Another what lens to bring - Disneyland

I will be taking my 6 year old and 4 year old to Disneyland in a couple of weeks and was going to take three lenses with me but from searching online, it seems most people recommend bringing just one lens. Originally, I was going to bring 16-35 f/2.8, 24-105 f/4 and 70-200 f/2.8 (and a flash) and put it all in a backpack along with some snacks and water.

Based on other opinions I've found online, I'm leaning towards bringing just the 40mm pancake lens and one 600EX-RT somewhere else.

So for those of you have been to Disneyland, I'm wondering about:
1) Camera bags. What did you bring and where did you put the bag when you were on the ride? I imagine no one wants to leave their bag behind, alone.
2) What focal ranges you used the most?
3) Did you find a flash useful?

One lens, I would take the 16-35. If you want parade shots, then the 70-200 would be a good addition too, but there is obviously a big cost of weight bringing it along.

If you didn't want to take the 70-200, but wanted more range, take the 24-105 and the 16-35.

Hi Sun - you should have a wonderful time there. As a parent of children who were once young and the subject of many film photos you don't want a pile of gear to get in the way of having fun. I would opt for a single lens and since you have the 5D II I wouldn't worry about flash.

Sure, that 3 1/2 pound 70-200 would give you some nice tight head shots but it won't be living on your camera. It's a great lens, I have it and love it but in situations like that the 24-105 lives on my 5D III. I've probably taken easily 100,000+ shots with it at weddings, family events and in fine art situations. It is light, more or less compact and gives a great usable range of focal lengths. At 24mm you will get great groups and close-in tight compositions and at 105 some reasonably tight headshots although not at a distance.

For me I'm just looking for fun family photos. I usually bring a few lenses for the trip but I only take one out for the day. No bag while i'm out in the park, I just use a strap so its comfortable.

Personally something wide or a prime is what I prefer. I also keep a 270 flash in my pocket at times.

Some days I just use a P/S too.

Tommydigi wrote in post #17523637
For me I'm just looking for fun family photos. I usually bring a few lenses for the trip but I only take one out for the day. No bag while i'm out in the park, I just use a strap so its comfortable.

Personally something wide or a prime is what I prefer. I also keep a 270 flash in my pocket at times.

Some days I just use a P/S too.

I don't have a small flash so I will have to consider if I want to have a flash strapped to something. I probably will because I find a flash pretty useful. So where do you put your camera when you are on a ride?

sapearl wrote in post #17523633
Hi Sun - you should have a wonderful time there. As a parent of children who were once young and the subject of many film photos you don't want a pile of gear to get in the way of having fun. I would opt for a single lens and since you have the 5D II I wouldn't worry about flash.

Sure, that 3 1/2 pound 70-200 would give you some nice tight head shots but it won't be living on your camera. It's a great lens, I have it and love it but in situations like that the 24-105 lives on my 5D III. I've probably taken easily 100,000+ shots with it at weddings, family events and in fine art situations. It is light, more or less compact and gives a great usable range of focal lengths. At 24mm you will get great groups and close-in tight compositions and at 105 some reasonably tight headshots although not at a distance.

I'm leaning towards having just one lens on a Black Rapid so I think I might go for the 16-35....

Does anyone know if the subscribe link has been removed? I can't see it anywhere!

I've been to Disneyworld in Florida many times, but never Disneyland. Some general tips for Disney visits:

Think small and light. That bag of lenses may not seem heavy at the start of your day, but days in the parks are always tiring, and you'll regret the extra weight by evening. The parks are often crowded, so a zoom is best for framing shots in crowds. With kids, I'd take only the 24-105. I've rarely used long zooms in the parks, and the short end of the 24-105 should be wide enough to capture a sense of the space around you. Also, fussing with your gear will leave your kids frustrated. They'll be excited to try every ride there, and won't want to wait for you to change lenses every few minutes. If this is your first visit, it should be about seeing that the kids have a great time.

Plan for rain and/or water - either a small bag with a rain cover, or at least a plastic bag to keep the body and lens dry during water rides or downpours.

I've had no choice but to take gear on the rides. Now and then my wife will elect to stay behind and hold it while my son and I ride, but if you have no other adult with you, you'll have to risk g-forces and bumps on some of the attractions. I've taken my 5DII on Space Mountain many times, in a shoulder bag cautiously cradled in my lap (with the strap around my neck). No issues yet, but I still worry about the jolts and g-forces it takes - another good reason not to take too much or too fragile gear to Disney, if you want to do the rides.

