first time taking dslr to the world...any tips?

[daisy 'n donald]

i'm sure this has been asked before, but i can't seem to find anything....
i have had a nikon d3000 since april '10....i wanted to bring it on our last trip in sept '10 but decided against it because i was paranoid something might happen to it, plus, i wasn't exactly sure what i was doing with it...
now, i'm much more comfortable with it, and i have more lenses and stuff....and actually, my awesome dad just upgraded me to the d7000! (so excited!)
however, i'm not bringing the 7000...but i'd feel more comfortable now bringing the 3000 since i know what i'm doing, and well, have a back up if need be at home
i currently have the 18-55, 55-200, 35mm f/1.8, and 40mm f/2.8.....i was thinking of bringing the 35mm and the 55-200....or do you think i'd be ok with just the 35? i guess i would zoom in on stuff whenever i used my p&s....but i love how fast the 35 is and wish all my lenses were that fast and good in low light...
i'll probably end up wearing the camera the whole time and just carry the lens in my normal backpack that i carry (i'm going to pick up a lens case between now and when we go)...i can't be bothered with my normal camera bag (a messenger bag) and my wdw backpack (a regular sling bag backpack) should i get one of those camera wrap/cases things if i want to put it in my bag?
this will probably be the last time we go for a while....and we're taking it much slower this time around (i'll be 6months pregnant in sept) so i thought it might be a good time to try and use it
anyway, i'm rambling...any tips, recommendations or anything for someone bringing their dslr for the first time?

thanks! and i apologize if i've been redundant in my own post, and/or if i've repeated things that have been covered ad nauseam...

 

[ThurlFan]

I would encourage you to bring the 18-55, as you will probably be frustrated by your narrow(er) field of view with the 35mm prime. There are times when it just isn't possible to stand farther back in order to get the shot you want.

With my Canon Rebel I usually pack the 18-55 kit lens, a 50mm f/1.8, and a 55-250 although I don't use the last one as much as the other two. I use the 18-55 as my walk around lens, and the prime for when I am in low light or want to get creative. I mainly have used the longer zoom for the safari, animal trails, and shows on the castle forecourt.

(Confession time - the above are the only lenses I own so I just bring them all most places I go.)

 

[havoc315]

I'd bring the 35mm for dark rides. I'd primarily use the 18-55 outdoors. You're more likely to want a good wide shot (of a parade, of the castle, etc), than to zoom.
I find a good zoom only becomes really important on the Animal Kingdom safari, and if you are photographing stage shows from far away. So you may want to bring the 55-200 on the trip, but only take it out of the hotel room on days when you think you'll need it.
You may want to consider tripod options -- It's a pain to carry a tripod, but a gorillapod can give you options in the park. A good travel tripod can be good to keep in the room, if you can see yourself taking evening pictures at the resort. (For example, if you are staying at the Poly and would like to take fireworks pictures from there, a tripod would be critical).

I'm going in the opposite direction of you-- after bringing my SLR on the last 2 trips, I want the ease of a point & shoot this time around.

 

[daisy 'n donald]

thanks guys!

i own a gorillapod....it doesn't take up much space, so i might just pack it to be on the safe side...better to have than to wish for, right? granted it's not tall, but i can put it up on something...

as for the zoom, i most likely won't be going on the safari (i heard/read that it's not recommended for pregnant women due to the bumpiness etc...) so if there's no real need for zoom in the other parks, then maybe i'll just leave that lens at home....

thanks again!

 

[photo_chick]

Get a comfortable strap. There are a few good ones from Crumpler, Black Rapid and OP Tech. I prefer my Crumper Industry Disgrace because it's versatile in how you wear it, it breathes well and it distributes the weight nicely. But everyone has different preferences. A lot of people on this board also swear by Black Rapid.

I go into the parks with my 28-105 walkaround on the camera and the 50mm f/1.8 tucked in a pocket or bag. I wear my camera across my body with a Lenscoat Bodybag on it to protect it from bumps on rides. I only take a longer lens to Animal Kingdom. If I had your setup I'd probably put the 18-55 on the camera and take the 35mm along as well. But we all shoot differently.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd agree with the recommendations on using the 18-55. I've got a D5100 (just upgraded from a 3100) and have the Nikon 18-200 which I use extensively for my walk around lens. I find that at WDW most of my shots are in the 18-55 range though, with only a few a longer lengths - for example shooting across Epcot's World Showcase Lagoon.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

The only lens I would leave home is the 40. The 18-55 for walkaround and wide angle shots. The 55-200 for reach and the 35 for dark rides. The 55-200 is only 12 oz and 4 inches in length. Its not a heavy or large lens in comparison to my 9 inch, 50 oz, 70-200 f2.8! It has been my experience that I quite often need the extended reach, even in the Magic Kingdom. I use it at almost all the outdoor shows throughout all the parks. Since you will be six months pregnant it will be easier to sit back at 200mm than fight the crowds at 55mm for shows in front of the castle, etc.

 

[daisy 'n donald]

thanks everyone!
i appreciate all the advice...

i do currently need a new camera strap, as all i have is the one that came with the camera, and well, my sis got me a disney one last time she was there, but it's so stiff and it kept cracking which is a bummer bc i really liked it...but i need one that goes across my body...and the nikon one is too short (i'm a big tall gal....)

i'm also going to look into that lenscoat that was mentioned...i was thinking about something like that to have anyway since i always keep my camera in my purse (an epiphanie camera bag/purse) and sometimes i feel like it could use a little extra protection....

one last question....figured i'd ask it here instead of starting a new thread....has anyone ever used a lensbaby in the parks? i have one, and i love it, but don't get to use it that often....it's small enough, so i was toying with the idea of bringing that along too....

thanks again!