My First DSLR trip in 2 days! (+ a question about bringing it on rollercoasters)

[sdshutterbug]

Woohoo! I am sooo excited to be going on my annual trip to WDW in just 2 days! Just a year ago I thought my Kodak EasyShare fully automatic camera was plenty of capable of taking all the pictures I needed and I didn't even know what DSLR stood for! Thanks to Flickr, and this forum, I now am on my second DSLR kit (selling the Sony after we get back) and have a set of lenses I think will give me exactly what I'm looking for.

What I'm bringing...
Canon T1i
Tamron 18-270 VC
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (can't wait to take it on the dark rides!)
Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM (I use this one more at home but I plan to use it at Fantasmic and some of the other dark shows)
Canon Speedlite 270ex with DIY bouncer/diffuser - I've been practicing with it! I hope I can get some decent family shots at the restaurants and at night.
Joby gorillapod SLR
Lowepro slingpack 100 AW

I have a pretty good idea of where I'll bring the DSLR (basically everywhere!) and where I'll leave it, but I've seen a lot of excellent shots taken on rides that I would think would be risky with a camera...ie ToT, RnR, BTMRR, Splash Mountain (doesn't it get wet? do you put it in a bag before you take the plunge?), Space Mountain, etc. I would love to try a hand at these types of shots but I'm concerned for my own safety and the safety of my camera. For Space Mountain and RnR, is there a place to safely stow the camera once you get on the ride? I can't remember from last time.

 

[annnewjerz]

For all of the bumpy or more thrilling rides like RNR, BTMRR, Space Mountain, etc. I would think the safest place for your camera would be in your hands. I took my camera, my bag with lenses and tripod with me everywhere. In October and December when we went, I took the camera on and kept it out on every ride I lined up for and stowed the bag/tripod securely by my feet, with the strap wrapped around my arm or leg. The camera stayed in my hands with the neck (or other) strap wrapped securely a few times around my wrist. When I could, I put it up to my eye for pictures. When I couldn't, I kept it near my lap.

The only issue I encountered was my hood flying off on TOT. We got on the first drop and I guess it wasn't on tight enough and I quickly felt it rising off my lap. Luckily, the person sitting next to me was able to catch it and I got it back before leaving our elevator.

On Splash Mountain, I kept the camera out the whole time and just stuck it under the front part of the log when I thought we might get wet. On a few occassions, I got drenched and my camera definitely didn't stay dry---but it ended up fine after the water evaporated and I'm glad I shot with it, since Splash is my favorite attraction.

If you are worried about your camera getting wet, I'd bring a gallon ziploc to store it in. You can keep it in there if you think it's going to get wet, or if you are going through a relatively dry part of the ride you can take it out.

Good luck and have fun, can't wait to see some shots when you get back!

 

[sdshutterbug]

Thanks for the tips! I'm a little nervous about Splash Mountain but I'll bring the ziploc bag just in case.

 

[Groucho]

On my older, non-weathersealed DSLRs, I would have it out going down the Splash Mountain hill then use my hat to cover it during the splash. Now I just keep it out the whole time - but it's the one ride that'll be closed on our upcoming trip! Anyway, the hat thing worked well, never had any problems.

For the rollercoasters, I haven't had a problems hanging on to it tight. Try wrapping the strap around your wrist and, of course, hang on to the grip tightly!

Have a great time!

 

[ukcatfan]

I put my leg through the strap to keep it secured. On Space Mountain you will want the from seat of the car because the two back ones do not have enough room for the bag to sit. You would have to leave it in your lap. I carry one of the huge Ziploc bags made to store clothing with me. My whole backpack fits in it so I do not have to worry about anything getting wet. You backpack is weather resistant, so it might be fine with just that cover that comes with it. You will want to place it in the middle storage on Kali.

 

[Angrypenguin]

If you want to be really brave, just wrap it around your shoulder a few times like I did, and grasp it tightly with your hands and take pics!