I need encouragment to bring my Canon 40d to WDW

[akstory]

Seriously, Im just torn over this. I LOVE taking pictures and do some paid jobs- so I know I would treasure any photo's we took at WDW. But I scared to bring my new camera to WDW, I do have the Canon XT but that thing is so slow. I also have a cheap P and S. What would you bring.

One ---Im worried about breaking it

Two-----I dont want to carry it around all day

Also, Not sure what lens I would take with

I have

50mm 1.4

18-55 - yuck- but I would care if I broke or lost it

24-70 L - Doubt Id take this

28-135

 

[PoohJen]

Relax....You're gonna have a great time and take some great pictures!!!

Lenses. re: lens, it depends on what you are shooting. Are you going to the parks primarily to indulge your photography hobby (where you would want specialized lenses)?

Sounds more like a family vacation, in which case I would recommend the 28-135. Great for a variety of needs, versatile.

Camera Bags. As for fearing you may break the camera, you may want to invest in a bag that isn't so big that you'd bring ALL your gear in (and hence, too big to comfortably lug around). Something that fits and pads your camera and one lens comfortably.

I bought a Tamrac Velocity 6 for my recent WDW trip, where I only wanted to carry around the camera and one lens. Worked well, but I think it would be too small for your 40D (fit my XT VERY snugly). Here's a picture of the Express 6.

They do make bigger sizes, and you can test it out at your local Ritz or Circuit City. You may want to try a Velocity 7, which is more of a sling style:

My Express 6 is a very nice tan suede color.

Accessories. You may want to bring a different card for each day, so you can leave the others in your room w/o fear of losing them, etc. You may want a monopod/gorilla pod/etc. for certain parks, certain situations.

If you are going multiple days, consider not bringing the camera each day. On my recent 5 day trip, I left the camera home one day. It was nice not having to lug it or worry about it, but I did miss it just a little bit...

ALSO, remember, each park has lockers, so that is always an option should you want to store it away for a little while. I brought my monopod for Fantasmic pictures, but kept it in a locker all day until I needed it that night at MGM.

HTH! Have a great trip and bring back pictures to share!

 

[bostran1]

How about this:

If you don't take it, I will go to your house while you are gone and take it from you!

All jesting aside, if you take better with the 40D, bring it. If you have a sturdy bag, you don't have to worry about breaking it. As for lens choice, if you're only bringing on, bring the 28-135. That way you get something relatively wide but can also zoom when necessary (like in the Animal Kingdom)

 

[DueyDooDah]

The first thing I would consider is, "Why am I going to WDW? Fun or photo op?"

If I were going primarily for fun, and especially if this were my first time, I'd take the P&S. Grab the memories and run. You'll not be disappointed. If you nned a perfect shot of Epcot, just grab one from this site or buy a post card.

If your going for the photo op, then by all means, take the 40D. These things are built well and meant to be used. The 18-55mm is going to give you much more flexibility, so this would be a prime consideration in my mind. If you keep away from the min and max ranges, your will get perfectly acceptable photos (you can get award winnning photos with this lens, so don't let anyone fool you into thinking this is a "bad" lens) is not great photos. You biggest limatation here will be darker rides, but that is a problem no matter what you use. If you need crystal clarity, then you might want to consider the 50mm. You'll work harder to get the right distance, but there are advatages to the 50mm prime that may outweigh the extra workout. Know that even with the clarity of the 50mm, you'll want to ensure you take stability precautions. Hand-held photos, of course, will always be less sharp than those taken from a supported, stable platform. If you don't blow them up, then this is not much of a worry.

I went to DL last month and used only a 50mm. I am still wondering if I should not have taken the 18-55mm instead.

 

[Groucho]

What exactly are you afraid of happening? It's not like you're going to be scaling Mt Everest.

Oh wait, bad example. It's not like you're going to be attacked by pirates.

Oh darn, another bad example. OK, it's not like you'll be crawling around under a giant tree and running into a bunch of ugly bugs.

Hmmmmmmm... this isn't going well.

But seriously... WDW isn't all that rough-n-tumble as long as you have a moderate amount of care. And you'll have a hard time finding any one place that offers as many photography challenges and opportunities all in one place. I'd shudder to bring anything but my best camera and lenses.

 

[DVC Jen]

You will regret it if you don't take it. I carried my 30D (brand new - had it for a month) with me all over WDW for 11 days last June. Not a problem at all. I just had my lowepro 200 and if we went on a water ride it went in there and the waterproof covered worked great.

As far as lenses - at least 75% if not more of the photos I took at Disney were taken using my 28-135 lens.

 

[Code]

If you have homeowners or renters insurance you can get Scheduled Personal Property coverage on it through your insurance company for quite cheap (much cheaper than a third party warranty), then there is no worries if something happens to it.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I say leave it home. Why bother with it? Just download some shots from here and photoshop in your kids. It's much easier than lugging a stupid camera around and stopping everyone for pictures all the time. Besides, what's the point? People always tell me it's for the memories, but I honestly can't remember a single thing that I've forgotten because I didn't take pictures.

Photography at Disney is so overdone. Forget the cameras and just go have fun. If you really want photos, Disney will be more than happy to take pictures for you.

Fact: More people are injured in camera accidents at parks than plane crashes.

Fact: I've seen a lot of pictures of miserable people at Disney, but none of them are from people without cameras.

Fact: If you make your kids stop to pose for pictures, they'll grow up resenting you and will not care for you in your old age.

Remember, what happens in WDW stays in WDW.

 

[akstory]

Thank You so much for all the replies, wow this seems like a great board...mind if I stick around?

