Lenses

[DonaldDuckQuackers]

I own a Nikon D90 DSLR camera and at the moment of typing this I only own the lens that comes with it which is a "18-105mm VR lens kit" so since I'd like to take this gem of a camera with me to WDW next year I'd like for Christmas a new lens.

So here is my question can anyone recommend a decent lens that would do all I'd want it to do at WDW or just a type of lens I can look into.

Now the main things I'd want to take pictures of at WDW and in general the rest of Orlando I'd be visiting like sea world, Busch gardens, espn sport complex etc are as follows:-

• Fireworks at night
• Parades
• Animals (more so sea world particularly the shows and dolphins) but possibly animal kingdom if we go there (wasn't our favourite park last time)
• Landscapes & scenery

No obviously that is the main things obviously I'd want pictures of us at various places too but most lenses cover this

And I do have a fascination of taking pictures of birds in the sky if I see any that catch my eye but since there's so much more to see in Orlando than birds this probably won't be high on my list of priorities.

Fast movement may be something too depending on if we see any sport going on.

Please bare in mind I'm real new to DSLR and don't fully understand all the lingo surrounding them so need as much detail as possible or simple explanations about the info you are attempting to give me - I hope there is a lens that will see me good at WDW next year

 

[Lord_Vader]

First, I am not a Nikon shooter, I prefer Canon but lenses are lenses... well generally.

It all comes down to budget, weight, and convinience for me. I carry a compliment of three lenses depending on what I plan to shoot on a given day, a Tamron 10-24 (for wide angle fish-eye type shots), a Canon 24-105 for general use and a Canon 75-300 for close up photography. I do not carry my 300 zoom unless we are at AK on trips, it is too heavy and combersome to carry around all day.

The faster lenses, low f-stops, allow for more low-light photography (except fireworks) and generally the lowest f-stop lenses are primes therefore do not zoom.

Your list... fireworks & parades should be good with your kit lens, Animals might require a longer zoom such as a 70/75-300mm, and landscapes should be okay with an 18mm wide unless you want to get close up shots of SSE, or other large and close proximity objects. I highly recommend getting a good quality, lightweight tripod for night photography and a remote shutter release (bulb attachement) to support a vibration free night/long duration shot.

As wth most things, the higher the quality, the higher the price. Since you are just getting your feet wet I would look for a longer range lens that meets your budget and just have fun with it.

Learn your camera settings as much as possible with all your lenses and practice, practice, practice in settings that are similar if at all possible before you go.

 

[DonaldDuckQuackers]

That's awesome - I need to read more about the settings on the camera I think learn what they do etc.

Your info really helps alot though so I thank you for that.

I feel like I barely know anything regarding DSLRs so I've so much homework to do before I go next year - I'd hate it if this was the last time I went and I don't have a lens that produces the kind of pictures I hope for.

 

[Lord_Vader]

If you

That's awesome - I need to read more about the settings on the camera I think learn what they do etc.

Your info really helps alot though so I thank you for that.

I feel like I barely know anything regarding DSLRs so I've so much homework to do before I go next year - I'd hate it if this was the last time I went and I don't have a lens that produces the kind of pictures I hope for.

I have been taking photos with SLR's and over the past decade with DSLRs and still have a lot to learn. If you have a local camera store, inquire about a basic class or two, get involved with a local photograpy club of any kind, etc. Any and all experience with your camera and lens(es) will be extremely benefitial. I highly recommend visiting your local zoo, they have exhibits both indoor and outdoors that can somewhat mimic the surroundings you will encounter around WDW except for dark rides and some specific environments.

Fireworks at Disney are especially difficult because you really have to know what you are doing, I have never done well with Disney fireworks but have taken some good outside of Disney.

 

[DonaldDuckQuackers]

The silly thing is when I went to WDW last year my photos of fireworks although none especially fantastic the ones taken on my mobile phone were better than those taken with a camera (at the time I never had my DSLR - that's how new I am at this)

I love the idea of going to the zoo as this is relatively close to many of the photographic opportunities I will be faced with at WDW

Will look into photo clubs too I need all the experience I can get before deciding on a suitable lens

 

[Lord_Vader]

Good luck and have fun!

 

[CP_alum08]

Agreed about fireworks - they are not an easy thing to shoot and more than likely your first time shooting them will not turn out how you want. Definitely try to get some practice in before heading to WDW.

