What Gear to Take?

[valandemmy]

So I have recently purchased my First Dslr Camera... So this will be my first time going with something other than a P&S. What gear will I need to take with me? Here is a list of what I have purchased up to this piont:

Sony Alpha a230
18-55mm Kit Lens
18-299mm 3.5/6.3
50mm 1.8
External Flash (quantaray 8000xi)
Tripod/monopod Combo **this is big and bulky)
mini tripod (12 inches)


I think this may be too much to take... I have told my wife, i didnt think i would be doing rides this trip, b/c i wanted to take pictures... so I "could" carry it all.

We will be going june 6th -14th... not sure if time of year matters or not...

Thanks

Charles

 

[ssanders79]

I would take it all and then make a day to day decision on what you want to carry in the parks. Then you will not get into a situation where you end up saying "I wish I had brought...."

 

[photo_chick]

Take them all with you on the trip, be more selective each day.

And get a comfy neck strap if you don't have one, I love the Crumpler Industry Disgrace since I got it.

 

[zackiedawg]

Generally I agree on taking everything...however I don't think you'll have any real need for the 18-70 kit lens. The 18-250mm is as good if not better over that same range, plus has the extended range needed for longer zoom stuff - in reality, that lens will probably be on your camera 95% of the time at Disney (Mine is...and I've got 6 lenses to choose from). I would suggest bringing the 50mm, as you may want a low light lens for dark ride shots. And I'd suggest the tripod, even though it's bulky. You can always leave it in the room most of the time, and only bring it with you when you know you'll be taking some nice slow shutter night shots.

The flash is completely up to you. Personally, I don't usually use flash in Disney...to me, flash would be more for family portraits or such - when it comes to scenics, night shots, landscapes, etc I prefer natural light, and in dark rides flashes are forbidden. So unless you think you'll want a lot of family nighttime memento type snaps, you may find you don't need the flash. And you always have the built-in flash for emergencies. But everyone's different on that subject...others swear by their flashes at Disney.

I bring my Kata bag with all 6 lenses, external flash, filters, cleaning kits, netbook for backup, tripod, etc. when I go to Disney. But they mostly spend time sitting in the room. A majority of the time, I travel around the parks with only the A550 and 18-250mm lens. I'll bring the 10-24 wide, 30mm F1.4 prime, or 90mm F2.8 prime if I think I'll need them for specific shots that day, but rarely travel around the parks with more than 2 lenses, and a tripod at night.

 

[mom2rtk]

I hate carting my flash around too, but do like having it for pictures with the characters. I take a bunch, and the onboard flash sometimes "busies" up after a few shots. I hate the thought of having the character walk off while I'm waiting for my flash to recover.

If you don't do many character shots, I'd consider leaving it behind.