How "just one trip" became three (babies)... update 6/29, huge triplets photo update

[Code]

Cody, you've got great color saturation in your pictures - is that a function of post-processing, good glass, a polarizer, or what. Nice!

Olympus is known for great colors, but also I love vibrant photos so I definitely boost the vibrance (non-linear saturation increase) in post-processing. The postcard-ish deep blue skies on some of the shots I've posted so far are photoshopped manually.. makes it look sort of like a polarizing filter was used.

Great job you guys! Your photos are amazing! I have some serious editing to do on mine and I have no time so I am just posting them as they came off the camera. Sad but true. Oh well.

I know the feeling.. I'm wayyyyyyyy too much of a perfectionist in my photo processing...

Code I would like to ask if the Sigma 30mm lens is worth the price and did it do the job you needed it for with the lowlight.Reading your trip report I have made up my mind to buy the 510 with the two lens.The pics where GREAT. They helped me to decide about the camera.So I would like to know if that 30mm helped with the lowlight because I will buy that one as well.You have been a big help for me to make my mind up on what camera to buy.

The 510 is a great camera, I'm sure scottny would agree The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 worked out really well, I knew I needed some sort of low light lens or I would have been very frustrated. I found myself using at or near max aperture a lot, so I'm glad I went with the f/1.4, just had to learn how to deal with the VERY shallow depth of field.

 

[scottny]

The 510 is a great camera, I'm sure scottny would agree The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 worked out really well, I knew I needed some sort of low light lens or I would have been very frustrated. I found myself using at or near max aperture a lot, so I'm glad I went with the f/1.4, just had to learn how to deal with the VERY shallow depth of field.

love it. I may get that lens before I go. Not sure yet.

 

[Code]

love it. I may get that lens before I go. Not sure yet.

Do you have any besides the kit lenses yet? I think Lease is going to let me get another lens before our next trip (best wife EVER), trying to decide which one...

 

[scottny]

Do you have any besides the kit lenses yet? I think Lease is going to let me get another lens before our trip, trying to decide which one...

nope. I have gone back to school and paying for it on credit cards along with my disney trip. they r a little maxed out almost. so I have been taking it easy.
Maybe Christmas I will get it.

 

[scottny]

Do you have any besides the kit lenses yet? I think Lease is going to let me get another lens before our next trip (best wife EVER), trying to decide which one...

may I ask what rides or where u used the lens?

 

[Code]

may I ask what rides or where u used the lens?

I used it on general indoor photos a lot because I despise using a flash. It was great for Spectro and Fantasmic. Rides I used it on: Splash Mtn, PotC, Pooh, IaSW, Tiki Room, The Seas, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion. I also used it for the Beauty and the Beast show, the Nemo show, the Lion King show... probably a few I missed, but basically, it got used everywhere

For many of the dark rides (HM, PotC, etc), even 1600 ISO at f/1.4 isn't enough.

If I had the 14-54 f/2.8-3.5 or the 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 I probably wouldn't have used it as much, but it was my only low light lens so it got used a LOT.

 

[scottny]

I used it on general indoor photos a lot because I despise using a flash. It was great for Spectro and Fantasmic. Rides I used it on: Splash Mtn, PotC, Pooh, IaSW, Tiki Room, The Seas, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion. I also used it for the Beauty and the Beast show, the Nemo show, the Lion King show... probably a few I missed, but basically, it got used everywhere

For many of the dark rides (HM, PotC, etc), even 1600 ISO at f/1.4 isn't enough.

If I had the 14-54 f/2.8-3.5 or the 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 I probably wouldn't have used it as much, but it was my only low light lens so it got used a LOT.

Ok thanks. not sure if I will be taking pics on ride in the dark like POTC. SM is closed when we go. I do still want one. My pics are not half as nice as yours maybe it will help me.

 

[Code]

SM is closed when we go.

So sad But I'm not nearly as disappointed about that as Spaceship Earth, its refurb got extended through mid Feburary

At least RnRC will be open (refurb during last trip, never ridden it before).

 

[scottny]

So sad But I'm not nearly as disappointed about that as Spaceship Earth, its refurb got extended through mid Feburary

At least RnRC will be open (refurb during last trip, never ridden it before).

i didn't know spaceship got extended. not fair.

 

[Rootskate]

Sorry to hear about your accident Lease, glad that you are okay!!

 

[LegoJediMom]

It's been fun to read about your adventures and your pictures are amazing!

My husband and I lived in SLC from college (both U graduates) until 4 years ago. Our son was born at St. Mark's and we got married at the United Methodist church downtown. We are enjoying the northeast, but I cannot tell you how much we miss the mountains and the blue, blue skies you get there.

Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Lara

 

[Code]

It's been fun to read about your adventures and your pictures are amazing!

My husband and I lived in SLC from college (both U graduates) until 4 years ago. Our son was born at St. Mark's and we got married at the United Methodist church downtown. We are enjoying the northeast, but I cannot tell you how much we miss the mountains and the blue, blue skies you get there.

Welcome aboard We're both U grads too!

