Howdy! I'm happy new camera owner!

[FanofG00fy]

Howdy,

I just bought a Nikon D40 and I cannot wait to go to WDW. I have to admit to y'all though, that thing has me scared to death! I'm use to the old point-and-shoot Kodak camera. Now I'm trying to learn about shutter speed and all sorts of things. To me this camera has more buttons than my computer! But I have taken a few shots here and there and WOWEE ZOWEE! The pictures were awesome. I just have a couple of quick questions and then I will read much much more of this board. To learn all I can.

Questions:

1) How do you carry your DSLR camera around on park? Neck strap only? Bag? If its the bag, what is the best bag y'all have discovered?

2) Do you take all lenses with you? (I have the standard 18 - 55 lense that came with the camera and I bought the 18 - 200 <I think it's that number I know it goes up to 200 >) If you don't take all, which one out of these two would you take?

3) Do you carry that camera all the time, or do you lay out times when you bring the camera with you?

4) If you decide not to take your camera on park that day, where do you put your camera? Do you lock it up in a suitcase?

5) I will be going down in December and would love to take my tripod with me to capture the Osborne family lights, how do you carry your tripod?

I know there is quiet a few questions and I hope y'all don't mind. I hope I can pester y'all some more.

Thanks everyone!!!!!!

Chris

5)

 

[Furgus]

Ahhhhh....Yes.....another Nikon user. You know we are going to turn this board into another Nikon forum
Congrats on the new camera, I am sure you will love it. I have yet to take my D50 to the parks, maybe next year, but I am assuming I would carry it all the time. Don't want to miss anything, and to me a few hours of back pain from lugging everything around is worth is. I am sure some people will give you some pointers on camera toting in the parks. Heck I would like to know too.


Congrats again!

 

[Steve's Girl]

1. I carry my camera in a Crumpler bag that I wear messenger style. It is very easy to get the camera in and out of. Depending on what park I am in, it may be around my neck most of the day (ie, Epcot)

2. I only own 2 lenses and I take them both. 18-200 is on my camera most of the time and my 50mm 1.8 is for low-light.

3. I never go anywhere at Disney without my camera.

4. Does not apply!

5. I have only taken my tripod on one trip. I have a tripod bag for the tripod and I store the tripod in a locker until I am ready to use it. (However, my tripod did not fit in the lockers at MK. But someone has mentioned lockers under the train station that I did not know about and will be checking out on our next trip.)

Enjoy your new camera!

 

[tinksdad]

Howdy,

I just bought a Nikon D40 and I cannot wait to go to WDW. I have to admit to y'all though, that thing has me scared to death! I'm use to the old point-and-shoot Kodak camera. Now I'm trying to learn about shutter speed and all sorts of things. To me this camera has more buttons than my computer! But I have taken a few shots here and there and WOWEE ZOWEE! The pictures were awesome. I just have a couple of quick questions and then I will read much much more of this board. To learn all I can.

WooHoo!! Another happy Nikon user!! Welcome to the club, and don't forget to post your pictures or questions. Lots of great folks here!

Questions:

1) How do you carry your DSLR camera around on park? Neck strap only? Bag? If its the bag, what is the best bag y'all have discovered?

I do carry my camera on a neck strap. I've found the OpTech strap is MUCH more comfortable than the standard neck strap many fold.
As far as bags, take one that will hold the gear you want to take. I've been using LowePro stuff for awhile now and like it quite nicely. They're saying a new slingbag is coming out this summer that looks VERY interesting.

2) Do you take all lenses with you? (I have the standard 18 - 55 lense that came with the camera and I bought the 18 - 200 <I think it's that number I know it goes up to 200 >) If you don't take all, which one out of these two would you take?

I love the 18-200mm for it's focal range and generally great performance and take it on all vacations since it's so darn versitile. I like to take a low light, fast lens like the 50mm f/1.8 which is good for the dark shows. I like the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 for those times. Great lens!!!

3) Do you carry that camera all the time, or do you lay out times when you bring the camera with you?

4) If you decide not to take your camera on park that day, where do you put your camera? Do you lock it up in a suitcase?

If you don't take it, that's when you'll have the best/missed photo opportunity!!

5) I will be going down in December and would love to take my tripod with me to capture the Osborne family lights, how do you carry your tripod?

If it's small enough, you can store it in a locker for the day and then fetch it before you need it. The LowePro backpack I have has a storage place for the tripod which is very handy. It does tend to weigh you down, so I either go back for it or store it.

 

[KrazyPete]

I just bought a Nikon D40

Congrats on the camera! I don't know if I can add much to what has already been said but I'll try.

1) How do you carry your DSLR camera around on park? Neck strap only? Bag? If its the bag, what is the best bag y'all have discovered?

I carry mine in a LowePro AW100. It's a good bag for your sized camera and a couple of lenses. It's a sling type pack and it's quite comfortable. You need to go a camera store and try a few bags on though. Like the camera, a camera bag is a very personal thing. I just put the strap on my camera last night so the jury is still on that one. There's a thread from a couple of days ago on neck straps that you might want to check out (see "Going Strapless").

