One Lense

[Tdisney]

I am sure this has been asked, but if you could pick one lens to carry, what would it be ?

 

[wbeem]

One lens for what? Portraits, landscapes, sports?

The lens you choose depends upon the problem you need to solve.

 

[Tdisney]

To take around disney world ?

 

[eblong]

My standard walk-around lens is an 18-250 Sigma DC lens. I will sneak my nifty fifty in occasionally for its better low light capabilities

I love having a zoom lens that allows me to handle a wide range of subjects and distances.

 

[Tdisney]

My Canon 70-200 f2.8 is just too big to tote around.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I would want a lens to cover most of the situations that I would encounter and still light enough to carry all day. I currently use a 28-70 f2.8. I would recommend a 24-70 f2.8. Although not the widest lens, but it will work, not the longest, but longer than the kit and is a faster lens throughout the focal length than the all-in-ones. If I was required to take one lens that would be the one.

Of course in practice I take the 28-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8, 30 f1.4 and an 18-55 WR lens with me all the time along with my external flash and tripod. Is my bag heavy? You bet! However I would rather be prepared for any shot than not.

PS The DW also carries a DSLR with two lenses, gorillapod and external flash! We try to be prepared for anything.

 

[mom2rtk]

My 17-55/f2.8. I'd rather have one great quality lens with a shorter range than one of lesser quality that covers the full range. It's on my camera 90% of the time anyway.

 

[Marlton Mom]

For a crop sensor camera like my Nikon D90 (DX format) I love my 18-105 lens.
With my personal shooting style I prefer to go wider....

I hope that helps,

~Marlton Mom

 

[bob100]

I am sure this has been asked, but if you could pick one lens to carry, what would it be ?

Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L IS USM
(I wouldn't actually buy the lens but if given I would carry it)

 

[wbeem]

My 24-70 f/2.8 is the most useful for walking around Disney. It gives enough width for most scenes, enough length to zoom in for a detail. It's fast enough for dark rides (though sometimes that takes ISO 6400).

 

[alloyd1170]

One lens-my Tamron 18-270 f/3.5. Covers a fairly wide angle plus decent zoom. It was my go to lens until I stepped up to the L series lenses. If I'm not too concerned about tack sharp photos and have to travel light, then I stay with the Tamron. If not, I haul my 10-22, 24-105, 100-400 and 50 f/1.4 for low light.

 

[Tdisney]

Would you go with the 24-70 or the 24-105. The 24-105 is a bit slower but has image stabilization.

 

[mabas9395]

I can't decide between the 24-70 and the 24-105. Lucky for me, I don't have the money so I'm not forced to decide.

 

[YesDear]

For Nikon shooters an 18-200 for crop and 24-300 for full frame are great walk around lenses. Sharp not overly fast but covers a great range. Not for dark rides but you would not use these for that anyway!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Just remember that focal length is not the only variable when shooting at WDW. Light is very important. If you want to shoot the nighttime parades the all-in-ones may struggle that is why I would recommend a f2.8 lens.

 

[wbeem]

Would you go with the 24-70 or the 24-105. The 24-105 is a bit slower but has image stabilization.

Image Stabilization is great if you want to handhold a camera to photograph a still subject with a slow shutter speed. If you need to capture a moving subject (or if you're in a moving ride), you need a faster shutter speed to avoid blur.

That's why I'd rather have f/2.8 or faster. If I'm shooting a subject that isn't moving while using a slow shutter speed, I'll use my tripod.

 

[mom2rtk]

Image Stabilization is great if you want to handhold a camera to photograph a still subject with a slow shutter speed. If you need to capture a moving subject (or if you're in a moving ride), you need a faster shutter speed to avoid blur.

That's why I'd rather have f/2.8 or faster. If I'm shooting a subject that isn't moving while using a slow shutter speed, I'll use my tripod.

I see your point. But I think a lot of it depends on the situation. If you have a family along and want to keep tripod use at a minimum, the IS can be a great benefit. I bring my tripod for fireworks, but the family fusses if I drag it along and take too much time to set up a lot of shots. If I can shoot on the go with IS, it might not be as good as a tripod shot, but it's better than no shot.

I was just going over my shots from last year's Christmas parade. In 2010 I shot with my 17-55 2.8 with IS. This year I shot with my 50-150 2.8 withOUT IS. I ended up with a little shakeon more shots, and I am coming to the conclusion it was the lack of IS.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I see your point. But I think a lot of it depends on the situation. If you have a family along and want to keep tripod use at a minimum, the IS can be a great benefit. I bring my tripod for fireworks, but the family fusses if I drag it along and take too much time to set up a lot of shots. If I can shoot on the go with IS, it might not be as good as a tripod shot, but it's better than no shot.

I was just going over my shots from last year's Christmas parade. In 2010 I shot with my 17-55 2.8 with IS. This year I shot with my 50-150 2.8 withOUT IS. I ended up with a little shakeon more shots, and I am coming to the conclusion it was the lack of IS.

LOL!! I am so glad I chose a system with in-body stabilization!! With all there is to think about when using a DSLR, that is one issue that never enters my mind. My pea brain couldn't handle any more required information. OVERLOAD, OVERLOAD!

 

[zackiedawg]

Definitely the 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 for me. It's my best overall general-purpose, can be used for anything in a pinch lens.

I find having a large focal range to be more useful overall for my Disney photography than having a faster aperture access. I can slide by with the slower ultrazoom lens in low light conditions by using less of the telephoto range to keep the aperture larger, and by cranking up the ISO, and get usable results that can make up for the loss of large aperture. However, I can't really do anything with a 50mm or 70mm maximum focal lens to make up for the lost telephoto reach. Of course, mileage may vary for each person - I happen to find photographing animals at Animal Kingdom to be an integral part of my Disney photography experience, and that requires more focal length. Those who have no interest in photographing animals likely don't need the reach, and can emphasize other factors.

Of course, I also must admit I don't really like the idea of being limited to just choosing one lens, which is why I also have so many others, including nice fast primes for low light work and big telephoto primes for animal work, and all kinds in between. But if this were one of those 'gun to the head' have-to-choose type situations, then the 18-250mm will definitely be the one lens I'd choose to bring to Disney if I could bring no others.

 

[mom2rtk]

LOL!! I am so glad I chose a system with in-body stabilization!! With all there is to think about when using a DSLR, that is one issue that never enters my mind. My pea brain couldn't handle any more required information. OVERLOAD, OVERLOAD!

Honestly, if I were starting over, I'd be going with one of the brands with in-body IS. I love the range of my 50-150 2.8 and would ditch it and buy an IS version, but there isn't one. With in-body IS, that wouldn't even be an issue.