Lens for Disneyland???

[Jen D]

We leave for Disneyland in two days! I was wondering which lens would you bring? I want at least two... the list of my lens are below. I know bunches of you have been to the happiest place on earth recently so I value your opinion and I don't want to end up regretting not bringing something.

Thanks in advance!!!!

**I am taking my point and shoot too!

[dugarner]

I don't know about Disneyland, I've only been to Disney World, and I'm not a photographer. I'm sure you'll get all kinds of opinions. But looking back on the two vacations we took to Disney, and the types of pictures I took, I used a lot of zoom and I took a lot of portrait-type shots (characters, kids with characters, decorations around the parks, store/restaurant frontages). The zoom was mostly for animals and stuff at the bigger parks, but if Disneyland is just the one park, you might not need a telephoto. If your 70-200 isn't a monster, I'd consider that, and the 24-70mm. It depends how much you're willing to lug. Big heavy bags never bothered me.

However, I had to choose which lens to grab for my cousin's wedding a few weeks ago, and I thought "I won't need my telephoto." The first picture I want to take, the 18-70 isn't long enough. The whole weekend I wished I had brought my long lens!

Just my 2 cents, have a great time!

[sarahorton]

Hi Jen!
I'm not an expert, but here's my 2 cents anyway ;-)

I usually put my 18-200 lens on the camera and walk around with that. The longer length is good if your kids are going to ride the rides alone (like Dumbo) because you can get great shots of them way up in the air And the shorter length is good for snapping candids of your kids on the fly. So, looking at your lenses, I'd lean toward walking around with this one: 28-135mm.

Your nifty fifty might be really good for character shots, food shots, and Mickey ears shots - plus, it's lightweight to carry around

Can't wait to see what the experts recommend, though.

[katrinak]

So much fun Jen!

50mm, 85mm, 28-135mm, 70-200mm, 24-70mm

If those were in my bag I think I would choose

50mm for night time and portraity shots
70-200mm for walking around and ride shots

that being said I continually bonk my child in the head with my longer lenses when we are out walking somewhere so for practical (and brain development) purposes the 28-135 might be a better choice

When I was at WDW with DD Team in January I used my 50mm quite a bit and my 17-40mm and found myself wishing I'd brought my larger lens (that could have just been lens envy though standing so close to Mel's piece of equipment )

[shellb]

I second that! I went and used my 50-200 and I loved it. I switched it out maybe once for a close up.

[KerryMac]

Always a tough choice, to be sure!
I'd bring 3: the 70-200, a 50 annnnnd the widest angle you have because I think it's great fun to get the whole of something in the frame. For example, the castle; you can get up close and get a different perspective on it. It's also great for practicing your composition. If you could find one, it might be fun to rent a fish-eye!

[donitab]

When I went last summer, I took only my 28-300 and it worked fine for me, but I can see the advantage of a wide angle lens.

HOWEVER, you want to carry as little as possible with you because you WILL get tired. ALSO, keep in mind that some rides have water (like splash mountain) so you will want to be able to protect your camera on those rides - AND take extra cards with you coz you will take TONS of pictures - and you will love looking at them over and over.

Some of my fav pics are of my kids on the tea cup ride - I stayed off and just captured pics as they came around - love those!

Have a blast & say hi to Mickey for me!

[Jen D]

Oh I forgot my wide-angle lens... I just got that a few months ago and I haven't listed it yet. I have the 10-22mm.

So, Since I don't mind carrying a bag... because I have a stroller anyway. I think I am going to bring the 70-200mm, 10-22mm and the 24-70 for sure. I have a lowepro bag that has the rain shield. Plus, our hotel is one block away so I can bring the camera back if I get tired of it (although I am such a shutterbug I don't think I could live without it!

I am bringing my laptop because I only have 2 4G cards and I know that won't be enough. I plan on downloading the pictures while the kids are sleeping =) That will help me in the long run so that I don't have 2000 photos to download once I get home!

Thank you for all the tips... you have given me so much to think about! I think I am going to be scrapping Disney/Seaworld and Legoland for a long long time!!!

I sure will miss all of you!!! I can't believe I leave in less than 48 hours!!! The kids are excited for the rides and the characters... mom is excited for the photo opportunities!!!

[KerryMac]

Have a great trip, Jen!

[patriciaz]

I would take the 5O mm and the widest angle you have.
Have a wonderful time!!!

[audrey77]

I used my 30mm exclusively. It really helped with the varying light around the park (Indoors, outdoors, shade). So I vote 50mm! Just change the aperture.

[HeidiKnight]

I agree with Katrina. I just got back from Disneyland less than 2 weeks ago and I used my 18-200 almost exclusively. The 50mm will be great for nighttime shots. I love my 85mm but the 50mm is more functional for a variety of situations without the need to back waaayyy up.