Taking your DSLR into the parks

[Sacha_L]

I LOVE my DSLR, have had it for 5 years and dragged it all around the US. However I don't know how to plan for it's use at Disney... I am planning on pre-ordering photopass but I know I'll want to take it into the parks as well. But how do you guys deal with yours on rides? I do have a very good small backpack case for it (made for camera's very padded) but it is somewhat bulky for rides I think. Pleae share your strategies with me!
MK- we have 2 1/2 days here thinking I'll take it our arrival afternoon/night since I don't think we will do many rides and just take the pocket camera the rest of the time.
AK- A must I think because I love the lushness of the park
DHS - another must we are going to head straight to star tours for Jedi training and I need at least 500 pics of that!
Epcot - Not as worried, thinking the small pocket size camera and photopass will do.
What do you guys think? Will I regret not brining it to every park (I should mention I love pictures!) Or will bringing it be a big pain in the rear?

 

[sdzman]

I use one of these neoprene covers http://www.amazon.com/Unknown-Neoprene-Camera-Case/dp/B002C88FDM/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1298229295&sr=8-12. This allows me to keep my DSLR in a comfortable backpack with other items and not worry about it getting damaged.

For the most part my DSLR is around my neck ready to go. I like to be ready for those picture opportunities whenever they present themselves.

 

[KristiLyn]

We take our DSLR everywhere!! (well, not to the pools and such, but to the parks)
I think if we didn't, I'd regret not having all of the pics. And we are huge picture takers. I don't really like any of the quality of the pics of small pocket size camera's anymore, so I rarely use them. Especially when we went to the jedi training academy!! We got tons of pics!!

We just carry the bag the camera came with when we originally bought it. It's not too bad. And when you get on the rides, there's usually a compartment to put the bag in.
Here's a pic (sorry, it's the only one I could find of df holding it)

 

[budmonster]

I have the canon 50D and take it to the parks with me everytime that I go. I have a sling bag that carries my camera and several lenses. I haven't found a ride yet that I had trouble taking it on. I really could imagine going to the parks and not having it with me.

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

I have the Tamrac backpack for DSLRs. It houses my camera and five lenses in the bottom compartment. It also has a large, roomy, open compartment on top for miscellaneous trinkets purchased throughout the day. I've also been able to put a somewhat small tripod in the upper compartment. The zippers are waterproof and the nylon is a really tight weave. We've taken it with us on every ride we've gone on, from Splash to Space. We just place it between our legs on the rides and have never had a problem.

 

[Sacha_L]

Great tips! Thanks guys I'm happy to hear that I can take it on most rides as that was my real worry.

 

[Khokhonutt]

I love my Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home. It's more of a mail bag/satchel, in the way it hangs over one shoulder. I can carry my camera with a short lens on it and one long lens. It's not a cheap bag, but in my opinion, it's worth every penny. Excellent quality with all kinds of cool features and storage.

For water rides, I always carry one of the huge Ziplock bags (5 gal?). It's big enough to fit the whole camera bag in, along with other stuff.

You might also want to pose this question on the photography board (click here) for more info/opinions. Lots of good info can be found there.

 

[FluffedMojo]

Epcot - Not as worried, thinking the small pocket size camera and photopass will do.

This is a cause for concern. Epcot is probably my favorite park to shoot. So many unique things to photograph, a great place to be creative. If you don't take your DSLR to Epcot, you will miss out on tons of great photos.

But to answer your general question...Disney is great about accommodating bags on Attractions (unlike Universal). As long as you don't have an excessively large bag, you should be able to bring it onto every attraction without a problem. If you love your DSLR, bring it everywhere you go while at WDW.

 

[crazik]

If you're going to be carrying a bag or similar anyway, then I agree - bring it. Most rides in Disney accommodate bags. If you're planning on being hands-free, leave it at home and stick with a point and shoot in your pocket.

 

[suemom2kay]

I wear it on a Rapid Strap. Goes in a regular backpack for rides (we have a towel in there and a Ziploc inside the backpack for water rides. DSLR's are pretty hardy.

 

[wild4dis]

I have a Canon 50d that I bring with 2 lenses and keep in my backpack. we carry a backpack all the time to carry "stuff" while in the parks so its not really an added carry item. I bring a small towel from the resort for extra cushion and a lens case, along with big ziplocs in case of water or rain.
We do Photopass stops, and their nice for posed group shots with the added graphics, but there are so many other items in Disney that make great photos, my last 9 day visit I came home with over 800 photos to go thru. Candids of the kids with characters, waiting in lines, dinner tables, etc always make carrying the camera worth the trouble.