2) Do you take all lenses with you? (I have the standard 18 - 55 lense that came with the camera and I bought the 18 - 200 <I think it's that number I know it goes up to 200 >) If you don't take all, which one out of these two would you take?

Both of those lenses go from f/3.5-5.6. I would think you could leave the 18-55mm at home. The 18-200mm covers the same focal range and has VR. I think the recommendation for a fast prime like the 50mm f/1.8 is a good one. You'll probably need that if you want pictures on any of the dark rides.

3) Do you carry that camera all the time, or do you lay out times when you bring the camera with you?

All the time.

5) I will be going down in December and would love to take my tripod with me to capture the Osborne family lights, how do you carry your tripod?

Do you want pictures of fireworks? Then you'll probably want a tripod. That doesn't mean you have to carry it around all day though (see previous locker suggestion).

 

[Gdad]

Congratulations & welcome to the growing Nikon family on the Photography Board! I take my D70 or D50 everywhere whenever I go- unless it's raining. Enjoy your new camera!

 

[ukcatfan]

I think the recommendation for a fast prime like the 50mm f/1.8 is a good one. You'll probably need that if you want pictures on any of the dark rides.

I have to disagree with the specifics of that lens due to it not being able to auto focus with the D40. Save a few bucks and go with a used manual focus 50mm from somewhere like KEH. You probably can even get a MF f/1.4 for less than a new AF 50mm f/1.8. It will be tough on a dark ride at WDW without AF, but a MF lens is your only choice with the D40 unless you want to go bigger bucks.

I totally agree with the Lowepro bag. I went with the Orion Trekker II b/c the DW hates sling bags in general, but it is very comfortable.

Kevin

 

[design_mom]

I just got my Nikon DSLR this week, too... so I can't really answer your questions, but I just wanted to say congratulations. I'm sure you'll catch onto the settings quickly.

 

[KrazyPete]

I have to disagree with the specifics of that lens due to it not being able to auto focus with the D40.

Oh that's right, the old focusing motor limitation. They need to hurry up and get out some cheap, fast AF-S primes.

He may still be fine with that 18-200mm. If it starts at f/3.5 and let's say he gets two stops benefit from the VR, doesn't that give him the equivalent of f/1.8 at the short end? Even at 50mm if he pumps the ISO to 800 he could still get pretty good shots in the dark rides.

 

[ukcatfan]

Oh that's right, the old focusing motor limitation. They need to hurry up and get out some cheap, fast AF-S primes.

He may still be fine with that 18-200mm. If it starts at f/3.5 and let's say he gets two stops benefit from the VR, doesn't that give him the equivalent of f/1.8 at the short end? Even at 50mm if he pumps the ISO to 800 he could still get pretty good shots in the dark rides.

Not really. You can still get somewhat decent shots with that lens, but the VR is likely not going to help too much b/c on a dark ride you are constantly moving(similar to subject motion blur) and the only thing that helps there is faster shutter speed. The VR might help a little bit, but you will not get two stops out of it. I would also say to go ahead to ISO 1600 or higher if available.

Kevin

 

[Master Mason]

2 things, VR or IS doesn't help stop motion, only shutter speed will do that, and VR won't increase exposure either. I have no IS lenses, as based on what I mostly shoot, it wouldn't help me any, and therefore isn't worth the added cost to me.

Second, I agree, lowpro makes great bags, I have a mini treker AW, don't let the name fool you though, I have in mine currently XT with 70-200 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8, sigma 18-125, 430 speedlight mini tripods, cords adaptors etc....

I do want to get a sling bag though for just carrying around the parks, carry my kit in the back pack but for days at the park, just have the sling with a lens or 2 not everything, as it gets heavy after a day of carrying it all.

 

[KrazyPete]

I thought VR would allow you to handhold with a slower shutter speed thereby increasing exposure. I stand corrected.

How about those Osborne lights? Would you guys bring a tripod? When I was there it was busy. It's not like fireworks where everyone stakes out their spot and they don't move during the show. That area of MGM was packed and the traffic was moving constantly. Maybe it was just the time that I was there but I would be a little afraid that my tripod might trip someone or kicked over.

Do you think the Strobist Christmas Lights article applies to the Osborne setup?

Strobist: How to photograph Christmas lights

 

[Master Mason]

I thought VR would allow you to handhold with a slower shutter speed thereby increasing exposure. I stand corrected.

well in that respect your correct, but when the shutter speed gets to that point the moving objects, be that the subject or the car your riding in will cause the picture to have motion blurr.

Where VR shines is in low light portraits, where the subjects are stationary, and your light is poor, that is why so many wedding potogs use them.

How about those Osborne lights? Would you guys bring a tripod? When I was there it was busy. It's not like fireworks where everyone stakes out their spot and they don't move during the show. That area of MGM was packed and the traffic was moving constantly. Maybe it was just the time that I was there but I would be a little afraid that my tripod might trip someone or kicked over.

Do you think the Strobist Christmas Lights article applies to the Osborne setup?

Strobist: How to photograph Christmas lights

I haven't read the article you mention, but I do feel that a tripod would help.

