To bring or not to bring....

[capecodprincess]

Okay... I'm not a bag lady. Meaning I don't want to be toting along bags with me while I'm in the parks worrying if I'll leave it behind. Every trip I've take so far, I've managed to fit everything in my pocket or lanyard (camera and autograph book in pockets), kttw and id in lanyard pouch....

This year DH bought a Nikon D5100 (to me, a big camera).... I have only ever carried a digital. We don't have kids so we will be taking general pictures.

Would you bring the small digital or the "big camera" or both? What about water rides like Splash and Kali.... how do you keep it from getting soaked if you do bring a "big camera"?

Suggestions with reasons are welcome.

I think I am happy just bringing a digital, DH will want the "big camera" unless I have logic about why to leave it behind.

 

[Cherinva]

I've gone to the parks before with the large cameras....and I find it to be a pain in the "you know what"...I only carry a digital camera now..very small and takes great pictures.

 

[T1gger]

Personally I would stick with the digital - wouldn't want to carry the big one about let alone worry about it getting wet/damaged

 

[Tltorrez]

Okay... I'm not a bag lady. Meaning I don't want to be toting along bags with me while I'm in the parks worrying if I'll leave it behind. Every trip I've take so far, I've managed to fit everything in my pocket or lanyard (camera and autograph book in pockets), kttw and id in lanyard pouch....

This year DH bought a Nikon D5100 (to me, a big camera).... I have only ever carried a digital. We don't have kids so we will be taking general pictures.

Would you bring the small digital or the "big camera" or both? What about water rides like Splash and Kali.... how do you keep it from getting soaked if you do bring a "big camera"?

Suggestions with reasons are welcome.

I think I am happy just bringing a digital, DH will want the "big camera" unless I have logic about why to leave it behind.

I alternate between the big camera and the little one, depending on what I'll be taking pics of. I use a chest harness from LowePro for my DSLR. I love it because I don't have to worry about setting it down and it doesn't interfere with rides like a backpack does. Plus my camera is right there, easy to pull out when I need it. The downside of the chest harness, after several days it hurts my lower back. That's why I alternate. Though this year I'm planning to walk with it some before my trip to try to build up those muscles.

I haven't actually done any water rides with it. But if I were I would just carry a ziploc or maybe a poncho.

 

[Alesia]

Tell your husband that if he really wants to bring it, then he's going to be the one to carry it. The whole trip.

 

[delaneyc52]

This only works with park hoppers..... We designate one day for my DH to take all the pictures his heart desires with his big camera. It's his day for playing with his camera. All the other days we use my small PowerShot or our phones.

 

[capecodprincess]

Thank you everyone for the quick replies!! I think I will just make a mountain out of a mole hill for poor DH so that the camera gets left home. I'll tell him stories of long lines, really wet rides, too small safes in hotel rooms, the odds of forgetting it after drinking a few too many free beers at the Hoop De Doo etc.... It may be a little over dramatic but then I'll get my way

We brought the big camera on our trip to Nepal and I found it tedious to lug around and worry about. (what if it had fallen off on our elephant safari... we would have been in big trouble).

Point and shoot it is!

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

First couple of years I brought a digital camera, however my I-phone takes excellent pictures so for recent vacations that's all I've brought.

 

[GraceMonica]

I brought my big camera on one trip. I've been on 3 trips since then and decided to leave it at home. It just wasn't worth it. My P&S takes nice enough photos and it fits in my pocket (or wristlet if I bring that along)

 

[ReluctantDisaholic]

First 2 trips we brought our big camera...3rd one we brought a nice little one. Much easier to carry around - I found the big camera hard on my neck, and the little one was easy to put in a pocket on rides.

 

[LHARPSTER]

If all else fails...."forget" it at home. LOL

 

[cluvsdisney]

I would bring the big camera for parades, fireworks or other special events otherwise the little digital camera is fine. I don't know how big that camera is but there is probably a variety of camera bags or straps that would make it easier to carry around. I would check etsy, ebags, etc.

As far as water rides, I believe most people use a large ziploc for their electronics.

 

[ToddyLu]

DH takes his big Canon complete with tripods, lenses, etc. He is responsible for it and I never touch it other than to hold something while he is getting something out of his bag. He uses nice camera cases, pelican case for the plane--whole nin yards. He also gets a picture day all to himself. We didnt bring it on our trip in May and he survived--but in Oct he is lugging it around again.

He does take beautiful pictures.

 

[missminniemouse]

To keep the camera dry on "wet" rides, I bring a ziploc bag big enough for it and anything else I want to keep dry to fit in. Yes, I do carry a "big" camera, a Nikon D90. The ziploc bag folds up and doesn't take a lot of room in your bag, so it is the perfect item to use. If I know I'm finished with wet rides, I'll pass the bag on to someone standing in line to keep their things dry.

 

[JimS4210]

I have a Nikon D7000 and I bring it to the parks every time I go. I have a nice Mickey Mouse strap and just hang it off of my shoulder. I'm so used to carrying it that it doesn't bother me at all. My wife doesn't do any water rides, so I just hand it off to her before going on water rides with the kids.

I think the pics that you get from a good DSLR plus the ability to swap out lenses based on day vs. night, etc. make it worth the inconvenience

Jim

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

If all else fails...."forget" it at home. LOL

That's what I was thinking!! My DH carry's around this big old honking camera bag, and I carry around my little pocket digital camera, you can guess whose gets the most use!! Lately, like other poster's mentioned, I've just been using my IPhone...it takes just as good pics as my little digital camera does.

I can see if you want some professional quality photos for fireworks or family or something....otherwise, I say leave the big camera either at the resort (to have available if you want it) or at home.