DSLRs at the parks observation

[ukcatfan]

Lately, I have been noticing many DSLRs at the parks. This is especially true over the past year. I suspect the dropping prices are the reason. This past weekend was an exception though. I hardly saw any DSLRs at all, and not a single higher end one (i.e. D300, 5D, K20D, or above). All I can figure is that spring break draws a different than normal crowd.

On a side note, I can definitely tell you that the large crowds seemed to be taking their toll on CMs. I saw many looking very frustrated and a few acting downright rude.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Maybe there's more school-age families at spring break and they don't have the disposable income of a family with preschool or college-age kids (or no kids at all)? Dunno.

I have certainly noticed a good number of DSLRs on our most recent trips to anywhere where people are taking photos, the vast majority are entry-levels with kit lenses but occasionally you see some higher-line ones. Actually at a local museum a couple months ago, I was shooting with my K100D and a fast prime while someone by me was using a K100D and the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8... which was in my camera bag. I thought it was kind of neat, like a secret club or something.

 

[Gdad]

I have noticed a lot of dslr's in the park lately as well- along with a lot of folks who seem to have no clue how to use them- especially using the on camera flash at night. Just in the last few trips I have seen this used on the nicely illuminated fountain in France- Spaceship Earth from the world showcase- and on fireworks all over the place. And don't even get me started on dark rides- there was a guy with a dslr on Pirates behind me a few weeks ago who must have taken 50 flash pictures.

 

[ukcatfan]

I have noticed a lot of dslr's in the park lately as well- along with a lot of folks who seem to have no clue how to use them- especially using the on camera flash at night. Just in the last few trips I have seen this used on the nicely illuminated fountain in France- Spaceship Earth from the world showcase- and on fireworks all over the place. And don't even get me started on dark rides- there was a guy with a dslr on Pirates behind me a few weeks ago who must have taken 50 flash pictures.

I used to try to give people advice on how to get good shots when they were using a flash where it was doing no good. That was until too many people acted like I was an idiot and they knew what they were doing.

We had a boat load of flashers on Pirates yesterday. I have been on it enough that I didn't say anything this time. We were in the first row, so it was not in my eyes at least.

 

[MassJester]

I'm careful about giving unsolicited advice on flash use--or on anything for that matter. Although night time snaps from inside the monorail with their P&S flash will sometimes push me to offer a suggestion.

The frequency of flash photography on dark rides is starting to get on my nerves.

 

[Shutterbug]

The frequency of flash photography on dark rides is starting to get on my nerves.

+1,000

Especially in the haunted mansion!!! grrrrrrrrr

Its like at sporting events you see all those flashes going off knowing they probably are not getting anything except the persons head in front of them.

 

[Shutterbug]

We had a boat load of flashers on Pirates yesterday. I have been on it enough that I didn't say anything this time. We were in the first row, so it was not in my eyes at least.

Thats when you take your dedicated flash and point it backwards over your head

 

[Gdad]

I rode the RnRC the other day and someone a few cars up was videotaping with a light that was on the whole time.

 

[rtphokie]

Lately, I have been noticing many DSLRs at the parks. This is especially true over the past year. I suspect the dropping prices are the reason. This past weekend was an exception though. I hardly saw any DSLRs at all, and not a single higher end one (i.e. D300, 5D, K20D, or above). All I can figure is that spring break draws a different than normal crowd.

On a side note, I can definitely tell you that the large crowds seemed to be taking their toll on CMs. I saw many looking very frustrated and a few acting downright rude.

Kevin

If you can, notice the settings people have on their SLRs, about 90% of people have their camera in full auto mode. I cant help but wonder why people spend hundreds of dollars on a SLR and don't take a few minutes to learn enough to at least try using one of the priority modes or adjust the ISO in low light situations. SLRs are status symbols I guess. Most of these people would be far better served by one of the late model P&S cameras. They'd spend less and probably get better photos.

