Help This Disney Dummy - Anyone take a Larger Camera into the park?

[Shiningstar77]

Okay i have a larger SLR Digital camera that I want to take with me but I do NOT want it to be hinderance. I bought a messenger padded camera bag that's not very large hut holds the camera - It has a cell phone pocket and a zipper pocket - I'm thinking I could easily put my camera in a Gallon ziploc bag before putting it in the case to keep it dry

Will this be a pain to take on the rides - will I be able to?

 

[winnapooh]

We have a DSLR. I found a camera bag specifically made for it at REI. Then we got a waterproof backpack cover (the XSmall size) at EMS (though I know other outdoor stores carry them). It's really easy to just wrap the cover around the bag in case of rain or water rides. It has elastic around the edges so it kinds cinches around the bag and works really well for us. I wouldn't go with the ziplock inside the camera bag, just in case it gets water in the ziplock and then the camera would be sitting in water.

They also make waterproof camera bags, you can actually submerge the bags, but they are really expensive for SLR's. The waterproof backpack cover is only about $20 or less.

Even cheaper option is to buy a large ziplock (the big bags) and just put the entire camera case in it if you are on a water ride or something.

 

[winnapooh]

Oh, and we have no problems taking the camera on rides, as there are pockets to hold your stuff on most of the rides. If it doesn't fit in the mesh pockets, just keep the strap around your neck or shoulder when you get on the ride, and it should be fine.

 

[imthatgirl]

i have a dslr as well as a smaller point and shoot. i will be leaving the dslr home. i wasnt sure until last week when we took it to the zoo. now, i dont know about yours but mine has 3 lenses. i would never leave any of the lenses on th camera while it was put away. so to assemble and dismantle it everytime i use it is a pain in the butt. it was too large and awkward, not to mention the thought of bringing a $1,500.00 camera to disney scares me.
my point and shoot, although not the same quality as the dslr, is a decent camera. so ill take that.
so i guess its just what you feel comfortable with. with my point and shoot i can keep it out and in my hand all the time. would you be able to do that with your dslr? not really. i would certainly not wear it around my neck and theyre heavy, so you wouldnt want to carry it. i think i would miss way too much because it would always be put away.

 

[churchpilot]

I took my Nikon D-80 last Feb and didn't have a single problem. I have a smaller camera bag that holds it and my 18-200 lens. I took it everywhere, including waterrides (after slipping the entire case inside a 2 gallon ziplock. Have fun!

 

[irishelysia]

I didnt take my D SLR but i took my nikon H1 which is a fairly large camera....
I was really glad I took it because I got some photos I couldn't have got with my smaller point & shoot. (Especially night shots and pictures of fireworks that my smaller camera wouldn't have worked for because of stabilization issues) I never had too much of a problem with it being a hindrance because it was important to me to have it to get better photos and worth the little bit of hassle. There is always plenty of room on rides to stash it, though.

I think if you're just someone who is gonna be taking some snapshots/point and shoots then I would just take a smaller camera.

Anyway, if you have questions about specific locations/rides let me know....I took mine to every park, everywhere we went! (EXCEPT the waterparks...haha)


Bottom line: If you're not sure, take it and try it one day. If it's a pain, lock it in the hotel safe or put it in another safe location!

 

[loopner67]

I was glad to find a thread like this. Sounds like I need to find a plastic bag big enough to fit my camera case. Since my Dh has offered to carry the camera bag (with my Olympus SLR camera) and I can just carry my Disney pack with all the other stuff, I'll definitely bring mine. I'm so excited to think about all the great pics I can take this trip (this is my 1st time with a "nicer camera" in Disney.).

 

[irishelysia]

Since my Dh has offered to carry the camera bag (with my Olympus SLR camera) ...

Your ( and his ) favorite phrase that week: "Honey, quick, hand me the camera!!!"

 

[loopner67]

Your ( and his ) favorite phrase that week: "Honey, quick, hand me the camera!!!"

LOL! He carries it somewhat slung over his back, so I'll just be grabbing it out the bag (he'll have to watch out for whiplash ). It might actually work better than having the bag on my body? I can keep telling myself that it'll work out better, right? Ha!

Actually, I have thought about still bringing my little old Fuji camera to have in my bag just in case DH isn't anywhere around and I need to take a picture. I also might end up with the camera slung around my neck a lot, which won't be comfy, but will be more convenient!

 

[sherry7]

I'm glad I ran across this post.

Has anyone had issues when taking their DSLR camera on the rides such as rollercoasters, etc? It's been a few years since I've been to WDW, and I can't remember if they had any complimentary lockers beside rides that you can't take a bag on. (I do seem to recall that IOA/US had complimentary lockers for that purpose.)

Also, if you were only going to carry one lens around the parks, which one would you choose?

 

[WillCAD]

I have been carrying a heavy SLR camera (first film, now digital) into the parks every single time I go since 1999.

