Zoom lenses

[handicap18]

If you can, post some pictures. This might give us a better understanding of your issue. As has been stated there could be a few reasons. So an image with the EXIF data (ISO, shutter speed, f/stop and focal length at the minimum). That info can tell a lot about possible issues along with seeing the results.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I have a Nikon D50 with an 18-55 wide angle lens and a 55-200 zoom lens (Both Nikkor). Let me start by saying I am a complete amatuer. I went with a DSLR to get the best reaction time - I was tired of the P&S cameras snapping the picture after my son was done whatever he was doing and missing the shot. I have not ventured off of auto mode much (but hope to eventually). Anyway, almost all shots with the 18-55 wide lens are crystal clear with exceptional quality. But when I try to use the zoom, everything comes out blurry. Am I doing something wrong? Does the zoom require a tripod? Does the distance require a better flash? Thanks for any advice you can provide!

MickeyMom2Boys, Don't give up! When I first started shooting w/ my D80 I encountered similar problems; and I had previous experience shooting w/ a 35mm SLR film camera years ago. (Not that I remembered any of it!) If you would post a picture, some of the experts on this board could probably tell you exactly what the problem is. I suspect it is most likely shutter speed. Also are you adjusting your ISO at all? In DSLRs, ISO greatly influences the shutter speed and aperture that you can use. It's like an exposure triangle, and all 3 work together to create what the photo will look like and what your options are as a photographer. If you bump up the ISO, you will be able to achieve faster shutter speeds. At a certain point you will also introduce digital noise. However the noise in a DSLR is nowhere near as bad as a P&S. I had the same issues you experienced (Blur in photos of my kid/shooting long distances in low light) and the people on this board helped me by pointing out what I was doing wrong once I posted a few photos. I'm still learning too... Don't give up! Good luck!

 

[kenny]

Recently purchased the D60 with kit lens (18-55 VR). I am debating purchasing the 55-200VR nikon lens or putting that money into a new video camera (really need to upgrade mine).

How much of a "must" is a zoom lens? I know in AK it is very useful but what about Epcot and MK. Am I going to be really upset I didn't get one or will the 18-55 be sufficient for "most" shots.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I guess it depends on how important the video camera is to you. For many of your photos, you can probably "zoom with your feet" more than you think. Sure, there will be times you'll wish you had it, but OTOH you can concentrate on getting to know your camera better and getting different types of shots.

One thing I will say is that last week we watched some video of a trip we took about 6 years ago when our kids were only 4yo, and it made me realize we really need to do video more often. Last trip, I don't think we did video at all (other than some short clips on the point and shoot), and after watching that, I'm regretting it.

 

[RBennett]

Me personally, if I HAD to choose, I would go with the video camera for now. Like you said, at AK the zoom comes in pretty handy but I think you could use the video camera more than the zoom in my opinion. Now I still think that you should try and get a zoom lens as soon as you can, but especially if you have any kids..... go with the video.

 

[JimbobJimbo]

On our recent trip the only time I used my zoom lens was at AK on the Safari, and a for a few shots here and there throughout the week. I would say over 90% of my 1,200 photos were taken with either my 17-50mm or 50mm lenses. So I would probably invest in the video camera if it were me.

 

[kenny]

Thanks for the quick replies.

That was my thinking. I would use the video camera more (have a 4yo DD).

I can always take more photo's in future trips but kids are only young once.

Thanks for the help.

 

[rotlex]

I totally agree with the video cam suggestions. We have taken 3 trips to DW in the past 2 years. I took the video camera on one of them. The middle trip. Even now, a year later, I am wishing I took it more often. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE stills, but there is just something about watching my then 5 year old daughter in motion that just does not compare.

As far as zooms go. Our last trip, I never took the 24-105 off the camera, and it was MORE than sufficient. Most shots were probably in the 50-70mm range. I did have a 70-200 in tow for AK, but only used it a few times due to the size and weight. I have since moved to a Nikon body, and picked up a much lighter, and more compact 70-300 that I am DYING to take to AK however.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I can always take more photo's in future trips but kids are only young once.

It's so true. It's scary, but I "almost" didn't recognize my kids, they've changed so much (twins soon to be 11)! And the kids themselves got such a kick out of seeing how shy they were with the characters, how inquisitive about everything they were, some of the funny commentary to things, reaction to rides, my DS diving under the table from embarrassment at being sung Happy BDay to by the whole restaurant and Mary Poppins bending down trying to coax him out, etc - things you can't capture as well in still photos.

