What to bring?

[Meshell2002]

I'm learning all about my new Nikon d5100.....I recently moved up to from a p&s. Our trip is in Oct. and we will have the double stroller.....along with a 4 yr old, 6 yr old , and our 11 month old. I want to bring my dslr to get great shots of the kids and a few of the fun scenery at the world. I normally travel light so dh will have his messenger bag and I'm thinking in addition to a camera strap like black rapid I will probably bring a camera backpack like the tamarac 3370, to carry the babies stuff in the top and have a place for the camera in case I need to put it up.....like rain or I want to protect it on a bumpy ride.......I plan on bringing the kit lens and probably the 35 1.8 if I get it before the trip.......considering taking a travel tripod but not sure between gorilla or mefoto.......so I have time to consider the purchases are there any other items I may need? I want to practice fireworks July 4th I will be borrowing a tripod but it's not a travel size one. Do I need a flash or will the in camera flash be big enough? Can I buy an off brand remote or do I have to get a Nikon one? Some of the off brand ones are only $5! tia!

 

[figment_jii]

I usually carry a plastic ziploc bag for the camera when it rains or on water rides. It's easier than trying to find a waterproof camera case or bag.

I generally don't bother with a tripod. It would be nice in some cases, but is don't want to carry one. I do have one of the mini-tripods (about 8-inches), but I rarely use it.

For the flash, I rely on the on board flash. An external flash is pretty big to carry around.

 

[mamaCta]

I wouldn't buy a flash if you don't have one and don't have time to learn how to use it effectively.

What I recommend most is really learning your camera so that you aren't having to fiddle with it in fast paced situations. I'm fairly comfortable with mine, but I am planning on making myself a little cheat sheet of settings for specific situations.

 

[traylorc]

Whether or not you can rely on the onboard flash vs an external one is a matter of personal preference. If you are really close to your subject, than perhaps the onboard flash would be sufficient. However, there are times where the onboard flash does not have the power to provide sufficient lighting or fill lighting. Also...I find that sometimes the lighting provided from the onboard flash tends to be a little too harsh and needs to be diffused.

Some folks don't like to carry an external flash...they want to keep their set up as light as possible. Not me...lol. I'm a freaking mule when it comes to hauling my gear around WDW. It's not uncommon for me to have multiple cameras, multiple lenses, and an external flash.

 

[nvtsallo]

Agreed. Even with flash exp. comp. one could effectively get better lighting than onboard. Plus even the smallest speedlights have some sort of bounce and you can further soften the light with a $10 stofen cap. I am going to wdw in less than 30 hours and have a canon 430ex ii for the trip.

 

[mom2rtk]

OP, I don't know about the Nikon lineup, but I purposely bought a smaller external flash for my camera just to have on Disney trips. I like it because it's a lower profile and doesn't tip the camera over when I'm carrying it at my side the way my full size flash does. It still will do some limited bouncing. But honestly, I'm amazed at just how terrible some of the lighting is in those spots that are set up permanently as meet and greet locations. I really prefer the external flash for those situations.

If you want to try your hand at some nice fireworks shots, then a tripod really is needed. Some use a gorillapod or put their camera on a trash can. but the odds of finding a spot like that without someone blocking your way are not great.

On our last trip we set up in front of the Crystal Palace and I was able to put my tripod with one leg over the railing, so nobody could get in front of it.

Only you can decide whether it's worth it to fight the tripod when you're taking care of 3 kids. For me, that was part of my enjoyment of the trip, so I did go with it. Back when we still used a stroller, I would take an older tripod I didn't care about that much, and left it hooked over the handles of the stroller all day. I kept putting off replacing it because I loved carrying around something I didn't care if I lost. You need a stroller tripod. Now that we don't have a stroller, I invested a little more money for something smaller and lighter. My daughter even carries it for me sometimes.

 

[Meshell2002]

Thanks for all the advice.......I may think about the gorilla pod......I actually considered if I locked the brakes on the city mini if it would wrap around the handle of the stroller....depending on how crowded it is and where it's parked of course!...... I want to try the tripod but since I'm new to this and wrangling 3 kids I'm just not sure if I want to do that or just enjoy the show. After considering all the comments I may just get a flash, but I guess it just depends on how much practicing I get in between now and the trip.......my mother used to take so many photos on our vacations we used to hide from the camera and I don't want to annoy my children to all end
Ike that....so it's a delicate balance for me.

 

[figment_jii]

If you are going to get a tripod, then I highly recommend the GorillaPod. I have one of those and when I've used it's been very handy. Wrapping it around the stroller sounds like a good idea for stationary photos (i.e., fireworks, parades, etc.), but I'm not sure I'd leave the camera attached as you push the stroller around. I'd be worried that the camera will be jostled or damaged or that it might get forgotten on there and then stolen.

For the flash, you don't have to buy a Nikon-brand one. Several other brands make compatible flashes. I have a Sigma and it's great; a little heavy and large, but very useful in certain circumstances.

