Do you still bring your nice camera even if you’ve purchased memory maker?

[mom2rtk]

All of these are fantastic, but I'm especially amazed by that Splash Mountain shot! Wonderful capture.

Thank you! I love doing on-ride photography.

Is there a thread or blog somewhere with ideas for spots to get some of these awesome shots you guys are sharing?

Just subscribe to some threads on the Photography board here on the DIS and start looking for ideas. Also be sure to ask any questions you have.

Flickr also has a lot of Disney photography groups. I love looking at photos there since most of them still have the EXIF data available to study.

If you have a decent phone cam, the Fla sun will help you out a lot with great shots. If you are concerned about NIGHT shots, that's a different story.
I'm no pro*, but I have a Note 5 or 6, and it did pretty darn well.

* I know the words aperture and vignetting!

I get what you're saying. But bright daylight is one of the times I'm happy to have my DSLR because of the high quality flash to compensate for shadows. Example: Our last visit to DLR we were seated out on the pier at Ariel's Grotto. Our spot was in the shade with a very sunny background. Being able to turn up the flash was the only way to get decent photos in that setting.

I'm not trying to talk anyone into carrying a big camera. You have to really want the flexibility it offers to be willing to carry it around. For me, it just feels like one of the family. I look forward to trying different lenses, different angles, different settings.

 

[friedela]

im trying to decide if I need my dslr since we have memory maker or my phone is good enough. Are big cameras just in the way? Will I get annoyed by lugging it out of my book bag? I’m really thinking out loud on this. Lol. So do people bring their real cameras or just phone it?

Absolutely! I took my 6D and don't regret it one bit. I blogged my images if you care to have a look (in my signature). Yeah, it was a hassle carrying it around, but worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I was not impressed at all with the images memory maker got. I paid for 1 image of my DD with Cinderella because I didn't have a flash and didn't get the shot, but I paid $16 and that was all I spent on photography. I'd just rather do it myself

ETA: I thought I'd just share one image and if you want to see more you can peek at my blog, but this image alone was worth carrying it around!

 

[mom2rtk]

Absolutely! I took my 6D and don't regret it one bit. I blogged my images if you care to have a look (in my signature). Yeah, it was a hassle carrying it around, but worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I was not impressed at all with the images memory maker got. I paid for 1 image of my DD with Cinderella because I didn't have a flash and didn't get the shot, but I paid $16 and that was all I spent on photography. I'd just rather do it myself

I carry a 6D with the 24-70 f/2.8 and at least one extra lens most of the time (my latest favorite is a fisheye lens). My teenage daughter offered to carry the backpack for a while and I told her no since it was so heavy. She laughed and said the backpack she carries around school all day was heavier so it's no big deal.

 

[friedela]

I carry a 6D with the 24-70 f/2.8 and at least one extra lens most of the time (my latest favorite is a fisheye lens). My teenage daughter offered to carry the backpack for a while and I told her no since it was so heavy. She laughed and said the backpack she carries around school all day was heavier so it's no big deal.

Haha, that'a awesome. I took 3 lenses but only 2 on each given day, I alternated between my 50mm, a fisheye I borrowed and my 135.

 

[mom2rtk]

Haha, that'a awesome. I took 3 lenses but only 2 on each given day, I alternated between my 50mm, a fisheye I borrowed and my 135.

How was the 135? I'm always looking to try new lenses.

 

[friedela]

How was the 135? I'm always looking to try new lenses.

It's a great lens, I got some awesome shots during the parade and for that reason I am really glad I took it!

 

[mom2rtk]

It's a great lens, I got some awesome shots during the parade and for that reason I am really glad I took it!

I was actually thinking of parades specifically. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[friedela]

im trying to decide if I need my dslr since we have memory maker or my phone is good enough. Are big cameras just in the way? Will I get annoyed by lugging it out of my book bag? I’m really thinking out loud on this. Lol. So do people bring their real cameras or just phone it?

