Another what lens to bring - Disneyland

85mm is way to long for Disney, especially Disneyland. Everything is much more cramped than you would think.

Wider is better at Disney.

I'de take the 5D2 + 40 if it were just one lens. Flash? no thanks. If you want to get on the water rides with camera, you can use a lowepro utility bag 100 AW. I use that on my belt, almost like a fanny pack, and it's highly water resistant, even without the rain cover.

I'm really partial to belt setups, less strain on your shoulders, and fast access to gear.

5D3, 40mm F2.8 Pancake and the small portable 270EX-II flash in your pocket if you need it - takes PRO quality images and will work in any light condition - that small flash can be bounced vertically in landscape mode and into a wall during portraits

Similar but much lighter is the Fuji 100s with a 23mm F2 (has built in flash) - can be purchased used for $700.

I think smaller is better for this type of stuff but if I was going to add any weight I would do an ultra wide zoom - possible take my 17-40 as it is lighter than the 16-35F4 - I would use a sling type strap with a climbing clip around my belt that I could clip through the sling to hold the camera firmly to my belt when walking around.

To me, this type of situation speaks to where mirrorless cameras shine. You won't be tracking in AI Servo pro-sports or a bride that is paying for can't miss photos in low light - thus that last 30% of super fast AF isn't required - therefore ditch the weight and go mirrorless with a tiny zoom or fast prime.

I live in Anaheim and go to Disneyland (and California Adventure) all the time. If I were to bring just one lens it would be either 16-35 or the 24-105. I took some telephoto lenses a few times but I quickly figured out two things. 1. Disneyland is made to be Larger than life in construction and decoration and 2. there seem to be millions of people there. When you combine the two getting close and wide lets you capture some interesting memories. the way the place is designed it seemed like every time I tried to get a close up of any specific decoration with a long lens it was just not interesting because all context is lost.

Another thing to consider. A small bag with body, 1 attached lens and a flash will allow you to go on most rides without leaving your expensive equipment behind. When I brought the larger bags/ backpacks I would either rent a locker or watch the wife and kids ride (it is hard to capture memories if you are not part of them).

I hope this helps!

SunTsu wrote in post #17523614
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?

Heya,

If you're going to be involved, keep it simple, take one versatile lens and a flash.

If you're going to be separate from your family all the time and just document their experience, then take everything.

Wider angle I find is ideal in parks. You're not going to get a lot of great opportunities to stand around with a big 200mm and not just have tons of people in the way, or very displeasing compositions just trying to get what you're after. Wider angle lets you stay close to your family so less people are between you and them and so you can quickly take an image that includes your family at close range AND the context of the park, so that you can see where they even were in the photo, 20 years from now.

Flash is something I'd absolutely take. Parks are basically blinding light with tons of reflecting horrible hot sun, and then dark shadowed areas and indoor areas where your poor camera just can't take the dynamic range, and having to constantly adjust aperture, ISO, etc, to make up for the massive differences in light as you move around quickly has you having more down time trying to get it right. Instead, you can just use flash. Out in the sun, you can use it for fill to avoid the dreaded underexposed back-lit image. In the shadowy areas and indoors, you bounce for fill and/or the actual exposure. The light is so much softer and nicer than trying to do high ISO under mixed ambient light.

To me, your camera and 24-105F4L and your speedlite (and a bounce diffuser) would be all I'd take. Has all the wide angle and telehpoto needs covered. Set her up for ETTL II and point the flash away as a bounce flash for fill and take lots of batteries. Use ISO to offset flower power needs to increase number of shots of flash you get when indoors.

Smallest most compact bag possible so that you can treat it no different than a purse. I like my Lowepro messenger. Fits a camera, lens and flash unit with room to spare and lots of room for batteries and all that.

Personally, I would just take my EOS-M and 22F2 with a speedlite in the bag and flash diffuser and a bunch of batteries. I'd use the flash for portraits with characters and props. And use no flash to do fun video and/or stills of us just running around. Cheap $250 setup. And so easy to use, I can hand it to a strange and tell them to just touch the screen to take a photo (using face autofocus live view and pre-set the exposure settings I want). Simple. Cheap. Small.

