DSLR Disney tips for newbie?

[jeffsamber]

Glad to see this forum! I need all of the help and inspiration I can get!

Just got a Nikon D60 and going to Disney mid-October. I've seen other forums saying that taking a DSLR to Disney is overkill but I'd really like to take it. Do you have any thoughts for me?

Also, I'd like to learn as much as possible before I go. Do you have any recommendations for classes or tutorials?

Thanks!!!

 

[boBQuincy]

I've seen other forums saying that taking a DSLR to Disney is overkill but I'd really like to take it. Do you have any thoughts for me?

If that is overkill then sign me up, and a great many other people on this board as well! My first thought is to stay off other forums, this one is the best!

A great way to learn is to look at photos on this forum and check the EXIF data, or ask the photographer how they took the photo.

 

[YesDear]

If taking a DSLR to Disney is overkill, then I have been in overkill mode since I went digital and I wasted a lot of time carrying my stuff.

I would love to know what other site said a DSLR was overkill!

 

[pjacobi]

If you take any camera to WDW, you need to budget some amount of time to use that camera.

If you are pushing a stroller and watching two other kids, while running from attraction to attraction, you won't have any time for any camera. Let the photopass photographers take your pictures.

If you can tour the parks more slowly and freely, quality camera equipment can be a big help in getting the best shot.

It's all a question of how you and your tour group wish to spend the time in the parks.


-Paul

 

[jeffsamber]

Thanks for the input!

 

[ColleenG]

I jsut got a DSLR this past summer and we are going to Disney in December. Getting great Disney shots was half the reason I got it! I recommend, as do many others here the book Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson. It does a great job of going over how ISO, shutter speed and aperature all affect the shot. It's a pretty easy read without getting overly technical. Definately take your new camera and share what you took when you get back. Of course hang around here and ask lots of questions. Everyone here is incredibly helpful. At the top of the photog board there are some stickies with great tutorials.

 

[spinetnglr]

I think that anyone who is passionate (as most of the posters here are) about their photography would tell you taking a DSLR to WDW is definately NOT overkill and getting great photos to create their own memories to share is one of the main reasons for going in the first place. Those who tell you that it is overkill are more than likely point and shoot users with neither the time or inclination to learn to use a camera with the capabilities to create a fabulous visual album/book/website as a way to remember their time spent in the World.

The best thing you can probably do for yourself before you go is to use and learn your camera as much as you can so you are not standing around scratching you head wondering what settings to use when you see something you want to capture. Take lots of pictures between now and your trip and take the time to look at the EXIF on ones that work and also on the ones that dont work so you have a pretty good idea of what settings to use different situations.

 

[Pirate1+Princess4]

Just got a Nikon D60 and going to Disney mid-October. I've seen other forums saying that taking a DSLR to Disney is overkill but I'd really like to take it. Do you have any thoughts for me?


Thanks!!!

DH and I were just having this discussion yesterday....what equipment should we take????

So, if you want overkill, here is our list.

Nikon D70s w/ 2 lenses (28mm-70mm and 70mm - 300mm)
Olympus P&S

For the kids (to share among 5 of them ages 7 & 9):
Sony 2.1 MP that we paid $600 for in 2000
2 V-Tech KidZoom cameras

We are also considering purchasing a FLIP or similar to have video because we don't want to lug around the Sony that we paid $800 for in 2000.

Our discussion points were:
-we may never take this trip again and while we are far from pros, we both enjoy photography and would love to have more time for it as a hobby. So the DSLR goes...and we didn't spend all that money for it to sit in a closet when we go on trips.
-our kids move too fast for the P&S to get a good shot, thus the purchase of the DSLR and now fewer missed shots.
-remember as a kid when you got that very first Kodak Instamatic and had fun taking pics of your friends and the cat? Now with digital, my kids can get as crazy as they want, and they'll get some fun perspectives that DH and I will miss. No more yelling about wasted film and the kids may begin to have a love or photgraphy
-the P&S will be nice if we decide not to lug the DSLR. We can leave it in the room on a rainy day and still get nice pictures

So take your Nikon and have a good time. Consider carrying around just one lens and making due with that. But take it all with you and leave the extras in your safe, you may decide that you want a different lens the next day.

Oh, and my sister, who will be joining us for a portion of the trip will most certainly have her Canon, and I'm pretty sure she'll have at least 2 humongous lenses, the speedlight flash, multiple filters..... oh, and she brings along her DH as her "caddy". And her kids are 25.

 

[Frantasmic]

Google short courses and your camera name. Those are pretty cool little "get acquainted" documents for your camera. You get an interactive PDF with specific details and even some short assignments specific to your camera.

 

[jeffsamber]

Pirate1+Princess4 - OMG, you are cracking me up!!! There is no doubt that my kids move too fast for the P&S, too. Excellent point! The DSLR is a definite if for no other reason than that. I can't tell you (though I'm sure you know) how many times my DH and I have been irritated because we missed something with the slower P&S.

Thank you all for tutorial ideas and perspective. Definitely going with my fun DSLR!!!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Next trip I'm taking both. But the P&S stays home when the sun goes down.