Taking your DSL into the parks

[OU1247]

I have a rebel and I love it.

I have some amazing lesses and plan on using it for Wishes and Fantasmic.

Is it a pain to take such a big camera around all day long?

I am not a big person... 5'2" and while I am not 100 pounds I am not heavy.

Thoughts on how you all handle this

 

[Experiment_626]

I have a rebel and I love it.

I have some amazing lesses and plan on using it for Wishes and Fantasmic.

Is it a pain to take such a big camera around all day long?

I am not a big person... 5'2" and while I am not 100 pounds I am not heavy.

Thoughts on how you all handle this

I carry my camera quite a bit, but I'm a strong believer in the lockers you can rent in each of the parks. They'll hold my tripod (ymmv), and when I get tired of carrying my camera (or anything else, other than my wife's hand), in it goes for a while as well. It costs a few dollars, but it is worth it in my opinion. If you park-hop, you can get a receipt when you leave the first park that will let you get a locker in any of the other parks for free the rest of the day. I also always have a bag or backpack for my camera and such, to make them easier to carry for extended periods.

I've taken four trips to the parks this year so far, for a total of about 15 days. There was one of those days I didn't have my camera. It was strange and nice to feel so light for once -- but I missed the camera even so.

SSB

 

[MICKEY88]

I have a rebel and I love it.

I have some amazing lesses and plan on using it for Wishes and Fantasmic.

Is it a pain to take such a big camera around all day long?

I am not a big person... 5'2" and while I am not 100 pounds I am not heavy.

Thoughts on how you all handle this

one persons pain is another person pleasure..

I carry 2 dslrs on a regular basis, it all depends on the individual and what they are used to

 

[Golf4food]

Not a problem to me. It gets heavier as the day goes on (like any bag would) but I will gladly take that in order to have more flexibility for better photos. I take it off when we are sitting down or eating so there are breaks. Its nothing to worry about.

 

[ukcatfan]

Well, I am sure that bringing your DSL to the parks is going to be pretty tough. I think the phone cord stringing from your home might make navigating the parks tough. Also, I am not sure what those lesses are that you are carrying, but I hope they are not heavy.

I am really sorry, but I just couldn't resist.

Seriously though, as long as you have a good comfortable strap and a backpack, I doubt it will be too much trouble. I think you could get away with a short zoom, long zoom, and a prime to cover most situations. I do not think an external flash (if you have one) is that beneficial at WDW. I bought my DSLR FOR Disney, so I cannot imagine leaving it behind. I also carry a p&s at all times, but it is mainly for the DW and DDs to use.

 

[WillCAD]

I've been carrying an SLR camera to WDW since 1999.

Carrying the extra size and weight does take some adjustment, but once you figure out your preferred method, you'll never even consider leaving the camera home.

The way I figure it, if you're going to spend $1000 or more on camera, lenses, batteries, memory, and accessories, why on earth would you even consider not taking it with you to the number one photo op of the year - your WDW vacation? It's like buying a new wardrobe and leaving it in the closet, while you go to work in old sweats and slippers.

The best advice I can give for handling the size and weight all day is to pare it down. Don't be tempted to take all of your lenses and all of your memory and your tripod and cleaning kit and filters and a filter wrench and the instruction manuals and the kitchen sink and a spare blanket and a picnic basket...

Pare it down to camera, one good walkaround lens, a few spare memory cards, a spare battery, and a lens cloth.

Leave the camera on all the time. Don't put the lens cap on - you can't take pics that way! Don't think of taking a picture as a major event that you have to stop, thing about, prepare for, and set up. Taking a picture is like breathing - if you practice, you can do it on the move, without thinking, and miss far fewer photo ops. But taking a pic is also not something that has to interrupt your day and steal time away from the fun; just keep moving, and keep shooting.

Eventually, the camera won't feel like a load, it'll just be something you wear, like your shirt or sunglasses.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I love the rebel's instant on and sleep mode. Like WillCad I leave mine on all day, with auto off set at about 30 seconds. then tap the shutter button to wake the camera. I also just use a wrist strap, well its more like a hand strap. It is on fron of my thumb, under the first finger and over the rest.

But I don't have any kids, so that is a big factor in my choice to carry the big cam.

Mikeeee

 

[OU1247]

Can you tell my mind is racing..DSL...OMG!

Thanks for the tips...I love my camera....use it often...I just didn't know...

Also one more thing...WATER RIDES!!!

I have a great bag....is that enough protection?

 

[thomas998]

Frankly if I was going to MK I think I would ditch the camera bag, find a good neoprene strap and get to it. A camera bag is going to be a pain in the back side, you really aren't likely to need a plethora of lenses... I used to over carry lenses at MK until I realized there really isnt' anything in there that warrants a 300mm lens... nor even a 200mm lens... frankly for weight and all I might just go with the kit lens... and carry a fast prime for night shots in a fanny pack. As for water rides... a plastic bag will do just find and when your done just cram it into your pocket and your good to go.

 

[Michele]

I carry my Rebel over my shoulder all day, so I can easily grab it for any picture taking opportunity. Then I carry an extra lens, battery, memory cards in my regular bag/sling/backpack. If I wanted to use a tripod I would stow it in a locker till evening.

 

[WillCAD]

Also one more thing...WATER RIDES!!!

I have a great bag....is that enough protection?

Simple solution:

http://willcad.org/image_cameraponcho.shtml

 

[webshark3]

Simple solution:

http://willcad.org/image_cameraponcho.shtml

Another method that seals a little more:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Camera-Zip-lock/

I personally just carry around the ziplock, and throw w the camera in there if I think there's a chance of it getting wet. But I also have a waterproof OptioWP I use.

 

[Michele]

I personally just carry around the ziplock, and throw w the camera in there if I think there's a chance of it getting wet.

Same here. Of course, I also wear a poncho on Splash and Kali, so that helps too.

 

[Anewman]

Well I dont really think Wishes or Fantasmic demand any of the BIGGER/HEAVIER lenses, and the rebel itself is on the lighter side when it comes to SLRs.

 

[handicap18]

Another method that seals a little more:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Camera-Zip-lock/

I personally just carry around the ziplock, and throw w the camera in there if I think there's a chance of it getting wet. But I also have a waterproof OptioWP I use.

This is pretty much what I do, except I don't use a filter to hold the bag on I just use the lens hood. Works great and is small enough to carry around without even noticing it.