 

[KrazyPete]

well in that respect your correct, but when the shutter speed gets to that point the moving objects, be that the subject or the car your riding in will cause the picture to have motion blurr.

Where VR shines is in low light portraits, where the subjects are stationary, and your light is poor, that is why so many wedding potogs use them.

OK, then I have a question. This is a little off-topic but...

I was going to buy the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR ($1600) to shoot my daughter's cheerleading competitions next season. But since my subjects are fast moving, should I be getting the 80-200mm f/2.8 ($890) instead? The latter focuses a little slower because it's not AF-S but... $700 less... I could buy some other gear with that money.

Lens Links:
70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom-Nikkor

 

[Master Mason]

Personally, I would say yes.

I had a choice when I got my 70-200 f/2.8 I could have gotten it with IS or not. Because I shoot predominately sports with it, the IS was essentially useless to me, I needed the 2.8 to get the shutter speed, but the ability to hand hold at slower shutter speeds that the IS would have given me, doesn't do anything to freeze the subject. I saved 500 or so by buying without the IS as well.

 

[KrazyPete]

Personally, I would say yes.

That's very interesting. You don't think that a 20% gain in AF speed would be a $700 factor either?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

1) I use a hand strip to keep my camera strapped to my hand. I've tried various bags at WDW and my preference is to where a utility belt of a couple of lens bags. It's something like this:

One concern I have walking through crowds is that I'll bonk some poor kid in the face with my camera. I frequently carry the camera in my hand on my shoulder to prevent that.

2) I usually take two lenses to the park. Any fewer and I'd have to compromise more than I want to. Any more and I'd feel burdened. On some days I bring a wide angle zoom and a medium range zoom. On other days I take a medium range zoom and a long zoom. I sometimes through in my little 50mm prime as well.

3) I keep the camera with me all the time. I enjoy taking pictures, so I like to have it with me.

4) Doesn't apply to me, but I'll warn you against leaving it out in a hotel room. I've had camera gear stolen from a nice hotel before. Now I keep it locked in a safe whenever possible.

5) I would suggest a tripod small enough to fit in the lockers so that you don't have to carry it all day. I'd recommend carrying it with a tripod bag.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

That's very interesting. You don't think that a 20% gain in AF speed would be a $700 factor either?

I took the other approach. I went for the IS version. I use mine for all sorts of things - sports, candid kid shots, WDW photography, wildlife photography. My thought was that if I was going to spend $1,000 on a lens, I prefered spending $500 more so that I'd have one with everything I wanted. I use the IS frequently.

 

[tinksdad]

OK, then I have a question. This is a little off-topic but...

I was going to buy the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR ($1600) to shoot my daughter's cheerleading competitions next season. But since my subjects are fast moving, should I be getting the 80-200mm f/2.8 ($890) instead? The latter focuses a little slower because it's not AF-S but... $700 less... I could buy some other gear with that money.

Lens Links:
70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom-Nikkor

I've never shot much with the 80-200mm f/2.8 (used a buddies for a few shots, thats all), however I do have the 70-200mm f/2.8 and it's a great lens. Master is correct about VR or IS that it's helpful if you're hand holding the camera with stationary subjects you'll be able to get those lower shutter speeds and not need a tripod. With fast moving subjects, a higher shutter speed is essential to successful shots.

The newer 70-200mm f/2.8 focuses VERY fast and also employs Nikon's SWM (Silent Wave Motor) that is very quiet. The older 80-200mm doesn't have and focusing is slower. Another plus, the 70-200mm has the most beautiful bokeh you have ever seen, one of Nikon's best lenses IMO.

Go to the camera store and try both of them out and make your decision.

 

[handicap18]

To the OP: Congradulations on the new camera and welcome to the world of Nikon dSLRs.

When we went to the World last June I brought my D50 with me everywhere and kept it on a strap around my neck. After a few days I ended up ditching the Nikon strap and bought a Mickey Mouse strap and that was better. The Nikon strap is awful. For the next trip I'm probably going to get an OpTec strap which would be even more comfortable than the one I bought at WDW.

As for lenses, you'll only need the 18-200mm. You can probably sell off the 18-55. No need to use it when you have the 18-200. If anything you could get yourself a longer reach zoom, maybe a 70-300, but its not really necessary unless you want really close shots at Animal Kingdom.

For a tripod, I have a travel tripod that when folded up is about 14" high and fits into a regular size backpack and it pretty light. When completely extended it is only 42", but that is tall enough for most stuff. With the 18-200 lens you might not necessarily need a tripod for the Osborne Lights. The D40 is EXCELLENT with high ISO's (800 & 1600). That might get you good enough shutter speeds with the VR and ISO1600.

For fireworks and other night shots (like of the castle, SSE, the Hat and the buildings around the World Showcase) a tripod would be handy as you'll probably need a 1 second shutter or longer, thats to slow even for VR. Disney has great trashcans, there are TONS of them and they have flat tops which means you can carry around smaller tripod and use it on top of a trashcan.

The only time I didn't carry my camera was when we were eating and on rides. I never left my camera behind at the hotel and I don't plan on doing that on our next trip after Thanksgiving.