I hadn't even realize it but my DH actually captured a lot of "firsts" that trip including rides on ToT, HM, RnRC (himself) and the first time riding in the front of the monorail. The absolute funniest was this, I actually wrote about it in another thread that I'll quote here. Looking at the still pictures of this moment, you just don't get all the insanity that had preceded it:

One section of the video was really a classic of what our lives was like with young (4yo), active twins. They'd brought in two big bunches of balloons for the kids' bday along with some other stuff, signed pictures of Mickey, Cinderella, and some certificates. I sat them on the bed and propped up all this stuff around them while they held the balloons so I could get a picture. DH had the video camera rolling and I guess I didn't realize it. Of course, they were excited and jerking the balloons around, giggling, moving, etc, while all the stuff was falling down around them. I went back and forth around the front of the bed several times and tried to snap a picture when DS moved again while they laughed and some choice words slipped out of my mouth finally (not too bad). Then you hear DH chuckling on the video and I started laughing, saying "shut that thing off". He says, "why, so I can be the only one yelling at them on the tape all the time?" which in fact would be true so we all started cracking up laughing for the longest time and just barely got the picture. (I wish my scanner was working so I could post it, LOL I was still using film then.) It reminded me I really need to do video more often.

 

[Michele]

I 2nd the get a video camera vote.


I made that decision this year. DS started High School and is playing football. While I would love to have action picks of him running for a touchdown (of which he has a few so far ), I decided I would much rather see the whole play on video.

Looking at a still of him on the field with the ball in his hands doesn't really convey the excitement of scoring a touchdown like the video does. And compared to the price I'd have to spend on a lens that can shoot sports photography I was able to get a great video camera.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I'm not into video cameras (I'm sure I will be once I have a family) but I wanted to reply that I took my Canon XSi to Disney for the first time early in September (2 weeks after I bought it mind you). I was thinking I'd REALLY miss the zoom since I only have the 18-55 kit lens, but I VERY rarely even thought about it!

I'm sure if I had one I'd bring it, but I don't regret not buying one especially for the trip like I had thought about.

Go with the video camera

 

[DueyDooDah]

Get the vcam. If you have a Nikon or Canon, you can rent a lens if you need to. But, as stated above, I too feel a telephoto lens is not needed. I use my 50mm for most everything. Infact, I'd go wider if I had it.

 

[boBQuincy]

Actually, any lens that smoothly changes focal length is a zoom lens. It appears that what you are interested in is a long zoom lens, something that goes to 200mm or more.

Long lenses can be useful at all the parks. I got some good close-ups of the characters and dancers in "Dream Along with Mickey" at MK and some detail photos of the Earth Globe in Illuminations. A long lens is good for the "streetmosphere" and "Fantasmic" at the Studios and of course, for a lot of animals AK.

I would go for the long zoom and maybe an inexpensive video camera. I carry a tiny video camera (Flip) and that's about the extent of my video experience so of course I am biased toward still photography.

 

[Master Mason]

If you actually use video and like it, then you should get the vid cam. Personally I bought a video camera about 5 years ago, and have used it maybe 4 times since, and I have never watched the video I took. So a Video cam would be a total waste for me.

 

[MICKEY88]

I agree with Master Mason ,

it all depends on your personal preference

I allowed myself to be talked into a camcorder about 9 years ago, spent 1000 on camera bag and accessories, used it once, never watched the video..
and delayed my purchase of my first digital camera , because of the expenditure...

I use my zoom a lot at WDW

this is what a good zoom allows you to do at wdw..parade shots... I like closeups of characters..

 

[blackears]

We have the same camera and when the wife and I went this past summer (no kids!!), the main lens was the 18-55. It was light enough to wear most of the time, and it worked great on rides and such. So, get the video camera, enjoy the live actions and sounds after you are home!!!

 

[alan]

DD(9) got a Canon 420 for Christmas last year. She has in fact come on very well with it, and some of her recent shots are as competent snapshots as many an adult's pictures.

She also likes taking videos with it, but - horror! - it doesn't record sound with the videos (had I realised that I wouldn't have chosen that model).

So this year she has very nicely asked for a video camera for Christmas. We talked about how she would need to carry around two cameras, one for stills and one for video. I then - stupidly - went on to explain how some moden stills cameras take first-class videos too, even allowing you to zoom while videoing. I should have kept my big mouth shut.

So she's now fixated on getting such a beast. I know of the Canon SX10is and its predecessors like the S5IS, and the Panasonic FZ28 and FZ18. But they're all a bit on the bulky side for a nine year old.

Are there any other digital cameras that allow zooming while shooting?

regards,
/alan

 

[Groucho]

There's quite a few, I think. I know my old Minolta Z5 (12x zoom, 5mp) allowed true optical zooming during movie-taking, as did my old Fuji 2800 (6x zoom, 2mp). I think the higher-zoom ones are more likely to allow optical zooming than the pocket-sized 3x-5x zoom models, though there are almost certainly some exceptions. None of the 3x zoom PnSs we've had have allowed it.

 

[Michele]

My Olympus FE-340 does.

 

[alan]

Thanks for the suggestions. As it happens we were at a shop yesterday where she saw the Fuji f8000 (?) and she liked that. It's a good price, too, so we are likely to go for that.

regards,
/alan