Do you take your SLR into the parks?

[Sacha_L]

Looking for opinions and tips! Here is our story...We are going to DisneyLand in July...Dh, myself, MIL, and 2 boys then age 2 1/2 and 6. we only get 2 full days in the park (it is part of larger 11 day vacation) but we are staying onsite DLH. I tend to go a little overboard taking pics (but I am ok with that) LOL. I do expect to have some kid free time in the park (thanks Grandma!) to get the pics of the park itself. I also plan to purchase one of the photo pass cd's and grab every cameraman I see. I really think I might miss having my camera with me though...but can I protect it and still enjoy the parks fully?

 

[MazdaUK]

DH and I went to Disneyland on our honeymoon (when it was just one park!). We took a compact 35mm one day and the big SLR the other day - digital cameras hadn't been invented then Photopass won't get you all the pics you want, as the photographers stand in pre-arranged spots to get the pics people generally want as a group shot (eg infront of the castle). Which camera you take depends on how you "enjoy" a park - I am a big wuss when it comes to scary rides so I'm quite happy to act as bag holder. But if yuo want to go on the faster rides then I'd take a smaller camera that day and save your SLR for when you're going to watch parades and catch the details you need (like signs).

I also recommend giving kids disposable cameras to see things from a different view.

 

[beasleybear]

I went through this struggle for our February trip. I had just gotten my Rebel XT back in November, and since it was so new I really didn't want to risk taking it. I would have loved the better quality, but I think I would have cried up a storm if something had happened to it. I felt I didn't need the stress, so I took my p & s 4 Meg camera that went on our 2004 trip. Also, because we had two small kids this time, I probably didn't end up taking as many pic as I would have liked. But I'm satisfied with how things turned out. My pics may not be prize winners, but I was there to try to enjoy myself. (Well, enjoy myself as much as I could with two crazy kids. )

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

Yes, I do take it. Pictures are my favorite souvenirs, and I my camera is my third eye so I must have it with me. The manual zoom is what makes the difference for me. I get frustrated holding a button down and waiting for it to zoom in and out. With my compact cameras by the time I get it zoomed to where I want it the photo opportunity is gone.

We usually carry it in a camera bag along with our video camera. Other times I just put it in a big ziplock and carry it in my backpack.

4 years ago dh dropped my film SLR camera on the sidewalk right in front of Minnie's house. Luckily it only shattered the protective lens. The rest of the camera seemed fine. That doesn't stop me from taking it back (or my digital SLR) because that could have happened at home just as easy.

 

[Queenie]

I take mine into each park for one day, the rest of the trip I just take my baby pocket sized one which I keep on a string attached to my shorts pocket.

 

[Sacha_L]

thanks! I think I will be taking it along...do you think it will be ok on the little kid rides? I know my MIL will not be on anything that is too "scary" so she could hold it while we were on thse type rides....also is their anyplace at disney to dump my pics from the camera to a disc? I can easily take 300 pics a day with the SLR. TIA!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I love using my Nikon D50 so much that I cannot imagine going anywhere without it!!! To lighten the load (not that my camera weighs much of anything), I take only 2 lenses into the park with me.

 

[KimAshton]

I love using my Nikon D50 so much that I cannot imagine going anywhere without it!!! To lighten the load (not that my camera weighs much of anything), I take only 2 lenses into the park with me.

I have the same camera and took it into the park. I laid in my bookbag when I wasn't using it. I had a ziplock bag in my backpack so when it rained I stuck it in there. No problems.

 

[MazdaUK]

If a ride is safe for a child under 3' it should be safe for a camera - just make sure its not rattling loose round your feet (der!). I only took a small camera to the park, but it was a fairly new digital and to keep it safe I passed the strap of my bum bag through the belt loop AND wrapped the neck strap around as well - the belt loop fastens with velcro and I thought if I got caught up on anything or knocked against something getting in and out of rides (or crowded shops) it might come loose.

 

[willis37862]

I have the Digital Rebel XT and I take it everywhere. I know its an expensive toy to chance damage to, but why else own it ? We tried the smaller compact cameras and they just didn't live up to what I wanted......but I believe every person has to figure out for themselves if it is worth the risk and if they will feel comfortable having the expensive camera in the parks.

 

[Sacha_L]

Thanks to everyone for all the reply's...you all have helped me to make up my mind. I am a little scared but I think the camera has to come along on this trip. Disneyland is just too much of a target rich enviroment for me to pass up