Which lens to take?

[Tink78]

Hi
Going to WDW in Oct, but with my 2 little ones (aged 2 and 5) but have in the past year taken up photography and so am very excited to take some amazing photo's on my next trip, but with 2 little boys I don't want to take loads of camera kit.
What should I take?
I'm thinking of:
My camera (LOL - obviously)
My 50mm f1.8 lens
External Flash

I'd like to get another zoom lens to replace my standard kit lens.
Any recommendations?

I have a Canon EOS Rebel XS Camera.

What else should I take?
Thanks
xx

 

[photo_chick]

by standard kit lens you mean the 18-55? What is it not doing for you that makes you want to replace it? There's a lot of great lenses out there and knowing what this one isn't doing for you can help point you in the right direction.

If I had your gear I'd keep the kit lens on there as my walk around and have the 50 in my pocket or bag for low light. I'd have the flash handy to use for character meals or meet n greets where I couldn't back up and use the 50.

 

[Tink78]

Hi
Yes, 18-55.
I'm wondering if I need something a little zoomier!?

Some great advice there, thank you.
I was thinking of getting a zoom lens that could get me in a little closer but maybe I should stay put with my kit lens?

x

 

[OklahomaTourist]

I took my zoom and my 28mm 1.4 lens this year after realizing there's just no way one lens can do what I want. Either the 28mm is too big for a close shot, or the zoom doesn't go wide enough! LOL

I took both, and got relatively adept at switching them when the need arose. I had to be diligent about replacing the cap and lens cover as I switched them, as I'd put the unused lens in my deep pocket, but having the two lenses proved invaluable for me.

As I've taken more pictures, I'm developing an increasing loathing for flash even in low light, and have been experimenting with pushing the ISO equivalent as high as possible and seeing just how adverse the grain becomes. So far, I've found this to be a nice way to take pretty decent fireworks pictures without a tripod, a few good enough to blow up and frame.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

IMHO, the first thing you have to decide is what part photography is going to play in the vacation. If this vacation is to photograph the kids enjoying the wonders of WDW, then what you have is fine. Bring both lenses and the flash. For example, if you go on the Safari, you photograph the kids looking at the animals trying to capture their expressions. You use the background of the animals as your canvas. If you want to photograph the animals then you will need at least a zoom to 200mm. This is just an example of the types of equipment necessary to shoot WDW. For the fireworks, I would highly recommend a tripod, but if your goal is to shoot the kids looking at the fireworks then you would not need a tripod. I hope you understand the point I'm trying to make. You decide what you are going to shoot long before you get to WDW and that will dictate what you bring and use. Another example are the parades. The day parades are no problem (lots of light) and you can use your 18-55 or 50. At night, the 50, with its f1.8 aperture, would work better without a flash. The flash has a tendency to washout the lights that are worn on the costumes and floats. That doesn't mean a flash cannot be used, because there are some night parades where neither the costumes nor the float is lit. Then a flash would be useful. Again, I'm trying not to make this complicated, however really think about what role you want the photography to play. Sometimes with younger kids its best to put the camera down and just enjoy it with them!

 

[mom2rtk]

It would certainly be easiest to just go with what you have.

But you really need to decide which you would regret more..... bringing too much gear and being weighed down by it or not bringing enough and regretting not having more options.

Are you doing AK? Are you doing shows at DHS? Those are the 2 places I miss a zoom longer than 55 the most.

 

[Tink78]

Wow, some brilliant advice. Thank you.

I want photo's of my kids and my family but also some close ups of details, fireworks (I am taking a tripod), animals etc.

I think if I can afford it I'll get a better zoom and then I should be all set.

OMG! I'm just toooooooo excited!!!!

