Disney World Kit Bag

GolfPT wrote in post #5274602
I was at WDW in January to run the Marathon, and I took my old Rebel XT, Sigma 70-200, Sigma 18-50, Canon 50 1.8, and Canon 28-135.

I would never consider having all that while running a marathon.

puddlepirate44 wrote in post #5274630
I would never consider having all that while running a marathon.

That's probably why it took me a little over five hours to run it. I knew something was holding me back.

I would bring a flash...

The following two items are always in my kit wherever I travel. I also always carry a 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens and a 70-200mm f/4L IS lens. Your two lenses are very close in focal length to my travel duo. This duo serves me very well.

I use a flash for a large percentage of my images. I especially like to use flash as a fill in contrasty bright sunny conditions.

I would also think about a CPL which would deepen the color of those Florida skies and reduce the dynamic range of imagery containing portions of the sky to a more manageable range. It would also show up the clouds and remove/reduce reflections from water and other non-metallic surfaces.

I would strongly suggest one body and lens for the entire trip. I have the 24-105L that gives me the range I need without too much compromise. If your more on a budget, Mikel's suggestions of the 28-135 would be a good lens to have. Any time I mix family, a vacation and tons of walking, I really limit the amount of items I carry.

Besides my camera kit (XTi w/28-135 IS) I brought my Canon Selphy 4x6 printer and would print post cards and character photo's for my daughters scrap book. Also gave me an idea of how the photo's were turning out. Though heavy carrying all day long the 28-135 lens worked out well.

D,

Hope you enjoy your planned trip to Disney.

"I have a 400D, 18-55 kit lens, and 55-250IS telephoto lens, and a couple of 2GB Extreme III cards"

I would highly suggest bringing more CF cards if you plan on shooting RAW / JPG mode or unless you plan on downloading each night to a laptop.

Bring an external flash with plenty of battiers also. Florida does have the harsh SUN and it will help fill in the shadows.

I work for Photopass so please remember to ask the Cast Members to use your camera to take your photos even if you use the Photopass Card as a backup.

Richard

Thanks for all the advice guys, seems I'm not far off the mark with my kit.

Are third party batteries for the 400D generally safe ? Obviously the manual says I should use only Canon stuff ...

Thanks,
D

RICHARD! listen to the guy. he knows what he's talking about I worked with him at wdw there with the photopass. definitely use the photopass thing disney has as a backup and have those photogs use ur camera too. can help save money.

I'm also gonna suggest a flash. they do have harsh sunlight but also lots of clouds so some flash fill is nice. also bring some raingear for your gear like maybe just a plastic bag or so.

some questions that might help with your equipment. I'm gonna assume ur bringing kids? will they see the characters? and how many of you altogether.
so far your lens setup is going to be nice. that wide angle will help and come in very handy.

disneydork06 wrote in post #5276220
I'm gonna assume ur bringing kids? will they see the characters? and how many of you altogether.

Hi DisneyDork.

There will be four of us - the wife, our 6 and 4 year old boys, and me !

They love the characters and I think we will be autograph chasing

sanderd wrote in post #5276088
Thanks for all the advice guys, seems I'm not far off the mark with my kit.

Are third party batteries for the 400D generally safe ? Obviously the manual says I should use only Canon stuff ...

Thanks,
D

the third party batteries are fine.. I HAVE A SLEW OF THEM... problem is, at first they have good juice.. after a few months or a year or so, depends on your shooting habbits, they run down quicker.. I have decided to just buy higher end ones now... I want 6 good batteries, even though I may never use all that juice... I also have a 16gb card with a bunch of 1-2gb cards.

cdifoto wrote in post #5273759
I'm a broke **** from northeast USA. I too won't be going back for awhile, if ever. I too hit Kennedy and the Animal Kingdom. I took my entire kit, suffered for it, and my pictures haven't been used beyond 4x6s snapshot prints and some online sharing.

Reality.

QFT

Taken entirely with my (then new) 350D w/kit lens: Disney '05

Straight out of the camera...no PP. This was my first dSLR and I only had it for a few weeks before this trip so my camera knowledge was next ti nil.

Snapshots at best, I agree, but then again coming from a P&S what the hell did I know.

I have two schools of thought on this. If all you're interested in is some pics of your family enjoying their vacation, grab a small P&S or bring along the minimal amount of gear possible. (but plenty of CF cards as mentioned)

If you want great (subjective) photos then bring along as much kit as you think you need and are willing to carry.

I've been to WDW a number of times over the past several years and can tell you that even though I seem to amass more gear, the list of gear I'm willing to hump around the parks has been pared down to only the necessities.

sanderd wrote in post #5276333
Hi DisneyDork.

There will be four of us - the wife, our 6 and 4 year old boys, and me !

They love the characters and I think we will be autograph chasing

ok, quite a few characters you will be finding indoors. and for that you will need a decent flash. definitely a flash. also, use the photopass people cause they will also let you be in the photo too so it doesn't look like only your wife and kids were on holiday
and of course everyone elses recommendations will help even more. good luck. you still have long ways to go till then.

disneydork06 wrote in post #5277797
ok, quite a few characters you will be finding indoors. and for that you will need a decent flash. definitely a flash. also, use the photopass people cause they will also let you be in the photo too so it doesn't look like only your wife and kids were on holiday
and of course everyone elses recommendations will help even more. good luck. you still have long ways to go till then.

I disagree with using an external flash. I used the 28-135 IS lens with just the camera flash for indoor outdoor even night shots and was very successful.

ISO 800
F/6.3
Focal length 28mm (28-135 IS)
SS 1/60th

What is the photopass card?
I have not heard of it so was curious as to what it is.

Thanks
SeattleJerry

Yes, could someone explain the photopass. I went to look it up on the disney web page, but all I got was a place where I could log in and view my pictures.