To DSLR or Not

[Leea85]

Hi All
We are heading on our first ever trip very soon. I am undecided if to take my DSLR or not?
What’s everyone else’s opinion?
My reason for hesitation is caused by photography is a hobby of mine, but I am worried that I’ll spend time viewing the magic from a viewfinder and also have the camera to carry.

[sunseeker]

Absolutely take it. If you have it with you, you can decide if you want to take it out to the parks or not. If you leave it at home, you'll regret it.

Dave

[Cannavar]

We used to take ours along with a video camera. We now find that our phones can do almost as good a job but we dont have to remember to carry them around and they can be out in a moment.

Theme park holidays are really ideal for high end camera phones.

[thatdavieguy]

Took mine a few years ago but quickly found it annoying (having to carry that & bags for the parks meaning more checks on entry was just one of the reasons) and by the end of the holiday i was using my phone more as it was more convenient

[ASCollins]

Personally I can't see why you wouldn't take it?!
I am dad of 2 young children (5 and 2) and am taking DSLR with multiple lenses and speedlight, a handheld video camera and an action camera for on ride videos/pool time.

I know it's seen as overkill by some and not 'enjoying the moment' but for me I want to capture that moment forever. The speed and quality of the DSLR allows me to capture a look, a glance, a tiny momentary detail that a point and shoot just can't do (without a lot of luck).
Yes I will have a lot to carry and yes my wife will tell me to put the camera down and pay attention but when we get home and from 1,000 photos there is one of those extra special moments I won't regret it at all!

[sunseeker]

Originally Posted by ASCollins

Personally I can't see why you wouldn't take it?!
I am dad of 2 young children (5 and 2) and am taking DSLR with multiple lenses and speedlight, a handheld video camera and an action camera for on ride videos/pool time.

I know it's seen as overkill by some and not 'enjoying the moment' but for me I want to capture that moment forever. The speed and quality of the DSLR allows me to capture a look, a glance, a tiny momentary detail that a point and shoot just can't do (without a lot of luck).
Yes I will have a lot to carry and yes my wife will tell me to put the camera down and pay attention but when we get home and from 1,000 photos there is one of those extra special moments I won't regret it at all!

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I don't take my DSLR to the parks anymore but I do have some wonderful pics of Florida, especially those taken early morning during the first week when I can't stay in bed past 04:30. I left my camera at home one year and felt lost without it. My family think i'm sad.

Dave

Dave

[ASCollins]

One note I would add is to take a LOT of memory. If you are behind the lens capturing magic then that's awesome but if you are sat trying to review pictures to free up space then that is not cool.
I leave in 5 days for 2 weeks and am taking 592GB in total (and I'm still worried it's not enough!).

[caj]

Originally Posted by ASCollins

One note I would add is to take a LOT of memory. If you are behind the lens capturing magic then that's awesome but if you are sat trying to review pictures to free up space then that is not cool.
I leave in 5 days for 2 weeks and am taking 592GB in total (and I'm still worried it's not enough!).

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Take it as multiple cards though, just in case of corruption. I also back up every evening usually. Last trip I dodnt take a mechanism for this and was twitchy!

[ASCollins]

Originally Posted by caj

Take it as multiple cards though, just in case of corruption. I also back up every evening usually. Last trip I dodnt take a mechanism for this and was twitchy!

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Yes it's split across many, many cards!

How are you backing up? I don't have a laptop so won't have that as an option.

[YorkshireT]

Originally Posted by ASCollins

Yes it's split across many, many cards!

How are you backing up? I don't have a laptop so won't have that as an option.

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You can buy a portable hard drive with a sd card reader on Amazon. Look for 'My Passport SSD'. You can get it up to 2 terrabytes.