Talk to me about carrying a DSLR around in parks!

[North of Mouse]

I'm seriously thinking about buying my first DSLR camera. All the reasons I want one are obvious I'm sure...better pictures at night, better firework pictures, better indoor lowlight pictures, etc.
My main concern is carrying the large camera around in the parks. I have a friend who told me she hates to carry hers on rides. That is kinda the whole point of why I want it.
I'm not a big backpack carrier either, and she told me you have to be to carry a DSLR.
Talk to me guys!!! Do you have one, how do you carry it, what about those FL downpours, will I be sorry I have it??????

My dh does 'not' use a backpack! His is 'very' heavy as he mostly keeps his larger lens on it which takes excellent photos. Yes, you definitely have to be mindful of the rain, but he has a 'fitted' case around his neck which can get very heavy so he doesn't take it in the parks every day.

 

[momto3boysillbe]

I took mine a time or two and hated keeping up with it. I started taking my Lumix point and shoot and never have regretted it. I actually sold my dslr and only have a p&s now! That's just me though! If I were traveling without kids it might be different.

 

[jstouder]

Sony makes a great mirroless camera. It's a compact system with interchangeable lenses. You get DSLR quality pics without the bulk of a big DSLR. I have the a6000 and the pictures are way better than I get from my Canon DSLR.

 

[Pooh2]

On our recent trip, I carried my d7000 cross body with a crumpler neck strap. I did not bring a camera bag into the parks but kept a large ziploc in our park bag in case of unexpected weather.

I did not bring extra lenses into the park, just picked one lens for the day. I brought a point and shoot camera but ended up leaving it on the room because the camera was quite comfortable wearing it cross body.

If the camera is tucked away in a bag, much more hassle to stop and dig it out when a photo opportunity arises.

Enjoy your new camera!

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

After years of debating with myself, I finally bought a DSLR (Canon T5i) this past December. I've taken it to Disneyland three times, and haven't had any issues. I only brought a camera gear bag once, when I was shooting the CP. The zoom lens came in handy. I will bring it with me to WDW in July. I love having a DSLR, but I won't bring it to the parks every day. My iPhone will do the job on point & shoot pics. I say go for it. But get lots of practice before you bring it to the parks.

To be fair, touring WDW and touring Disneyland are different experiences.

 

[whatname]

I have a Nikon D3100. I love it! I know basically nothing about photography and still get great shots. I realize I could do better if I learned the ins and outs, and I will some day, but I am pleased with what I am able to do. I have not taken mine to Disney, but I take it everywhere else. I got a bag for it at Best Buy. It is not much larger than the camera but has cushioned it through a few falls. I put my money, cards, etc. in the pocket of the case and don't take another bag. I carry the camera bag on my shoulder or across my body like a purse. No extra lenses. It doesn't bother me. On our next Disney trip, I plan to take a ziploc to put the whole thing in if needed. I think the case has a waterproof cover, but I don't want to chance it.

I say go for it. Our only trip to disney, I took a p&s. I was very disappointed with the low light indoor pictures. That was what convinced me to get the dslr. I have never regretted it.

 

[powbob]

DH always carries his DSLR around the parks. He bought a couple of different sizes of Lowepro bags - one that is large enough to carry all of the lenses and accessories (this is mostly used to transport the camera and accessories on the plane and to store unused items in the hotel room), one that is smaller and holds the camera and one lens and one that basically is just large enough for the camera. He uses these last two in the parks, depending on what we're planning on doing. If we're heading out in the evening for fireworks or light parade, he takes the slightly larger one; if we're going on a lot of rides, he uses the smallest. Usually he leaves the camera hanging around his neck with just the cap on and then puts it into the bag when we're in line and slings it crossbody when he gets on the attraction or puts it into the pocket on those rides that have them like Expedition Everest. He never carries a backpack or anything larger than the camera bag. He's done this with a variety of different cameras including video cameras for years wherever we go, not just at Disney. Given that he takes hundreds of photos wherever we go (sometimes I think he only knows what we saw when he gets home and downloads his pictures), it works well and he never feels like he's hauling a lot of stuff around. Fortunately, he doesn't take a tripod and isn't stupid enough to ask me to haul it around for him like his assistant (sometimes I think I see the gears in his head working up to expressing those thoughts but he's too much of a survivor to suggest it verbally).

If you want good low light photos, especially fireworks, you really need at least a monopod and good technique.

 

[powbob]

Not crazy about the idea of handing $1500+ of camera equipment to someone who may or may not know how to use it.

Do you switch over to Auto mode before handing it off?

Mine's more like $5000. They carry cameras all day. I wouldn't worry much. Just make sure they wrap the strap if you are worried. I would however never hand my camera to a random person though. People don't realize the weight or cost.

 

[powbob]

On our recent trip, I carried my d7000 cross body with a crumpler neck strap. I did not bring a camera bag into the parks but kept a large ziploc in our park bag in case of unexpected weather.

I did not bring extra lenses into the park, just picked one lens for the day. I brought a point and shoot camera but ended up leaving it on the room because the camera was quite comfortable wearing it cross body.

If the camera is tucked away in a bag, much more hassle to stop and dig it out when a photo opportunity arises.