Forget the camera bag. Any camera is a boat anchor unless you're using it to take pics, and carrying the size and weight of an SLR without constantly using it to get good pics will quickly feel like a waste of time and energy.

I have always carried my camera on a long strap or harness, readily available. It's also not inconvenient to ride rides and see shows like this; I have no difficulty touring the parks with my SLR, have never had the camera damaged, and never had any water damage from a ride or rain (I carry a camera poncho at all times).

I tour light. I carry spare memory cards and a spare battery, but I don't carry extra lenses or a big camera bag. I use a single walkaround lens so I won't have to carry spares.

Don't think of the camera as something you need to carry or lug around - just think of it as something you wear, and use it!

The more you use it, the lighter and more convenient it will feel.

 

[sherry7]

..........I tour light. I carry spare memory cards and a spare battery, but I don't carry extra lenses or a big camera bag. I use a single walkaround lens so I won't have to carry spares............

You mentioned you don't carry any extra lenses. What type of lens do you take with you?

I'm just venturing into the DSLR world, and I'm wondering what a good all-around lens would be for this type of shooting.

 

[WillCAD]

You mentioned you don't carry any extra lenses. What type of lens do you take with you?

I'm just venturing into the DSLR world, and I'm wondering what a good all-around lens would be for this type of shooting.

I use a Sigma 18-125. It's not a perfect lens; there are times when I'd like a longer zoom (especially at AK) and times when I'd like a faster lens (in low-light situations), but I think the 18-125 and its cousin the 18-200 are good walkaround lenses for theme parks. They go from wide to medium zoom, letting me get plenty of great shots in the widest variety of situations, without the need to carry more than one lens.

At some point in the future, I intend to pick up a Canon 28-135IS, which will give me roughly the same range of zoom, but has image stabilization (better for low light) and an ultrasonic motor (so focusing is quicker and quieter). The Canon also seems to be sharper than my Sigma.

 

[safetymom]

i have a dslr as well as a smaller point and shoot. i will be leaving the dslr home. i wasnt sure until last week when we took it to the zoo. now, i dont know about yours but mine has 3 lenses. i would never leave any of the lenses on th camera while it was put away. so to assemble and dismantle it everytime i use it is a pain in the butt. it was too large and awkward, not to mention the thought of bringing a $1,500.00 camera to disney scares me.
my point and shoot, although not the same quality as the dslr, is a decent camera. so ill take that.
so i guess its just what you feel comfortable with. with my point and shoot i can keep it out and in my hand all the time. would you be able to do that with your dslr? not really. i would certainly not wear it around my neck and theyre heavy, so you wouldnt want to carry it. i think i would miss way too much because it would always be put away.

You should be storing your camera with a lens on. The more you are switching lenses the more chances of dust on the sensor.

I take my D70 with me all the time. I carry a ziploc bag in the event of rain. No problems. If you want great pictures bring your DSLR.

 

[QueenCityDiva]

I have an AWESOME camera bag that I highly recommend to anyone! It's waterproof, it's completely shock absorbent, and it's got room for extra lenses, and other stuff. This is the only bag we take into the parks and it's "cool" enough that my husband carries it most of the time. It's a sling type, but the cool thing is that when you pull it to the front, it's designed to sit there perfectly ready for you to grab your camera out! I love that bag and wouldn't use my camera half as much without it!

I don't have enough posts to post a link, but I'll update this post as soon as I can. You can search for LowePro slingshot bag though!

I got mine on Ebay for $50 a few years ago.

 

[imthatgirl]

You should be storing your camera with a lens on. The more you are switching lenses the more chances of dust on the sensor.

I take my D70 with me all the time. I carry a ziploc bag in the event of rain. No problems. If you want great pictures bring your DSLR.

actually, no you should never store the camera with the lens on, i do this for a living. you should be using proper care to keep the dust out of the sensors.
you could do some searious damage to your camera if that lens breaks off.
plus why would anyone want to carry around a camera bag that large? my smallest lense is about 5 inches long and the biggest is about 12 inches long?

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

I'm just venturing into the DSLR world...

Then I feel obligated to warn you about the possibility of developing what is commonly know as "lens lust"... it will hit you when you least expect it... you'll find yourself drooling over the available lenses and trying to justify a home equity loan just so you can get that L-series lens...

I have a Canon Digital Rebel and my walkaround lens of choice is a Canon EF28-135mm IS (image stabilization) zoom lens. It's great for capturing those high-speed shots, has a decent zoom depth, and is about as heavy as I'm willing to tolerate in the parks. Although, I can't complain as with the strollers I have a place to keep it in easy reach without having to tote it.

This site has some decent lens reviews and is a good place to start researching what's available:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-28-135mm-f-3.5-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

It's pictures like this (my oldest and his cousin zipping by on a ride at a local amusment park) that keep me bringing the "good" camera to the park.

And I even bring it to water parks as some shots are worth the risk! (DH playing with DS#1 and DS#2)