SLR Or Compact

[Linda67]

Hi everyone
I am a first time visitor to the photography boards so I am sure I am asking a question that has been asked many times before
On my previous trips to the world I have always carried a compact digital camera but since my last visit I have treated myself to a Canon 450D SLR and although I am still a 'photographer in training' it seems a shame not to take it with me on my forthcoming trip
I have a backpack that holds the body of the camera and a couple of lenses and other bits but I love going on all the attractions and can't decide if I would soon get fed up with carrying it round with me all day?
Would I be able to take the bag on all of the attractions? even the 'thrill rides'?
There is a lot to be said for the ease of just having a compact clipped to my belt but it would be cool to get some better shots as well
Difficult question to answer as I guess it's really about personal choice but I would welcome your thoughts
Thanks all

 

[ukcatfan]

We all take our DSLRs to WDW a lot! It is not very difficult IMO. The only rides to worry about are the water rides. On thrill rides I put my leg through the arm strap.

 

[disneyboy2003]

For many of the rides, you can easily fit a standard backpack or tote bag with you on the ride, so your camera bag should be okay.

I know that camera backpacks come in many different sizes. However, if you can get away with bringing a smaller-sized photo bag, it'd really help.

I even bring my SLR onto Splash Mountain! Just cover your camera on the big drop / splash at the end.

 

[mabas9395]

There is a popular photography saying right now that says, "the best camera is the one you have with you". So if you think you're going to be worried about your SLR and it won't even leave your hotel room, don't bring it.

But if you only bring your P&S, you are going to see a ton of people carrying their SLRs and you will probably wish you brought yours too.

Then again, the people on this board might be a little biased towards bringing the biggest camera possible everywhere they go, especially Disney.

 

[PhotographyDR]

My opinion is to bring the SLR. I have been carrying around one from my last couple of trips. This Dec. trip was the first with my full gear. Very heavy and big. But with all that it did not take away from my experience. In fact it added to it. I don't know how bad I would feel if I lost a shot due to the fact that I left the camera behind and zipped up in the bag. The only time mine was in the bag is when we ate or on a water ride (sorry don't have enough guts to get it wet yet). With it around your neck all the time you will look at the parks a little differently. Instead of taking shot with the standard wide views you can take shots looking up, down, tilted, etc. With P&S (while I like them) you will tend to get lazy in your creative thoughts.

 

[MBKELmom]

I'll be taking my SLR - I bought it...so why not carry it and use it.

 

[Golf4food]

I've never had a problem with my bag on any rides. Taking a P&S camera to WDW instead of an SLR is like taking a knife to a gun fight, IMHO.

Why ride the crappy bicycle when you have a Ferarri in the garage?

 

[Linda67]

Thanks everyone
Really great advice
I think I would kick myself if I didn't have the SLR with me
Leadng on from my original question - do you all take several lenses?
I am very new to photography but have the 18 - 55mm kit lense and a 55 - 250 zoom lense (both Canon)
Should I take both into the parks?
Someone suggested that I just buy a better quality lense that sits somewhere between the two.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Thanks everyone
Really great advice
I think I would kick myself if I didn't have the SLR with me
Leadng on from my original question - do you all take several lenses?
I am very new to photography but have the 18 - 55mm kit lense and a 55 - 250 zoom lense (both Canon)
Should I take both into the parks?
Someone suggested that I just buy a better quality lense that sits somewhere between the two.

My favorite lens by far is the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, but for your upcoming trip if you wanted to get something similar for "cheap" (~$100 US) then get the nifty fifty- Canon 50mm f/1.8. It's great for parades, dark rides and general inside, low light shots!

My first trip I brought only my 18-55 kit lens (all I had, I bought the camera two weeks before) and the second trip I brought the 18-55 as a backup, but carried my 18-200mm, and 30mm f/1.4. This next trip I'll be carrying both of those, and my Tokina 11-16mm.

