taking the new SLR to Disney - advice?

[jennykay]

I got a digital SLR a few months ago, and I'm a little nervous about taking it to Disney! I'd love to hear your tips on keeping it safe and dry, hear/see how you carry it around the parks, and anything else you want to tell me about it!

I think I am most worried about things like Kali where my whole family will be able to ride together, but what to do with the camera? Nobody to leave it with, don't want it to get wet, what to do?

Any tips you have about an SLR in Disney will be greatly appreciated!

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

Hi there!

I also have a DSLR that I have contemplated taking into the parks. But I know that I would just constantly worry about it if I did. So I've never brought it in with me because I'd rather enjoy the parks and not worry about damaging several thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

If you do decide to take it with you, I would definitely recommend a nicely padded camera bag. The Crumpler Camera Bags are quite nice, moderately priced and very comfortable. Search www.ebags.com for 'Crumpler Bags'. I have the '5 Million Dollar Home' and it is plenty roomy for my Canon DSLR, a 28-135mm lens (a great traveling lens, by the way!), extra batteries, memory cards. However, they would not be protected if you got caught in one of the Orlando's infamous rainstorms. The bags that I have can easily be carried on any of the rides (just loop the strap securely around your leg on any of the 'biggies'...RockNRoller Coaster, Expedition Everest, etc.)

As far as protecting it against rain, is there someone in your group that could/would carry a semi-empty backpack? If so, what I would recommend, although it may sound a bit goofy, is to have that person keep a plastic sack in their bag, so that if it starts to rain you can quickly grab the plastic bag out of their bag, put your bag in it, and then put that person's bag (whether it be a backpack or not, just something that completely closely).

For the wet rides (Splash and Kali) I would do the same thing as above, but take it one step farther. Again, a bit goofy, but it works...I would put that bag (that has the camera bag protected in a plastic bag in it) into another plastic bag. I have had the pleasure of getting ABSOLUTELY SOAKED on both of those rides and I was so thankful that I had put my backpack into an plastic bag.

On Kali, that center console doesn't completely shut, so water can still get into that center compartment so things in there can get wet. On
Splash, I have literally held the plastic wrapped backpack on my lap. I usually use a clear garbage sack and then tie a knot in it so NO water can get it.

Wow, was that more than you ever wanted to know?!

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

Oh, an in lieu of my DSLR, I have opted to get a really nice, slim Kodak that has been great on all my Disney trips

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

If you are going on a water ride I would put your camera in a locker.

DH has 2 dSLR cameras. He is bringing both to WDW next month. He HAD to have a Lowe Pro Sling bag 200. We bought it online through Best Buy because we had some reward certificates to redeem, and it was free shipping.

Definitely get a sturdy, comfortable strap so when you have the camera out there is no chance of it slipping or someone bumping it out of your hands. DH bought a cute strap at Animal Kingdom but now he had decided it is too short.

Make sure you bring extra memory cards in case of loss or damage.

 

[imthatgirl]

i have not taken mine yet. part of me does want the great pictures from it, but the logical side of me says that a $1200 camera has no place in a park. so i opt for the smaller digi i have. it still takes great pictures and i dont have to worry about breaking it or loosing it.

but if you are going to take it, like another posted get a great camera bag and dont wear it around your neck. you dont want it banging around, i know thats common sense, but i see people doing it all the time. when its not in use remeber to take the lesne off and out it safely away( another reason i dont take mine is too many lense changes).

oh and if you dont have insurance on it and its still possible to get through the manufacturer, get it!

 

[jennykay]

Wow, was that more than you ever wanted to know?!

no way! no such thing!

i have not taken mine yet. part of me does want the great pictures from it, but the logical side of me says that a $1200 camera has no place in a park. so i opt for the smaller digi i have. it still takes great pictures and i dont have to worry about breaking it or loosing it.


oh and if you dont have insurance on it and its still possible to get through the manufacturer, get it!

that's exactly what I keep thinking. what a waste to see my babies with Mickey and the good camera is at home...but much worse if the camera gets ruined!

I hadn't thought about insurance - it was a gift (from dh) and I have no idea if he insured it. I'll have to check into that even if I don't take it to Disney!

 

[OKW Lover]

Best advice is to simply carry a folded-up plastic bag in your pocket. When you go someplace where it might get wet, just slip it into the bag.

Another suggestion is to be sure you try out all the features on your camera before you head to WDW so you can see the results and know what to adjust for differing conditions. Probably the most common are back-lighted, available light and night scenes, not necessarily in that order.

 

[AmberLuvsWDW]

They do also now sell the large zipper bags. They only come 2 or 3 in a box but are twice (or more) the size of the gallon bags. You could keep these in the backpack and then you would have extra protection from the water.

 

[WillCAD]

A camera is a useless paperweight if it's not in your hand when you want to take a picture.

I was also very nervous the first time I took my SLR to WDW, but after a day or two, I got the hang of it, and I've never looked back.

I can't even imagine going to the parks without my SLR now. I'd miss out on so many good pics if I were forced to rely on a lesser camera, I'd be miserable the whole time.

For many years, I carried my camera on a long strap, cross-shoulder. Now I use a camera harness (much better on the neck and back). I never carry a camera bag into the parks with me; spare memory cards and batteries go in my pocket, and I make sure to keep a home-made Ziploc camera poncho on me at all times for rain or water rides.

Bumps and scratches are always a concern, but the most important things to watch out for are A) latteral stress on the lens mount, B) scratches on the front of the lens, and C) major moisture. Just keep your eyes open, and be aware of the camera and its position, and you can get through the day without any damage - while getting the best pics possible.

People think it's a big deal to carry an expensive SLR in the parks, but it's only a big deal if you make it so. Just think of it as a camera.

 

[kldmom2000]

I've taken my DSLR twice now and will be again this August

I use an awesome Tamrac backpack where there's a padded compartment at the bottom for your camera, external flash, and an extra lens and then above is a separate compartment to put your wallet, keys, cellphone, etc...

When we rode Kali, I put my backpack in the covered flap thingie in the middle of the raft-no problems I would also stow the backpack between my ankles and behind my legs when riding roller coasters... never had a problem there either