Going Shopping for Disney Trip

OK,

I'll be going to the local camera store in the next couple days to gets some new equipment for my trip to Disneyland next week.

At the bare minimum, I'll be getting a tripod. I've been told by someone else that I should be able to get buy with the $35 tripod from Wal-Mart, but I have a hard time believing that I can get a quality piece of equipment there.

In addition to that, I'm thinking that I need:

• A camera bag
• A lens for taking nighttime shots (more specificially fireworks)
• shutter remote

My biggest concern/worry, is picking a decent lens

I have a Nikon D80 with the 18-135mm kit lens that came with it. I'm not opposed to having a separate lens(es) that I use strictly for the nighttime shots and fireworks.

What should I be looking for? I know the lower the f-stop rating on the lens the better since that means it's a "faster" lens.

Should I have separate lenses for daytime shots, nighttime shots, and firework/illuminations/fantasmic shots?

Whatever lens(es) I get, will also need to be used for my trip to Disneyworld in September (yes, 2 trips this year).

 

The tripod is a must. I realize that and it's on the shopping list.

What is a release?

I'm not too concerned about positioning for the fireworks. I'm going to be there for 4 nights and staying at the Paradise Pier Resort. The concierge told me that worst-case I can get a good position for fireworks from their pool. It's just a distance away.

Also, if tradition holds true, I'll be going back to the room before heading back out at dark...my wife needs her naps.

I'm not too concerned about not being able to change lenses. Obviously an all-in-one lens would be nice, but if I'm understanding what I'm reading, there is a price to be paid for using such a lens.

So, I'd be open to suggestions for an all-in-one lens as well as separates (if necessary).

 

Well, to start, almost any tripod will do. But I would avoid any tripod with a geared center column.

But if you have a tripod for the trip, along with a cable shutter release (shutter remote), your kit lens will be fine for fireworks, as you should stop down your lens and use ISO 100.

But for walkaround, using high ISOs (1600) at night, you would want a lens around 1.4/1.8 max - I know Nikon makes a $100 50/1.8 lens.

For Fantasmic! - while you are learning - I would try a fixed fast focal length - like a 180/2.8:
http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductD ... &GBC=&GCC=

Nothing wrong with buying used. I started with used lenses. KEH has a very good reputation.

If you can afford it, you could go much higher and get a fast VR lens - for $1600+ (70-200)

 

Thanks Roger,

Until I am sure that I
A) Enjoy my new found hobby
B) Am not horrible at my new found hobby

I'll be avoiding plunking down $1000+ for a lens. I already have one expensive hobby (woodworking), I'll have to prove my meddle before the wife approves such large capital expenditures.

 

Roger,

Your recommendation for Fantasmic (the 180/2.8), is that for the Fantasmic! at MGM or the one at Disneyland. A fixed focal length of 180mm seems to be more apt to the MGM Fantasmic! than Disneyland. If I remember correctly, the one at Disneyland is much closer to the audience than the one at MGM.

I should also note, that we got the Fantasmic! Preferred seating & dessert at Disneyland

 

Thanks idarknight! I'm really appreciating these suggestions.

It will help much greatly when I walk into the camera store and actually do something other than tell the sells person that I have no idea what I need

 

That's why I started with the cheaper options BTDT

Camera bag - best bet - find your local "pro" shop, go down with your camera/lens, and try out the bags they have. I'll bet that most of the bags they'll have will be either Lowepro or Tamrac. It will come down to just your personal preference. Too many bag choices to go over in a forum like this. But if you have to choose between a smaller and a larger bag, go larger.

 

Really? That*one* ;-) got this:

<img src="http://www.themeparkphotos.us/cpg140/albums/uploads/061307/B/IMG_5235.jpg" />

 

I actually took a trial run to the local "pro" shop a few weeks ago and made the mistake of not bringing my camera. I didn't realize that was "ok". I've already learned my mistake on that front.

Should I be concerning myself with an external flash at this point? If so, what features should I be sure I have?

 

Well, I used to shoot Fantasmic! at DL at the beginning of the standing room only crowd with my 200/2.8, in the age of film, so 200=200 (yes, Tim I know)

<img src="http://www.themeparkphotos.us/cpg140/albums/uploads/050907/F/DL0899167a.jpg" />

There's one with the 200.

Where is the seating now? It used to be at the Disney gallery, which is pretty far from Tom Sawyer's Island Pirate's Lair, so you would need the extra distance (180*1.5=270). I know the 50 won't do except for wide shots.

 

If the pro shop isn't okay with it, I wouldn't shop there - they will know if the camera is theirs or not. Same with lenses.

Flash? Personally I would wait until after DL since you will need to decide what you need the flash for. I made the mistake of buying a cheaper flash, and then had to upgrade it. I like those with bounce, zoom, swivel. But the prices approach midrange lenses (300-600)

 

BTW, I've never seen a thread go like this here before (so fast with replies to replies....)

 

There were originally two locations. One was the gallery and the other was down by the water somewhere near the Tom Sawyer Island Raft Dock.

When we booked the priority seating package, we were told that until futher notice, the Disney Gallery will not be allowed to be used for the Fantasmic! seating nor for the lunch during the "In his footsteps" tour (rumor is that Club 33 will be taking over the Gallery space).

The only available location for the preferred seating is now at the Raft Dock location. I'm not sure of distances.

In all honesty, I've never seen Fanstamic! at Disneyland nor done the Tom Sawyer Island thing. So, I'm not really able to gauge distances

 

Roger, I may have typed my reply wrong. They were "ok" with my bringing my camera and in fact encouraged me to do so the next time I came. That way I could take pictures, with my camera and storage media and be able to compare the results with the various lenses.

 

Okay, if it is where I vaguely remember it - it's not waterfront and is actually a little back off and higher than the water front. I prefer center stage (i.e. Disney Gallery), but if that's what's going to happen, that's what's going to happen (probably because of ADA access to the Gallery)

This is a shot I took from that general area:

<img src="http://www.themeparkphotos.us/cpg140/albums/uploads/050907/H/DL041999041a.jpg" />

You may want to look at a 100/2 or 2.8 to start instead of the 180. I know Nikon makes a 105/2.8 Macro VR, but I don't know how $$$ it is.

 

Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 30D
Image Date: 2007:02:21 08:14:00
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 21.0mm
CCD Width: 5.13mm
Exposure Time: 0.067 s (1/15)
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO equiv: 1600
White Balance: Auto
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual


Does Mac have a plugin to see the EXIF data inside the browser? I installed the one for Firefox (and that's where I got the above from - it even has a 'copy' button)

There's a few more at my site. Boy I taxed the buffer on that one.

 

hey harra
here is a link to a wireless remote that works for the d80. I use it, cheap and it works:
http://www.adorama.com/NKMLL3.html?searchinfo=nikon%20remote&item_no=1
you access the remote control on the top of your d80 near the shutter release. it is a "hard" button that controls single, continous, timer, or remote shutter release

for now, just use the built in flash, although nikon does make a small $100 +/- flash.
http://www.adorama.com/NKSB400AFU.html?searchinfo=nikon%20sb400&item_no=2