Attention Photo Addicts.....

[kimberlymautz]

.... I really need some advice. I have two Nikon cameras, one a D3100 (DSLR) and another Coolpix 8200 (P&S). Do I bring both? Or just the point and shoot? The photos my point and shoot can take are usually pretty great for a P&S, but I'm afraid some of the shots I'd love to have (like fireworks or the castle at night) won't show up as well with it. On the downside, I'm a HUGE roller coaster girl, and I'm not a fan of leaving a $900 camera, plus $300+ of accessories, in a locker. Part of me REALLY wants to bring it, but another part of me is afraid that something will happen to it. I remember some rides had those little cubbies right in the ride to store things, but would they be big enough for my big camera?

What has been your experience with cameras in Disney? What would you suggest?

 

[ddbowdoin]

.... I really need some advice. I have two Nikon cameras, one a D3100 (DSLR) and another Coolpix 8200 (P&S). Do I bring both? Or just the point and shoot? The photos my point and shoot can take are usually pretty great for a P&S, but I'm afraid some of the shots I'd love to have (like fireworks or the castle at night) won't show up as well with it. On the downside, I'm a HUGE roller coaster girl, and I'm not a fan of leaving a $900 camera, plus $300+ of accessories, in a locker. Part of me REALLY wants to bring it, but another part of me is afraid that something will happen to it. I remember some rides had those little cubbies right in the ride to store things, but would they be big enough for my big camera?

What has been your experience with cameras in Disney? What would you suggest?

hellllllo

I like to consider myself one of the "photo people" here at WDWMAGIC.

1.) both have their advantages, a smaller point and shoot is great for just casual and candid snapshots. It all depends on what you value.
2.) DSLR's have their advantage, manual controls allow you to control what you need to get the shot you want. As for fireworks and night work, you'll need a tripod. Otherwise your 3100 won't be able handle a high enough ISO setting to shoot handheld.

does your P&S have manual controls? if so, you could always put it on small tripod (or guerillapod) since they're really light weight. It won't have the same quality, but if youre just shooting for images on the web or small prints (4x6) I don't think it will be an sisue.

As for the rides, as long as you have your camera in a backpack it will be fine. I bring all my gear down and have never had anything break. I also wouldn't worry about a locker.

 

[kimberlymautz]

hellllllo

I like to consider myself one of the "photo people" here at WDWMAGIC.

1.) both have their advantages, a smaller point and shoot is great for just casual and candid snapshots. It all depends on what you value.
2.) DSLR's have their advantage, manual controls allow you to control what you need to get the shot you want. As for fireworks and night work, you'll need a tripod. Otherwise your 3100 won't be able handle a high enough ISO setting to shoot handheld.

does your P&S have manual controls? if so, you could always put it on small tripod (or guerillapod) since they're really light weight. It won't have the same quality, but if youre just shooting for images on the web or small prints (4x6) I don't think it will be an sisue.

As for the rides, as long as you have your camera in a backpack it will be fine. I bring all my gear down and have never had anything break. I also wouldn't worry about a locker.

Thank you! My point and shoot actually does have some manual controls. Here's some photos for comparison.

http://tinypic.com/r/2hhip85/6 (DSLR)
http://tinypic.com/r/bgwdg4/6 (P&S)

& I definitely agree about handheld fireworks photos, mine from the 4th of July are VERY blurry and I was really disappointed in them. I did take some with another P&S last time I was in Disney, and those actually came out nice. I think I used a wall to keep my camera still though. Haha. I'll definitely have to look into a small tripod. I have a bigger one, but I doubt they'd let it on the plane... Hahaha.

 

[CP_alum08]

I assume this will get moved to the Photo section but here goes...

It sounds like for what you want to do, your P&S would be fine. I assume you've seen the fireworks photos on here and Flickr and where-ever else and want to do something similar? Those types of shots require two essential things; a tripod and a good understanding of photography - they aren't easy shots to get. So if you have a good grasp on the workings of your camera and exposure it should be a no-brainer to bring the DLSR, if you're hesitant bring the P&S. WDW is NOT the place to learn how to use your camera. That's how I would look at it.

 

[xsupaxmanxsfnex]

I brought my dslr down for the first time on my last trip and my camera bag/camera never left my neck. On almost every attraction I can think of I was able to keep the bag around my neck, fit it into the bungie pouch infront of me, or wrap it around my legs. I had my camera along with an extra lens in there and nothing was broken during my entire trip.
Another thing you could do is bring both down. Take the p&s in the morning when you are rushing around the parks. The grab your dslr for the evening maybe after you had back to your resort for some pool time and nap. That way you could also get better evening shots along with those amazing fireworks shots.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Thank you! My point and shoot actually does have some manual controls. Here's some photos for comparison.

http://tinypic.com/r/2hhip85/6 (DSLR)
http://tinypic.com/r/bgwdg4/6 (P&S)

& I definitely agree about handheld fireworks photos, mine from the 4th of July are VERY blurry and I was really disappointed in them. I did take some with another P&S last time I was in Disney, and those actually came out nice. I think I used a wall to keep my camera still though. Haha. I'll definitely have to look into a small tripod. I have a bigger one, but I doubt they'd let it on the plane... Hahaha.

when it comes to showing your work on the internet, of images taken in great light without the need for a deep depth of field, P&S's are fine. A vast majority of people limit their photos to flickr and facebook, MAYBE printing 4x6's down their local drug lab.