 

[Code]

A few days ago I was clued in by the DIS to a January-March discount code that became available to the general public this morning. The code info is here.

I was able to call this morning and apply it (on hold for 25 minutes when calling 3 minutes after they open, haha) to save a decent chunk of change on our Jan 24-Feb 1 reservation The code gives a 15% room discount, plus free park hopper and water park fun & more. We already had park hopper, so we saved $90 there, plus $123.44 on the room reservation.

Total savings $213.44, plus bonus water park fun & more option.

I love the DIS!

 

[scottny]

A few days ago I was clued in by the DIS to a January-March discount code that became available to the general public this morning. The code info is here.

I was able to call this morning and apply it (on hold for 25 minutes when calling 3 minutes after they open, haha) to save a decent chunk of change on our Jan 24-Feb 1 reservation The code gives a 15% room discount, plus free park hopper and water park fun & more. We already had park hopper, so we saved $90 there, plus $123.44 on the room reservation.

Total savings $213.44, plus bonus water park fun & more option.

I love the DIS!

is that only if u booked through them. I used AAA so I don't know if it would apply.

 

[Code]

You can use the code through AAA but it won't stack with the AAA discount and I'm not sure which is better... plus you're arriving on Jan 19 right? Jan 18-20 are blacked out for the code Sorry I thought this info might interest you but I didn't realize you were arriving during that weekend.

 

[scottny]

You can use the code through AAA but it won't stack with the AAA discount and I'm not sure which is better... plus you're arriving on Jan 19 right? Jan 18-20 are blacked out for the code Sorry I thought this info might interest you but I didn't realize you were arriving during that weekend.

thanks I will just keep what I got. either way I will be there and that is the important thing.

 

[Abby's Dad]

Do you have any besides the kit lenses yet? I think Lease is going to let me get another lens before our next trip (best wife EVER), trying to decide which one...

Are you thinking wider?

These were the first scratches to my car, estimated damages 5K Let it be known that when I do something I really go all out! The best part was the woman who rear ended me arguing with the officer that it wasn't her fault because cars are not supposed to be stopped on the freeway.

Ouch! Sorry about the car, but glad that you're OK. Is the insurance company being good about getting it fixed right?

 

[Code]

Are you thinking wider?

Wider is probably what I'm leaning toward.. these are my options:

- 11-22mm f/2.8-3.5 - $650 new, ~$550 used
.... Olympus has a 7-14 but it is at least twice the price. If I bought this I would probably end up selling it when the cheaper 8-17 comes out next year.

- 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 - ~$350 used
.... the logical upgrade to the 14-42 f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. Faster, better glass, not too large.

- 12-60mm f/2.8-4 - $900 new (just came out)
.... Even better than the 14-54 and almost as wide as the 11-22, but very expensive. This would definitely be a buy, use, then sell situation.

- 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 - ~$675 used
.... this thing is a beast, definitely not a walk-around lens (though not as large as a fast Canon/Nikon zoom). Would get a lot of use outside of WDW, but for the purposes of the trip, not too sure it would get used much besides stage shows.

- 70-300mm f/4-5.6 - $400 new, just released so no used
.... again, would see a lot of use in real life, not sure about WDW.

- 8mm f/3.5 fisheye - $640 new
.... would be very fun, probably not worth the price though.

Need to figure out how much I want to benefit this one trip vs how much each would get used in real life.. this time around I am definitely considering buying the best lens for the trip then selling it afterward and just calling the difference a rental fee (as opposed to last time when I said that was an option with the 30mm when I knew deep down that I didn't mean it )

Ouch! Sorry about the car, but glad that you're OK. Is the insurance company being good about getting it fixed right?

It was taken to the shop same day. They were a bit slow getting her a rental car, but not horrible. She'll be driving the rental for 2-3 weeks.

 

[scottny]

ok I have decided I will hold off my tr for at least 6 months cause it will not compare to yours.

 

[Abby's Dad]

Wider is probably what I'm leaning toward..

Wider would be nice - that 8 - 17 that is coming out next year sounds sweet!

Back in the day I had a full-frame fisheye (16 mm, 35 mm format) - was my only non-Canon lens, but it was a Pentax screw-mount that I picked up pretty reasonably and used a converter to Canon - lost functions incorporated normally, but not a big deal with this lens. I used it a fair amount - there were some shots that were absolutely incredible with it, nothing else could replace it, but ya kind of had to really pick your spot.

As far as the 14 - 54: did you get much use out of the 14 - 42 that you have? If I'm converting over to my 35mm way of thinking that would seem to be a fairly decent "normal" zoom, slightly wide normal to slightly long normal, right? I used my 35 mm lens somewhat, but also had a 20 and a 24, used the 24 mm quite a bit. Again, these were 35 mm format.

When it comes to beasty lenses - not necessarily fun on vacation, small and light nice there. A real beast? - that would be the Canon 300/2.8 APO, don't know what it is like in their current line (we are going back a ways).

Shopping is fun, though!

It was taken to the shop same day. They were a bit slow getting her a rental car, but not horrible. She'll be driving the rental for 2-3 weeks.

Amazing how fast the damages can add up any more!