So....Im going to take my new camera! (Mark you werent serious were you )

Groucho- Too funny, I guess Ill stop worring about the pirates-pillaging my equipment!

Code- Great tip, Im going to check into that

Pooh Jen- Thanks for posting those photos- not sure if I can swing that purcahse in the next week, but Im going to check it out!! Great tips too...I like the idea of bringin one card and day and one day-no camera!

I think I wil take my 28-135 and maybe slip in my prime just in case.

One last question if you dont mind....


I purchased this bag recently

w w w. ebags.com/baggallini/messenger_sling_bagg_crinkle_nylon/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=47360

Do you think I would be fine to use this for my camera and the other misc stuff we plan to carry. I was also planning to wrap the camera in a ziploc bag first.

 

[MICKEY88]

If you nned a perfect shot of Epcot, just grab one from this site or buy a post card.

Just download some shots from here and photoshop in your kids

I'm sure both of these meant ask for pics from here rather than just taking someone elses copyrighted photos..

 

[Gdad]

Photography at Disney is so overdone. Forget the cameras and just go have fun. If you really want photos, Disney will be more than happy to take pictures for you.

This from the guy who if I recall correctly was stopped by Disney and questioned about his camera equipment... (Once? or twice was it?) I wish I could find the picture.

Maybe Barrie can post it again.

 

[jann1033]

I say leave it home. Why bother with it? Just download some shots from here and photoshop in your kids. It's much easier than lugging a stupid camera around and stopping everyone for pictures all the time. Besides, what's the point? People always tell me it's for the memories, but I honestly can't remember a single thing that I've forgotten because I didn't take pictures.

Photography at Disney is so overdone. Forget the cameras and just go have fun. If you really want photos, Disney will be more than happy to take pictures for you.

Fact: More people are injured in camera accidents at parks than plane crashes.

Fact: I've seen a lot of pictures of miserable people at Disney, but none of them are from people without cameras.

Fact: If you make your kids stop to pose for pictures, they'll grow up resenting you and will not care for you in your old age.

Remember, what happens in WDW stays in WDW.

mark hate to burst your bubble but i rarely made my kids pose and they still have already told me get ready for a nursing home. of course, ymmv

if i had a 40d, i know where i would take it... everywhere

 

[jann1033]

What exactly are you afraid of happening? It's not like you're going to be scaling Mt Everest.

Oh wait, bad example. It's not like you're going to be attacked by pirates.

Oh darn, another bad example. OK, it's not like you'll be crawling around under a giant tree and running into a bunch of ugly bugs.

...

seriously op, why not take it and have a day per park when you use your "good " camera and then just take your p&s the other days..i did that last time and cut down the lug factor. or put it in the lockers and use it only part of the day( mornings maybe)

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm sure both of these meant ask for pics from here rather than just taking someone elses copyrighted photos..

Psshaw...if they didn't want to share, they wouldn't have posted them on the Internet. Just make sure that once you download some good ones that you put watermarks on them. You can't be too careful with all the crooks out there.

This from the guy who if I recall correctly was stopped by Disney and questioned about his camera equipment... (Once? or twice was it?) I wish I could find the picture.

It was a Halloween costume. Security was just confused because my costume was so authentic.

Get a grip people. You can buy postcards with better pictures than you'll ever take. If you really want pictures with you and your family, Disney sells those too. They use professional photographers with fancy cameras. And to be perfectly honest, I've seen lots of people at Disney and they'd be better off with pictures of other people.

If you must take pictures, use the camera on your cell phone. Bringing a camera to WDW is like bringing a microwave to a restaurant. Relax. Enjoy the park. Photography at Disney is a waste of time.

 

[Josh125]

IMHO you made the right choice. I wouldn't have shot my 3 YO niece's reaction to Miney Mouse with anything but my best....truely priceless. I have read a few good suggestions on how to work this. Take the camera with a sharp all purpose lens, then head back with a zoom/wide/fish lens to get the must have shots. It saves you lugging around the bevy of lenses everyday.

I didn't bring a tripod, sure I missed some shots, but put more than a few trash cans to good use.

Regardless, enjoy yourself!!!!

 

[DueyDooDah]

So, the rumors are true. Mark IS selling all his camera and video equipment, computers, gizmos, gadgets, and wizbangs. He's going back to nature and trading all his gear on eBay for Disney postcards (as long as they're on recycled paper). I hear he's looking for someone to photoshop his family into the postcards, and he's payin' big (organic wheat and barley).

Good job, Mark.

 

[handicap18]

OMG!!! Mark!! You are KILLING me!!!!!!



For Mark's pic you can go to flickr.com and search for member FODW. Barrie has the photo there.

 

[pjacobi]

The first thing I would consider is, "Why am I going to WDW? Fun or photo op?"

It *is* possible to go to WDW for both fun *and* photo op, but not at the same time!

When you are with the family, stick to a quality P/S camera for some quick shots. Make mental note interesting photo opportunities. Be sure to have fun!

Eventually the kids will get tired and want to go to the pool or take a nap. Bribe spouse to watch the kids. Return to the park by yourself with 40D. It also works if you go very early or very late.

Be sure to treat spouse to dinner and drinks at Pleasure Island. You got a great shot with the 40D, right?


-Paul

 

[bopper]

I compromise...I don't bring "the big camera" every day, but pick a day or two and bring it.

 

[MICKEY88]

Psshaw...if they didn't want to share, they wouldn't have posted them on the Internet. Just make sure that once you download some good ones that you put watermarks on them. You can't be too careful with all the crooks out there.


.

OK you finally convinced me...

what do you think of my new family vacation photo,,

aren't they a good looking group..

do you think my watermark will keep others from stealing it...