Photos at Disney World
Jan 15, 2018 09:25:11 #
In about 3 weeks we are taking the family to Disney World. There will be 4 grandchildren along and I hope to get some good photos of them with characters. Some will be taken indoors and some will be outdoors. I will have the Canon 5D Mark 4 and version 2 of the 24-105 by Canon. My plan now would be shooting manual with at least 1/125 and f8 and using auto ISO. I will also have an external flash attached for fill light. Do the settings seem OK?
As far as the flash do you recommend ETTL or manual? Do I angle the flash upwards or straight on? And should I use a diffuser? Would I do things differently for indoors vs. outdoors? I don’t want to take 5 minutes making adjustments while people are waiting. A lot of questions but any advice would be helpful. I could put the camera in “P” mode but that usually defaults to f4 which can cut down depth of field. Maybe use Tv mode and set it at 1/125 and auto ISO.
Thanks in advance.
As far as the flash do you recommend ETTL or manual? Do I angle the flash upwards or straight on? And should I use a diffuser? Would I do things differently for indoors vs. outdoors? I don’t want to take 5 minutes making adjustments while people are waiting. A lot of questions but any advice would be helpful. I could put the camera in “P” mode but that usually defaults to f4 which can cut down depth of field. Maybe use Tv mode and set it at 1/125 and auto ISO.
Thanks in advance.
Jan 15, 2018 09:45:48 #
I would recommend that you take that camera and that lens out practice with them. Go to the mall, go to the farmers market. the grocery store, out on the street, and at the park. Practice every day until you know for sure exactly what that combination will do, when you need flash and when you don't etc. I think you will find that there is not one magic setting that will work all the time.
I shoot with a Nikon, so I don't know your camera, but I know it will do the job just fine. I'm not so sure about an f4 lens. I know it is a bit of a hassle, but I would take my 50mm f 1.4 and my 90 mm f 2.8. My wife has gotten really good at "Here honey hold this I need to change lenses." We can do a lens swap in about 5 seconds.
Just my 2 cents worth.
I shoot with a Nikon, so I don't know your camera, but I know it will do the job just fine. I'm not so sure about an f4 lens. I know it is a bit of a hassle, but I would take my 50mm f 1.4 and my 90 mm f 2.8. My wife has gotten really good at "Here honey hold this I need to change lenses." We can do a lens swap in about 5 seconds.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Jan 15, 2018 09:53:27 #
Mi630 wrote:
In about 3 weeks we are taking the family to Disne... (show quote)
I must say, you may find taking all of this Camera equipment quite burdensome while visiting Disney World, you will be constantly worried about losing stuff, breaking stuff, etc. Get a small "Quality" P&S Camera you can carry in your pocket or backpack. Enjoy these "Special Moments in Time" with your 4 wonderful Grandchildren, concentrating on capturing those "Never to be repeated" Happy times. I do have fond memories of being at W.D.W with my Children, then my Grandchildren, I only had a digital P&S Camera and still got excellent photos, and happy memories too.
Jan 15, 2018 09:54:39 #
dreklaw
Loc: Tucson
Take a point and shoot camera. With all those kids, you might want to simplify. There is no “one way” to shoot all those scenarios.
Jan 15, 2018 09:55:02 #
Experiment before you go so you have a handle on things.
Disney is not a place to figure things out. Too much going on too rapidly.
Disney is not a place to figure things out. Too much going on too rapidly.
Jan 15, 2018 09:56:15 #
I think your making the family trip to Disney World more critical than it needs to be. You wont know ahead of time what settings you'll be using before you get there. Instead of having fun with the family, you'll be spending time fooling with the camera, the 5D takes great looking photo's, put the camera in "Auto" and have fun with the family.
Jan 15, 2018 09:57:21 #
Thanks everyone. Never really thought of going the simple route. Sometimes when you have equipment you just want to use it.
Jan 15, 2018 10:16:52 #
My family went to Disney World in 2001, when I still had resident lovelies. I took my SLR, just as I did on every other vacation with our daughters.
You are over-thinking this. This is an outing, like an outing to a museum, but you will be outdoors most of the time. If you want to take a simpler camera, do it, but whatever you do, take something familiar .... and enjoy yourself!
You are over-thinking this. This is an outing, like an outing to a museum, but you will be outdoors most of the time. If you want to take a simpler camera, do it, but whatever you do, take something familiar .... and enjoy yourself!
Jan 15, 2018 10:29:24 #
I had a Canon 7D when I went about four years ago and my little Canon pocket camera as well and I used both throughout the day and night. The DSLR is pretty heavy so make sure you replace your neck strap with something easier to carry the camera by. That is one thing I wished I had known back then. I doubt you will need a flash either.
Jan 15, 2018 11:03:59 #
I forgot to mention that Disney World truly is a collection of photo opportunities - from going to the "Animal Kingdom" {mini-Africa} to "Epcot" {mini-Europe+}
Jan 15, 2018 11:18:22 #
Remember that they also have sudden showers in that part of the world. Even just carrying a couple of large zip lock bags will pack in a pocket well and easy to pull out if need be. The lines can be long and you don’t want to have to lose your place in line to protect your gear. The kids will dry out on their own. 😁
Jan 15, 2018 11:23:28 #
I agree. Just have fun with the grand children. Your photos will look just fine with the 5DIV & the 24 - 105L II. Make sure you stop looking through the lens enough to enjoy the experience. Your memories will last longer than the images. I have a tendency to shoot, shoot, shoot, ... I think I've missed the some of the experiences.
Mark
Mark
Ched49 wrote:
I think your making the family trip to Disney World more critical than it needs to be. You wont know ahead of time what settings you'll be using before you get there. Instead of having fun with the family, you'll be spending time fooling with the camera, the 5D takes great looking photo's, put the camera in "Auto" and have fun with the family.
Jan 15, 2018 11:31:50 #
Mi630 wrote:
In about 3 weeks we are taking the family to Disne... (show quote)
Don't laugh - but do you have a cellphone? I upgraded to a Google Pixel XL about a year ago and couldn't be happier with it's ability to get exactly the kinds of shots you are talking about.
If that is too simple a solution for you, a fast zoom on your Canon 5DMKIV would be better than the 24-105.
On flash diffusers are a waste of money to buy, since they do little to change the quality of the light, and will kill your batteries. For meaningfully soft light you need to go big, which makes it impractical for your application.
If you angle the flash up, you still have some of the light hitting your subjects, and they will only be illuminated from the middle on up.
If you are thinking of using your flash outside, then you would dial in -1 to -2 flash comp, so the flash does not overpower everything.
If you don't want to spend 5 mins adjusting everything and chimping, follow everyone's advice to practice a lot before your trip.
Jan 15, 2018 12:02:11 #
Make sure the Mouse allows the use of external flashes or flash photography in the attractions. Micky is picky.
Jan 15, 2018 12:21:58 #
Pass on the big camera, get a small camera (preferably one that is weather sealed like a TG-5)...splurge for the disney photopass (memory maker). The photographers there do a great job (and have all the best spots too). When I was there a couple of years ago it was blazin' hot and humid and shot with my epm2 with a couple of small/fast primes (no flash photography on rides). Most importantly, just have fun.
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