Very best,

Qlayer2 wrote in post #17524872
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.

I'm convinced I will leave the 70-200 at home. It's a bit of a relief really to not thing about it. I think I will bring the 24-105 for sure, but I'm not sure where I'd keep the 16-35 when I'm not using it.
We are having a stroller delivered to our hotel so we can use it outside of the park. If I put the bag in the stroller, what happens when I go on the rides? I definitely don't want to leave my camera bag in the stroller by itself.

wallstreetoneil wrote in post #17525037
5D3, 40mm F2.8 Pancake and the small portable 270EX-II flash in your pocket if you need it - takes PRO quality images and will work in any light condition - that small flash can be bounced vertically in landscape mode and into a wall during portraits

Similar but much lighter is the Fuji 100s with a 23mm F2 (has built in flash) - can be purchased used for $700.

I think smaller is better for this type of stuff but if I was going to add any weight I would do an ultra wide zoom - possible take my 17-40 as it is lighter than the 16-35F4 - I would use a sling type strap with a climbing clip around my belt that I could clip through the sling to hold the camera firmly to my belt when walking around.

To me, this type of situation speaks to where mirrorless cameras shine. You won't be tracking in AI Servo pro-sports or a bride that is paying for can't miss photos in low light - thus that last 30% of super fast AF isn't required - therefore ditch the weight and go mirrorless with a tiny zoom or fast prime.

I don't have a mirrorless although I'm now thinking about it. I have 6 600ex flashes but not a single 270ex. LOL. I will just take a 600ex and strap it to my BlackRapid.

dadgummit wrote in post #17525276
I live in Anaheim and go to Disneyland (and California Adventure) all the time. If I were to bring just one lens it would be either 16-35 or the 24-105. I took some telephoto lenses a few times but I quickly figured out two things. 1. Disneyland is made to be Larger than life in construction and decoration and 2. there seem to be millions of people there. When you combine the two getting close and wide lets you capture some interesting memories. the way the place is designed it seemed like every time I tried to get a close up of any specific decoration with a long lens it was just not interesting because all context is lost.

Another thing to consider. A small bag with body, 1 attached lens and a flash will allow you to go on most rides without leaving your expensive equipment behind. When I brought the larger bags/ backpacks I would either rent a locker or watch the wife and kids ride (it is hard to capture memories if you are not part of them).

I hope this helps!

OK...between the 24-105 and the 16-35, which would you choose?

MalVeauX wrote in post #17525841
Heya,

If you're going to be involved, keep it simple, take one versatile lens and a flash.

If you're going to be separate from your family all the time and just document their experience, then take everything.

Wider angle I find is ideal in parks. You're not going to get a lot of great opportunities to stand around with a big 200mm and not just have tons of people in the way, or very displeasing compositions just trying to get what you're after. Wider angle lets you stay close to your family so less people are between you and them and so you can quickly take an image that includes your family at close range AND the context of the park, so that you can see where they even were in the photo, 20 years from now.

Flash is something I'd absolutely take. Parks are basically blinding light with tons of reflecting horrible hot sun, and then dark shadowed areas and indoor areas where your poor camera just can't take the dynamic range, and having to constantly adjust aperture, ISO, etc, to make up for the massive differences in light as you move around quickly has you having more down time trying to get it right. Instead, you can just use flash. Out in the sun, you can use it for fill to avoid the dreaded underexposed back-lit image. In the shadowy areas and indoors, you bounce for fill and/or the actual exposure. The light is so much softer and nicer than trying to do high ISO under mixed ambient light.

To me, your camera and 24-105F4L and your speedlite (and a bounce diffuser) would be all I'd take. Has all the wide angle and telehpoto needs covered. Set her up for ETTL II and point the flash away as a bounce flash for fill and take lots of batteries. Use ISO to offset flower power needs to increase number of shots of flash you get when indoors.

Smallest most compact bag possible so that you can treat it no different than a purse. I like my Lowepro messenger. Fits a camera, lens and flash unit with room to spare and lots of room for batteries and all that.

