What lens(es) do you bring with you to the parks?

[mom2rtk]

This upcoming trip it will be the following coming with me. Not every lens will be taken into the park every day though..
All Nikkor Glass
24mm f/1.4 (mainly for dark rides)
50mm f/1.4 (probably won't take as the 24 and 85 are more suited to my needs...we'll see)
85mm f/1.4 (mainly for dark rides)
24-70 f/2.8 (walk around lens)
14-24 f/2.8 (interior and exterior ultra-wide shots)
70-200 f/2.8 (F!/WOC/Long shots)

They won't fit in the safe in the room, so I'm a bit leery walking around or leaving five figures in glass around. I shoot on a D600 Fx body

If you're worried about space, you don't really need that much zoom for WOC or F!

I'd take the 24-70, the 14-24 and a couple primes.

 

[Meeko5]

I'm planning on bringing my Sigma 30mm 1.4 and my Tamron 28-75 2.8. It's my only decent zoom, and most of my lenses are primes. I am considering renting a wide angle zoom, but I'm nervous about taking a rental!

 

[BostonJP]

I prefer to bring only one lens and it's my 24-105 f/4. I have some great photos with a fast prime lens but since the majority of my shots are outdoors and daytime, the aperture is less important to me than the versatility of that zoom.

 

[John L Reed III]

I just bought the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens specifically for my trip. I'm staying at AKL and I had nothing longer than 135. My camera is pretty old so anything low light is out of the question, so I don't think I'll be bringing it to the parks.

 

[whoever]

If you're worried about space, you don't really need that much zoom for WOC or F!

I'd take the 24-70, the 14-24 and a couple primes.

I've found that I really wanted more than 70mm on occasion. Not a lot mind you as I can frame by moving my feet in most circumstances, but even my longest lens at 85mm just wasn't cutting it for those times I wanted more. That 70-200 is a BEAST though. While it will be fine in backpack or camera bag sling, it's a bear hauling around on-body.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've found that I really wanted more than 70mm on occasion. Not a lot mind you as I can frame by moving my feet in most circumstances, but even my longest lens at 85mm just wasn't cutting it for those times I wanted more. That 70-200 is a BEAST though. While it will be fine in backpack or camera bag sling, it's a bear hauling around on-body.

Yeah, I actually went with the f/4 version for my Canon for that very reason. I use my 24-70 2.8 most of the time, but bring my 24-105 f/4 on days when I want just a little more reach.

 

[whoever]

I do miss the days when just about all I needed was my 12-24/f4, my 18-200/f3.5-5.6 and my 50/f1.4. Ah.... the crop sensor era.

 

[lorijohnhill]

I've been bringing my 18-200 lens and have been really happy with it. I love to zoom in... I am looking for something for dark rides and fireworks, though. I'm not sure what is best for that.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've been bringing my 18-200 lens and have been really happy with it. I love to zoom in... I am looking for something for dark rides and fireworks, though. I'm not sure what is best for that.

Most lenses will do fine with fireworks. The key to that is to use a tripod.

As for dark rides, you need something with a faster aperture. What camera do you have?

 

[lorijohnhill]

Most lenses will do fine with fireworks. The key to that is to use a tripod.

As for dark rides, you need something with a faster aperture. What camera do you have?

I have a Nikon D3200.

 

[jec6613]

I have a Nikon D3200.

Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX lens - it'll also do better than the 18-200 for fireworks, provided the focal length works for you.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX lens - it'll also do better than the 18-200 for fireworks, provided the focal length works for you.

Are there any of the lower cost brands that would work and still have auto focus?

 

[jec6613]

Are there any of the lower cost brands that would work and still have auto focus?

Nothing particularly, here's the KEH (used) listings for all primes up to 50mm that will AF on your D3200: https://www.keh.com/search/list?pmn...]=25mm&fl[]=24mm&fl[]=35mm&fl[]=50mm&ft[]=208

You can get a moderately faster aperture with the Sigma 30 f/1.4, but that doesn't necessarily make the lens better (the Nikkor out-performs it in every other respect besides maximum aperture). If you're looking to save money, used copies of the Nikkor can go for $150 from reputable dealers, and as low as $100 from private party sellers and eBay. This is true of most camera systems - the fast normal prime for the mount is almost always available cheapest from the manufacturer, and third party lenses must be more expensive or offer some other feature to be competitive - just look at Sigma's Art series.

If you don't care about autofocus or metering, you can pick up a used 35mm f/2 pre-AI for about $100 that will work just fine on the D3200, but generally speaking if you want to own the lens (and I suggest you buy a normal prime), the 35 f/1.8G DX is your best bet.

Another choice would be to rent, which would cost you about $50 with insurance and shipping for a week, or $100 or so for to rent the 18-35 f/1.8 Sigma.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Thank you! I will keep my eyes open for a good price on the Nikkor. I need autofocus because I can't see well enough to focus manually.

 

[jec6613]

Thank you! I will keep my eyes open for a good price on the Nikkor. I need autofocus because I can't see well enough to focus manually.

It's not just you, the D3200 has a pretty dim viewfinder that doesn't show depth of field properly and has nothing in the way of manual focusing aids (e.g. split prism). However, you can use the autofocus system to help you manually focus - there's a dot that lights up in the viewfinder when you're in focus.

When shooting in dark rides with the D3200, be sure to use only the center AF point, by the way. The others can't lock on in light that low.

 

[katt789]

I take the 2 kit lenses I have, lol. Canon 18-55 & 75-300mm and also the 50mm f 1.8 lens I bought recently.
I use the 18-55 for random shots, I honestly don't use it much since I bought the 50mm. I'll use it for your standard photography, watching the Trolley show, character meets, and any stereotypical shots.
I use the 75-300mm for most parades & shows.
The 50mm has become my favorite with the aperture going so wide, I originally got it for Boo To You and nighttime stuff but use it for the Trolley show and pretty much everything else. bahah.

I am VERY interested in a a 70-200mm with a f 2.8 for stuff like FOLK & Fantasmic, and a wide angle for those landscape styled shots!

 

[mom2rtk]

I am VERY interested in a a 70-200mm with a f 2.8 for stuff like FOLK & Fantasmic, and a wide angle for those landscape styled shots!

Using a 2.8 zoom is a lot of fun. But I do recommend renting one, or at least getting into a camera store and trying it out before buying. They are really heavy and just not something I like to carry with me at the parks (although many others do with no issue at all). I ended up going with the f/4 zoom, which is much smaller. I figure the best lens is the one I actually have with me.

 

[1Grumpy9]

When I go to MK on the 22nd, I will probably take my 35mm f/1.8 and my 50-200mm lenses. I may throw in my kit lens also, but I am not sure yet (it all depends on what I want to carry with me for the day..

 

[katt789]

Using a 2.8 zoom is a lot of fun. But I do recommend renting one, or at least getting into a camera store and trying it out before buying. They are really heavy and just not something I like to carry with me at the parks (although many others do with no issue at all). I ended up going with the f/4 zoom, which is much smaller. I figure the best lens is the one I actually have with me.

I was actually looking into rental last night! I hadn't even realized it was a thing!! It seems to be pretty pricey though since I'd have to rent from Canada for the entire length of vacation! But still an option. I probably wouldn't carry it around daily, I'd mainly use it for Folk, Fantasmic and mvmcp

 

[DSLRuser]

My bag has (FX)
12-22 4.0
35 1.8
50 1.4
50-300 4.0

I tend to carry them all with me. But for this trip, I am planning to do 1 lens all day and force myself to get creative with that lens.