Nifty Fifty at the Parks?

[disnemm]

I recently bought a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens, and we are taking a trip to WDW in April. Although it's a few weeks away, I'm already stressing out about which lens I should take into the parks each day, as I do not have the room to carry two lenses. (But I'm definitely bring both on the trip.) The only other lens I have is the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.8G VR (kit lens), and while I really think I could benefit from the versatility of it, I love how fast the 50mm is and the lower f-stops would be better for bokeh and dark rides. However, I'm afraid that the 50mm will just be too tight in some situations. I feel like I would come away happy with photos from both lenses, but it's just the 'making the decision' part that is bothering me. Do you have any input? Thank you!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

You've made the correct evaluation of the pros and cons of both lenses. It would be difficult for anyone to make a decision for you. You either bring both and shoot everything you can or on a daily basis choose what you are going to shoot and bring the appropriate lens. Understanding that the strengths of one is the weakness of the other. Lenses are problem solvers for photographers. You just need to choose what problem you want to solve for the day.

 

[havoc315]

Yes, the nifty fifty would be far preferable in some situations --- and often too tight in other situations.
If you want to do any low light pictures, you really should bring the 50. If you want to do any landscapes, you really should bring the zoom.

You should re-think bringing both lenses. Most nifty fifties are really compact lenses -- You should be able to stick it in your pocket when you're not using it. Might not be fashionable, but a small fanny pack could easily hold whichever lens you weren't actively using. Truthfully, it's good to have a small camera bag so you can put your camera away at times (while eating, on some of the rides where you might not want it dangling around your neck).

Alternatively, take both lenses but leave one in the hotel room. Alternate which lens you bring, when. Want a day emphasizing shooting dark rides and low light, take the nifty fifty. Want to emphasize landscapes another day, take the zoom.

 

[wiigirl]

You've made the correct evaluation of the pros and cons of both lenses. It would be difficult for anyone to make a decision for you. You either bring both and shoot everything you can or on a daily basis choose what you are going to shoot and bring the appropriate lens. Understanding that the strengths of one is the weakness of the other. Lenses are problem solvers for photographers. You just need to choose what problem you want to solve for the day.

 

[SrisonS]

If i could only take one, it would be the kit lens. Sure, the speed is there with the 50. But I think it's too tight of a range for all day shooting. There will be many instances where you won't be able to just take a few steps back. Like others have said, definitely take both on your trip. Say if you head back to the room, then venture back out at night; you'll definitely want the 50 with you. Maybe even get a little bag that will just hold one lens. That's what I've been doing for quite some time. I have a little shoulder strap thing that was mainly for a small video camera; but it holds one lens perfectly....with hardly much room to spare. And it has a couple of small pockets for batteries and memory.

 

[disnemm]

You've made the correct evaluation of the pros and cons of both lenses. It would be difficult for anyone to make a decision for you. You either bring both and shoot everything you can or on a daily basis choose what you are going to shoot and bring the appropriate lens. Understanding that the strengths of one is the weakness of the other. Lenses are problem solvers for photographers. You just need to choose what problem you want to solve for the day.

Yes, the nifty fifty would be far preferable in some situations --- and often too tight in other situations.
If you want to do any low light pictures, you really should bring the 50. If you want to do any landscapes, you really should bring the zoom.

You should re-think bringing both lenses. Most nifty fifties are really compact lenses -- You should be able to stick it in your pocket when you're not using it. Might not be fashionable, but a small fanny pack could easily hold whichever lens you weren't actively using. Truthfully, it's good to have a small camera bag so you can put your camera away at times (while eating, on some of the rides where you might not want it dangling around your neck).

Alternatively, take both lenses but leave one in the hotel room. Alternate which lens you bring, when. Want a day emphasizing shooting dark rides and low light, take the nifty fifty. Want to emphasize landscapes another day, take the zoom.

If i could only take one, it would be the kit lens. Sure, the speed is there with the 50. But I think it's too tight of a range for all day shooting. There will be many instances where you won't be able to just take a few steps back. Like others have said, definitely take both on your trip. Say if you head back to the room, then venture back out at night; you'll definitely want the 50 with you. Maybe even get a little bag that will just hold one lens. That's what I've been doing for quite some time. I have a little shoulder strap thing that was mainly for a small video camera; but it holds one lens perfectly....with hardly much room to spare. And it has a couple of small pockets for batteries and memory.

Thank you for the recommendations, everyone! I will definitely bring both lenses on the trip, and I think I will just decide on a daily basis, or experiment with the 50 on the first day and see how it goes. (If I don't find a small bag to carry an extra lens into the park.) If not, I also just found out that our WDW annual passes are park-hopper-friendly, so I could always switch lenses at the hotel if we go to multiple parks within one day. I used the kit lens at Disneyland last summer, and I only had a P&S for last year's WDW trip, so this will definitely be a step-up from that! Thanks again! I really appreciate it!

 

[littlekidagain]

I just got back on Tuesday. After being the for a week I found the 50 to tight. I am shooting with a crop sensor much different on full frame.

 

[Animagic!]

I think its all relative to how you shoot and what's important to you. Personally, I would go with the nifty fifty because I like prime lenses. Traditionally, the inexpensive nifty fifty is one of the sharpest lenses that most lens makers produce simply because they've had decades to perfect the 50mm, which was the popular workhorse of the 35mm film days.

Every nifty fifty I have ever used has been very sharp, had nice contrast, and good colors. Of course all lens makers are different but across the board the 50mm f/1.8 is a great, inexpensive lens. I spent three days in Disneyland using only a nifty fifty on a crop sensor and I got lots of great pictures, including some really nice dark ride shots. A few weeks ago I spent four days in the parks using a 70-300mm lens only. It forced me to be a little creative but I had an absolute blast using that lens. Obviously it's not a nifty fifty but my point is that a little zoom doesn't necessarily mean it'll kill your photography fun. In my case it made the trip even better.

 

[k5jm]

I have taken a 50mm and used it for almost the whole trip and got some of the best pics. The 50 makes you think about your shots and allows you to compose your shots. It is also great for Dark Rides!

 

[Animagic!]

Here is a couple shots from a nifty fifty at the parks....

 

[photo_chick]

I used the 50mm f/1.8 on a crop body on my last trip. Yes it's tight at times but I was still able to get plenty of great shots.

 

[fractal]

I got some of my best shots with the 50mm on my last trip. Even used it on KS with some good results.

However, as others have said, it can be frustrating to use on a cropped camera. Taking pictures of the kids sitting next to you on a ride will not be easy.

 

[disnemm]

Thank you for your replies so far, everyone! Right now I'm leaning towards the 50mm. Although it might be a little less versatile, I'm looking to shoot quality, story-telling photos, and I think the 50 would be better suited towards that than the 18-55. I also did a little experiment this past weekend and took the zoom to a nearby international foods store (it's really neat!) and found myself missing the 50 and its lovely bokeh, sharpness, and fastness. I did consider bringing both lenses into the parks after a few of you said to, but I don't really think that I would make use of both (mostly because I would be too lazy to switch between the two! )Thank you for all of your input and examples!