Which camera to take

[tjevans]

We're taking a relatively quick and relatively spur-of-the-moment trip to WDW next week. I have a DSLR that I really don't know how to use (other than auto) and a point and shoot. Would you bother taking the DSLR if you're just going to use it. as a big P&S?

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[Gianna'sPapa]

We're taking a relatively quick and relatively spur-of-the-moment trip to WDW next week. I have a DSLR that I really don't know how to use (other than auto) and a point and shoot. Would you bother taking the DSLR if you're just going to use it. as a big P&S?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I don't know which P & S or DSLR you have (it may make a difference), but "rule of thumb" is even in Auto a DSLR should get better images. Remember that is only a "rule of thumb". Recently, there have been some high end P & S' which are challenging that rule. It may help to know which cameras you own/choosing between. Also the lenses you have for the DSLR could also affect the recommendation.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Well, it depends on the quality of your P&S, but for the most part, I wouldn't take a DSLR if it was just going to serve as a large P&S. It's a lot to carry around and not really worth it if you don't really know how to work it.

I see you have an iPad - that would work as a good P&S if you want to carry that around the parks with you. I'm assuming you have an iPhone, too. The iPhone 4s has a wonderful camera. And then you could purchase the Camera Plus app which is only a dollar or two which helps you focus faster and get sharp images rather than blurry ones (one of the finicky things with the iPhone camera, particularly the 4 is that you have to hold it exceptionally still or it's blurry). Then it's easy to add filters and such to give it an artsy flair if that's your thing on the iPhone/iPad.

 

[hakepb]

I'm one of the point and shoot users that sees some of the great DSLr pics and dreams of wandering around the World, playing with a DSLr... But that wouldn't fit my vacations, I'd be spending more time with the camera than DS, so I stick with the easy PnS.

I'm guessing you are not anticipating "time to play wih a new toy(DSLr)" and without a comfortable strap or bag, you may regret lugging it around...or bring both and leave one in your room an try or out.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If you're willing to carry it sure. It's going to be better than the majority of small P&S's. I'd bet that there are a lot of DSLR owners that rarely or never take them off of auto so if that's the worry that you're not using it as intended I'd let go of that concern.

 

[havoc315]

As said, typically speaking, a dSLR will produce better results than PnS even on auto mode.
The other half of the equation, is what you are comfortable carrying. Want something tiny that fits in your pocket and you don't even notice you're carrying. Or something that can get a little weighty around your neck after hours of running around.
So the equation is added image quality (which depends on the quality of your cameras) versus ease of park touring.
My last trip, I used a high end PnS, so I could have easy touring without forfeiting much image quality. On the other hand, with a very low end PnS, you may gain a lot of image quality by using dSLR.

 

[tjevans]

I don't know which P & S or DSLR you have (it may make a difference

I have a Canon Rebel XS and the P&S is a Canon sx60 hs.

 

[hakepb]

Do you mean SX260? Or do you have their newest bridge camera the SX50?
The only SX60 Canon makes is a video projector

The Rebel XS/1000D is a slightly older DSLr that appears to max out at ISO 1600, but it is still a cleaner ISO 1600 (just looked at DPReviews studio shot comparison) than the newer (but smaller sensor) SX260 can achieve, and the SX260 has a fairly slow zoom lens (no advantage over the kit lens on the Rebel in the common zoom range)
I don't see that the Rebel can shoot video, if that is a concern. (The Sx260 can take HD 1080 24p video)
I still think you would get better pictures with the Rebel, and it should focus much faster in most situations, but the Sx260 can take very enjoyable pictures (unless you are a critical photographer).

I still think I'd take both if you can buy a more comfortable neck strap, but take the SX260 to Animal Kingdom for the zoom on The safari. But there's nothing wrong just using the SX.

 

[tjevans]

Do you mean SX260? Or do you have their newest bridge camera the SX50?
The only SX60 Canon makes is a video projector

Yes, the 260.

I forgot to mention that we also have two zoom lenses we have purchased for the rebel. Like many beginners, we focused on zoom, and I think our "long lens" goes out to 300 mm. I have found the photo quality when zooming to really be lacking, but if I recall what I recently read correctly, that's because, I suppose, that the shutter speed slows down when zoomed out.

The only thing that's keeping me from returning the 260 (still in the return period) is that it has some scene modes that can do more than I can do on the Rebel. I took a picture of a christmas tree last night using the 260's night scene mode that was miles ahead of what I could do on the Rebel.

I have purchased the photographing fireworks e-book from the Disney Photography Blog. I'm probably going to wind up using the 260 for most shots and using the Rebel for fireworks.