The worst example of this "camera as tourist bling" phenomenon is the women standing next to me waiting for the parade at AK who said "what a shame" when I took the lens off my SLR. "What a shame, your camera broke", she went on. "Uh, it's a detachable lens, I'm putting a longer one on" I replied. "Wow, you can do that?" she replied. She was holding a Nikon D80, on full auto mode of course.

 

[MassJester]

If you can, notice the settings people have on their SLRs, about 90% of people have their camera in full auto mode. I cant help but wonder why people spend hundreds of dollars on a SLR and don't take a few minutes to learn enough to at least try using one of the priority modes or adjust the ISO in low light situations. SLRs are status symbols I guess. Most of these people would be far better served by one of the late model P&S cameras. They'd spend less and probably get better photos.

The worst example of this "camera as tourist bling" phenomenon is the women standing next to me waiting for the parade at AK who said "what a shame" when I took the lens off my SLR. "What a shame, your camera broke", she went on. "Uh, it's a detachable lens, I'm putting a longer one on" I replied. "Wow, you can do that?" she replied. She was holding a Nikon D80, on full auto mode of course.

Ok, I'm guilty. I spend more than 50% (not much more, but more) in full auto. And it's definitely because I don't know as much about using my camera as I should. I'm getting there, but I'm getting there slowly.

 

[Shutterbug]

SLRs are status symbols I guess.

Bingo!
Plus I think some think the more expensive the camera the more automatically it will take better photos.
Another words the better camera will automatically have better composed photos and automatically perfectly exposed shots.

The worst example of this "camera as tourist bling" phenomenon is the women standing next to me waiting for the parade at AK who said "what a shame" when I took the lens off my SLR. "What a shame, your camera broke", she went on. "Uh, it's a detachable lens, I'm putting a longer one on" I replied. "Wow, you can do that?" she replied. She was holding a Nikon D80, on full auto mode of course.

followed by then followed by

 

[rtphokie]

Bingo!
Plus I think some think the more expensive the camera the more automatically it will take better photos.
Another words the better camera will automatically have better composed photos and automatically perfectly exposed shots.

The camera shop I used to frequent in college had a sign behind the counter that read:

"It's a camera, not a magic wand. Returns on new equipment cheerfully accepted upon successfull completion of a quiz on the contents of the user manual."

 

[rtphokie]

Ok, I'm guilty. I spend more than 50% (not much more, but more) in full auto. And it's definitely because I don't know as much about using my camera as I should. I'm getting there, but I'm getting there slowly.

But you are learning and that's all it takes.

 

[dmccarty]

But you are learning and that's all it takes.

And it sure is faster/easier to learn with digital than film.

Take lots of photos....

Look at what you take....

Figure out what is a good picture and how you took the shot.

Figure out what is bad in photo and how you took the shot.

Repeat.

I was at EPCOT a few weeks ago and while the kids where playing in a playground watched by mom I went off to take photos. I saw two or three other people with LOTS of expensive equipment in big camera bags taking photos. I had just taken the D200 and that lovely little 50/F1.4 lense I had bought for the WDW trip. I really like that lense.

That was the first time I had noticed a few other people who had been bitten with the expensive camera bug in the parks. Both people where by themselves so I think they had just come to EPCOT to take photos.

 

[allie5]

This is an interesting thread!

I took my DSLR to WDW for the very first time last year. I too noticed many more people with them than in previous years. Most were entry level models but I did see one guy with an EOS 1ds Mk ll hanging like a boulder from his neck - he was with family too, so not there on a dedicated photo trip!

In defence of the "auto" mode I will say this....I know how my camera works, and for night, firework and low light settings, Id be using Av or Tv mode BUT, I found that fiddling with settings ALL THE TIME, was interfering with my kids enjoyment of the parks - I was lagging behind and they'd get antsy, so in the end, for general snaps I just kept it on auto. Sorry if any DIS photo peeps saw this and were outraged .

