Do I need to bring my camera?

[ilovelucydog]

I'm struggling over whether or not to bring my DSLR camera. I have brought it in the past, and honestly, it was cumbersome. I keep a small lense on it but it's still a pain to manage all day and secure on the rides. I have a new iphone 6s+ and it seems to have a great camera on it. Do you all think that it would take good enough photos? We have photo pass plus, so we will be able to get nice family pics through that. It's so NOT me to not bring my camera.......but it is also very appealing thinking about not dealing with it.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would bring it and decide day by day whether to carry it with you in the parks.

Do you take many low light shots? Cell phones do pretty well in bright sunlight but the DSLR is far better in low light.

What sort of shots to anticipate taking and how do you anticipate using them? If you're just taking well lit shots to post online, your phone might be enough. If you want to print them you'll miss having the DSLR.

 

[ThumperWabbt]

We took a camera this week...and the pictures we took with my iPhone 6+ turned out better. The Spouse Thingy also snapped some with his Samsung phone and those were better, too.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We've gotten really good photos with my 6+, even in low light, so now we often leave the camera at home unless we know we want specific kinds of shots. Our PhotoPass shots turned out well, too. So it's really up to you whether you think you'll need/want your DSLR or whether you think you'll be fine with your iphone and PP+.

 

[Chris9ty]

If you use your phone to take pics you may want to take a external battery charger too. My iphone ate through its battery at the parks. struggling to get service and always taking pics- the days are long in the parks.

 

[McNs]

Or you could look st this as being sn opportunity to buy a new toy in the form of a compact mirror less camera - will be better than the phone especially in low light but not as cumbersome as a DSLR.

 

[sgrap]

I always take my dlsr and love this pics I get.

 

[corinne76]

I don't want to thread jack but this made me think of something
what do you DO with your camera in rides? Esp wet ones?
our last trip we had my bff there and ea of us had toddlers so we were able to switch off the bigger, faster rides and watch ea others stuff. This next trip we're going alone, and my younger child is big enough to go most rides, so it means lugging the camera in with us. Do you just shove it in a bag and take it with you? Say for like splash mountain?

 

[offwithyourhead]

I'd take your phone instead, and a backup battery pack or two. If you have an Otter Box or Lifeproof case, that's a great investment at DL.

IMO you don't need a DSLR. I'd rather spend my time taking quick snaps at Disney that will help preserve a memory than setting up photoshoot-quality pictures with a cumbersome camera.

 

[Phoenixrising]

I've got 2 trips planned in 2017, and am dreading bringing my DSLR, even though it takes amazing pics. It's just so bulky to drag around the entire day. I've used the excuse that I temp misplaced my Sony DSLR to purchase a Canon PS Elph 160 that I got a really good deal on (moving close to Christmas sucks!!). It's small enough to fit in my purse, but has enough zoom to keep me happy. I'm going to use my DSLR for everyday pics, but now take the Canon for any trips, as it's alot easier to handle and easier to pack.
As for water proofing my camera, I found a watertight pouch that's normally used for camping to keep my camera dry. They are fairly cheap and can be found at any outdoor/camping store. My camera just slides into it, and then seal it with a simple, but effective seal. It's easy to get the camera in and out of it.

 

[bumbershoot]

I never understand why people who get DSLRs get them if they aren't going to take pictures with them. What was the point of the purchase?

I find it hard to believe that an iphone is going to take a better picture than a quality DSLR with a good eye behind it. If it does, sell that DSLR. Because what's the point?


Put anything non-waterproof into a zip top bag that fits it, and into a backpack.

 

[egritz]

I brought my DSLR several trips, but with a baby, it was too cumbersome. I loved the shots I got with it (and regretted not bringing it on earlier trips) but with my 18-55 2.8 attached it was just too big/bulky and heavy while baby carrying my 4 month old (last year). So this year, with him being 16 months at our trip I knew that while I wanted the great shots from my DSLR, I just did NOT want to lug it around. I also don't trust my phone camera (it is a Samsung S5, so it does have a good camera, but action shots are often blurry misses) and I wanted the ability to control my settings either in manual or in a priority mode.

So after months of researching and testing cameras in stores, I ended up purchasing a high-end P&S - the brand new Canon Powershot G5-x (released 10/23/15). It shoots in RAW, has an EVF, and has the ability to rather easily shoot in manual mode (which were my top 3 requirements). The LCD screen also pops our & turns for quality selfies as well (I'm not a fan of selfies except for Disneyland with my children!) and has a lot of ISO points (way more than my meager Rebel T2i!) It is spendy (I believe currently priced at $749) but I do NOT regret the purchase as I now have a compact camera that fits easily in my purse. It does eat through batteries, but 2 batteries was enough for me. I took over 1500 pictures on our 8 day trip (2 travel days, 6 days in the parks). I have yet to edit them, but from my culling process I am pleased with what I have!

