Leaving in 24 hours...what to bring

[egritz]

I woke up early today because I haven't packed a single thing and we leave for DL tomorrow morning. Started to pack my camera gear since everyone else is asleep, and I'm conflicted. This is what I own, the ** lenses are what I was planning to bring with me. My camera bag is rather small and I cannot fit everything in it at once. I have a Canon Rebel T2i, I'm a novice, my goal for vacation is to mainly capture the moments of my family, with maybe a few scenic shots for learning. I do not plan to photograph much at night or the fireworks. At the very most I only want to have 2 lenses on my at any given time since I don't have a great bag to carry everything around in the park on my person.

*Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM - for ride photos, but I'm not sure I want to even take them...it would probably annoy DH
*Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM - for most photos
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II - this is a cheapo telephoto lens, but I can't decide whether I should bring it to attempt pictures of DD & DH on her first roller coaster ride in toon town - it is the only one she is tall enough for, and since I'm pregnant I'll be watching & not experiencing it with them.

Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash ????? for character meals that have poor lighting?

I already have my extra cards & battery and charger all packed.Cards all have pictures of my cell phone # and our PO Box for return should they be lost/found.

Also, should I re-format all my SD cards? I think I've read of people doing that before, but I'm not sure it is necessary?

 

[sjcampbl]

My suggestion is keep it as light as possible. Your 17-55 f/2.8 on your crop sensor is a great main lens. It'll shoot wide, medium long, and in relatively low light. I also like having a long lens so I'd bring the 55-250. The 50 f/1.4 is a great lens to keep in your suitcase for portraits at your hotel. Don't bother trying to photo dark rides. Your Sigma is a less capable dupe. Yes, format your cards with every use.

Your on-camera flash is plenty. Set it to slow speed sync and leave it. You may need to use aperture priority instead of auto.

Have fun! Take more photos than you think is necessary. Photograph everything. Shoot wide and shoot long. Shoot the environment and the details. Shoot your family both posed and naturally enjoying the environment.

 

[MAJPLO]

I went to DL in October and only used a 24-70. So I think if you take your 17-70 and either the 50 or the zoom you will be set. Have fun!!

 

[egritz]

oooohhh k, formatting my cards now, then will re-take my "if found" pics. I only recently even heard about formatting your cards, I've never done it before I got my two newest 32GB cards a couple months ago and I've had my camera for 3 years! What advantage does it give me?

Thanks for the feedback on lenses....of course differing opinions lol, but appreciate the perspectives!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I would bring the 17-55 as my walkaround and the 55-250 is case you need some extra length. Because the 17-55 is a 2.8 lens, it will give you better lowlight capabilities. The sun is not out quite as much in December as it is in the summer. As far as your flash, that is a personal decision. The onboard will work, however it limits your options. I use fill flash, especially when there is a lot of shadows as there may be because of the shortened daylight hours. Also I use a lot of bounce flash (I have a tool that allows that even outdoors). So it really depends on what/how you are going to shoot. I am not a fanboy of the 50 especially on a crop sensor and prefer a 30 or 35, so I would leave that home.

Also, do you need a way to back up your photos? You didn't state how long your trip is. The worst thing that could happen is you take all these photos, leaving them on the card and then the card inexplicably goes bad and you lose all your shots. Because my trips are usually a week or longer, I always bring a laptop with a portable hard drive and backup the photos in two locations. Then I format the cards to clear them for the next day's shooting. If its a short trip, you may be able to get away with leaving the images on the cards until you get home, but that always makes me nervous. Formatting the cards, pretty much cleans the cards so they are fresh for the next shoot.

 

[havoc315]

The 17-55 is a fantastic walk-around lens. You likely won't need anything else.

If you want to take pictures at the Animal Kingdom safari, bring the 55-250. Either leave it at home or in the hotel at other times.

I would bring the 50/1.4 for special portraits. It will also let you do some indoor character shots without flash.

Remember, you can always leave gear in the hotel room.

 

[nbaresejr]

Your 17-55 2.8 is really the only lens you need on the trip if you are not concerned dark rides or night time high ISO shots. The 50 is small enough to bring along though if you want a 2nd option.

As for formatting cards, I do it rarely and never had an issue.

Have fun on the trip and post some pics when you get back.

 

[egritz]

Also, do you need a way to back up your photos? You didn't state how long your trip is. The worst thing that could happen is you take all these photos, leaving them on the card and then the card inexplicably goes bad and you lose all your shots. Because my trips are usually a week or longer, I always bring a laptop with a portable hard drive and backup the photos in two locations. Then I format the cards to clear them for the next day's shooting. If its a short trip, you may be able to get away with leaving the images on the cards until you get home, but that always makes me nervous. Formatting the cards, pretty much cleans the cards so they are fresh for the next shoot.

I have backups covered - bringing my husband's work laptop & several 32 GB flash drives for dual back up....assuming I can find them (off to hunt!)

 

[photo_chick]

I'd take everything and decide when you're there what you want to use each day. And that 55-250 may be an entry level lens but it's got solid image quality. It would definitely be on me if I needed reach anywhere.

 

[Skywise]

17-55 and the 55-200

You might be able to get by with the built-in flash if you're worried about size but be aware that the 17-55's lens will block part of the flash!

I've never heard about formatting the memory cards before each use. I do go through and erase all my cards before a trip (so I'm ready to go) but just do a Erase All in the camera.

Don't forget to video the fireworks show! (I tend to use 1 stop down when shooting night lights and fireworks as it gets rid of some of the background noise.)