Lens Recommendations

[lindsroc]

Hello,
I have a Nikon D80 and only the kit lens that came with it. I really wish i could get into a class to learn all the ins and outs of this camera but i just dont have the time between work and 2 kids. Alas, I am trying to learn on my own as i truly love photography. That being said... on our next trip I plan on bringing my DSLR as well as my P&S. I am going to invest in another lens before then, and wondering whats the best lens for pics around the parks... as well as fireworks. Any info would be great. Thank you.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

This is a totally subjective decision that is based primarily on your shooting style. Everyone has their favorite. On my last trip, mine was a 28-70 f2.8. I wanted the range and the low light capability. As far as fireworks, your kit lens should do fine, but you will need a tripod or a way of stabilizing your camera. You should have a remote shutter release or the camera's built-in delay can work because you will need long exposures and you don't want to be touching the camera. There is a very good thread on the Boards that explains how to do it. If you want to photograph the animals on the safari ride, you will probably need a zoom out to 200mm. The DW used her 50-200mm with success on this ride. For lowlight rides probably the best lens I've seen used is a 30mm f1.4.

Hopefully, you will see that you can end up carrying a whole bunch of lenses which leads to the question, "is there one that can do it all?" Probably not. There are the all-in-ones (18-135, 200, 250, 270, etc.) which will do most of what you will probably want to shoot but are slow and will not work as well in low light situations without the use of a flash. The use of a flash on many rides and shows is discouraged or prohibited.

My recommendation would be to first determine what you want to shoot and go from there, ie, if low light rides, inside shows and night parades are not an interest then an all-in-one would work fine. If you are going to shoot the inside shows and the night parades you should use something with a constant f2.8, etc.

I wish I could provide a simple answer, but with the variety of things to photograph at WDW, its not possible for me. Once you define what you want to shoot, it will be easier to point you in the right direction. Also what your budget is will also help because third party lenses are somewhat cheaper than the manufacturers.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Try renting some stuff from either www.borrowlenses.com or www.lensrentals.com

 

[My2Girls66]

If you have the 18-135mm that should be a really good lens for the parks, even fireworks. I have a D80 and that lens and for most stuff it was fine. If you want something for lowlight the 35mm 1.8 is fairly inexpensive($190 from beachcamera) and small enough to carry around.

 

[Evad]

I like my Tamron 17-50 f2.8. Great for most situations. For longer reach and detail shots I use my Nikkor 70-300mm vr lens.

 

[WriteDisney]

I just got a Canon Rebel T2i and I'm looking to get a lens with more range then my kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm Kit Lens). We're going to Disney next month and I'm really looking for a good walk around lens. I really love the range on these and they're within my price but I'm having trouble deciding.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF)

I've checked out photos with these lenses on flickr, I've read reviews but I just don't know. I think I really like the Canon more but I've afraid that the zoom won't be enough for me and I'd really like this one to last awhile. That's why I'm considering this one:

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens

But I would definitely want quality photos over zoom. I already have the Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 for dark rides or night shots and I'm not worried about that. I'm also considering getting a circular polarizing filter because all the books I've been reading have been saying to invest in one. Not sure if that's really necessary or if it will show a big difference in my photos.

Thank you!!

 

[SrisonS]

The Canon 18-135mm is my main lens; and I love it. It provides great picture quality, plus the range is very very nice. At Disney, the only time you MIGHT feel the need for more zoom is at Animal Kingdom. And even that only matters if you really really want to zoom in on the animals. You still won't think they're too far to get an intereting shot.

You can check my Flickr for examples (not those recent concert pics though). And yes, the pictures have been through Lightroom, but the quality is still there.

 

[WriteDisney]

The Canon 18-135mm is my main lens; and I love it. It provides great picture quality, plus the range is very very nice. At Disney, the only time you MIGHT feel the need for more zoom is at Animal Kingdom. And even that only matters if you really really want to zoom in on the animals. You still won't think they're too far to get an intereting shot.

You can check my Flickr for examples (not those recent concert pics though). And yes, the pictures have been through Lightroom, but the quality is still there.

Your photos are really awesome and that's an endorsement enough for that lens! I think I'm gonna do it. I really like that 50 mm lens you recommended. It was a really great deal and takes really nice night shots (especially considering the price!).

I'm having trouble getting my photos really bright, do you think a polarizing lens would help at all with that? It hasn't been really bright and nice outside when I get out to practice but it shouldn't matter. I'm reading the Magic Lantern Guide for my camera which is really helping and I have Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson which I'll start next but any tips for helping brighten up photos on an overcast day?

 

[SrisonS]

Do you have any examples to post of photos that are too dark???

I've never used any filters, so I couldn't tell you if they'd work or not. But it can be tough working with pictures taken on an overcast day. I'd personally try to go in in post-production to see if I can do something. Adding warmth helps out a lot; then i just go from there.

 

[WriteDisney]

Do you have any examples to post of photos that are too dark???

I've never used any filters, so I couldn't tell you if they'd work or not. But it can be tough working with pictures taken on an overcast day. I'd personally try to go in in post-production to see if I can do something. Adding warmth helps out a lot; then i just go from there.

I'm not sure that it's a matter of darkness but maybe a compensating for the overcast sky. These aren't the best examples because I used the program that came with the camera to touch them up a little bit (maybe that made them worse).

But I think they best describe what I mean. I'm just having trouble getting decent photos on an overcast day. I took these with my 50mm lens.

 

[SrisonS]

Those don't appear to be uncommon at all. I don't think a filter would help bring much to the sky. And the rest of the scene just doesn't have much light, and you can't really do much there.

But a couple of things you could do is just crop out the unfriendly sky, or just give the pics a black & white touch. Then color, warmth, brightness won't be much of a deal. I'm assuming you want more of a in-camera/technique approach; but I'm not sure if there is a way. If there is,I'd like to know myself.

 

[WriteDisney]

Those don't appear to be uncommon at all. I don't think a filter would help bring much to the sky. And the rest of the scene just doesn't have much light, and you can't really do much there.

But a couple of things you could do is just crop out the unfriendly sky, or just give the pics a black & white touch. Then color, warmth, brightness won't be much of a deal. I'm assuming you want more of a in-camera/technique approach; but I'm not sure if there is a way. If there is,I'd like to know myself.

Ok, good advice! Well I ordered my new lens and now I'm just going to keep reading those books and hope for some nicer weather!