Choose 2 lenses for Disney World

[AMCB1022]

Hi y'all, first time poster here! I've been reading a lot of posts on recommended lenses to take to Disney World, but of course am having a hard time choosing which ones I want to purchase for our upcoming May trip. I have the Nikon D3200 with the kit lens. I took this for our October trip and got some decent shots, but want to step it up in May!

So tell me, if you were only taking 2 lenses to Disney World, which would you pick?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Sigma 18-35 f1.8 and a 24-70 f2.8 (your choice of brand). Of course I would never limit myself to two because I would need a long lens and that would be a 70-200 f2.8. Of course, you can tell lens weight is not an issue for me, I need the low light performance of the faster lenses.

 

[xlxo]

• I prefer the 18-200mm or 18-300mm wonder lens. The VR and external flash helps with low light.
• 50mm f/1.8 for low-light when flash is not possible as a second lens.
• 85mm f/1.8 would be my third choice.

 

[PythonFan888]

When I had the D7000, some of my best WDW shots were made with the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 - arguably the best ultrawide for APS-C out there.

For a second lens I would look at the Sigma 17 - 70 f/2.8.

 

[AMCB1022]

Thanks so much for the replies! It helps to see what others like to take to the parks. I'm definitley getting a prime lens, and the 17-70 2.8 is looking like it will be the best upgrade to my kit lens and also is more within my current budget! I've worked in the cost of new lenses into our disneymoon budget!

Thanks again for y'alls input, much appreciated!

 

[mom2rtk]

Tamron makes a 24-70 that is constant at 2.8. (I think that Sigma 17-70 starts at 2.8 but is down to 4 as you zoom) I carried it part of the time on our recent DL trip. I was very happy with it. As I'm starting to review my photos from the trip, it's seeming to me like it's sharper than my 24-105 f/4l lens (I shoot Canon).

 

[havoc315]

For Disney, on APS-C, I think I'd have to go with at least 3:
Something like the Tokina 11-19, a 35/1.8 or 50/1.8; and something like the Tamron 17-50/2.8.
For most of the Disney parks, I don't need anything very long, though I do often like telephoto shooting. Just not critical for Disney.

 

[Ljbadfan]

For our trip we did last October, I took with me the Nikon 18-140mm and 18-300mm lenes. I used the bigger one for the safari ride and from our room looking at the savanna at animal kingdom lodge.. Most of the trip I used the 18-140mm lens

 

[SkaGoat]

Personally, I'd do something like the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art, and the 17-50mm f/2.8.

I don't like Ultra Zooms, and I like fixed apertures as much as possible. With the Sigma 17-70mm you can only get f/2.8 at 17mm, and it's all the way down to f/4 by 50mm (I know it's only 1 stop, but it can make a big difference), and the difference between 50mm and 70mm isn't huge.

Or I'd go for 2 zooms, 17-50mm f/2.8, and 70-200mm f/2.8

 

[Skywise]

I've got a Canon and use mostly zooms -

For DW last trip I took all 3 of my zooms a 16-35, 24-70 and a 70-300.

I never took all 3 with me (one or two usually stayed in the room)
The zoom came in handy with the Spirit of Aloha Luau as I got some great shots that way but usually it's my least used lens.

Generally the 16-35 stayed on my camera most of the time as I used it for all landscape, parade videoing and firework videoing shots. I used the 24-70 when I knew I was going to take family portraits (but that's a small percentage of the overall photography I do) or would need the closer range. (Castle shows typically, although I really couldn't zoom in enough from the hub with them but my 70-300 wasn't wide enough to get the entire castle in the shot for the occasional fireworks burst).

 

[firemanchip]

I used the Sigma 18-35 1.8 90 percent of the time. I only used the Tamron 70-300 at the AK. I also had the Tokina 11-16 and the Tamron 17-50 at my disposal but never used either.

 

[boBQuincy]

At WDW I would miss my wide angle more than my long lens so if I were limited to two lenses it would be a mid-range wide aperture zoom (12-35 f/2.8 which in APS terms would be about 18-55) and a wide angle (7-14, in APS about 10-22).

Since micro 4:3 lenses are so small I usually carry a 35-100 f/2.8 also, the three lenses cover a wide range.

 

[saturndb]

I don't know if I could limit myself to only bringing two lenses. Each lens I own is used for certain pictures. My Nikon F2.8 70-200 is great for zoom and my Tokinia 11-16 is great for wide angle shots. I would ask, what do you like to take pictures of and on this upcoming trip do you have any idea of images you "must" get? What hotel are you staying at? Do you currently just own the kit lens or what other lens do you own?

Disney is a photographers dream and everyone tries to get different images

 

[AMCB1022]

I don't know if I could limit myself to only bringing two lenses. Each lens I own is used for certain pictures. My Nikon F2.8 70-200 is great for zoom and my Tokinia 11-16 is great for wide angle shots. I would ask, what do you like to take pictures of and on this upcoming trip do you have any idea of images you "must" get? What hotel are you staying at? Do you currently just own the kit lens or what other lens do you own?

Disney is a photographers dream and everyone tries to get different images

I only have the kit lens for my D3200, and I so wish I could buy more than 2 lenses, but my budget will only allow for the 2 at the moment.

I love the challenge of the dark rides, I got a few decent ones with my kit lens, much to my surprise! I'm very excited to try my luck at the firework shows too, and of course want some good pictures of my fiancé and I. I would like to try to get a little more creative with my shots, but this trip won't be focused on that.

We are staying at the POFQ, only 117 days to go!



Thank you all SO much for all the responses!

 

[OKW Lover]

My usual walking around lens is an 18-200. When at WDW I usually find most of my shots to be in the 18-70 range. This is especially true at the MK and Studios. However, at Animal Kingdom a lot of my shots are up at 150-200 range. Also, at Epcot the longer end is convenient for shots across the lagoon.

 

[littlekidagain]

I could never go with just two. I normally go with 10-20, 24-70, 70-200 & 50 f1.4. If I had to take 2 I would go with my Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 & 30 f1.4. The 30 I would have to buy or rent. Now that's with me shooting on a crop sensor.

 

[fairy oma]

My walk around lens at WDW is my 18-200 on my D5200. It was great to not have to carry around multiple lenses and the only time I would have used my 35mm was in some of the darker rides ( I had more fun just enjoying those rides with grandkids and watching their faces).

 

[OKW Lover]

My walk around lens at WDW is my 18-200 on my D5200. It was great to not have to carry around multiple lenses and the only time I would have used my 35mm was in some of the darker rides ( I had more fun just enjoying those rides with grandkids and watching their faces).

That's essentially my setup too. (I have the 5300). I found that speed (f-stop) of the 35mm was welcome in the dark rides, however I wished I had a wider lens for those occasions.

 

[AMCB1022]

Thanks so much for all the input everyone!

 

[Stink and Bunny]

Last time I used the nikon 35mm 1.8 prime lens. I found that this lens did a great job around parks and was super sharp.