A few weeks before our WDW trip, DH and I were in New York city where we were lucky enough to be at the top of the Rock one night at sunset. I had carefully set my camera up on a beanbag to fire every few sec for 1 +sec exposures. Then this lady shoves up beside me, firing her litte P&S off with the flash going then moaning to her partner that her photos were not coming out. Helpfully (I thought) I said she would get better pics if she turned the flash off - well, you would have thought Id told her she looked like one of the Ugly Sisters less attractive cousins! "How can you possibly take a picture in the dark without a flash?" she exclaimed indignantly. I toyed whether to explain, but then thought nah, shrugged my shoulders and went back to taking pics!

 

[rtphokie]

In defence of the "auto" mode I will say this....I know how my camera works, and for night, firework and low light settings, Id be using Av or Tv mode BUT, I found that fiddling with settings ALL THE TIME, was interfering with my kids enjoyment of the parks - I was lagging behind and they'd get antsy, so in the end, for general snaps I just kept it on auto. Sorry if any DIS photo peeps saw this and were outraged .

I get the same reactions from my family ("Will you take your picture and catch up already!") so I use a semi-auto mode much of the time in theme parks or other times the family is in tow (or more accurately, I'm in tow). the 'P' setting on Canon cameras works nicely because it gives you a couple of aperture-shutter speed combinations to pick from and they are easily accessed from the wheel near the shutter release.

 

[ukcatfan]

The worst example of this "camera as tourist bling" phenomenon is the women standing next to me waiting for the parade at AK who said "what a shame" when I took the lens off my SLR. "What a shame, your camera broke", she went on. "Uh, it's a detachable lens, I'm putting a longer one on" I replied. "Wow, you can do that?" she replied. She was holding a Nikon D80, on full auto mode of course.

That is too funny!!! We can only hope that it was her husband's camera that she was just using.


I had a DSLR on auto mode event as well on Saturday at The Land. I was at the Kidcot stop and one of the workers asked me if I liked my camera. She then asks me if I would like her to take a shot of me and my DD b/c she is also a professional. I hand it to her and she switches to full auto to take the shots.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Thats when you take your dedicated flash and point it backwards over your head

I like that! I'll have to remember that.

As my signature implies, it drives me bonkers when people start taking flash photos on the dark rides. I updated my sig after reading a few threads on the Theme Park Community board and finding a good number of dark-ride-with-flash photos and nobody seemed to mind. Heck, I even turn off the focus-confirmation beep and instant LCD review when taking pictures on a dark ride, so my camera isn't putting out any light. I have been known to yell out "no flash!" if I'm really worked up.

I was at EPCOT a few weeks ago and while the kids where playing in a playground watched by mom I went off to take photos. I saw two or three other people with LOTS of expensive equipment in big camera bags taking photos. I had just taken the D200 and that lovely little 50/F1.4 lense I had bought for the WDW trip. I really like that lense.

I love using my 50mm F1.4 in the parks but it's no good for impressing onlookers, especially if they don't know how to switch lenses.

I rode the RnRC the other day and someone a few cars up was videotaping with a light that was on the whole time.

I bet that video was a real keeper! Good grief. Although with camcorders, I think even more people are ignorant of how to use them and what they're doing - the one time we saw the Lion King show at AK, the instant they said that videotaping was OK but please don't use a light, the woman behind me turned on her camcorder and started recording with her light on. She had no idea, I pointed it out and she had to fiddle for a couple minutes to figure out how to turn it off. I can have more sympathy for this as we use our camcorder rarely enough that I'd probably have to fumble a little to turn the lamp off too.

As for auto mode - if you just want to take quick photos, why not just use P (Program) mode? That's about as easy in terms of not needing to fiddle with settings. The main thing that Auto does vs P is pop up the flash automatically and on some cameras (cough, cough) it locks out lots of settings. It doesn't really make it easier to use, just more "dumbed down".

 

[orchjoe]

if they say no flash photography - DON'T TAKE FLASH PHOTOS! please be kind to your fellow guests

I like that, now you just need a picture to go along with it...

I'm thinking of adding something like that to my sig too. Spreading the word.

 

[alan]

The problem is that the camera companies are spending lots of money advertising the message that you get good pictures if you use an SLR. Who can blame people for buying one if that's what they're told?

regards,
/alan