Personally, I would just take my EOS-M and 22F2 with a speedlite in the bag and flash diffuser and a bunch of batteries. I'd use the flash for portraits with characters and props. And use no flash to do fun video and/or stills of us just running around. Cheap $250 setup. And so easy to use, I can hand it to a strange and tell them to just touch the screen to take a photo (using face autofocus live view and pre-set the exposure settings I want). Simple. Cheap. Small.

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #17525841
Heya,

If you're going to be involved, keep it simple, take one versatile lens and a flash.

If you're going to be separate from your family all the time and just document their experience, then take everything.

Wider angle I find is ideal in parks. You're not going to get a lot of great opportunities to stand around with a big 200mm and not just have tons of people in the way, or very displeasing compositions just trying to get what you're after. Wider angle lets you stay close to your family so less people are between you and them and so you can quickly take an image that includes your family at close range AND the context of the park, so that you can see where they even were in the photo, 20 years from now.

Flash is something I'd absolutely take. Parks are basically blinding light with tons of reflecting horrible hot sun, and then dark shadowed areas and indoor areas where your poor camera just can't take the dynamic range, and having to constantly adjust aperture, ISO, etc, to make up for the massive differences in light as you move around quickly has you having more down time trying to get it right. Instead, you can just use flash. Out in the sun, you can use it for fill to avoid the dreaded underexposed back-lit image. In the shadowy areas and indoors, you bounce for fill and/or the actual exposure. The light is so much softer and nicer than trying to do high ISO under mixed ambient light.

To me, your camera and 24-105F4L and your speedlite (and a bounce diffuser) would be all I'd take. Has all the wide angle and telehpoto needs covered. Set her up for ETTL II and point the flash away as a bounce flash for fill and take lots of batteries. Use ISO to offset flower power needs to increase number of shots of flash you get when indoors.

Smallest most compact bag possible so that you can treat it no different than a purse. I like my Lowepro messenger. Fits a camera, lens and flash unit with room to spare and lots of room for batteries and all that.

Personally, I would just take my EOS-M and 22F2 with a speedlite in the bag and flash diffuser and a bunch of batteries. I'd use the flash for portraits with characters and props. And use no flash to do fun video and/or stills of us just running around. Cheap $250 setup. And so easy to use, I can hand it to a strange and tell them to just touch the screen to take a photo (using face autofocus live view and pre-set the exposure settings I want). Simple. Cheap. Small.

Very best,

So the Park allows you to carry your backpack onto the ride?!

SunTsu wrote in post #17525849
So the Park allows you to carry your backpack onto the ride?!

Not if they see it likely (big ones at least),

But if it's a small enough bag to fit in a locker, you can just pay for a locker for the day and stow the big camera and stuff away behind a lock while you ride rides. Or if you have a spouse or family member who isn't riding, just hold on to it. No fun going to the locker over and over though.

Again this is why I take my EOS-M mirrorless. It can go in my cargo shorts pocket, but generally is just in my hand. Can do stills or video ON the rides, and is small.

Or you just don't ride rides, because you're stuck with your gear as a ball & chain. Not to sound like a parrot, but again why I went to a smaller setup for travel/vacay, instead of taking my 5D or something into these situations. I like to enjoy it with my kid and family instead of just being the photog as they go on rides. It's all about what you want to do.

I don't fret leaving my speedlite in a stroller/bag off the rides (565EX II, $80?). And again, I can take my EOS-M + 22f2 with me. I kayak with the thing it's so small. Also, I've dropped it a few times and it takes quite the punishment. $250 little gem for this kind of stuff.

Before, I'd just take an APS-C and a 10-22 ultrawide to wide and a flash. Same sensor. Bigger and bulkier, but I liked the wider angle options and I could pre-focus hyperfocus with it and never worry about autofocus missing and just shoot wildly and have fun. It was just bulkier than I liked and got in the way of me being a part of the fun, so I ultimately leave it at the hotel and take the EOS-M instead so I can participate and worry less about gear, or the weight, or what to do with it when it becomes an anchor. I just leave my 5D and 1D at home, because again, I'm on vacation, and don't want the weight or potential loss, so I use APS-C's and mirrorless for my travel and fun stuff. I don't care if something happens to them as they are not costly, but still produce great images far beyond what a P&S can do.

