iPhone/Instagram

[Arctic Stamp Queen]

Hubby and I will be traveling to WDW for our first ever adults only vacation in March. I am seriously considering leaving my Canon 7D at home because I don't want to lug it around the park for the 9 days that we will be there. I really want to be able to enjoy my time and not be worrying about metering, exposure, etc. BUT, I know I am going to want pictures to record the trip as well.

I am really considering doing something super out there and just taking pic's with an iPhone. Will either upgrade to an iPhone4 or the new one that I am waiting on the announcement for in October to decide.

Do any of you have thoughts or ideas on this? I love the Instagram app and I have a Panoramic app that you can stitch photo's together pretty seamlessly.

What do you guys think?

 

[SrisonS]

Have you ever used just an iPhone for a trip before; or done any other photo outing??? I wouldn't do it myself, but there are plenty of people at the parks that do. But how about just getting a little p&s????

 

[BillyBuff]

I used my iPhone 4 about 75% of the time from my last trip to WDW. My wife didn't want me lugging all that stuff around.

http://travel.webshots.com/album/580860256dSbfie

 

[Arctic Stamp Queen]

The reason I was thinking the iPhone is the rumors are that the iPhone5 will have an 8mp camera, which seems like it would be as good as any point and shoot. And convenience wise, it seems like a dream to not have to have another electronic gadget taking up space in my bag, that way I would have room for these:

Telephoto:
http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/iphone-telephoto-lens/

Wide Angle/Macro and Fisheye:
http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/cell-phone-lenses/

I've been drooling over these for a couple of years now. They are reasonable enough I am willing to take a chance.

Am I being a nervous nellie over not wanting to leave my 7D in the hotel room when I'm not there? I hear the safe is not big enough to lock it up. I just upgraded and I would be devastated if anything happened to it. On the other hand it will be the flower and garden festival...WAY cool photo opportunities.

 

[ukcatfan]

Comparing an 8MP camera phone shot to an 8MP p&s shot is similar to comparing a p&s to a DSLR with the same resolution. Also, unless something has changed, no camera phone has optical zoom. I think you will be disappointed regardless of the resolution.

 

[Arctic Stamp Queen]

I used my iPhone 4 about 75% of the time from my last trip to WDW. My wife didn't want me lugging all that stuff around.

http://travel.webshots.com/album/580860256dSbfie

Nice pics...did it enhance your trip being able to just relax and enjoy the moments as they came? I'm also thinking since the iPhone 4 or 5 has a front facing camera, that I will actually get to be in the pictures. Not the case with my baby since I'm always the one behind the scenes.

 

[Arctic Stamp Queen]

Comparing an 8MP camera phone shot to an 8MP p&s shot is similar to comparing a p&s to a DSLR with the same resolution. Also, unless something has changed, no camera phone has optical zoom. I think you will be disappointed regardless of the resolution.

Good point...hadn't considered the optical zoom specifically. Was thinking the telephoto lens I was looking at might help compensate for this. Hmmm. Maybe it's a good thing I still have 5 months before the trip to make a decision.

 

[Arctic Stamp Queen]

Have you ever used just an iPhone for a trip before; or done any other photo outing??? I wouldn't do it myself, but there are plenty of people at the parks that do. But how about just getting a little p&s????

Scott! Your pictures are beautiful. Maybe I'll bring it and take it a couple of the days, if I can get over just leaving it in my hotel room, I'm seriously freaked out about it. Be honest, is that a silly concern (the hotel) and is it a pain for rides and stuff or do you just wander around taking pictures on certain days (hubby would love that...not, but I could probably convince him)

~B

 

[BillyBuff]

Nice pics...did it enhance your trip being able to just relax and enjoy the moments as they came? I'm also thinking since the iPhone 4 or 5 has a front facing camera, that I will actually get to be in the pictures. Not the case with my baby since I'm always the one behind the scenes.

Thanks! Letting go of using my DSLR has definitely enhanced my trip with my DW. She has been complaining I am spening too much time behind the camera to actually enjoy some WDW time with her.

I did do some tricks with the iPhone thought such as using my sunglasses as a polarized "filter"

 

[SrisonS]

Scott! Your pictures are beautiful. Maybe I'll bring it and take it a couple of the days, if I can get over just leaving it in my hotel room, I'm seriously freaked out about it. Be honest, is that a silly concern (the hotel) and is it a pain for rides and stuff or do you just wander around taking pictures on certain days (hubby would love that...not, but I could probably convince him)

~B

Thanks!!!!! And you're definitely not the only one to have that concern; but I haven't heard too many cases of people having things stolen from their hotel room. Not that it never happens, but i don't think you'd have to worry too much.

And since you're not gonna be at Disney during the hotter months, carrying your 7D shouldn't be too bad. If anything, just get a comfortable neck strap, or maybe a backpack. And I know it's easier said than done, but you don't have to spend time taking a lot of pictures if you don't want to. Maybe even put the camera on an auto setting, and just trust in that. Then you don't have to fiddle with getting all your settings perfect. You can just do some quick shots here and there, and move on. It would actually be a lot quicker than using an iPhone: unlocking it... Opening the camera app (you'll miss out on capturing some quick moments here).... And taking it's time to snap the picture. But if anything, take a little photo outing around where you live, just to get used to using the iPhone. That will really help determine what the right choice is.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

iPhone? no

Mirrorless or pns? yes

 

[krb2g]

Maybe I'm hopelessly naive, but I wouldn't have a huge problem leaving a camera in a Disney hotel room; last trip we had three laptops (and I think they were mostly sitting out) and not a problem. I would put the camera in the suitcase and the suitcase in the closet and not worry about it. Then you'd have the camera for occasional use (maybe one day in each park). I've been happy with my Droid camera for spur-of-the-moment shooting, but part of what I enjoy about going on vacation is the chance to practice my photography, so I definitely take my DSLR on all trips now (even camping!).

I have a Lowepro slingshot backpack that goes on all the rides with me with no problem (I do wrap it in a plastic bag for Kali River Rapids).