Disney World - should I take my 7D?

I'll be at Disney this weekend with my T1i. The granddaughter is getting the full princess treatment for her 5th birthday. I plan on just carrying it in my messenger bag.

Fireworks shooting is a totally different story. At times I go back to the hotel to get the tripod and remote. Once I was on business shooting an event at Epcot. We got out and the whole group of 300 or more students walked toward the water and took pictures and watched the fireworks. It was great, but I did not have a tripod. It was fine, but a tripod would have been wonderful. If you know you are staying late to shoot the fireworks, the best shooting is with a wide angle lens a little distance away from the main group of watchers.

It's a tuff call either way. Like most have mentioned if you don't bring the dslr, there will be times (more often) you wish you had it even with just 1 lens. If you bring the dslr there will be times you wish you didn't and had opted for something smaller.

I will say that my Sony (forgot the circumstances) while probably fussing over popcorn, which ride, too hot and looking for shade, someone was thirsty, etc.., fell and hit the pavement. Nothing happened and it still works fine except for a scuff or three.. If that was my 30d that would have hurt, especially with the 24-70.

It's still a tough call..

I'm buying a new T2i this weekend, and am really excited. We also have a trip booked for Disney for six days (December 20-25). We'll be there all day on Christmas day, and I bet it's going to be magical. We're going to start with the Magic Kingdom on the first day, go to Epcot and other parks, and then we'll hit the Magic Kingdom again for Christmas Day. The kids (11 and 9 year old girls) are at the end of the childhood years and are very excited. They have only been to Disneyland in CA and their last visit was five years ago (we used to go several times a year--Disneyland is very cheap for California residents--99 bucks a year each).

Anyway, you bet I'm bringing my T2i. And, luckily, my American Express card covers the purchase on theft or damage of any kind for 90 days from date of purchase, so the timing on the new purchase couldn't be better. Lost or stolen, it's totally covered.

I may hold off on the 60d and purchase it closer to my next vacation on the AMEX. Thanks ^^^^^^^^^^

If you are going with your family.....take your P&S and make memories with your family. Photography always has pros and cons and if you have your 7D you are more likely going to go into "photo mode" and focus more on taking the perfect photo. Your kids are probably going to appreciate the great time they had with you in 20 years far more than a perfect picture of fireworks. Sacrifice that for your family and be "all there for them". Without your 7D, you'll have nothing to worry about as far as always having to keep your eye on your SLR.

prime80 wrote in post #11386312
Disney is FULL of photo opportunities. Shooting fireworks is one of my favorite passtimes. If you like that kind of stuff, or want decent photos after dusk, bring your 7D. 7D+17-55 is a GREAT combo for the park. I'd leave the tele at home unless you just have to get safari shots at Animal Kingdom.

My experience is that the trucks on the safari ride seldom stop long enough for decent shots, and/or the animals you really want are not where you would want them to be, and/or the animal is on the other side of the truck, and/or the animal is in front of the truck where you can't get a shot of it, and/or....

I was excited about the photo possibilities on the safari ride before I first went to Animal Kingdom. After my first experience on the ride I no longer haul the 100-400 around the park.

pknight wrote in post #11389637
My experience is that ... and/or the animals you really want are not where you would want them to be

I had seen this Modern Marvels on Disney World. I recall that Disney really did go to extraordinary measures to make sure the animals are where you want them when the trucks go by. On hot days, for example, when a truck is approaching, they cool an area where the animal can be seen from the truck so they will be there at the right moment. The place really is pretty phenomenal. You don't think of Disney as being an engineering wonder.. but it absolutely is.

hairy_moth wrote in post #11390126
I had seen this Modern Marvels on Disney World. I recall that Disney really did go to extraordinary measures to make sure the animals are where you want them when the trucks go by. On hot days, for example, when a truck is approaching, they cool an area where the animal can be seen from the truck so they will be there at the right moment. The place really is pretty phenomenal. You don't think of Disney as being an engineering wonder.. but it absolutely is.

Like Pride Rock, that is cooled all day long to make it a place that the lion wants to hang out at on a hot Florida day.

jase1125 wrote in post #11381933
7 day trip to Disney World with my wife, 3 and 5 yr old boys. Conflicted about taking my DSLR to Disney - it isn't exactly light. However, we will have a stroller so I could place it underneath. If I don't take it, then I will be taking a Canon SD1400 P&S.

Cons:
Heavy
Worried it will get stolen

Pros:
You all know them

I guess another option would be to pick up a s95 so at least I could get much better quality pics.

I literally just had this same issue, We went to Mickey's not so scary Halloween. I asked my self the same question and regretted every moment that I did not have my 7D. I said to my self the iphone and the wifes P&S will suffice, nope missed a lot of good opportunities ans hated my self for not bringing it. It is a big risk I know, but if you have proper insurance on the 7D take it.

Going to Disney you're better of going with one lens that you can take most of your picture. Dinsey with your kids you must take photos for memories

I'd recommend bringing the DSLR for sure. I went on a trip to Disneyland earlier this year and brought my 5D2 along with a P&S. I find the P&S great for video. I was just looking back at some of my pictures from this year and am even happier that I brought my DSLR along, as the pictures turned out great. I always brought my camera along with me on rides and did not have any issues.

T2i is going to be my glorified point and shoot. When ever I don't take my 5d2 I regret not having a better camera but the T2i is certainly good enough for most travels, especially outdoors. I have been playing with a friends T2i and kit lens and its really pretty good for such a small camera.

Before our kids arrived, I used to shoot using Canon EOS 500N - analog film camera. After arrival of our daughter, I realised that it is a bit difficult to carry arround the two lenses and the camera and the flash . . . even though I could use the buggy . . . . well, I could not use the buggy as I was paranoid about the equipments being stolen.

When our son arrived in 2003 - I decide to go digital. I managed to use the analog camera in the subsequent two years - but then I just gave up.

I have made several trips to Disneyland Paris with my P&S camera. Did not really regret not having a proper camera.

If your chosen P&S camera is as versatile as mine and fits easily in your pocket - go for it.
Take your 7D too - for some special use - if needed.

Our kids are now 9yrs and 7yrs of age . . . now, it is time for me to use heavy gear again I amm passing my P&S(s) to them

I went with my kids to DW in 2008. They were 6 and 4.
My advice would be to pack a good P&S. There are DW photographers all over the park.
We used the Disney PhotoPass Service quite a bit and just bought the cd of images when we got home.
I was there to enjoy the park with my kids. I feel that hauling a DSLR would take my attention away from enjoying it with my kids.

You would feel tormented for leaving it at home, but sometimes you just need free yourself from the camera and enjoy the moment.