lens for vacation to Walt Disney world

elkman2000 · Apr 8, 2012

Hey,

I currently own a d7000 with 3 lenses. 18-105 kit lens, nikon 50mm f1.4d and tokina 11-16 2.8 ultra wide. Is there a must have lens that would be a great addition to the arsenal I currently own for a 10 day Disney vacation. Obviously, this is not the only reason I'm looking in to a new lens but it gives a reason to justify one to the wife! Any suggestions on must have lenses out there??

P.s. in addition to random photos of attractions, characters and animals, my family mostly my 2.5 year old daughter will be the focus on a lot of shots. Maybe that will help you paint a better picture for what I will need. Thx

Bitter Jeweler · Apr 8, 2012

What focal length, or range do you feel you are missing?

Bo4key · Apr 8, 2012

Maybe something in the 70-200 mm range?

But like Bitter says it really depends on what you feel you are missing and what you can't accomplish with the gear you already have. Or, do you have a tax refund that just burning a hole in your pocket?

elkman2000 · Apr 8, 2012

My kit lens is usefull, but I have been checking reviews on nominal 28-70 2.8 and how amazing it is as a mid range lens. I'm sure a 70-200 would be great but I feel I wouldn't use it much. Maybe when my daughter is older and in school or maybe for the animal kingdom. I was just thinking of upgrading my current kit lens. I also use an sb 900 for portraits, but never on vacations or outdoors.

brian_f2.8 · Apr 8, 2012

the 70-200 is heavy for walking around with. i would suggest the 18-105 kit lens would be perfect because it fold up small. think about walking around with something nice n light. the 18-105 on a dx body is very nice.

elkman2000 · Apr 8, 2012

Great point Brian... Didn't even think about that! Would the investment of 28-70 2.8 be worth the weight and the cash???

FTWingRiders · Apr 10, 2012

I just spent 5 days there being dragged around by a 7 year old. and honestly, I brought my D5000 and lenes, but the camera I used the most was my nikon S8200 P/S. Took GREAT pictures and video of the family, and it fit right into the cargo pocket of my shorts. I saw a lot of people weighed down and fighting with a big bag of lens. Makes for a long day trying to get on the rides and such. Not great for low light, but caught some nice shots, these are straight from the card, and trust me I wasn't that close to the hairy guy!! LOL!!

disney 2012 pictures by mib657861 - Photobucket

digital flower · Apr 11, 2012

We went down to disney last winter and I would suggest your fastest lenses since a lot of the areas are not well lit. I have to say that it was amazing to me that there were virtually no photographic restrictions at the parks, except no flash on some rides. I had my 50mm/1.8, 18-70mm and 60mm/2.8.

Mrgiggls · Apr 12, 2012

elkman2000 said:
Great point Brian... Didn't even think about that! Would the investment of 28-70 2.8 be worth the weight and the cash???

I would never consider walking around any public theme park with a 28-70 f/2.8 unless I were there in a professional capacity. The 18-55 should be all you need. If you are toting a small bag the Tokina should ride along and the 50 is so small and light you can put it anywhere it won't get knocked around.

rgregory1965 · Apr 12, 2012

I would just take the 18-105 kit lens....its a great sharp lens

Spend the extra money on having a great time and making memories with the fam.....

If you just want to get a great lens to add to the arsnel get a Nikon 70-200 VR 1200.00 to 1800.00 Used

Or the Sigma 70-200 OS 1400.00 brand new

Infinite_Day · Apr 13, 2012

The 28-70 is a FF designed lens so it will have a greater equivalent focal length. If you're not planning to go to an FX camera any time soo you could also consider replacing the kit lens with a 17-55mm f/2.8 DX.

Mach0 · Apr 13, 2012

I would stick with the 18-105. Small, light, not expensive. While we'd all hate to have a camera get smashed or stolen, would you want it smashed or stolen along with a 1-2k lens? Plus you'd have a hard time putting it somewhere safe if you wanted to get on rides. I'd either use the 18-105 or a nice P&S. If you want a longer range lens that you won't kick yourself in the behind if for some reason it got messed up, grab a 55-200. It's light and pretty sharp.

Joel_W · Apr 13, 2012

A trip to Disney is all about family memories, and having a grand old time. Odds are you'll have very little time to look for real photographic possibilites unless they pop up while standing on lines. I've made the trip twice so far. 1st time was with one body and three lenses. Next trip was with my P&S, and actually had fun with the family, and enjoyed myself. It's just not the type of trip you want to carry any more then is absolutely necessary. Between water rides, and all the rides where you and your equipment will be taking a physical beating, just doesn't make it worth it.

Mach0 · Apr 13, 2012

Joel_W said:
A trip to Disney is all about family memories, and having a grand old time. Odds are you'll have very little time to look for real photographic possibilites unless they pop up while standing on lines. I've made the trip twice so far. 1st time was with one body and three lenses. Next trip was with my P&S, and actually had fun with the family, and enjoyed myself. It's just not the type of trip you want to carry any more then then is absolutely necessay. Between water rides, and all the rides where you and you'll equipment will be taking a physical beating, just doesn't make it worth it.

Indeed.
Find a waterproof digital P&S