OP I had a thought... are you planning on printing your images from Disney? Because if they will just sit on a card or on your phone for when you want to show people, then I would take your phone. I take my camera because I print photo books with large images (the books I make are 8.5 x 11 and I will almost always include images that scale the entire page). I want the absolute best quality images for that very reason and I want enough images that I can photo book the entire story of our trip (the food, the little details of Disney, the full shots of the castle, etc not just pictures of me and my kids with characters and on ride. That is just one side of a Disney trip!). Memory maker photographers don't cover those details. So I think it really depends on what your purpose of taking pictures is. If you are printing and documenting your trip then take your big camera. If not, then just take a phone.

 

[CarrieR]

I agree that it definitely has to do with your plans for your photos. I’d eventually like some nice quality prints. I spent *years* taking photos with my iPhone, which look fab... on the phone. When I went to actually print some up I was SO disappointed (especially at the grain) that I bought a DSLR before my next trip and haven’t regretted it since.

For me, MM is great for ride photos, family “icon” photos and even character photos... but it’s not there for the pics I really want. Character meals, friends goofing around, the moment when you drag unsuspecting guests to Club Cool and coax them into trying Beverly... that’s on me. So it’s phone or DSLR, and the big camera wins every time.

I’m still working on the perfect park carrying setup, but for me, the hassle is worth it. YMMV.

 

[mamamelody2]

We had memory maker, but DH decided to take the DSLR last November. He loves photography. He ended up taking 3500 pictures on our 9 day trip.
He didn't have any problem carrying it around, even with a pretty large lens on it. He is planning to take it again this fall when we go with our boys.
He uses a hand strap and it works very well for him.

 

[LYSE]

I think if your asking the question you'll probably be fine leaving it.

I would advise you to take a few back to back comparison shots and make sure you are happy with your phone results before deciding to ditch your DSLR though. Make sure to actually view them on your PC as if you are selecting for printing

My pixel 2 xl has the best camera of any phone..but it's no replacement for my old A7s

We get memory Maker on the APs but most of those pictures aren't very good (but nice to have all of us in it)

 

[kittyab]

We bring ours and we do the memory maker.

 

[disneybirds]

Yes. I have a Sony RX100 that I carry everyday in my purse. On some days I carry my Canon DSLR. I like the Memory Maker photos, but I usually only find one or two photographers per trip that can actually take great photos. Most of the time, I hand them my camera as well. The quality of the Memory Maker photos has improved, but it still won't be the quality as your nice camera. I also really like the candid shots you get around the park. Most of the Memory Maker ones are posed.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I have brought my nice camera when I have Memory Maker, but I don't always. It depends on how much time I think I'm going to have/want for beauty shots, as opposed to action shots. Last time I got by with MM and our phones. Well, and my brand new video camera. I might try the same for our next trip since it's short.

 

[Tomh]

We spend 10 days in the park. I do bring my DSLR with me, I don't carry it every day. I will generally take it to each park at least one day. Last year, I forgot to bring it with me to AK, and really regret it, since all of my pandora pictures were taken with my phone, which doesn't do nearly as good a job with difficult lighting situations.

 

[dreiwhit]

I always bring our DSLR and I take about 1000-1500 pictures on each trip.

 

[prprincess]

I don't take my DSLR, but I have a smaller digital camera that I always take with me. I just prefer using a "traditional" camera over using my phone.

 

[KenHutch]

Always take my camera. Never get more than 700-800 pictures from Memory Maker and I don't spend money on stuff in WDW I take pictures. I am taking 2 64 gig memory sticks with me and I expect to get at least 10 to 14,000 pictures. Other people get bored or annoyed in long lines. I take pictures.

 

[margot31]

depending on the time of year. We did a Christmas trip and did a MM share group. We also took our good camera cause while we got some fun photos with characters and all but to have all the photos of the fireworks and decorations and all. Now with two small kids and all we just use our phones and we have MM.

 

[Mrsbird1129]

Thanks everyone. I think I’m going to bring it in the trip since we’re driving and I have the room. I’ll take it the first day to magic kingdom and see how much I use it. If it really bugs me I won’t bring it anymore days.