What camera to take?

[KAT7199]

I have a dilemma....I have no idea what camera I should take on my upcoming trip...or just take both!

I have the following gear:
Nikon D600
24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR AF-S
70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S
AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
SB-910

AND:
Nikon 1 J2
1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f / 3.5-5.6
1 NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f / 3.8-5.6

I have carry on luggage for my DSLR as I am traveling to California in July to shoot a wedding so that is not an issue. I have carried my DSLR camera around NYC on day trips on several occasions.

I want to be able to capture everything as this is my daughters first trip. I thought about purchasing a point and shoot but I need to have more control over my settings so that is not an option. Anyone have experience bringing a DSLR along for your DW trip? I would definitely only take my telephoto lens on our animal kingdom day but not on any other day....micro lens probably is not necessary.
I'm just driving my self nuts over this...luckily we have a little bit of time before we leave.

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[havoc315]

If you want to go with a P&S, the Sony RX100 models give you all the full manual controls that a professional or enthusiast would want. And it has the same size sensor as the Nikon 1, with a faster lens.

I've done Disney World with a dSLR set up, and with a portable camera (in my case, the RX100).

It's 2 different experiences, and there is no right or wrong answer.

Going lightweight can be a joy. You are doing a lot of walking. And a smaller camera puts more emphasis on enjoying the park, and enjoying your family.

There is no question you will get better images with your dSLR set up, especially since you know how to use it. But, if you are mostly shooting in outdoor daylight... if you aren't trying to do narrow DoF shots, and just want good resolution sharp shots of the family and scenery, the Nikon J1 may be all you need.

Some people feel very burdened by a large camera, to others it's no big deal. I get the sense that you are used to carrying your "big" camera. So if you don't want to make any compromises in image quality, if you want to shoot in low light, you want to capture some more artistic shots, you want to manipulate DoF, bring the big guns.

The nice thing about the Nikon 1, it's small enough that you can bring it along too. Make a day by day decision whether to bring the big camera or the small camera into the parks. And leave the other camera behind in the hotel.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Since I like options to use all the tools in my toolbox, I would bring both and like Havoc has said, choose on a daily basis what you want to bring to the park. I'm so used to having all my equipment, that to be without it, I feel lost. Everytime I have tried to go light, I have regretted it. Just taking off my battery grip throws me off!

 

[ThurlFan]

I want to be able to capture everything as this is my daughters first trip.

I think that answers your question IMO. I also think you'd especially appreciate having the 50mm prime. You probably want the best gear you're comfortable with for that first interaction with Mickey or whomever.

I would probably opt not to schlep around the 105mm prime and especially the 70-300 (except for AK) but the other lenses + speedlight would make a fairly robust kit, especially if you plan to place emphasis on your daughter.

 

[photo_chick]

You won't capture everything. You're going to get home and realize that you didn't get shots you wanted to get.

Now as to what camera... you know your shooting habits better than anyone else.Where one person wants a wide angle another may want telephoto. What do you like. Also if you're a professional photographer and you want to maintain your standard of quality then treat this trip like any other job. What would you take to get it done? But if you're treating it like a vacation from being a photographer then take the smallest, lightest camera.

 

[handicap18]

It is up to each person to decide what is right for them. I'd say bring them both and see how you feel that day and bring the appropriate equipment.

I'll be going in 3 weeks with my D600, 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8, 1.4x Teleconverter, 50mm f/1.8, Sigma 10-20mm. SB-900 w/diffuser. Not everything will come every day I'm there, but most.