Do I need to bring my camera?

[mom2rtk]

Always love your pictures!!! Very cool shot.

Thanks egritz! And congrats on the (sort of new) baby!

 

[offwithyourhead]

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?

I think "better" is relative here. Is it BETTER to get a good quality snap of the moment your child spots something, or is it more important to get an amazing quality photograph but potentially miss the moment because you're setting up the shot? What if you're not a good eye, and are just an OK eye?

While you can get some amazing photos with a good camera, Disneyland is not a photography place for me. I'd rather catch things at a moment's notice with a quick snap on my phone than fiddle with a fancy camera. I would rather practice my photography skills another time and just enjoy the magic of Disney while there. Quick snaps are good enough for me, I don't need stunning photographs to remember my trip best, just memorable snaps.

To each their own, though, whatever makes you happiest and is most functional for you!

 

[ilovelucydog]

I ended up taking the camera and not really using it. It mostly stayed in the hotel room and I used my phone. I felt like I enjoyed our vacation more and was much more in the moment with my family. My phone took decent shots and I'm happy with the decision I made.

 

[egritz]

Thanks egritz! And congrats on the (sort of new) baby!

Thank you! After this last trip I can say "Thank GOD I will NEVER vacation with a 16 month old again!" I am JUST starting to edit the pictures from our trip last month. We'll be going back in October (he'll be 2 years 3 1/2 months), but are contemplating taking our 4 year old on a trip without her brother in March (for her 5th birthday) or May since we got AP's this year.

I love my fancy "pocket" camera and I'm glad I'll have it for the couple of "adult" trips we'll be taking this year. At some point (maybe the next time we get AP's") I do want to make a trip with my DSLR (which I'll have upgraded from my measly entry level Rebel by then), perhaps by myself....but we'll see.

I ended up taking the camera and not really using it. It mostly stayed in the hotel room and I used my phone. I felt like I enjoyed our vacation more and was much more in the moment with my family. My phone took decent shots and I'm happy with the decision I made.

Glad you were happy with your decision and had a great trip with the family!

 

[mom2rtk]

I think "better" is relative here. Is it BETTER to get a good quality snap of the moment your child spots something, or is it more important to get an amazing quality photograph but potentially miss the moment because you're setting up the shot? What if you're not a good eye, and are just an OK eye?

While you can get some amazing photos with a good camera, Disneyland is not a photography place for me. I'd rather catch things at a moment's notice with a quick snap on my phone than fiddle with a fancy camera. I would rather practice my photography skills another time and just enjoy the magic of Disney while there. Quick snaps are good enough for me, I don't need stunning photographs to remember my trip best, just memorable snaps.

To each their own, though, whatever makes you happiest and is most functional for you!

You CAN take your time setting up a shot with a DSLR. But you don't have to. The same sort of person who takes a lot of time setting up a shot with a DSLR Is probably the same sort who takes their time setting up a shot with their phone. Or it's someone who needs to practice more with their camera!

There are times in the parks that I just throw the DSLR on Program mode (very close to auto) and go about my business. It is always at my side (on a cross body strap) and instantly on when I need it. My Galaxy S5 requires changing to a different screen and is usually in a pocket or something.

But I do agree. To each his own. It's very hard to generalize on subjects like this.

 

[Angel Ariel]

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.

What I usually do is designate one day / park to bring in my SLR, and on the other days I just use a point and shoot or my phone.

This past trip, I actually brought my SLR in every day and it really did not bother me to have it. Now, granted, we had a 3 y/o, so when riding headliners we always had someone who was staying with her who could keep the camera, so securing it on rides was never a big deal. We have a small Tamrac Adventure (6 i think) backpack for our camera gear, so even before DD it was never a hassle to carry the camera. Maybe soemthing like that would help you.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I think "better" is relative here. Is it BETTER to get a good quality snap of the moment your child spots something, or is it more important to get an amazing quality photograph but potentially miss the moment because you're setting up the shot? What if you're not a good eye, and are just an OK eye?

While you can get some amazing photos with a good camera, Disneyland is not a photography place for me. I'd rather catch things at a moment's notice with a quick snap on my phone than fiddle with a fancy camera. I would rather practice my photography skills another time and just enjoy the magic of Disney while there. Quick snaps are good enough for me, I don't need stunning photographs to remember my trip best, just memorable snaps.

To each their own, though, whatever makes you happiest and is most functional for you!

I don't disagree with you about weighing being in the moment, vs. setting up the shot...but that's precisely *why* I bring my DSLR. I can take a quick snap photo with it just as easily as I can take my time and play around with settings to get everything just right. My DSLR gives me *options* that neither my phone nor my P&S give me. My SLR takes way faster "quick snap" photos than my phone or p&s, and it's way more likely to capture that quick moment than either of the others. Even my new phone, the Galaxy S5, while better than my old HTC Rezound, doesn't always take shots fast enough to capture the speed of my 3 y/o's moments

 

[SnowWhite09]

Some days I take my camera and other days I just take my iPhone - it all depends on what we are planning on doing that day. Some of the photos people take with their DSLR are amazing, but I wouldn't take it every day.

 

[superkick555]

I took my dslr all 5 days of my recent trip and didnt regret it but it was my first time at Disneyland