It's nearly time for my Double Digit Dance too.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

When it comes to longer lenses, there are three ways you can go. You can go with a consumer lens that starts where your current 18-55 stops, ex: 50-200, 55-250, 55-300, etc. These are normally less expensive, require changing lenses and have a variable aperture similar to the 18-55, but do not weigh as much as the the following. An all-in-one, which has focal length of 18-200, 18-250, 18-270. These are variable aperture consumer lenses where you will not have to change lenses as often because they cover the focal length of the 18-55 (you could leave the 18-55 home). These lenses tend to be slightly heavier and at the long end, tend to have a smaller aperture (exception is the 18-200 which has the same). This means the long end 250/270mm will have smaller (6.3) aperture, meaning the lens will not work as well in lowlight. The third option is what is referred to as fast glass or professional glass. That option would be something like the 70-200 f2.8. This lens will be more expensive and will weigh considerably more than the consumer lenses. All these lenses are produced by your manufacturer or a third party manufacturer (Sigma and Tamron are the two biggest). The third party lenses tend to be cheaper. Whether to purchase OEM or third party is a hot button topic, so for this discussion, I don't want to go down that road.

The Canon shooters can recommend the specific lenses or maybe a fourth option. In my particular case, I have gone down both roads. My DW is also a photographer that likes to go light. She chose the consumer lenses (18-55 and 50-200) that are made specifically for the APS-C cameras. I chose the faster glass option and since my manufacturer did not make the specific glass I wanted, I went with a third party manufacturer (Sigma). I have the 28-70 f2.8, the 70-200 f2.8, 100-300 f4 and the 30mm f1.4 (this is my dark ride lens). I also have the weather resistant version of the consumer 18-55, primarily used as my wider angle option or in bad weather conditions when I need the weather proofing. I will add that these lenses are not just for Disney, but also are used in my other photographic life of motorsports. A lot of thought went in to putting this kit together so I didn't waste time and money buying multiple lenses for the same thing.

These are just some of the choices, maybe others can come up with additional and more specific options. Good luck and have fun.

 

[mom2rtk]

Most Canon users will choose the Canon 55-250 to supplement their kit lens. It is said to be the best bang for the buck.

When I choose convenience, I go with the Tamron 18-270. This lens normally stays home, as I prefer to have higher quality faster glass on most occasions. But every year I end up taking it out on vacation for a variety of reasons when I don't want to be changing lenses. It came in very handy on our recent Florida trip in the midst of tropical storm Andrea. I have a rain sleeve for my camera, so was fine with keeping it out in light rain. But I would not have been fine changing lenses in those conditions. Likewise, I prefer not to change lenses out on the beach on a windy day. Sometimes it just fits the bill.

The superzooms have their limitations, but the more you know about photography and the exposure triangle, the easier it gets to work around those limits, allowing one to take advantage of their convenience.

 

[Tink78]

Thanks guys. I think my next step will be to start saving for a 70-200 f 2.8 but I'm not going to have chance to get that before we go in October.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks guys. I think my next step will be to start saving for a 70-200 f 2.8 but I'm not going to have chance to get that before we go in October.

I'm surprised by that given that your first post said you don't want to take a big camera kit along.

Have you ever shot with a 70-200 2.8 lens? They are indeed capable of some pretty awesome shots, but are large and very heavy. I have a pretty decent lens kit, but have not yet purchased a 70-200 2.8. It's sort of the missing link in my kit. But I don't know whether I'll ever do it. Those lenses weigh around 3 pounds each (The ones with IS do anyway, and I wouldn't buy one without it).

I have rented the Canon version of this lens twice, both for high school graduations. While I enjoyed using it at those events, I just didn't think I'd be willing to lug it along on enough other occasions to justify the cost.

 

[Tink78]

I'll be saving for it for the future but not for WDW. I go in 16 weeks and no time to save for the holiday, let alone the new lens.
I'll be sticking with my kit lens and my 50mm for my holiday.
That's enough I think with all the kids stuff too.

I won't be going back to WDW for at least another 5 years after this trip, so it might be something I take next time when the kids are older and need less stuff.