Would/Did you bring your DSLR camera?

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We're a little late to the party but thought we'd comment anyway

We always take our DSLR and usually two lenses with us to the parks. Which lens we use on the camera all depends on which park we are going to that day, then we'll take along one other depending on what pictures we're looking at taking that day. As an example, if we are heading out to Animal Kingdom we'll probably put the 55-200mm on the camera and take along our Tokina 11-16mm. If we're trying to get dark ride shots at say the Magic Kingdom, we'll put our Sigma 50 f/1.4mm on the camera but take along the 28-135mm or kit lens. I don't think we've ever gone to WDW with just one lens.

I must say I do like the zing camera cover sapereaude mentioned ... although I doubt it will work with the larger lenses.

 

[snipe523]

I always take my dslr with me when I go. There are so many pictures I would have missed without it. That alone makes it worth the little bit of inconvenience it causes over carrying a compact. I usually have my Sigma 17-70 on the camera about 90% of the time and swap out for my 70-200 for things like the Safari or a few of the shows. I think this year though I may leave the 70-200 at home and bring the Sigma 10-20 that I plan to purchase soon instead. While having the longer reach for some shots is nice. I find there are many more shots where I want to go wider versus shots where I want to go longer than what my 17-70 offers.

 

[sls_ontario]

DH took absolutely amazing shots on our DSLR last week ... was able to zoom in, capture the kids with characters, etc.

he even took photos ON the Tea Cups and Test Track.

And FAB shots of the castle at night.

Amazing, amazing, amazing!

 

[Wadecool]

DH took absolutely amazing shots on our DSLR last week ... was able to zoom in, capture the kids with characters, etc.

he even took photos ON the Tea Cups and Test Track.

And FAB shots of the castle at night.

Amazing, amazing, amazing!

Could you ask your DH what settings he used to take those photos while he was on the rides, and let me know? I'm having trouble getting good motion shots like that with our DSLR.

 

[mikegood2]

Could you ask your DH what settings he used to take those photos while he was on the rides, and let me know? I'm having trouble getting good motion shots like that with our DSLR.

I have not been to DW in 21 years, so would also be interested in the setting used. That said, with the variation on indoor and outdoor rides, their speeds, etc., each ride will be different. If you are looking to "freeze" the action, know what the highest ISO you are happy with and use that for indoor shots. Also, a faster lens helps, but depending on the speed of the ride you have to be careful how low you go with your f-stop.

Another trick I would suggests is turn on your continuous shoot mode and shoot multiple shots, I find that if I shoot 3 or 4 continuous shoots, one shot, usually a middle shot, will end up being sharp enough. Just don't expect to get a high percentage of great shoot. I would guess that a 10% to 25% turnout rate would be pretty good.

I think I'm probably going to shoot more video in the indoor rides that photos. Also probably experiment with different techniques the first day or two, and use what is successful after that.

 

[Marleen2]

I've never taken my DSLR to WDW but would love to. The only thing that's keeping me is that I'm having so much to carry already - I'm travelling alone with two kids, I always take a backpack with some food and drinks into the parks - that I really don't see myself carrying my DSLR as well. Besides, my kids HATE me taking pics, I take (accoring to them) too many pics as it is already, let alone if I would have my DSLR with me.
The past weeks I've spent quite some time here on DISboards, and seeing some of those wonderful pics some of you took, makes me secretly dream of going to WDW by myself sometime, just me, my camera, and my tripod... I'm never gonna do that, but I'm secretly dreaming about all the wonderful pics I could take (am I bad? )

 

[Marleen2]

gorgous pictures! do you have any advice on how the average person can take good pictures?

One advice: take a photograpy course!

I've always been interested in photography, but took a course a few years ago. Once you get some of the basic principles as shutter speed, diaphragm, composition, ISO,... your pictures will improve a lot.

Still, I think (as was suggested here before) you don't necessarily need a DSLR to take good pics. I'd say a good pic is 20% due to the camera, and 80% due to person behind it

I've seen some gorgeous pictures here on DISboard, I can only hope someday I will be half as good as some of you are.

