Help with what to take to Disneyland

[AussieCaribou]

Hi all,

I need some help. My daughter and I are flying over to the states for two weeks in Oct. We are mainly coming over to visit family but we are going to visit Disneyland for a day or two as well (happy dance). We are trying to keep our baggage light (carry on only). So I'm not sure what camera I should bring!

I have two older prosumers (Nikon D50 and Nikon D80) which I love to use but they are balky and I would find it difficult to bring only one lens. My other option is my old Sony cyber-shot (which has the positive of being small, light, and water poof). I want to take some nice shots of my daughter with the Disney backdrop, some photos of the ambience of a Disney park, and, maybe, non flash photos in the shows/fireworks/rides.

So what do I do? Do I bring my Nikon(s) and have the ability to take most any photo, or do I go for the light Sony?

As part of an aside, what about tripods? I have several larger tripods (6ft), one 3ft, and a gorilla grip (that works on all of my cameras). I really dislike flash, so I try not to use it and adjust aperture and shutter speed to compensate and thus need a tripod at night. Can guests use a tripod? Many places over here don't allow them. If so, how feasible is it to use a tripod at Disneyland?

Thank you!
AussieCaribou

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

You have the age old Disney dilemma. Do I go light with a P & S and limit my photography or do I bring a dslr kit and open up more possibilities? That is a hard question to answer. The question I have, is renting a possibility? That way you could have the DSLR equipment without the travel issues. For myself, Disney photography is a very important part of the vacation, so I can't even imagine not bringing it all. We fly to WDW and I bring what some consider to be an inordinate amount of equipment (3 dslr's, 6 lenses, two flashes, 2 tripods (see below), 2 camera bags, and the accessories to support two DSLR kits). Yes, I tend to be a pack mule, but I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Yes, tripods are allowed. Many of us who travel long distances (not as long as you ) frequently have a lighter weight travel tripod that we can bring in our luggage. I have one that attaches to my camera bag (which is one of my carry-ons) and the DW carries a Gorillapod DSLRZoom that she has attached to her camera bag.

 

[KCmike]

This is an easy one for me. Bring your Nikon SLR's for sure. Especially if you don't live close to Disneyland!

 

[havoc315]

I was actually kind of wondering as I consider a Disneyland trip... from a photography perspective.... and desirable equipment, lenses, ranges... Is there any difference between Disney World and Disneyland?
For Disney World... I'd pack my Tamron 17-50, my 35/1.8 prime.... And I'd consider my Tamron 10-24 and/or my 85/2.8. I'd only take my telephoto zoom (70-300) if I was going to Animal Kingdom. I probably would skip bringing an external flash, but I would bring a tripod.
Would Disneyland be any different? I'm assuming no.

 

[mom2rtk]

I was actually kind of wondering as I consider a Disneyland trip... from a photography perspective.... and desirable equipment, lenses, ranges... Is there any difference between Disney World and Disneyland?
For Disney World... I'd pack my Tamron 17-50, my 35/1.8 prime.... And I'd consider my Tamron 10-24 and/or my 85/2.8. I'd only take my telephoto zoom (70-300) if I was going to Animal Kingdom. I probably would skip bringing an external flash, but I would bring a tripod.
Would Disneyland be any different? I'm assuming no.

I actually think you can go with even less reach at DLR because there is no AK. The one time I might like some reach is for the Aladdin stage show. But the 85 might work. I'm actually considering adding that one to my bag sometime soon. As soon as I can figure out if my camera and/or flash are really OK.

But I would definitely want a tripod along. Mine had trouble on our recent trip, so I probably should start with replacing that.

 

[nvtsallo]

I went last year with a 24-105 and a 50mm 1.4 and was fine. Had a 70-200 that sat in the bag the whole time. Things are tighter and wider there vs wdw. I recommend the tamron 17-50 2.8 also and a sigma 30mm 1.4 or if you are shooting mostly day and really want all the reach you may need then rent a super zoom like 18-300. Nikon just released one in the last year. Then bring the prime for low light.