*********

Scatterbrained's stuff at Disney is why I take a flash no matter what. It truly makes the difference in wow photos regardless of the camera/lens.

Check this out: Link.

Very best,

first time I went I brought all kinds of things, don't remember what it was, but at least 40D, 70-200, 17-55 and probably one more. Was a drag. Since then I only take a high quality small point and shoot, first a G12, now an even smaller sony RX 100II. If you are there for more than one day, bring it all, take little to nothing the first day and plan for the next day. I just prefer to go on rides w/o having to deal with a heavy bag and with the gazillion people there, it's hard to take 'good' photos IMO, unless you spend a lot of time waiting for crowds to dissipate for a moment etc. I'd just go small and light and have fun

Last month my wife and I, no kids, no rides, went to Epcot for a one day visit.
I took my 6D w/24-105 f/4L and 16-35 f/4L. The 16-35 saw the most use (85%) and I could have done it all with the 16-35.

SunTsu wrote in post #17525849
I'm convinced I will leave the 70-200 at home. It's a bit of a relief really to not thing about it. I think I will bring the 24-105 for sure, but I'm not sure where I'd keep the 16-35 when I'm not using it.
We are having a stroller delivered to our hotel so we can use it outside of the park. If I put the bag in the stroller, what happens when I go on the rides? I definitely don't want to leave my camera bag in the stroller by itself.

I don't have a mirrorless although I'm now thinking about it. I have 6 600ex flashes but not a single 270ex. LOL. I will just take a 600ex and strap it to my BlackRapid.

OK...between the 24-105 and the 16-35, which would you choose?

So the Park allows you to carry your backpack onto the ride?!

Well my son was 8 months old when we went, and took my mother in law and sister in law, so either my son wasn't going on the ride and someone stayed with him, or we all went on the ride and I took my bag with me. I have a tamrac velocity 3 that I took, and there were no rides that my 8 month old was going on that I wouldn't take my bag.

There are very few rides at Disneyland I can think of that won't let you take the bag, and given your kid's ages, any of the ones they would be big enough to go on you would be fine with a backpack or messenger bag.

SunTsu wrote in post #17525849
OK...between the 24-105 and the 16-35, which would you choose?

Personally if my main goal was to get some great shots of the family I would (and do) go with the 16-35.

Also with the ages of your kids I would not ignore California Adventure (the other Disney park). It is usually less crowded than Disneyland, the streets are wider and, in my opinion, the little kids area is better. Most rides usually have a 2-5 minute wait where they are often 30+ minutes at Disneyland. Asking a 4-year old to be patient for 1/2 hour while standing in one confined space is a tough thing to do. There are also a couple of areas where the kids can play in water, Just google: "California adventure water bugs land" and you can see many pictures. My kids 3 and 8 often spend more time there than the rides.

Go wide, the whole point of taking pictures at Disney is to get pictures of the environment. You can take a tightly cropped portrait anywhere.

16-35 for sure.

vertigo235 wrote in post #17526329
Go wide, the whole point of taking pictures at Disney is to get pictures of the environment. You can take a tightly cropped portrait anywhere.

16-35 for sure.

+ 1 on that. I had the most fun with the 17-40.

I just don't get it when people bring a whole backpack of photo gear on a family outing. Its like they couldn't choose and they care more about taking a picture than participating. I wouldn't want to watch that many kids at Disneyland and be weighed down any more than necessary, particularly with anything expensive I couldn't easily carry everywhere.

Don't forget that you can expect to walk about 5 miles going around in circles and standing in line for hours.

This is my all-time favorite bag. You can get velcro attachments that fit on either side. One for flash, the other for a lens (or water bottle).

Why not get a G series camera and enjoy being there instead of lugging around a bunch of heavy lenses and camera gear? Personally that's what I'd do and I wouldn't feel bad handing a G15 over to someone to take a family shot of us either. We are planning to go in 2017 and that's all I plan to take is one P&S.