on a dark ride, but usually have to go to 6400 ISO to get there. Even then it's iffy.

Of course, some dark rides are darker than others. You would be fine on IASW. Others, not so much.

Right now, I think I will just take my chances with the 50mm 1.8 I have on the 350D. I would have gotten the 2.8 only for the zoom but I see now where I wouldn't be able to benefit much from it, especially since the 1100D handles higher ISO rather crappy. Maybe I'll get home and the 50mm will be my new best friend. So far, we've rarely played together...

 

[photo_chick]

Danielle's (Photo Chick) Captain Jack picture is 1/60 in EXIF, but it is also ISO 3200 (and the 350D only goes to ISO1600. The T3/1100D has up to ISO 6400)

I think you are OK with the 1/60 if you can get enough light..just might be a bit more miss than hit if a boat bumps a rail right as you press the shutter.

One thing to keep in mind when looking at the EXIF data from my shot is that I ETTR and bring it down a little in post to reduce noise more effectively. Like many things there's more that went into the image than what the numbers say.

As far as minimum shutter speeds.... that's going to vary. I probably could have gotten away with a little bit slower there. I know that camera and lens and what my limits are. And that's really the key I think. You have to know how slow you can personally get away with using each lens you have. It's going to vary. Also POTC is a slow mover so that helps.

 

[photo_chick]

Right now, I think I will just take my chances with the 50mm 1.8 I have on the 350D. I would have gotten the 2.8 only for the zoom but I see now where I wouldn't be able to benefit much from it, especially since the 1100D handles higher ISO rather crappy. Maybe I'll get home and the 50mm will be my new best friend. So far, we've rarely played together...

I'd personally put an ISO 1600 shot from the 350D pushed up a stop above a SOOC shot at ISO 3200 on the 1100D. If you know how to handle the files in post you can get a lot out of the 350D. And I say this having shot with the camera myself for a long time.

 

[PoohLover78]

I'd personally put an ISO 1600 shot from the 350D pushed up a stop above a SOOC shot at ISO 3200 on the 1100D. If you know how to handle the files in post you can get a lot out of the 350D. And I say this having shot with the camera myself for a long time.

Well... I do think how I can handle my pics in post. It's part of my job Sometimes I wish taking the pics I work with would be my job as well XD We have one field worker who always sends me high ISO shots that are so grainy it's making my eyes bleed...