Going off of what you said you wanted to shoot, you basically have 2 options. Because shooting landscapes and animals require very different lenses (usually) you can go option 1. which would be getting multiple lenses. that would include probably 4 lenses; wide angle, "standard" or "walk-around", a prime, and a zoom lens. Or option 2. would be getting an "all-in-one" type lens, like the Tamron 18-270mm.

Option 1 gives you (potentially of course) more flexibility, better overall build quality, and better low-light performance. Option 2 saves you some money and lets you carry around only one lens and not be a pack mule your entire trip, but you're definitely going to struggle in certain situations. Both have pluses and minuses it just depends on what you think you want to do. Personally I went with option 1, I have several lenses and carry at least 3 with me every day I'm in the parks.

 

[WDI 1998]

Just my two cents. You have a mid range lens already so I would suggest going with something like a Tokina 11 - 16mm f2.8 wide angle. I think you could make your current lens work ok at Sea World depending on where you sit in the stadiums and how close you get to the tanks in other areas of the park. The wide angle lens would give you the wide open vistas of the parks and open the possibility of doing some dark ride shooting as well if you want to do that.

The other side you could go with something like the Tamron 75-200mm f2.8. That would give you the zoom you will need for the animals and give you a lot of flexibility with some long range photos.

Most of all, do your research on the lenses. Read reviews and really think about how you will really use the lens. All in one walk around lenses are fine but will they deliver the quality you are going to want in your photos. Will they give you the low light performance you will need to shoot fireworks with out having to crank up your ISO so high you end up with to much noise in your shots. The suggestion of getting a good tripod and remote shutter release is a must if you are going to do any night shooting.

Check Craigslist for used lenses or consider renting one or two from Kingdom Camera Rentals. I have heard good things about them and the cash outlay would be much less than buying a lens. This way you could get a super lens like a Nikon 12-24mm f2.8 to use with out shelling out 2K to buy one. They have a website you can look at the lenses and see what is available for the dates you are going to be there.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I'll mail a vote in for the Tokina 11-16mm... I own one.

On a side note, you don't always need a DSLR... check out some of my work with a forbidden mirrorless!

(all shot prime at 35mm)

 

[CP_alum08]

Just my two cents. You have a mid range lens already so I would suggest going with something like a Tokina 11 - 16mm f2.8 wide angle. I think you could make your current lens work ok at Sea World depending on where you sit in the stadiums and how close you get to the tanks in other areas of the park. The wide angle lens would give you the wide open vistas of the parks and open the possibility of doing some dark ride shooting as well if you want to do that.

The other side you could go with something like the Tamron 75-200mm f2.8. That would give you the zoom you will need for the animals and give you a lot of flexibility with some long range photos.

Most of all, do your research on the lenses. Read reviews and really think about how you will really use the lens. All in one walk around lenses are fine but will they deliver the quality you are going to want in your photos. Will they give you the low light performance you will need to shoot fireworks with out having to crank up your ISO so high you end up with to much noise in your shots. The suggestion of getting a good tripod and remote shutter release is a must if you are going to do any night shooting.

Check Craigslist for used lenses or consider renting one or two from Kingdom Camera Rentals. I have heard good things about them and the cash outlay would be much less than buying a lens. This way you could get a super lens like a Nikon 12-24mm f2.8 to use with out shelling out 2K to buy one. They have a website you can look at the lenses and see what is available for the dates you are going to be there.

Low-light performance isn't really relevant for fireworks unless you're shooting them handheld. I agree with renting to an extent, but realize that you are renting for a reason. If you rent a $2k lens and fall in love with it don't be surprised when a "comparable" $500 lens you purchase doesn't match up.

 

[KeithVH]

I will pile on and also recommend you go wide. A 10-24 is a good investment for the parks. Need for reach, I think, is somewhat rare in a theme park. Zoom with your feet. If you feel the need to get closer than your 105 then you're going to have to convince yourself the extra money is worth it for only a few shots. But wide will get you so much more in the viewfinder that you'll open a whole new world to your photography. Including handheld lowlight. Wide angle also allows you to be closer to your subject and still include a more to each side because of the angle of view.

 

[fractal]

I'll mail a vote in for the Tokina 11-16mm... I own one.

On a side note, you don't always need a DSLR... check out some of my work with a forbidden mirrorles

Blasphemy!