 

[d_lairson]

I have a canon 450D and I take it everywhere in the parks. We went up for the day on saturday and I didn't take it and I missed it the whole time.

I use a BlackRapid strap for general carrying around and I have a camera backpack for all my other gear, and I can pop the camera in the bag if I need to. On most rides I'll just keep the camera in my lap with the lens between my legs. Since I don't do thrill rides I don't really run into a problem that the strap or backpack can't handle.

 

[t_catt11]

We carried a Canon Rebel XTi with two lenses in a small backpack style bag, and had no problems at all. In fact, we've always taken an SLR camera - a 35mm camera back in 2004, and a DSLR in 2007 and 2010. There isn't a single ride that you cannot take even a standard sized backpack on, so don't worry.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We always take our DSLR and usually two lenses with us to the parks. Which lens we use on the camera all depends on which park we are going to that day, then we'll take along one other depending on what pictures we're looking at taking that day. As an example, if we are heading out to Animal Kingdom we'll probably put the 55-200mm on the camera and take along our Tokina 11-16mm. If we're trying to get dark ride shots at say the Magic Kingdom, we'll put our Sigma 50 f/1.4mm on the camera but take along the 28-135mm or kit lens. I don't think we've ever gone to WDW with just one lens.

We also find that most Photopass photogs will happily snap a pic with your camera as well. There were also times when for whatever reason, the Photopass picture wasn't the greatest so we were actually glad that we had taken a picture with our camera as well.

I must say I do like the camera cover sdzman mentioned ...

 

[bytheblood]

I use this:

This protects my DSLR quite well and then I can take pictures that I know will come out nicely. I have a Canon S90, but it is not the same quality. I actually carry both with me and keep them in this case. I can also fit extra lenses in it, too.

 

[ktjohn]

I bring my Canon XSi to the park with me. I also bring 2 or 3 lenses, an external flash, and a big battery pack that clicks onto the bottom of the camera. I put it all in a camera backpack and carry it with me everywhere.

I have figured out how to hold it on most of the rides. I do put it away in my back pack for Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror (I put the backpack under my leg and loop the shoulder straps around my legs). But I can hold it on all the other rides like Thunder Mountain, Expedition Everest, Soarin, Test Track, etc... I even takes pictures of my family while on the rides, and they come out great!

To me it's totally worth it. I ran into a gentleman during our last trip who said he used to bring his big camera too, but he felt that it was too heavy and too much work to carry all day. So I guess it's a matter of personal preference. I carry mine around everywhere with no problem at all. My husband pushes the stroller, and I walk beside him taking pictures or just holding the camera.

 

[sls_ontario]

We took our Canon T1i ... we carry the camera plus extra lens in a fanny pack. Sounds bad, but it is nice ... got it years ago when we were going to Australia.

Just got back and DH took about 1000 photos! Probably will NOT get the Photopass CD I pre-ordered because DH took the same photos, plus in almost every case, a CM took our camera for us IF we wanted a family shot.

He got SO many great photos of the castle, etc etc.

We would be kicking ourselves if we had not taken it!!

NOT an issue taking it on any ride at all ... we did not do the Rapids at AK, but did do Splash Mtn.

 

[boBQuincy]

I carry my Canon Xsi everywhere at WDW. The strap is wrapped around my wrist and the camera is not going anywhere but it is always ready for photos. Cameras in bags take terrible photos, leave it out!

 

[DSLRuser]

Been using a DSLR or a full 35mm since 1999ish. I have a small backpack that fits my DSLR and 2 lenses + mini dv video cam.

It goes on every ride. 60% of the time my DSLR is around my neck and ready to go. The other 40% it is stowed in the backpack and on my back.

 

[Redd Kell]

This is where I am definitely in the minority.

I am a photographer...it's what I do for a living. So I am not going to lug around that monster Nikon DSLR with the vertical grip and all the accoutrements on vacation. LOL!

I can get great shots with my little Nikon L110 and be totally happy with it.

If you are taking your DSLR into the parks, I'd highly recommend the waistpacks from Lowepro -- you can find them thru Samy's online, B&H Photo, Adorama, Cameta, etc. I use 2 Lowepro waistpacks (hook on your belt) when I do big events like concerts and they are awesome... I set one up with my back-up body with a short lens and then my main camera with my 80-200 2.8. Works great.