re: OT photogs: Disney trip gear question

I always bring a backpack to Disney, so having my DSLR in there isn't going to add that much weight.

Also, I'm not trying to sound holier than though by saying that a cell phone is not adequate for my purposes. I really enjoy using a DSLR, and the photo quality is worth the extra space and weight to me.

On my honeymoon I had to rely on an iPhone 4 because our point and shoot died. We got some decent pictures, but there were plenty of low light shot moments that came out very poorly because a phone doesn't have the right capability.

After having a kid last year I took the time to learn how to use a DSLR, and I'm really looking forward to bringing it to Disney next month.

I have a black rapid strap for my camera that makes it very comftable to carry my camera all day long. The strap runs diagonal across your body and hangs on you side near your hip. You just lift the camera to take photos and the camera slides along the nylon strap

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Going on a week-ling trip next week. I'm trying to keep the bulk/weight of my camera bag down. Just upgraded my gear in anticipation of the trip, and wondering if the lens choices will be adequate.

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I shoot a 7D as well. But there are times when I wish I was a little heavier money wise and I would buy a mirrorless system for trips like this.

Blackrapid is a lifesaver, especially when you have to move through crowds.

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have a black rapid strap for my camera that makes it very comftable to carry my camera all day long. The strap runs diagonal across your body and hangs on you side near your hip. You just lift the camera to take photos and the camera slides along the nylon strap

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Just curious. Are you Asian?

Take the memory maker.

Less things to tote around, the cast members tasked to take photos are good at it.

Less things to tote around will be VERY important at some point.

The goal of going to Disney is everyone enjoys it. If you're that worried about the pictures...well let's just say everyone isn't as likely to enjoy it as much.

Have you considered replacing that Tokina zoom with a 24mm equivalent prime for wide angle work? Also, you are duplicating the 50mm focal length for portrait length with your crop factor. For that camera, it seems a better travel zoom would be the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8, and really, a more useful zoom range overall than the 24-105 for your camera. With a 2.8, good quality zoom, a 1 stop difference for a prime seems a small benefit for the additional space, but a 35mm would make more sense than a 50mm. YMMV

Awesome

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Going on a week-ling trip next week. I'm trying to keep the bulk/weight of my camera bag down. Just upgraded my gear in anticipation of the trip, and wondering if the lens choices will be adequate.

Canon 7D mark ii body

Canon 24-105mm f/4L - day use, outdoors
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8- night use, indoors, landscapes

I also have a 50mm 1.8, and a small camcorder. These are light, but will have to bring a bigger bag/backpack if I start increasing gear. I will not be bringing my tripod. I'm hoping to find a table, garbage can, or other stationary objects for my long exposure night shots.

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I don't really know much about the equipment itself. But your question really depends on the type of shots you're looking to get. Some of my favorite shots of the parks are night shots. So, personally, i think leaving the tripod at home is a mistake. If there's something you could leave behind instead of the tripod, I would do that. Or, you could only bring the tripod to the parks on certain days where you're planning on doing some evening shooting.

The memory maker is fine for family pics posed in front of the castle or Spaceship Earth....but that's it. I understand that you like to compose shots yourself and more than likely want to get some angles that you won't get in the stock photos. I would also suggest hitting some of the resorts. You can get some great shots there as well.

Also, there is a pretty sizable Disney photography community on sites like Flikr. Check out some of the shots there and see that they're using for the nighttime shots to get an idea on which equipment might suit you best. Many of those photographers stay in the park well past "close" and get some great empty shots in the parks.