Do some homework before you leave. Know the layout of the park ahead of time and where some of the attractions are located. The parks can be disorienting once inside, and I've seen too many families waste valuable time going in circles all day as the kids tire and fatigue sets in. My son is grown now, but I have so many fond memories of Disney, and still love going myself to get the photos I never had time to take when it was a family event. Safe travels, and gave a great time!

I use a luma cinch on my camera and just keep it on while im on rides. Never had an issue.

I'd bring the three lenses you were considering. You can always leave the wide and long zooms in the room as options later in the trip when you figure how much you might or might not be missing them. Is the 24-105 long enough and fast enough to get shots of the kids on rides that you are not on? Possibly not.

I have a light option of the SL-1, and the STMs 55-250, 18-135 and 10-18. If I were going back to Disneyworld/Disneyland I'd take the light kit.

EOS M ߘ

If it were me I would be happy to take the UWA and nothing else. I like being closer to my subject.
I embrace some perspective distortion for fun, and if I desire portrait I would you a much longer lens.
For your needs I would go for the 40mm stm, you may not need a longer lens, many of the night time attractions are lit up, therefore not requiring a flash at all.

While a zoom is convenient I would think most of the photos and memories for going would be environmental portrait" in framing, as are most of mine.

The 40 stm will do it all and can be cropped. If you have an idea of shooting further away, take the 70-200.

85L II

Also perfect for the low light

We've had multiple well used season passes to Disneyland when our daughter was of the age.

I'd bring a single lens. For FF, the 24-105 should be wide enough.

Flash is nice for bringing out those shadows if you don't mind the bulk. Personally; I use a 7D for it's pop-up.

To me; the compositional element of just capturing the moment far outweighs getting all artsy. This is one of our very favorite shots from that age taken with a 50 f1.8 at Disneyland. It has plenty of technical flaws if you look, but compositionally it just doesn't get any better.

NBEast wrote in post #17524575
We've had multiple well used season passes to Disneyland when our daughter was of the age.

I'd bring a single lens. For FF, the 24-105 should be wide enough.

Flash is nice for bringing out those shadows if you don't mind the bulk. Personally; I use a 7D for it's pop-up.

To me; the compositional element of just capturing the moment far outweighs getting all artsy. This is one of our very favorite shots from that age taken with a 50 f1.8 at Disneyland. It has plenty of technical flaws if you look, but compositionally it just doesn't get any better.

Eastport wrote in post #17524365
I'd bring the three lenses you were considering. You can always leave the wide and long zooms in the room as options later in the trip when you figure how much you might or might not be missing them. Is the 24-105 long enough and fast enough to get shots of the kids on rides that you are not on? Possibly not.

I have a light option of the SL-1, and the STMs 55-250, 18-135 and 10-18. If I were going back to Disneyworld/Disneyland I'd take the light kit.

The 24-105 seems to be the clear leader, but I think the 16-35 is a really close second. I sure wish it was tad bit longer though.

x_tan wrote in post #17524397
85L II

Also perfect for the low light

Did you find that your kids would go on several rides without you or did you usually go together? My kids are quite young so I'd imagine we will do all the rides with them.
Where would you put the 70-200 when you are on a ride? I just don't see leaving it behind an option.

x_tan wrote in post #17524397
85L II

Also perfect for the low light

I really think this would be the worst lens to take (if only bring one lens) because it's too long and has a pretty "bad" minimum focus distance.

Given your kids ages, are you taking or renting a stroller/wagon? If so- take it all. I just went to Disneyland in February and took my 6 year old and 8 month old. I took the D600, 24-120, 35 and 50. I also took a flash. Being able to toss my bag in the bottom of the stroller allowed me to take more than most- if I was going to do it without the stroller, I'd probably just take the camera and 24-120, and throw the 35 in my pocket.

On the rides- my camera was on my sling strap- no issues.

Disneyland is tight- there won't be many chances to break out the long glass, but there are several spots where longer than 35 would be recommended. I'd take the 24-105, throw the pancake in your pocket, and call it good. If you don't take a flash, not the end of the world. I think I used mine for 15-20 images out of around 200.