You'll definitely want that 55-250 for Animal Kingdom, and it would also come in handy for shots of the show in front of the castle. Otherwise it's not a "must" but if you could bring it I would. I absolutely love my 18-200mm and it does have great quality for the versatility you get. It'd run you about $600 US.

Also, do bring your P&S. I got heat exhaustion towards the end of our last trip and I felt like I had the flu. I wasn't up for carrying my gear around at all since I was so sick, but I didn't want to be without a camera so I took my P&S along. You never know if you'll need a backup and I'd be devastated to be left without a camera at all!

 

[MICKEY88]

I prefer to travel lite..

I carried these 2 everyday, with another dslr and a bridge camera nearby as backups..

I would take both cameras the P&S will be good to have just in case of camera problems, or if you do get tired of carrying the DSLR

 

[disneyboy2003]

Leadng on from my original question - do you all take several lenses?
I am very new to photography but have the 18 - 55mm kit lense and a 55 - 250 zoom lense (both Canon)
Should I take both into the parks?
Someone suggested that I just buy a better quality lense that sits somewhere between the two.

The minimum and lightest I usually go with is with 2 lenses: the 17-55mm f/2.8 lens and a 50mm f/1.4 lens. On different days, depending on what we're planning for the day, I might bring additional lenses.

The 17-55mm lens is the lens that sits on my camera 90-95% of the time at Disney World. It has the same focal range as your kit lens, but the larger f/2.8 aperture really helps for lower light, night, and action photos. This lens is often highly rated and highly recommended because of its higher build quality and the very sharp, high image quality it produces.

The 50mm f/1.4 lens really isn't big, so it's an easy 2nd lens to carry around. I use it for dark or very dark rides & shows, like Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, It's a Small World, Festival of the Lion King, Voyage of The Little Mermaid, etc. As an alternative, a lot of folks on this photography board really recommend the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for these dark rides & shows.

There isn't that much that I'd normally bring my telephoto lens for. For sure, bring your telephoto lens for the Kilimanjaro Safaris. Other shows that would benefit from a telephoto lens are Lights Motors Action, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, and Fantasmic (although Fantasmic would benefit from the larger aperture, very expensive 70-200mm f/2.8 lens).

The other thing I always bring with me is an external flash. I've been using my external flash a lot more these days. I've only recently begun to be more comfortable using the external flash. And now I'm just getting used to using it during the day for "fill flash" (where it's bright outside, but your subject is in the shade). I think my pictures have benefited a lot from having just a "touch" of flash (ie. not overdoing the flash).

Hope that helps!

 

[NLD]

Definitely bring it, and both your lenses.... and if you want any shots indoors or on dark rides, get a faster lens too.... such as the 50mm 1.8 that was mentioned.

You'll want the 18-55 for walking around, the 55-200 for AK (especially safari) and for any candids of your family, and again a faster lens for inside.

Plus a spare battery, your battery charger, a comfy bag to carry, a tripod and remote shutter release (for fireworks and night shots), and lots of memory. A flash if you have one and want it.

You'll have a great time. I went in September with just a 18-105 variable aperture lens and a 35 1.8 and with just those two (oh,and a tripod) was pretty good. Had my camera with bag PLUS tripod on Tower of Terror and RnR and was fine.

 

[Linda67]

The minimum and lightest I usually go with is with 2 lenses: the 17-55mm f/2.8 lens and a 50mm f/1.4 lens. On different days, depending on what we're planning for the day, I might bring additional lenses.

Hope that helps!

It certainly does - thanks

I prefer to travel lite..

You must be a lot stronger than me

You'll definitely want that 55-250 for Animal Kingdom, and it would also come in handy for shots of the show in front of the castle. Otherwise it's not a "must" but if you could bring it I would. I absolutely love my 18-200mm and it does have great quality for the versatility you get. It'd run you about $600 US.

Thanks so much - great advice

Definitely bring it, and both your lenses.... and if you want any shots indoors or on dark rides, get a faster lens too.... such as the 50mm 1.8 that was mentioned.

QUOTE]

This is all soooooo helpful