Which lenses do you bring to WDW?

[MinnieMe87]

I think for this trip I'm going to take:

Canon 60D
28mm f/1.8
40mm f/2.8
18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 (The only slight "zoom" I have for right now)


I'm debating not taking the 18-135, but I think I might miss it on the safari. I may take it with me, and only carry it on the day we go to AK. Still tossing the idea around.

 

[littlekidagain]

My last 3 trips I carried:

10-20 f4-5.6
24-70 f2.8
70-200 f2.8
depending on the park: 18-55 WR

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

So I went with what I posted (10-22, 24-105 and the nifty fifty).

I didn't use the fifty once; I just decided not to bother with any indoor ride photos.

I used the 10-22 a LOT, though it was my first time with it and frankly I'm just not that good (yet. hopefully "yet" as I'd like to get better). But I loved, loved, loved it. Highly recommended for a WDW trip.

The 24-105 also got plenty of use.

what I found out also was an appreciation for what many who post hear must do to get the great shots they do. I found that with rides, meals, activities and fun fun fun all the time it wasn't possible for me to stake out great shots and take the time needed to compose them properly on tripod or just to be there when the light it great (i.e. dusk since I am not a dawn person). It was more running and gunning for me.

Also, with 7 family members and lots of iPhones may times someone (or two) else would just capture a family moment and who wants to have people wait through 2 or 3 different cameras to take more shots? So I didn't pull out "the big camera".

So our mix of photos from the vacation is a bit odd....some great Canon shots with great lenses and them some grainy, blurry iPhone photos, lol (and to be fair, a few really nice iPhone shots too).

That's the world we are in...everyone has a camera on them at all times basically.

All that said I got lots of photos the I like and find satisfaction in them.

Here is one of Illuminations, it's the first time I've ever shot fireworks:

 

[photo_chick]

what I found out also was an appreciation for what many who post hear must do to get the great shots they do. I found that with rides, meals, activities and fun fun fun all the time it wasn't possible for me to stake out great shots and take the time needed to compose them properly on tripod or just to be there when the light it great (i.e. dusk since I am not a dawn person). It was more running and gunning for me.

First.. lovely shot!

This has ben my experience. It really does make one appreciate all the time people spend to get those shots. Not only in staking out a spot, but in researching to know the spot they want, in learning how to get what they want out of the camera and the time they take to process and share it.

I end up running and gunning to keep up with my kids. After my first trip I got home and was like, these are all of my kids! I then made the decision that Disney photography for me is about capturing my family at Disney, not about photographing Disney. Everyone has different priorities in the parks and hopefully as my kids get older I can shift mine to be a bit more photo centric.

 

[MolonLabe]

Daily for the parks-

Canon T4i (DSLR) w/
18-135 IS STM f3.5-5 (Canon)
17-50 OS f2.8 (Sigma)

Canon G11 PNS as a back up and that my wife prefers to use.

In the room I'll leave a lens or two including a longer telezoom to shoot off the balcony at CR and down into MK with.

I did bring a telezoom for the safari last trip and left the 17-50 f2.8 in the room on the AK day but I found it to be... it just wasn't a good fit, the 18-135 STM lens is amazingly crisp and it's my walk around lens, not much I can't do with it outside of low light and that's the main reason for having the f2.8 available.

One day I'll probably buy a lens with a wider aperture but cost is preventing me right now. I can't see spending that much on something that wouldn't give much more than I can do with the 2.8.

What pictures I can't take on rides with my 2.8 I really don't have to have, that's what google image search is for right now, lol.

Like others, my main priority is taking pictures of my girls in Disney, getting pics of Disney are just a bonus.

 

[JimbobJimbo]

I'm leaving in three weeks, first trip with a full frame. Going with the following line up on the 6d:

17-40mm f4
28mm f1.8
40mm f2.8
135mm f2

And will take for just in case I find I need them

24-105mm f4
50mm 1.4 (sigma)

 

[MICKEY88]

my usual is 2 Sony A700s

one with my 28-75 2.8 lens the other with my 80-200 2.8 lens

I like having the ability to shoot a full float in the parade, quickly switch cameras and get a head shot of someone on the float

 

[nbaresejr]

On my April trip I took the following:

Canon t2i
Sigma 10-20 UWA
Sigma 17-50 2.8 OS
Canon 70-200L f/4 IS

Also, tripod, filters, extra cards, batteries, rocketblower ect..

