I am new to slr photography and need some advice for my upcoming trip to Disneyland (1/9-1/13). I just got a new toy for Christmas, Nikon 40dx with two lenses, the 18-55 and 55-200 VR zoom.

1. Should I bring both lenses to the park or will the 18-55 be fine for most pictures?
2. Should I plan on carrying the camera all day with the strap or part of the day in the case?
3. Is splash too wet a ride to bring the camera? I wasn’t planning on bringing it on GRR.
4. Any other tips for a newbie SLR photographer?

We are all excited about our trip. The weather is supposed to improve tremendously over the next few days and I am hoping for a break from our typical cold, wet Northwest winter!

I am new to slr photography and need some advice for my upcoming trip to Disneyland (1/9-1/13). I just got a new toy for Christmas, Nikon 40dx with two lenses, the 18-55 and 55-200 VR zoom.

1. Should I bring both lenses to the park or will the 18-55 be fine for most pictures?
2. Should I plan on carrying the camera all day with the strap or part of the day in the case?
3. Is splash too wet a ride to bring the camera? I wasn’t planning on bringing it on GRR.
4. Any other tips for a newbie SLR photographer?

We are all excited about our trip. The weather is supposed to improve tremendously over the next few days and I am hoping for a break from our typical cold, wet Northwest winter!

1. I would probably want both lenses. If you don't want to carry both you may want to take one lens one day and the other the next.
2. I would plan on having the case. All day is a long time to have it out.
3. I would not take that camera on Slash, at least out.
4. Take a lot of pics. Especially since it is digital, you can just delete. But most of all have fun!

We got the Canon Rebel XTi as a family gift this year. I took it to DL before we got a case for it and I can tell you for sure you're going to want to have that case! I was totally worried about it when I was eating and during restroom breaks and unbelievably, there were even times when I didn't want to use it. I wrapped it up in my sweatshirt and placed it as far into the center of the boat as I could on POTC (I know it's not as wet as Splash) and that kept it safe. Here's the case I got (http://products.lowepro.com/product/Rezo-160-AW,2007,20.htm) if you're interested, it's got a waterproof cover on it that might help you out. We only have the lens that came with the camera for now and it worked well enough for the pics I want. I can't wait til we get more though, options would have been nice.

Elizabeth

Take a lot of pics. Especially since it is digital, you can just delete. But most of all have fun!

Definitely take tons of photos!! Go snap happy. Do you have enough memory? Remember, when you get home, use them as your screen saver!

My two cents: (I have a Canon XT with three lenses)
1. Take both lenses. I usually leave my zoom lens at home or in the hotel at night. I don't get clear pictures in the dark with this lens. You may also want to look into getting a low light lens. I don't know about Nikon but I got a Canon 50mm (f 1.8) for about $100 that takes good pictures inside of some of the dark rides. Some of the dark rides are really hard to get good pictures because of the movement and lack of light (Peter Pan, Snow White, parts of Splash/Pirates/Toad/Pinocchio). Whatever lens you are not using, make sure you leave it in a camera bag.

2. I usually keep my camera outside of the case. I have a camera backpack that I take in with me. On certain rides and during certain parts of the day I put the camera away. I will also keep the camera in the case to/from the hotel or parking structure. The hard part about DL is that you can find a once in a lifetime shot just around any corner. If I take my camera I don't want to miss those opportunities of characters doing silly things (like Madd Hatter playing DDR).

3. I have taken my camera on Splash many times. If your worried keep the camera in the case and place it on the bench (not the floor) in front of you, if you can. I've even taken pictures inside of Splash. The key is to know the attraction. I know there are 3.5 drops. I just hide the camera under my jacket during the drops. I read a suggestion once that you can carry a large ziploc bag where you can place your camera inside of for added protection. This worked great for me in WDW.

4. The only other tips might be to bring the small instruction booklet so that you can read it if you forget something. You might want to get an extra memory card or tripod for night shots. Some of the best pictures I've taken turned out bad (at night) because of camera shake. And as stated before, take lots of pictures. Since its digital, you can always delete them.

I have taken my Canon 20D to Disneyland many time. It has been on many attractions, but I would make sure you know the spashy areas of the ride so you can cover it up. I usually put it under a sweatshirt, or baggy. Your camera is higher end, so it can take some beatings. The Rebel is a little weaker body than the 20/30/40D series so you need to watch it a bit more, but for the most part, the lens is the sesitive part, and not the body (which is why I will bring a cheaper older lens). I would only take the 18-55 until you get used to the camera. It's a shorter lens, and you will find you rarely need to zoom in that much.

A couple other tips:

bring youself closer to your subject, or bring them closer to you. But further from the background. so have them only a few feet from you in front of the castle, but both of you can be across the street at the hub, and you can get both their faces and the castle in the shot.

Learn your ISO and crank it up for darker shots. Do not use your flash in attractions, so learn how to take low light shots without the flash. This also helps taking pics of people when you want the face and the background in the shot. Often if you use flash, you get a good bright flash, but the background is dark and meaningless.

Use a rail, post, brick wall, or something else to stabalize your camera in low light shots (as in a makeshift tripod). This will reduce blurry pictures.

Thanks for all of the tips. They have been very helpful! Two more days until our trip. Yeah!!