DSLR Lens suggestions?

[JKalai]

Whenever I bring my DSLR to the parks, I take one of my light bodies with a pancake prime lens (45mm is my favorite). I love taking pictures, but hate carrying heavy things. The pancake lenses are so flat and light, I sometimes forget I'm wearing my camera around my chest. Before I purchased the lens, I would always worry about my extended zoom lens hitting something/someone.

If you don't mind shooting with prime lenses, I would definitely check them out. Best vacation lens there is IMO.

 

[Tigerlulu]

I got with a "normal" versatile length during the day and as wide as possible at night. Looks like you have a great plan!

 

[scrappingpickle]

I love my black rapid strap. I always wear my camera cross body and that is the most comfortable strap I have ever owned. I have worn it to Disneyland and on other vacations.

 

[madasax12]

I have taken my DSLR every time and here is my .02

Wider is more fun in DL....some of the most fun shots were with my 10-20....also my 24mm 2.8.
This last time I took a 30 1.8 and used that for subject isolation.

I love taking a GoPro and setting it on 1080 + every 5 seconds a still image....using this you get some really candid shots.

Here is a video I shot last weekend.... all on my gopro

 

[egritz]

I have taken my DSLR every time and here is my .02

Wider is more fun in DL....some of the most fun shots were with my 10-20....also my 24mm 2.8.
This last time I took a 30 1.8 and used that for subject isolation.

I love taking a GoPro and setting it on 1080 + every 5 seconds a still image....using this you get some really candid shots.

Here is a video I shot last weekend.... all on my gopro

What a fun idea with the Go-Pro!

 

[SplashMo]

The 35 1.8 is nice....

On APSC I would try the 28 1/8 or wider...

along with the 18-55

then maybe the 18-200 in the backpack or a cheap 50-200

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I also like the wider shots. I would say 70% of my shots in the parks is with a 10-20. I also carry a 24-135 and a 50 mm 1.4 for dark rides. Heavy, yep, but a cross body style bag really helps. I use the generic canon strap.

Boarding plane to Anaheim in 5 minutes-Whit.

 

[idle]

Thanks for the strap info, all.

As for the OP's question, I'll be bringing my prime (30mm f/1.4)...I have a crop sensor camera.

I would love the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, but it wasn't in the budget this trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for the strap info, all.

As for the OP's question, I'll be bringing my prime (30mm f/1.4)...I have a crop sensor camera.

I would love the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, but it wasn't in the budget this trip!

When I was shooting with a crop sensor, that Canon 17-55 f/2.8 was what I used for 95% of all my shots. It was sharp as a tack and great in low light.

Just so you know, Tamron makes a similar lens that has a great reputation as well. Or if you want to try the Canon version sometime without the price commitment, renting lenses can be fun. I use a local place so I save the cost of shipping.

 

[SplashMtn40inches]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm going to bring my Nikon D500. It's a crop sensor but I'll counter that with wider lenses. I want to have the 10fps bursts at my disposal, it's great in low light and I want to try out some 4k video too.

As for lenses, I'm taking your advice and going wider. I'll be lugging my 10-24mm, 18-200mm and my 24mm. I've been on the hunt for an 18mm but they're proving to be fairly hard to find and expensive when you do. But if I can find one before the trip, it may replace the 24mm.

 

[SplashMtn40inches]

Another question that I'll ask here instead of a new thread. I mainly do video so I'm always in manual mode for everything (I've even moved to Nikon ai lenses for video work). Given that being in DL can be a bit run and gun with blinding light followed by complete darkness, what setting do you recommend?

Aperture priority? Shutter? The dreaded automatic? I'm definitely bringing AF lenses.

 

[lcp9]

The first few times I brought a 50/1.8, but I was always getting annoyed trying to get the right frame for character pics (I have little kids, so this is a big part of the trip.) I finally got a 24-70/2.8 and now that's pretty much all I use, all the time. I've taken it the last two trips and it was great. Heavy, but we also have a double stroller so I have the storage. I'm not sure I would tolerate that if we didn't. I do keep it in a small duffel bag that doubles as a purse (lululemon DTB bag) and it fits in there for me to take on rides.

 

[lcp9]

Another question that I'll ask here instead of a new thread. I mainly do video so I'm always in manual mode for everything (I've even moved to Nikon ai lenses for video work). Given that being in DL can be a bit run and gun with blinding light followed by complete darkness, what setting do you recommend?

Aperture priority? Shutter? The dreaded automatic? I'm definitely bringing AF lenses.

I'm not a professional photographer by any means, or even approaching professional, but I do have a markII and decent lenses that I use to take pics of my kids. Over the years I've gotten ok and I always use manual, which counts for something right? ha. Anyway - I'm sure there's a more efficient way of going about it but I just end up switching settings all over the place. What really helped this last time was using external fill flash outside, because there are so many shadows. I felt like I didn't have to change settings quite as often.