In the end, it's really a matter of what you feel comfortable using and carrying. Have fun!

 

[Pixel Dust]

The small, low-profile external flash that mom2rtk mentioned for a Nikon is the SB-400. It's around $120. It will have more power than the built-in flash, and would let you bounce it too.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/471717-USA/Nikon_4806_SB_400_Speedlight_i_TTL_Shoe.html

Also, keep playing with you camera and learn the settings. "P" mode (Program), is like "Auto" mode, but gives you more control of your settings. (It also prevents your built-in flash from going off when you don't want it to)

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Thanks for all the advice.......I may think about the gorilla pod......I actually considered if I locked the brakes on the city mini if it would wrap around the handle of the stroller....depending on how crowded it is and where it's parked of course!...... I want to try the tripod but since I'm new to this and wrangling 3 kids I'm just not sure if I want to do that or just enjoy the show. After considering all the comments I may just get a flash, but I guess it just depends on how much practicing I get in between now and the trip.......my mother used to take so many photos on our vacations we used to hide from the camera and I don't want to annoy my children to all end
Ike that....so it's a delicate balance for me.

I have both the Slr-Zoom Gorillapod and a travel tripod. There is not much difference between the size of each. My gorillapod is 11 1/2 inches in length and collapsed the tripod is 13 1/4 inches. Width is 3 inches for the Gorillapod and 4 1/2 inches for the tripod. There isn't much difference in size and the tripod has more flexibility being a full size travel tripod. In using both at WDW, my experience is that the gorillapod is for special situations where there is absolutely no way for the regular tripod. The issue that may arise with mounting the gorillapod on the stroller is that the stroller is a bigger target for folks to bump into. If it was me, I would use the stroller to protect/block for my regular tripod. Just my thoughts!

You will find very few images of my family on vacation! They refuse to pose and if they catch me taking their photo they will do something to ruin the shot. I have used those shots to embarrass them!!

 

[Meshell2002]

I have both the Slr-Zoom Gorillapod and a travel tripod. There is not much difference between the size of each. My gorillapod is 11 1/2 inches in length and collapsed the tripod is 13 1/4 inches. Width is 3 inches for the Gorillapod and 4 1/2 inches for the tripod. There isn't much difference in size and the tripod has more flexibility being a full size travel tripod. In using both at WDW, my experience is that the gorillapod is for special situations where there is absolutely no way for the regular tripod. The issue that may arise with mounting the gorillapod on the stroller is that the stroller is a bigger target for folks to bump into. If it was me, I would use the stroller to protect/block for my regular tripod. Just my thoughts!

You will find very few images of my family on vacation! They refuse to pose and if they catch me taking their photo they will do something to ruin the shot. I have used those shots to embarrass them!!

Mmm which brings to mind how do u use ur tripod in a crowd.....or do u do like one of the pp and hide part of it over a rail to prevent people from walking into you or backing into you? I know people tend to watch the show and not their surroundings based on how many people tripped on my stationary double stroller last time ( I was not moving but they were and just don't see their surroundings)....... Tips appreciated.

As a child I would never make weird faces at my mom......she would have definately used it to embarres me! In fact I streaked thru the living room at 2 yrs old and she showed that reel to EVERYONE......very mortifying as a teen!

 

[mom2rtk]

The small, low-profile external flash that mom2rtk mentioned for a Nikon is the SB-400. It's around $120. It will have more power than the built-in flash, and would let you bounce it too.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/471717-USA/Nikon_4806_SB_400_Speedlight_i_TTL_Shoe.html

That looks similar in size and shape to my Canon one. I really like that size for Disney. It offers a step up from the pop-up without adding too horribly to the load I'm carrying. Plus it has the added benefit (over the pop-up) of running on separate batteries, so I can take shot after shot without the camera needing to pause to recycle.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Mmm which brings to mind how do u use ur tripod in a crowd.....or do u do like one of the pp and hide part of it over a rail to prevent people from walking into you or backing into you? I know people tend to watch the show and not their surroundings based on how many people tripped on my stationary double stroller last time ( I was not moving but they were and just don't see their surroundings)....... Tips appreciated.

As a child I would never make weird faces at my mom......she would have definately used it to embarres me! In fact I streaked thru the living room at 2 yrs old and she showed that reel to EVERYONE......very mortifying as a teen!

My best recommendation is to get there early and then strategically place your stroller and family around it. When you mount your camera make sure you keep your strap on the camera and around your neck. You will also need a remote control. Some use wired and others like myself use wireless.

 

[Meshell2002]

That looks similar in size and shape to my Canon one. I really like that size for Disney. It offers a step up from the pop-up without adding too horribly to the load I'm carrying. Plus it has the added benefit (over the pop-up) of running on separate batteries, so I can take shot after shot without the camera needing to pause to recycle.

Good point about the batteries!

My best recommendation is to get there early and then strategically place your stroller and family around it. When you mount your camera make sure you keep your strap on the camera and around your neck. You will also need a remote control. Some use wired and others like myself use wireless.

thanks for the tip!