taking photos on rides

[Christine43]

Hi, first off, I don't use flash photography on the rides, I swear and it also irritates me when others do. But, I would love to take pictures on a couple of the rides without the flash. Any suggestions from anyone here would be greatly appreciated. I just have your run of the mill digital camera but I'm hoping I can get a couple of decent pictures. Thanks.

[Big Wallaby]

Get a good prime lens.

Now, I have to admit, I have taken a flash picture on Splash Mountain... I was on a log by myself, no one else was in view behind me, and I REALLY wanted a picture of the two vultures at the end. Oh, and the ride was stopped for five minutes while Brer Bear was causing trouble and I was right beneath them the entire time. But it's the only time I've taken a flash photo on an attraction.

[ktulu]

That photo was taken with a Canon Rebel XTi, 50mm f/1.8 (aka the nifty fifty) 1600 ISO, no flash. Chances are you don't be able to do this with a point and shoot, even if the ride is stopped, unless you can keep the camera stable (being able to set it down would be best).

[Big Wallaby]

f/1.8 (aka the nifty fifty) 1600 ISO

That would preclude MOST non SLR's.

[svickersart]

Unless you have some good light to work with your point and shoot will probably come out blurry from the motion and slow shutter speed. If you can change your ISO crank it up as high as you can (faster film) and cancel your flash and give it a try, if your moving try to pan as you go by, its tricky and takes lots of practice but can be done. A good SLR is best for this sort of thing with as stated something like a 50mm F 1.8 lense, you can pay some high dollar and get even better like F-1.2 but very expensive. Another thing I have done lately is shoot a video, many point and shoots allow short video and Photoshop CS3 has the ability to capture a frame from video, thats how I got the Skeleton captain on Pirates since I could never get my timing down to the lightning flash. But also keep in mind I'm a photographer and have a bunch of college in the field and have shot over 30,000 pictures at Disney theme parks and I have also done a lot of experimentation with my cameras including a lot of low light/night photography.

[Princess Susi]

Unless you have some good light to work with your point and shoot will probably come out blurry from the motion and slow shutter speed. If you can change your ISO crank it up as high as you can (faster film) and cancel your flash and give it a try, if your moving try to pan as you go by, its tricky and takes lots of practice but can be done. A good SLR is best for this sort of thing with as stated something like a 50mm F 1.8 lense, you can pay some high dollar and get even better like F-1.2 but very expensive. Another thing I have done lately is shoot a video, many point and shoots allow short video and Photoshop CS3 has the ability to capture a frame from video, thats how I got the Skeleton captain on Pirates since I could never get my timing down to the lightning flash. But also keep in mind I'm a photographer and have a bunch of college in the field and have shot over 30,000 pictures at Disney theme parks and I have also done a lot of experimentation with my cameras including a lot of low light/night photography.

Would you share that photo with us here? Pleeease? I would love to see it. THAT scene on Pirates is our ALL TIME FAVORITE scene! :D:
Susi

[Christine43]

Thanks very much for the replies. I'm going to take your suggestions and try to apply them to my camera. If nothing else, it's worth a try with my camera. Otherwise, I'll have to get a better one next year. I really don't want to get a mega expensive camera, I really can't afford it. Are there any digital cameras that are particularly better than others? Thanks again, christine

[Big Wallaby]

Are there any digital cameras that are particularly better than others?

Oooh, oooh! Can we have a Nikon/Canon debate? Pleeeeeeease?

I don't have an opinion. I like both cameras for different things, but I just want to watch the fur fly.

[ktulu]

Oooh, oooh! Can we have a Nikon/Canon debate? Pleeeeeeease?

I don't have an opinion. I like both cameras for different things, but I just want to watch the fur fly.

Like there is even the need for a debate, look at the Canon Mark III.

[Big Wallaby]

Like there is even the need for a debate, look at the Canon Mark III.

Hey, that's no fair. FOUL!