doxphoto Loc: Allentown, PA

Has anyone photographed here? I'm going on a family trip next month, and am wondering what level of gear to bring, i.e. lenses, bodies, etc.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Depends on what you want to shoot...

I suppose I'm a minimalist.
I only take my camera with the 18-200.
Maybe also the 50 if I might shoot in the evening.

doxphoto Loc: Allentown, PA

Thanks. I’m trying to find out what there is to shoot.

Bill_de Loc: US

Their website should help. Once you know what is there, you should be able to choose your gear better than anyone.

https://discoverycove.com/orlando/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAuYuvBhApEiwAzq_Yia1fjx2s-6uZW052EftWRdqdx07qYysrtoXH801qGlDtFLRXVkkhGxoClUYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

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doxphoto Loc: Allentown, PA

Thanks for the info.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

4 bodies and the following lenses, 10-20 mm, 24-105mm, 70-200mm, 200-500mm, 50mm 1.4, tripod, monopod, elbow pads, knee pads, sunglasses, sun tan lotion, flip flops, shirt, shorts, socks are optional.

Red6

Honestly, the best camera to take would be something waterproof. Discovery Cove is basically a large water park with salt and freshwater pools, beaches, lazy river floating, and other places to play or lounge around. They also feed you pretty well. Think of it as a man-made beach with added fresh and salt-water activities and attractions.

The best all-around camera to take would be something you can use in and around the water, such as an Olympus TG-6. The saltwater pools have some of the best opportunities for photography if you have an underwater camera. In these pools are colorful fish and manta rays swimming all around. It does appear that they have added an aviary with colorful birds and a nature walk area with various animals to see.

They do have the dolphin experience, so if someone in your party wants to swim with the dolphins, that would be a photo opportunity. But again, most of this will occur in the water so if you want to participate then a waterproof camera would be a must.

Personally, I would not take my gear in unless it was beach-ready and waterproof. Most of your day is going to be spent in or around water along with sandy beaches. The first thing you do when you arrive is to change into wet suits so you know you are going to be wet or getting wet much of the time. The place is pretty big so if you carry a lot of gear you may need a good size bag to carry it with you since there is walking (or swimming) required to get around to the various attractions. People generally set up at their favorite places and then walk around to the other things to see and do.

Again, in my opinion, this is a place where less is better. The most I would take is a waterproof point-and-shoot or put my iPhone in a waterproof case.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Underwater creatures. If you have an Olympus Tough TG 5, 6 or 7 it’s waterproof to 50 feet.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Basically, it's a beach. I brought a small waterproof camera, and that worked out fine. At the time, they had a "river" with a strong current, so we could coast around and take pictures. Discovery Cove is one of the best attractions in Orlando. When we went, lunch was included, and entry was limited to a hundred people.

doxphoto Loc: Allentown, PA

Thanks everybody. I appreciate the advice. Very helpful.
For Billnikon…do they allow packmules?

RetCapt Loc: NorCal mountains

A couple of posters have suggested a waterproof camera, such as the Olympus TG series. I agree with those recommendations.

On the west coast we have Disneyland. Disneyland is inland, so no issues of salt air or water. But the other elements remain.

Disney is extremely crowded. Many of the visitors are carrying drinks, which are subject to spillage due to the natural jostling in a crowd. Those spilled liquids are often sticky, and not something one wants on a camera. In addition, movement within these crowds means the likelihood of bumping against inanimate objects.

Both venues can get extremely hot, with Orlando having the additional comfort of stifling humidity.

In either venue one spends a lot of time on their feet, so the more carried the less comfort.

On my last visit to Disneyland I carried my (at the time current) Olympus TG-4. It is light, compact, water/shock/compression resistant. The f2 (at widest end) lens allows for night and inside photos. Besides the toughness of the camera itself, I carry mine in a Pelican Micro Case. This is a very strong hard case, rubber lined, water/liquid/impact/compression resistant. But with quick access. Arguably it is redundant with a TG type of camera, but I still like that additional layer of protection.

In the event either the camera or case get splashed with a sticky soft drink, it can be rinsed off in the restroom and you are back in business.

I carry my camera in its case on a cross body strap so it is situated near my left hip. I don't even think about it until I need it.

Overall I am a minimalist in how much gear I carry in the field. I only carry what I will need for the photographs I am seeking to make. So this approach is consistent with my preference.

One may want to consider performance beyond just snapshots. I edit my images and make my own prints. My maximum printer size is 13X19". Given limits on wall space I most often go no larger than 11X14". Images from my small sensor cameras yield excellent prints in this size, indistinguishable from my APS-C prints. In one case I did go to 13X19". It was a night photo in downtown Radiator Springs in Carsland. It came out so well it could be a Disney poster, so I tried it at maximum size and it came out extremely well. So well that it is on my wall and the walls of my family and friends who are fans of the film 'Cars'.

All this to say that if one wants quality beyond casual snapshots, this camera will deliver it.

doxphoto Loc: Allentown, PA

Thanks for the comments & advice.

User ID

One body with normal is always tres chick.