 

[hakepb]

Unless you have a really expensive fixed aperature zoom lens, your zoom probably has a smaller aperature (higher f/ number) that gets higher as you zoom which means less light gets to the sensor, so the camera has to compensate with a slower shutter speed and/or a higher ISO value. (But no lens physically reduces the shutter speed, just the available light)
In addition, zoom lenses may be less optically sharp than others.

I would probably start using the Sports mode (running guy on the mode dial) with the zoom until you start learning the Av and Tv modes to minimize blur.

It does seem most photographers at Disney prefer wide angle (if you backup in a crowd, people quickly fill in the space infront of you) but the zoom is a bunch of fun on the Safari so I would only carry that lens on just the AK day

And for fireworks, you need a tripod because those shots are generally 2-5 second exposures.

 

[tjevans]

And for fireworks, you need a tripod because those shots are generally 2-5 second exposures.

I was going to look today to see if I could find a good travel tripod on Amazon. Any recommendations?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

This is probably the second most asked camera question on the web after "which camera should I buy?". Everyone seems to have an opinion on what "travel" tripod to buy. The Benro Travel Angel series gets a lot of votes and I'm sure Manfrotto has one or two also. Aluminum vs Carbon Fiber (more $$). I would recommend staying away from the "$25" Walmart special. I would not recommend putting a more expensive DSLR on an overly cheap tripod. That is a recipe for disaster. I don't know about others, but when I travel to WDW, it is by plane so weight and/or compactness is an issue. For me, I found the Cullmann Magic 4 works best. It is lightweight (but is rated to hold my DSLR and heaviest lens), folds flat (for storage in a suitcase or in my water bottle net on the side of my camera backpack) and due to its unique leg configuration allows me to hang my bag on the legs for extra stability. Also it converts to a monopod and for macro, the camera can be mounted upside down.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/799992-REG/Cullmann_CU_53583_MAGIC_TRIPOD_SYSTEM_w_CB.html

Trust me, this is just my solution for a travel tripod. Others will give you more opinions. Again, I would recommend staying away from the overly cheap, less stable ones.

 

[havoc315]

I was going to look today to see if I could find a good travel tripod on Amazon. Any recommendations?

Look at a gorilla pod. Works especially well for fireworks at Epcot, just attach it to the railing.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Look at a gorilla pod. Works especially well for fireworks at Epcot, just attach it to the railing.

It has been my experience that at MK there is not as much available fencing to attach a gorillapod. In addition to my travel tripod, I bring a SLR-Zoom Gorillapod for situations where I can't use my regular travel tripod. I would not bring it as my primary tripod. Of course, I like to have all my options covered.

 

[rossb]

In your case I'd take the SX260. It is a good P&S.

 

[photo_chick]

Look at the pictures you have recently taken... whichever camera you get more pictures you're happy with from, that's probably the one to take. Also consider which one you're most comfortable using.

 

[DSLRuser]

I see you have an iPad - that would work as a good P&S if you want to carry that around the parks with you. .

NO! Do not bring an iPad into the park to use as a camera. Not only do those people look extremely stupid using an ipad to take simple photos, the actual camera in them is documented crap. usefull for FACETIME and nothing more.

In regards tonot knowing how to use you camera. search you tube for "fro knows photo" he has tons of short 5-15 minute video instructionals. 3 or 4 nights and you will be using your camera more and more.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

NO! Do not bring an iPad into the park to use as a camera. Not only do those people look extremely stupid using an ipad to take simple photos, the actual camera in them is documented crap. usefull for FACETIME and nothing more.

In regards tonot knowing how to use you camera. search you tube for "fro knows photo" he has tons of short 5-15 minute video instructionals. 3 or 4 nights and you will be using your camera more and more.

Haha, my architecture professors use iPads to take photos on field trips, and I agree that it looks pretty dumb doing so. But I disagree with the camera being bad. Honestly, I think the cameras that Apple has used since the iPhone 4s rival any P&S camera in the same price range. Its weakness is low-light photos, which is a weakness of almost all P&S cameras. But with good lighting, the iPhone/iPad cameras can take some pretty great pictures.

 

[photo_chick]

Haha, my architecture professors use iPads to take photos on field trips, and I agree that it looks pretty dumb doing so. But I disagree with the camera being bad. Honestly, I think the cameras that Apple has used since the iPhone 4s rival any P&S camera in the same price range. Its weakness is low-light photos, which is a weakness of almost all P&S cameras. But with good lighting, the iPhone/iPad cameras can take some pretty great pictures.

The iPhone cameras are good. Better than a lot of point and shoots. The iPad cameras blow. THey're not the same.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

The iPhone cameras are good. Better than a lot of point and shoots. The iPad cameras blow. THey're not the same.

I just assumed they were the same. Perhaps they've upgraded the camera with the latest generation of iPad/iPad mini?

The pictures sure look good when people are holding up their iPads to take the photos... perhaps it's the screen.