I'll be heading to Orlando next week for a short three-day visit. While there, I plan to spend two days at Universal Studios (one day at Islands of Adventure for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and one day at the regular Universal theme park). Otherwise my time will be spent hanging out at the pool with my best friend, going out for meals and drinks, some shopping, etc. Nothing touristy and no sight seeing beyond Universal. I've been going back and forth between bringing both my DSLR and my slightly crappy point and shoot (an old Nikon Coolpix L11) or just bringing the point and shoot.
My concerns with lugging the DSLR around are the weight and having to stow it in lockers before many of the rides at Universal. They do have free lockers before most rides but I suspect there will be a line for those both for dropping off and picking up my gear. In addition, I'm not sure how often I'll use the DSLR for pictures as what I'll really be interested in are shots of my friend and I posing goofily in front of Harry Potter-themed buildings and for those I'd give a passerby my point and shoot to use. I wouldn't trust a stranger with my good camera nor would I expect him/her to be able to figure out how to use it properly. So is it worth it to bring my big, heavy DSLR? Or just hope the point and shoot can do an adequate enough job and not worry so much about getting quality photos? I'd love advice from anyone with experience taking photos in theme parks.
I usually take a PS, but if I had the option to shove a dSLR in a locker I'd take both. I think the PS is really good because that way you can take it on the rides with you and also get some good shots that way. Take some shots around the park, at lunch, with friends etc on the dSLR.
lol GREAT question... I did not want to go without my DSLR and boy was that a mistake! lugging it around, having to find a locker before rides, etc. If you don't plan on riding much it might be ok but it is a true hassle when you plan to play... a P&S is way more feasible. We went to the same parks and I'm telling you I would NEVER do it again with my DSLR, got great pictures but just not worth it in my opinion (this coming from the girl that takes her DSLR EVERYWHERE)
.
good question. I usually go with the bridge point and shoot which has enough options to feel like I have some control. the dslr leads to what lenses, battery charger, taking it apart, finding room in my luggage or carry on. Also if I lose my p&s I would be bummed about the days pictures and the hassel, but if I lost my dslr it would be months before I could afford to replace the camera.
Most long weekend trips I use the point and shoot and am usually okay with the quality of the pictures and get to enjoy the trip more by having less worry, weight and bulk.
@miley89@jessicapena Thanks for your helpful feedback! Jessica, I'll have to steal your quality photos from the parks and Photoshop myself into them or something. :)
@brumbe I've been wanting a bridge camera for over a year but feel guilty for all the money I spend on photography-related things as it is. My point and shoot hardly lets me control anything. No ISO, no aperture, nada. I feel so helpless when I use it and have to hope it knows what to do. Looking at newer point and shoot cameras available I wish I could justify upgrading for this trip but I simply can't. My how technology has advanced in the few years since I bought my Coolpix.
Ah, if and when you are ready I have the Canon SX120 which has already been upgraded (mine is only 1 1/2 years old). It has 10x optical zoom, 10 mp, has manual (focus has not been perfected on me) shutter and app, and program modes. Also has auto, landscape and some other presets on it and video. I can adjust iso, flash and timer. I do not think it has a great macro feature though because it seems to get a bit confused sensor wise on things that may be all in one color family (pink, green, red) all seem to come out in one shade. I really like it because it fits in my smaller purse.
I would take both; but normally there are several of us and not everybody goes on the same rides so I have another person to hang on to the dslr when I am enjoying myself. An alternative is leaving the dslr in the hotel.motel safe (most of the places I have been lately have one in the room) when going to the theme park, that way you can have the "good camera" for other parts of the trip.
i would take a P&S and just be free- ENJOY and have a great time .- have fun and stop worrying 'bout the 365 for a while..----at least for 3 days for Christ sake !!!:).
@hjbenson If I weren't in a party of two I'd definitely go for the option of leaving it with someone not going on the ride. One of the benefits to traveling in a group, I'd guess.
@jodimuli Hehe, the idea of freedom does appeal to me. Believe me, I am over worrying about 365 ever since I officially finished my project. Why, I've been slacking off horribly since then even though I still lurk and check in on my friends when possible.
@sourkraut it was under $200 at best buy, so it does a lot except for macro and uses real batteries. I really now want an Olympus Pen, but that iwll have to be restrained.
@sourkraut P&S for sure. The weight will just be unnecessary with an SLR, plus you have the worry of someone bumping into it or worse. P&S can just hang from your wrist, slip it in a pocket when you get on the rides, or shoot with it on the rides... plus it's not like you're really going to get anything for Nat Geo at a theme park...A good quality P&S is more than adequate for theme park shots.
I'm actually on Vacation right now (Disneyland/Universal in California) I brought my DSLR and it is a bit cumbersome to carry around, but I've been glad I brought it.
I've been shooting mostly in automatic as there is often not enough time to set up most of the photos the way you want. Sometimes my hubby and his point and shoot has been getting better "candid" shots.
If I had to do it over again I would still bring the DSLR for when you have the time and know you have some great photo ops coming up, but if you can bring both I would do that then you can choose which camera you think will fit the day ahead of you.
As for the rides, all of the ones we've been on either have a pouch right on the ride for your stuff or lockers just outside, and we had no issue with waiting in line for the lockers and they were all free for the time you are on the rides.
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
.
Most long weekend trips I use the point and shoot and am usually okay with the quality of the pictures and get to enjoy the trip more by having less worry, weight and bulk.
@brumbe I've been wanting a bridge camera for over a year but feel guilty for all the money I spend on photography-related things as it is. My point and shoot hardly lets me control anything. No ISO, no aperture, nada. I feel so helpless when I use it and have to hope it knows what to do. Looking at newer point and shoot cameras available I wish I could justify upgrading for this trip but I simply can't. My how technology has advanced in the few years since I bought my Coolpix.
@hjbenson If I weren't in a party of two I'd definitely go for the option of leaving it with someone not going on the ride. One of the benefits to traveling in a group, I'd guess.
@jodimuli Hehe, the idea of freedom does appeal to me. Believe me, I am over worrying about 365 ever since I officially finished my project. Why, I've been slacking off horribly since then even though I still lurk and check in on my friends when possible.
I've been shooting mostly in automatic as there is often not enough time to set up most of the photos the way you want. Sometimes my hubby and his point and shoot has been getting better "candid" shots.
If I had to do it over again I would still bring the DSLR for when you have the time and know you have some great photo ops coming up, but if you can bring both I would do that then you can choose which camera you think will fit the day ahead of you.
As for the rides, all of the ones we've been on either have a pouch right on the ride for your stuff or lockers just outside, and we had no issue with waiting in line for the lockers and they were all free for the time you are on the rides.