CanonPowerShot G5 X Digital Camera
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• 20.2MP 1" High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
• DIGIC 6 Image Processor
• 4.2x Optical Zoom f/1.8-2.8 Lens
• 24-100mm (35mm Equivalent)
• 2.36m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
• 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Multi-Angle Touchscreen
• Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
• Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
• ISO 12800 & 5.9 fps Continuous Shooting
• Manual Control Dials, Star Shooting Mode

 

[Phoenixrising]

The photographer in me loves my DSLR that takes absolutely incredible pics. BUT after taking it on 6 trips, and dragging it around the parks for hours on end, it becomes it a bit much. Hence buying my Canon PS Elph 160. I bought it for the features it has, and it will be a much better travel camera than my DSLR. Any person can take amazing pics with any camera, so long as they know how to properly use the camera's features. I'll still continue to use my DSLR for everyday pics, but when traveling with the family it's becoming too cumbersome to take the DSLR. I may end up taking both cameras on my solo trip to DL later in 2017, so I've got the option of deciding which camera I want to use each day.

 

[CourtFool]

I would say find a good Point and Shoot camera (as the OP did) if you only go to the park once in a while. That way you can really enjoy the experience. If you are an annual pass holder, then I can see lugging around a big heavy camera just for the shots.

 

[Chrisfilm]

I never understand why people who get DSLRs get them if they aren't going to take pictures with them. What was the point of the purchase?

I find it hard to believe that an iphone is going to take a better picture than a quality DSLR with a good eye behind it. If it does, sell that DSLR. Because what's the point?


Put anything non-waterproof into a zip top bag that fits it, and into a backpack.

That's a good point. Last trip, I encouraged my wife to leave her camera behind every day when we went into the parks because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of what to do with it on rides. On our next trip, I need to remember not to do that. We should be able to come up with a good enough plan to take it with us in the parks. I also need to remember to take my video camera every time and not worry about having to 'lug' that around too.

 

[nikkislaght]

I don't want to thread jack but this made me think of something
what do you DO with your camera in rides? Esp wet ones?
our last trip we had my bff there and ea of us had toddlers so we were able to switch off the bigger, faster rides and watch ea others stuff. This next trip we're going alone, and my younger child is big enough to go most rides, so it means lugging the camera in with us. Do you just shove it in a bag and take it with you? Say for like splash mountain?

take a zip lock bag and put the camera inside that for the wet rides and then it goes into my back pack.... I have a waterproof camera that I take on rides and the other stays inside the ziplock . if its just a small spray I will have it out and just have inside my shirt or jacket.. most of the bigger better DSLR are ok with getting a little wet or misty .

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't want to thread jack but this made me think of something
what do you DO with your camera in rides? Esp wet ones?
our last trip we had my bff there and ea of us had toddlers so we were able to switch off the bigger, faster rides and watch ea others stuff. This next trip we're going alone, and my younger child is big enough to go most rides, so it means lugging the camera in with us. Do you just shove it in a bag and take it with you? Say for like splash mountain?

I bring my camera because I intend to use it.

I use this on all but virtual submersion rides (Kali, Cali River Rapids):

http://www.amazon.com/Covers-Camera...F8&qid=1450108127&sr=8-3&keywords=rain+sleeve

With a rain sleeve, you can keep shooting on Splash:



Crazy Hair Day at Splash Mountain by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[ADLFAN]

I bring my camera because I intend to use it.

I use this on all but virtual submersion rides (Kale, Cali River Rapids):

http://www.amazon.com/Covers-Camera...F8&qid=1450108127&sr=8-3&keywords=rain+sleeve

With a rain sleeve, you can keep shooting on Splash:



Crazy Hair Day at Splash Mountain by mom2rtk, on Flickr

I LOVE your picture! Makes me wish I knew how to use a camera!!

 

[mom2rtk]

I LOVE your picture! Makes me wish I knew how to use a camera!!

Thanks! Pop on over to the photography board. Lots of folks would be willing to help.

 

[egritz]

I bring my camera because I intend to use it.

I use this on all but virtual submersion rides (Kale, Cali River Rapids):

http://www.amazon.com/Covers-Camera...F8&qid=1450108127&sr=8-3&keywords=rain+sleeve

With a rain sleeve, you can keep shooting on Splash

Always love your pictures!!! Very cool shot.