On the Dream this Sunday - having 2nd thoughts about gear

[Revan]

So I was all set to take my Sony NEX-5 with 16mm, 18-55mm and wide converter along with my Canon 7d, 10-22, 50 1.4, 28-70L on my first ever cruise next week.

I'm having second thoughts about taking my Canon. Having the ultra-fast lens would be a benefit, but will there really be enough photo opps to justify both bodies (unlike a trip to the World, which is a definite yes.) Assuming I can get the shots I want with the NEX on the ship, I'll is the longer range - but that doesn't really bother me.

Anyone have any thoughts or opinions?

 

[PegIra]

Just want to say you will definitely love the Disney Dream. It has some new features that are great. The pictures come alive, Crush talks to you while you eat (Just like Turtle Talk with Crush). The shows are great and you should get some really good pictures of them. The AquaDuck is tons of fun too. I assume you know you can take pictures of all the shows, just no video or flash photography.

Peg

 

[zackiedawg]

A few ideas to consider...

1. You definitely will have photo opportunities on a cruise, whether or not you want to take them is up to you - but the ships interiors are stunning and always fun subjects, be it an entire room/lounge, or fine details which are everywhere. I've always found use for my DSLRs and at least 3-4 of my lenses on every cruise.

2. That said, the NEX has a DSLR sensor, and is as capable in low light situations and such - the only things the NEX isn't as good for are action/sports/movement shots, which are probably the one thing you won't need much of on the cruise...so I think you'd be OK. Missing the faster lens might hurt a little for detail type closeups indoors with no flash, or maybe handheld night stuff...but otherwise probably not a huge loss. Telephoto might be missed a bit - but that's up to what you intend to shoot. On land, it's rarely needed...on the ship, telephoto comes in handy if you photograph other passing ships, birds, island coasts, etc...otherwise, you could probably live without it.

3. One crazy outside idea would be to pick up a Canon EOS-NEX adapter - they do make one that comes with an aperture control ring...it would let you in a pinch bring one or two of your Canon lenses and use them on the NEX - such as your 50mm for low light needs. You'd be manual focus only, but that's not all bad. Problem is...getting it in time! If you're leaving in two days, you might be out of luck on shipping those unless you found one willing to overnight for Sat delivery. Might be something to consider in the future...I use a Pentax K mount and Konica K/AR mount adapter on my NEX to use it with 11 different older manual focus lenses, and it's a lot of fun.

 

[Revan]

Just want to say you will definitely love the Disney Dream. It has some new features that are great. The pictures come alive, Crush talks to you while you eat (Just like Turtle Talk with Crush). The shows are great and you should get some really good pictures of them. The AquaDuck is tons of fun too. I assume you know you can take pictures of all the shows, just no video or flash photography.

Peg

Peg - Thank you - my kids are super excited about the Aquaduck!

 

[Revan]

2. That said, the NEX has a DSLR sensor, and is as capable in low light situations and such - the only things the NEX isn't as good for are action/sports/movement shots, which are probably the one thing you won't need much of on the cruise...so I think you'd be OK.

That's kind of what I was thinking too.

3. One crazy outside idea would be to pick up a Canon EOS-NEX adapter - they do make one that comes with an aperture control ring...it would let you in a pinch bring one or two of your Canon lenses and use them on the NEX - such as your 50mm for low light needs. You'd be manual focus only, but that's not all bad. Problem is...getting it in time! If you're leaving in two days, you might be out of luck on shipping those unless you found one willing to overnight for Sat delivery. Might be something to consider in the future...I use a Pentax K mount and Konica K/AR mount adapter on my NEX to use it with 11 different older manual focus lenses, and it's a lot of fun.

I didn't realize I could get one with an aperture ring . . . this would have been perfect, but like you mentioned too late unless I can find one locally - bummer

 

[zackiedawg]

That seems to be the latest trend in adapters - I've seen more and more popping up with aperture ring control on the adapter for using with lenses that have no exterior control. I don't think they're as smooth and convenient as a lens with dedicated controls, or body-controlled apertures, but it can get you by in a pinch. Haven't tried one myself yet, though. There is supposedly an even better solution coming soon - Conorus has an as-yet unformed solution with full electronic aperture control through the camera body - it's still a lens ring with wires running to a circuit board then to the lens, but they are working on a housing for it all to make it a single piece. Probably best to wait until that's complete anyway!