Disney Destroyed My DSLR

[Maleficent Dragon]

After years and years of vacations, I finally took my D50 on two vacations. After the 2nd one, I noticed a rattle in it. The camera repair places told me it would cost more to fix that it is worth. I guess it rode Big Thunder Mountain and Rock n Roller-coaster one too many times.



My husband bought me a D3300 about 2 months ago. I am hesitant to take it with me to Disney. I have 3 camera bags, all padded, but apparently not padded enough. I hate to spend money on another bag,

but if I take it, I need to make sure it is protected.

Thoughts, suggestions? Maybe bubble wrap is better than bag padding at this point.

 

[havoc315]

Have no fear... Many people on this board have carried much more expensive dSLRs on the wildest Disney rides many times, and I never heard of the vibration breaking the camera.

Most likely, your D50 was just at the end of it's life. I doubt it broke from going on the rides.

The joy of owning a nice newer dSLR, is to actually use it. These devices are not meant to sit in glass trophy cases, never to be touched. Your D50 was nearly 10 years old--- you simply can't expect dSLRs to last longer. The mechanics inside only last for so long.

 

[mom2rtk]

Have no fear... Many people on this board have carried much more expensive dSLRs on the wildest Disney rides many times, and I never heard of the vibration breaking the camera.

Most likely, your D50 was just at the end of it's life. I doubt it broke from going on the rides.

The joy of owning a nice newer dSLR, is to actually use it. These devices are not meant to sit in glass trophy cases, never to be touched. Your D50 was nearly 10 years old--- you simply can't expect dSLRs to last longer. The mechanics inside only last for so long.

I had a DSLR die once right after walking out of a meet & greet with Belle. We've met Belle many times since then with another camera and she hasn't broken another one.

I take my camera on every wild ride at Disney. MANY times. Take your precautions (have a rain cover, keep a padded bag handy) and go have fun!

 

[Pixel Dust]

I've taken my Nikon on all Disney rides, Big Thunder, Splash, Rock-N Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest... While using it.

You said you were able to use it for several years. It seems you got your money's worth out of that body. I'll also add that it's about time to upgrade anyway. Your current camera bags with padding will do just fine. Your camera is meant to be used, so enjoy it. If you are worried, you can get it insured with your home policy or something similar. That's what I did.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Have no fear... Many people on this board have carried much more expensive dSLRs on the wildest Disney rides many times, and I never heard of the vibration breaking the camera.

Most likely, your D50 was just at the end of it's life. I doubt it broke from going on the rides.

The joy of owning a nice newer dSLR, is to actually use it. These devices are not meant to sit in glass trophy cases, never to be touched. Your D50 was nearly 10 years old--- you simply can't expect dSLRs to last longer. The mechanics inside only last for so long.

I cannot tell if that was supposed to be helpful, catty or insulting, but.... thanks.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I've taken my Nikon on all Disney rides, Big Thunder, Splash, Rock-N Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest... While using it.

You said you were able to use it for several years. It seems you got your money's worth out of that body. I'll also add that it's about time to upgrade anyway. Your current camera bags with padding will do just fine. Your camera is meant to be used, so enjoy it. If you are worried, you can get it insured with your home policy or something similar. That's what I did.

I agree with you 100%. I am very happy with my new camera. Perhaps it was just coincidental that there was rattling inside after getting off a ride and it never worked again. I know my bags are good. I did forget that it is covered under my homeowner's policy..... thanks for that.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I take my camera on every wild ride at Disney. MANY times. Take your precautions (have a rain cover, keep a padded bag handy) and go have fun!

 

[traylorc]

I cannot tell if that was supposed to be helpful, catty or insulting, but.... thanks.

Given the number of times I have seen Havoc respond to fellow Disboarders regarding a variety of camera related questions...I would say he was giving you some very good feedback/advice.

Personally I have taken numerous cameras (D90, D700, D800, and D4) on every Disney ride imaginable and never had a single issue.

 

[boBQuincy]

After years and years of vacations, I finally took my D50 on two vacations. After the 2nd one, I noticed a rattle in it. The camera repair places told me it would cost more to fix that it is worth. I guess it rode Big Thunder Mountain and Rock n Roller-coaster one too many times.

Vibration loosens screws but we rarely notice the loosening until the screw finally falls out and something quits working or causes rattles. The short time on a Disney ride is not much compared to a flight or a long drive and chances are it was those that started disassembling your camera. The Disney ride was just the final turn but if your camera made it through the theme parks it probably would have failed on the way home or soon after anyway.

There are ways to keep screws from loosening under vibration but it isn't worth it for a consumer camera, yours and mine alike. There isn't much you can do to protect your new camera from vibration although holding it will dampen most vibration. Use it, enjoy it, and when the time comes get another.

 

[havoc315]

I cannot tell if that was supposed to be helpful, catty or insulting, but.... thanks.

I was not trying to be insulting.

Just addressing a comment we often see on this board, somewhat similar to your comment---
It's fairly common here to see someone saying, "I'm not sure I should bring my nice expensive camera to Disney.. What if it gets broken?"

If you're not going to use your good camera at Disney, then there is little point in owning a good camera.

In your case, just be assured that modern dslrs are not all that fragile. Even the non weather sealed cameras can take getting wet, getting knocked around a little bit (though I wouldn't intentionally splash it with water, and certainly wouldn't drop it on concrete)

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Today's cameras are pretty tough, some more than others, however they all will take a lot of abuse and keep functioning. Taking my cameras to WDW is mild to what they go through on a weekly basis. They have been rained on, hit by flying mud clods, flying car parts, dropped in the snow and every other type of abuse! I am amazed at how much abuse they can take. I have had a few repairs, but nothing fatal, yet! I would not be afraid of WDW.

 

[photo_chick]

OP chances are it was just a coincidence when it broke. How many shutter clicks did it have? That is a better indicator of wear on a camera than age. Things like the shutter, mirror assembly and other moving parts are only good for so many actuations before they're likely to fail.

Also if you insure your gear it can take some of the stress out of trekking around the parks, mountains, beach... wherever with it.