Enjoy your new camera!

I like the Crumpler straps and bags too.

 

[WLfamily]

So many helpful tips!! I bought my camera today!!!
After much research I got the Nikon D3200 bundle which came with a 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens along with a Nikon camera bag. All under $600!!! I think I did pretty good!
I've unboxed it and the battery is charging. I'll read up some more and play with it tomorrow. I'll be checking out the strap suggestions, even though it came with one. I'll also check out the suggestions of which bag to buy to carry into the parks.
I have a Panisonic Lumix for a p&s and I really do love it. I'm not giving it up, so now I'll have the best of both worlds. We go to Disney June 7, so I have lots of time to play and figure this baby out!!

 

[Minerva Mouse]

I have a crossbody strap, I prefer it over the neck straps, but basically, it stays on me all day. There are a few rides I place it in the compartment, but most rides, I just hold it while its still attached to my body. It can be a tad annoying at times, but the pictures are always worth it.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

So many helpful tips!! I bought my camera today!!!
After much research I got the Nikon D3200 bundle which came with a 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens along with a Nikon camera bag. All under $600!!! I think I did pretty good!

I have the older D3000, unless I'm going to animal kingdom, where I like close ups of the animals, the smaller lens is all you'll need.
Enjoy your new purchase.

 

[seshat0120]

I carried my DSLR every day on my trip in November. I mainly used the 18-50mm lens on it although I did use the 50-300mm in Animal Kingdom.

I replaced the neck strap it came with with this padded one (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HTWFB6U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Instead of having it around my neck, though, the strap is long enough that I was able to wear it crossbody which was more comfortable. There was also enough slack for when I was using it.

When I we were on rides or if I wasn't going to use the camera for a while (or when it rained), I had this padded sleeve (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DORFBIW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) that I would put it in and then put that in my back. It was lighter than carrying the camera bag I have. I also got a set of three pouches in different sizes made out of the same material that I'd put whichever lens I wasn't using in if I wanted to take it with me. Generally, though, I didn't switch the lens.

 

[sharona]

So many helpful tips!! I bought my camera today!!!
After much research I got the Nikon D3200 bundle which came with a 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens along with a Nikon camera bag. All under $600!!! I think I did pretty good!
I've unboxed it and the battery is charging. I'll read up some more and play with it tomorrow. I'll be checking out the strap suggestions, even though it came with one. I'll also check out the suggestions of which bag to buy to carry into the parks.
I have a Panisonic Lumix for a p&s and I really do love it. I'm not giving it up, so now I'll have the best of both worlds. We go to Disney June 7, so I have lots of time to play and figure this baby out!!

When you're ready to start moving away from Auto modes, I highly recommend "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Earlier in this thread someone suggested a Black Rapid strap. I cannot even describe how much better this is then a neck strap. I have to stop myself from going up to random people at Disney and telling them about this. It is the best accessory I have ever bought. It makes carrying the camera so much easier. It's easy to get the camera quickly in the shooting position. I just can't imagine ever doing without this. Buy it. (And no I don't work for them. LOL)

 

[The Rovang 5]

Not crazy about the idea of handing $1500+ of camera equipment to someone who may or may not know how to use it.

The vast majority of the CM photographers know how to handle my SLR better than I do.

 

[kaetra]

Husband has SLR and hates carrying it in the parks. He bought a small backpack for it. He takes it on every vacation and then refuses to "lug it around" when it's time to actually go anywhere. Even the "comfy" neck strap is very uncomfy after a few hours of wearing it.

I showed him the Memory Maker price and told him I'm buying it because he refuses to take the good camera to the parks. The Memory Maker price made him promise to take the camera to the parks more often than never.

Some people don't mind it, some people think they won't mind it but then when it comes down to it actually do mind lugging it. You never know which category you'll be in until you try yourself I think.

I would say if you try it don't bother with the extra lenses or a cumbersome flash. I personally have a point-and-shoot Nikon that is super small and light and takes awesome pictures (except in low-light). For me it's a good compromise. I still get lots of great pics, it's easy to carry and low-light pics can be a challenge even with an SLR.

(Hmmm.... thinking to myself here ---- maybe I'll only insist hubby drag the SLR to the parks AT NIGHT.)

 

[JimmyV]

I solve the portability problem by renting a locker. The mid-day Florida sun can be harsh and not very conducive to taking great photos. So I tend to carry my camera equipment with me first thing in the morning, and then lock it away in a locker until later in the day when the early evening glow allows for some much better shots. I'll make a sweep of the park later in the day when the lighting is best to take photos, and don't really bother with my camera from 10:00-4:00. Since I'm not using it during that time, it is safest in a locker.

 

[JimmyV]

And here's another tip. If you want really great photos and cannot afford to buy professional quality lenses, rent them. For all the talk about different camera bodies, the biggest difference in photo quality comes from the lens. Slapping a $240 consumer lens on a $1,000 camera won't get you better photos than putting a $1,500 lens on a $500 camera. So if you can't afford the $1,500 lens, rent one for a week. You won't be sorry.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Where do you recommend renting from? I was thinking about this for my upcoming Baltic cruise