IMHO DSLR's shine in less than perfect conditions, have some creative abilities and are intended to be printed in somewhat large formats.

 

[Britt]

I brought my DSLR with me...I took 98% of my pics with that. The only time I busted out the P&S was on the plane/airport and then the other 1% was with a waterproof camera (So I brought 4 in all...a back up P&S in addition).

I put my DSLR in a bag in the bottom of my stroller and had no problems. For the most part, I was able to bring the camera on the rides with me, or hand it to someone who wasn't going on the ride.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I had a 7lb medium format camera with me.. no problem on rides, I'd think your 3100 would be fine.

(not me, but a perspective on how large the camera is)

 

[Britt]

I had a 7lb medium format camera with me.. no problem on rides, I'd think your 3100 would be fine.

(not me, but a perspective on how large the camera is)

Oh my gosh, no you didnt.....HAHAHAHA I totally would have taken a pic of you with that thing around your neck!

You get AMAZING pics though, so I can't laugh to much about it!

 

[ddbowdoin]

Oh my gosh, no you didnt.....HAHAHAHA I totally would have taken a pic of you with that thing around your neck!

You get AMAZING pics though, so I can't laugh to much about it!

I've actually never hand held it... it's all done on a tripod, no matter what time of day.

It's heavy and you get a thousand stares!

 

[nngrendel]

I've actually never hand held it... it's all done on a tripod, no matter what time of day.

It's heavy and you get a thousand stares!

its not stares. its envy.

 

[kimberlymautz]

Thanks everyone! While I'm still learning to use my DSLR (I just got it last month) I'm hoping I'll be better with it by our trip! I've got 48 days to prepare myself! Hahaha.

Now I'm definitely considering bringing both. I have to get a new bag though if I bring my DSLR, the one that came with it is crap.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Thanks everyone! While I'm still learning to use my DSLR (I just got it last month) I'm hoping I'll be better with it by our trip! I've got 48 days to prepare myself! Hahaha.

Now I'm definitely considering bringing both. I have to get a new bag though if I bring my DSLR, the one that came with it is crap.

it doesn't hurt... you could always just leave it in the room and bring along your DLSR when you know you're headed to see Iluminations or Wishes.

 

[ddbowdoin]

its not stares. its envy.

the hilarious part is this camera was was like 5 grand system in the 1990's is now 299 on ebay! Amazing how far film has fallen.

 

[wiigirl]

I take my DSLR with my everywhere I go....never really had any issues.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I take my DSLR with my everywhere I go....never really had any issues.

I wish I could say the same, I always see things I want to shoot and then realize my gear is back at home. I wish I carried it everywhere

 

[kimberlymautz]

I bring my DSLR almost everywhere, and I definitely have it more than I have my point and shoot anymore. I still don't understand most of the manual controls though, so that's my biggest down fall at this point. "/

 

[NowInc]

Bring the DSLR...first off..practice with it will only make you better..and WDW is a GREAT place to put it through its paces. Secondly...the D3100 isn't so large that it will be obtrusive. I myself own one and I have brought it on every single ride with zero issue. Are you going alone? If not..bring both. Give the P&S to whomever you're with and you'll just get twice as many pictures

 

[kimberlymautz]

Bring the DSLR...first off..practice with it will only make you better..and WDW is a GREAT place to put it through its paces. Secondly...the D3100 isn't so large that it will be obtrusive. I myself own one and I have brought it on every single ride with zero issue. Are you going alone? If not..bring both. Give the P&S to whomever you're with and you'll just get twice as many pictures

I like your thinking! I'll be with my boyfriend the whole time, and meeting up with friends while we're there, so I'll definitely have to bring both. (With any luck my boyfriend will actually use my point and shoot! Hahaha.)

Now to just figure out how to work the darned thing... Hahaha.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I like your thinking! I'll be with my boyfriend the whole time, and meeting up with friends while we're there, so I'll definitely have to bring both. (With any luck my boyfriend will actually use my point and shoot! Hahaha.)

Now to just figure out how to work the darned thing... Hahaha.

you have some time to learn... learn how to shoot manually, learn what exactly aperture, ISO, shutter speed are and how they interact with each other.