Like others have said the 70-200 was good for the Safari at the AK. I also used it on cloudy days to isolate the subject more and not get the gray skys. I did not take this lens everyday.

The UWA and the 17-50 were very valuable. having the 2.8 on the 17-50 allowed for some good bokeh.

If you bring a tripod dont carry it all day. Rent a locker for during the day or what I did was get it during our mid afternoon break from the parks. I carried it 2 of the 4 nights.

Best of luck with your decision. I find taking more on vacation and leaving the extras in the hotel to be a good move. You can always to back to the hotel for a lens but you cant go home for 1.

 

[traylorc]

Best of luck with your decision. I find taking more on vacation and leaving the extras in the hotel to be a good move. You can always to back to the hotel for a lens but you cant go home for 1.

I totally agree with you....if I really don't feel like I will use a certain lens or piece of equipment I will leave it in the room. If I really need it I can run back and get it.

My wife and I are really looking forward to our 12 night stay in October/November. My wife is very understanding about my photography, so I will have an opportunity to wander the parks and spend some time shooting. Looking forward to getting some shots of the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and the Osborne Christmas lights to name a few.

 

[Mickey1Fan]

If I am using a Nikon D200 with an 18-200 lens. Do I need anything else? I just bought the camera and lens from DS who bought new gear.

I just set it to automatic on my last trip but I have problems in low light so advice for this is appreciated.

Wouldn't you know I am starting a beginner DSLR camera course the day after I get back from WDW!!!

 

[hakepb]

If I am using a Nikon D200 with an 18-200 lens. Do I need anything else? I just bought the camera and lens from DS who bought new gear.

I just set it to automatic on my last trip but I have problems in low light so advice for this is appreciated.

Wouldn't you know I am starting a beginner DSLR camera course the day after I get back from WDW!!!

You have a very well built camera from 2006...but at that time dark ride photos were more of something for photographers with exotically fast lenses (f/1.2) and/or people with $6000+ full frame cameras.

It seems your camera drops quality after ISO800. (Newer cameras go much higher with ease)
A faster lens may help you, but it might be a bigger problem for you, too.

We would really need to know what problems you are having. Its possible thàt you are using a small aperature setting and could get better pictures with a setting change.

Do you have an external flash? That might be your easiest answer to getting great indoor character pictures...otherwise Disney has a ton of great outdoor daylight pictures opportunities, so you don't have to upgrade equipment to get some very nice pictures...especially at a time when you sink know your own skill and equipment limitations.

 

[Mickey1Fan]

Let's start with I use automatic so don't know the aperature - which is why I've signed up for a class in beginner DSLR photography.

I do have an external flash. I am sharing it with my DS and currently it is with him. We are travelling together so that is not a problem to use it.

My last trip was almost all outdoor photos but I do like to take evening shots and night time shots at the parks so that is my biggest challenge.

I will keep doing what I am doing. I was thinking of buying a 35mm or 50mm lens for evening/night and dark rides. Having said that I don't want to buy something when I may learn of something else I'd rather have had when I go to school.

 

[hakepb]

The "nifty fifty" a 50mm f/1.8 would improve your cameras low light capability (if auto actually uses the wide aperature) and is generally the cheapest low light lens...but some people have tried one and dislike it, its almost like a 3x zoom (to use a simple, non-photographic term)on a crop body.
The most expensive lens is the one you buy several times, so its hard to tell if its right for you. Does DS have one you can try?

Another option is a lens rental. I think ******************** is near WDW, it looks like they might have a 35mm. There are also national places that can ship to your house...but that is money you could use to eventually buy the lens you really want.

 

[Mickey1Fan]

I went to my local camera shop and they said wait until I take my course to buy a fixed lens.

I have a book on exposure so I'll try and figure out what I need to do with manual. Last year I found a photo pass CM who helped me because he had been around when WDW used the D200.

Yes, I don't need to keep buying the same lens to fix a problem that more experience will rectify. I may look into rentals as well.

Thank you!!!