Trying to get ready for this year's trip

[kmclark]

Our family goes to Disney every other year. We have always taken at least the last 4 times our Nikon D40. It's an older DSLR but a good one. I have also taken the 18-55mm lens & the 55-200mm lens. I don't want to lug all of this around this year which by the way I have always taken our camcorder as well. So this year I want to change it up. I want to get a good all around lens like an 18-200mm lens or buy a point and shoot(P&S) that will just about fit in my pocket.
If I buy a P&S, I have narrowed it down to the new Canon SX700 and the Nikon S9700. Both are 16 megapixels, 30X optical zoom (which is equivalent to 700mm) and both have a lot of the controls and options of a DSLR such as A,P,S & M modes. I am leaning more toward the P&L but which one? Has anyone taken either of these cameras or have them? The are brand new this year so not many people have them.

What say the gallery?

 

[fritodenny]

I don't know too much about those P&S cameras, but I just bought a Sigma 18-250 mm DC Macro OS for my D5200 to take to WDW at the end of this month. Its lightweight, and the same size as my 18-55 mm kit lens.

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I haven't taken it off since I got it last month!

 

[kmclark]

Where did you get it?

What are the f stops?

Need something that will be good for the fireworks and the MNSSHP in October.

 

[fritodenny]

Where did you get it?

What are the f stops?

Need something that will be good for the fireworks and the MNSSHP in October.

I got it from Adorama.com and it's f/3.5-6.3. Dpreview.com had a very good review of it

 

[kmclark]

Would that lens be good enough for fireworks?

 

[mom2rtk]

Would that lens be good enough for fireworks?

It would be fine for fireworks, as long as you are using a tripod, which is generally a must for FW shots.

I just posted about FW shots in a thread over on the community board, so will copy my list of FW tips here:

1) a tripod is critical
2) use the lowest ISO your camera has available
3) use a very small aperture (f/16 or higher)
4) focus the camera to infinity then back off a smidge. Then switch to manual focus so you don't have to focus for each shot.
5) If your lens has IS and the manufacturer recommends it, turn the IS off.
6) Use a remote shutter release so you don't risk bumping the camera to push a button.
7) set to bulb mode and adjust your shutter speed as needed.

 

[fritodenny]

Would that lens be good enough for fireworks?

I don't see why it wouldn't be good for fireworks. Its got all the zoom you would need and most people use about a f/9, which is well within the capability of this lens.

 

[boBQuincy]

Need something that will be good for the fireworks and the MNSSHP in October.

Fireworks is not very demanding of the lens, even the kit lenses work fine for fireworks. For MNSSHP however, I would want a fast lens (wide aperture) for the parade and the shows. I rented a 35mm f/1.4 for a MNSSHP trip and it worked well in the relative darkness.

Both of the P&S models you listed are likely to have trouble in the dark, with limited high ISO and small aperture. They should do well for fireworks though (with a tripod). Some of the superzoom models have a f/2.8 or f/4 lens and these would be a better choice for MNSSHP.

 

[kmclark]

I rented a 35mm f/1.4 for a MNSSHP trip and it worked well in the relative darkness.

Some of the superzoom models have a f/2.8 or f/4 lens and these would be a better choice for MNSSHP.

Any recommendations?

 

[boBQuincy]

Panasonic's FZ200 and FZ1000, Sony's RX10 have fast lenses and long zoom ranges. The downside is that these are getting expensive and they are not small either, the latter two at almost 2 pounds. Those two also have 1" sensors and should be better in low light than the FZ200. The FZ200 and Sony have f/2.8 lenses throughout the range while the FZ1000 is f/4 at the long end.

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/pa...atures&utm_medium=homepage-block&ref=features

Myself, I would suffer for my art, carry the SLR, and rent a fast lens. This is the fun of photography, so many ways to get to the same place, although you can see from my sig that I went micro 4/3.

 

[kmclark]

well, if you were in my shoes and took the D40 to WDW and decided to rent from Kingdom Camera Rentals, what lens would you rent for fireworks, MNSSHP and indoor shots?

If I was to rent two lenses what would the 2nd be?

What I already own is of course the kit lens and the 55-200mm.

The only way that I would buy another camera that would be P&S would be to have something smaller in my hand

 

[boBQuincy]

well, if you were in my shoes and took the D40 to WDW and decided to rent from Kingdom Camera Rentals, what lens would you rent for fireworks, MNSSHP and indoor shots?

If I was to rent two lenses what would the 2nd be?

What I already own is of course the kit lens and the 55-200mm.

The only way that I would buy another camera that would be P&S would be to have something smaller in my hand

I have never used Nikons but I know there are some lenses that don't work with some bodies due to the focus motor (or lack of the motor) so check to see if your camera works with these. With that in mind Nikon has a nice 35 mm f/1.4 and 50 mm f/1.4, if you are on the front row for the parade and shows these should work well. Nikon's 85 mm f/1.4 would be good if you are farther back although Kingdom does not appear to have that lens. For indoors the wider lens would probably be best.

Your kit lens is fine for fireworks since almost all lenses are good at f/11. The key here is getting something to steady the camera for a long exposure.

Here are some I got with a Canon Rebel Xti (entry level dSLR) and 35 mm f/1.4, from curbside:

 

[mom2rtk]

Your kit lens will work for fireworks.

For MNSSHP and indoor shots you want something fast. A 1.4 lens (like Bob used) would be ideal. But I'd also look around and see if you can find the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 for rent anywhere. It has been very well received and gives you a bit of focal distance flexibility along with the fast aperture.

 

[kmclark]

Here are some I got with a Canon Rebel Xti (entry level dSLR) and 35 mm f/1.4, from curbside:

Any idea what your settings where?

 

[kmclark]

Your kit lens will work for fireworks.

For MNSSHP and indoor shots you want something fast. A 1.4 lens (like Bob used) would be ideal. But I'd also look around and see if you can find the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 for rent anywhere. It has been very well received and gives you a bit of focal distance flexibility along with the fast aperture.

Thanks, I'll check that out.

 

[boBQuincy]

Any idea what your settings where?

1/15 @ f/1.4 (plus a -3 stop fill flash) for the headless horseman, 1/90 @ f/1.4 for Captain Jack, both at ISO 1600.

+1 for the f/1.8 zoom, the flexibility would probably outweigh the slight decrease in aperture.

 

[kmclark]

My problem now is trying to find a lens that is compatible with the D40. I would now hate to talk about buying or even renting a new body. Most everything that I have found in just a short amount of time is compatible down to the D90 but not lower. Unless the D90 and D40 are similar.

 

[kmclark]

Well after looking at P&S cameras again today. I think I'm going to stick with the DSLR. I have the D40 but to a long hard look at the D5300. Not to bad. Just have to justify it in my head and get it past the DW. I have some cash stored but not enough to cover things.

 

[traylorc]

Any idea what your settings where?

Just my advice....the settings that work for one person might not necessarily work for you. There are so many variables...the amount of available lighting, the ISO capabilities of your camera, the camera's processor, lens, etc... Sometimes you may be able to plug in recommended settings and secure acceptable results...but IMHO you will likely engage in some "trial and error" while shooting.

Don't be afraid of adopting a "spray and pray" approach while shooting at the world. In other words, take a number of shots...it increases your opportunity to secure acceptable pictures. Some photographers turn their noses up at a "spray and pray" mentality...but IMHO when you are at a place like WDW where the lighting can be challenging, subjects are constantly on the move, and folks are moving in and out of your frame...taking multiple shots makes sense. Change up the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc... and see how it impacts your shot.

Good luck...and have fun on your trip.