 

[sharona]

Another question that I'll ask here instead of a new thread. I mainly do video so I'm always in manual mode for everything (I've even moved to Nikon ai lenses for video work). Given that being in DL can be a bit run and gun with blinding light followed by complete darkness, what setting do you recommend?

Aperture priority? Shutter? The dreaded automatic? I'm definitely bringing AF lenses.

For me, if the light is constantly changing I go with Manual. I set the minimum shutter speed that I know will get me a clean shot then I typically, for candid photos or landscapes, will go with an aperture in the the f8-f11 range and use auto ISO with an internal max set to ISO 6400. I will sometimes have to use the +- to dial the exposure down a bit but usually this works out well for me. I know that my 7100 at ISO 6400 will get me a usable shot that I can fix with some noise reduction in post if it's something that I'm going to print or hang. I would rather a noisy photo than a camera shake/motion blur mess (unless of course you're shooting a ride photo and want some motion blur...) If I'm in a dark ride I'll open up the lens a lot more and if I'm in daylight with no light changes I'm usually in A priority.

 

[Disn3yVision]

canon 16-35 2.8 L. Mostly shooting family on an APS-C sensor.

 

[MSPeeler]

I just bought a Nikon D3400, my first DSLR (for noobs LOL) but REALLY want to learn how to use it in March.
It came with a 18-55mm & 70-300mm.

It's coming up fast, so all this info is great! Thanks.

 

[SplashMtn40inches]

I just bought a Nikon D3400, my first DSLR (for noobs LOL) but REALLY want to learn how to use it in March.
It came with a 18-55mm & 70-300mm.

It's coming up fast, so all this info is great! Thanks.

Grab yourself a 35mm 1.8G or a 50mm 1.8G (I prefer the 35mm). Both are very affordable in terms of lenses and you'll get astounding pictures of your family.

 

[wenrob]

I just bought a Nikon D3400, my first DSLR (for noobs LOL) but REALLY want to learn how to use it in March.
It came with a 18-55mm & 70-300mm.

It's coming up fast, so all this info is great! Thanks.

Check out the photography board here. Lots of theme specific threads pinned up top. Way, way, back when that's where I started. An invaluable book when you're just beginning is Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. Even if you never shoot in manual, understanding why the camera does what it does will go a long way in helping you get the best shots you can. Something I tell new camera owners is to practice on the stuff that isn't important so you're not putting pressure on yourself to be perfect. Then when it's time for the important stuff you'll be more comfortable.

 

[SplashMtn40inches]

For me, if the light is constantly changing I go with Manual. I set the minimum shutter speed that I know will get me a clean shot then I typically, for candid photos or landscapes, will go with an aperture in the the f8-f11 range and use auto ISO with an internal max set to ISO 6400. I will sometimes have to use the +- to dial the exposure down a bit but usually this works out well for me. I know that my 7100 at ISO 6400 will get me a usable shot that I can fix with some noise reduction in post if it's something that I'm going to print or hang. I would rather a noisy photo than a camera shake/motion blur mess (unless of course you're shooting a ride photo and want some motion blur...) If I'm in a dark ride I'll open up the lens a lot more and if I'm in daylight with no light changes I'm usually in A priority.

Thank you! That helps knowing what others do. I have a D7100 as well and love it. It's nice to see a bunch of Nikon users in a Canon world.

I think for something like the Main Street Electrical Parade, once I've figured out my settings, I'll keep it in shutter priority. Speaking of which, I'm sure they use LED's which means I'm bringing my D500 as it has flicker reduction.

 

[sharona]

I just bought a Nikon D3400, my first DSLR (for noobs LOL) but REALLY want to learn how to use it in March.
It came with a 18-55mm & 70-300mm.

It's coming up fast, so all this info is great! Thanks.

I see someone above already recommended Understanding Exposure and wanted to 2nd that. Such a great book for beginners who want to learn more. I've given it as a gift to several people who loved it. For me, that book is what motivated me to abandon Auto mode and start using my first dslr (Nikon D60) as more than just a fancy point and shoot!

Thank you! That helps knowing what others do. I have a D7100 as well and love it. It's nice to see a bunch of Nikon users in a Canon world.

I think for something like the Main Street Electrical Parade, once I've figured out my settings, I'll keep it in shutter priority. Speaking of which, I'm sure they use LED's which means I'm bringing my D500 as it has flicker reduction.

I don't think it's a Canon world at all. I see just as many Nikons when I go to a meet up of my photography group - especially now that the D500 has proven to be so great for action shots and is priced so affordably (relatively of course!). Are you loving it? It's probably my next upgrade but it won't be for a year or two.