 

[Redd Kell]

THIS!!!

I wholeheartedly concur. I'm a professional photographer and you can't tell the difference between the shots I take with my Nikon D3 and my PTTBS (push the button stupid). Now there are certain conditions that make things harder to get good shots (low light, speed of subject, etc.), but even with a little point & shoot (and a lot of patience), you can get good stuff!

Happy Shooting!

One advice: take a photograpy course!

I've always been interested in photography, but took a course a few years ago. Once you get some of the basic principles as shutter speed, diaphragm, composition, ISO,... your pictures will improve a lot.

Still, I think (as was suggested here before) you don't necessarily need a DSLR to take good pics. I'd say a good pic is 20% due to the camera, and 80% due to person behind it

I've seen some gorgeous pictures here on DISboard, I can only hope someday I will be half as good as some of you are.

 

[DreamSweetsLove]

Always bring my DSLR camera to the parks!

 

[Lehigh98]

Taking my 5 and 3 year olds to WDW for the first time so definitely taking the DSLR. I plan on renting a 18-200 so I don't have to switch between my 18-55 and my 55-250 and can carry one less lens. I just ordered a Lowepro SlingShot 102 AW that is like a backpack but you can swing it around to the front for quick and easy access to the camera.

 

[Wadecool]

Taking my 5 and 3 year olds to WDW for the first time so definitely taking the DSLR. I plan on renting a 18-200 so I don't have to switch between my 18-55 and my 55-250 and can carry one less lens. I just ordered a Lowepro SlingShot 102 AW that is like a backpack but you can swing it around to the front for quick and easy access to the camera.

I just got the exact same Slingshot and LOVE it! I can't wait to try it out during our WDW trip in May, but it has been extremely comfortable on a couple of day trips I've carried it on so far.

 

[wingedjojo]

I know I'm definitely going to bring my dslr when I go in June but I've been thinking about upgrading to a bigger bag.

I currently have a crumpler 4 million dollar home and while it's the perfect size for just my camera and maybe a wallet, I think i'll need more space for touring the parks.

Does anybody have any recommendations for a bag that's spacey, relatively well-priced, waterproofed, and (since i'm a girly girl) pretty looking? TIA.

 

[kayemgi]

I just (painfully) decided not to bring my DSLR to the parks with me. I'm worried about bringing it on the rides and I think I can do ok with my point and shoot. Plus it's heavy, and as much as I think it will be fine now, once we get into that twelfth hour of walking around I know I'd be annoyed that I brought it!

 

[skaliscik]

I adore my DSLR, but I decided that I don't need the added weight when walking around nor the bulk of it when trying to enjoy the parks with my kids.

I invested in a nicer point and shoot than I had (and am giving my daughter my old one so I can get some pictures from her point of view.) I'm sure there will be some shots that I miss with my p&s, just because of the speed limitations of it, but I'll be happier walking through the parks, so I'm willing to take the risk. I took it to Six Flags for one day last summer and I was SO sick of carrying it around by the end of the day and with the hassle of getting it out of my bag, etc, I didn't use it all that much anyway.

I'm impressed with the pictures my new p&s takes and with the settings it has, especially for the price point. I'm enjoying taking pictures with it .

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I just (painfully) decided not to bring my DSLR to the parks with me. I'm worried about bringing it on the rides and I think I can do ok with my point and shoot. Plus it's heavy, and as much as I think it will be fine now, once we get into that twelfth hour of walking around I know I'd be annoyed that I brought it!

Our camera is always out ... the only time it's in a bag of any sort is if we get caught in the rain ... otherwise, it stays out - even on rides. That's how we get these:

The only things I take to the parks is my purse/bag (a light Vera Bradley) and our DSLR with one lens (which also fits in the Vera Bradley bag)

B

 

[jjdig]

I have a DSLR and absolutely enjoy using it whenever I can.
However, I also enjoy traveling light and I have a point and shoot that takes great pictures and is also water proof.