What’s In My Camera Bag for Disney (2024)
Here’s what’s inside my camera bag for travel photography at Walt Disney World, Disneyland and beyond–the Nikon mirrorless camera and lenses I use, tripod, and other gadgets. As we head into 2024, I’ve once again made changes to the photo gear I carry in the parks and on other trips.
I’ll start with a fair warning, which is that the 2024 edition of what’s inside my camera bag is substantially similar to last year’s edition. That post included added commentary about my meaning and purpose as a photographer, and what I continue to get out of the ritual of photography. I’ll spare you the low-tier mid-life crisis stuff this time.
Well, for the most part. Last year around this time, I was excited, feeling a renewed sense of purpose in photography. We had just returned from a month in Japan where I was, for the first time in a while, serious about taking photos. It was a reinvigorating and refreshing–I was falling back in love with my favorite hobby. I resolved myself to take more time to improve my photography and learn fresh techniques in the new year.
One month later…
Sarah and I found out we’d be having a baby. Of course, we were over the moon about this news. It’s something we’ve wanted for so, so long and thought would never happen. I probably don’t need to rehash all of that.
Less excited, at least to the extent that inanimate objects can have emotions, was my camera bag and hard drive of raw files, including those from that month in Japan, which had mostly yet to be touched. I probably don’t need to spell this out, either.
It’s been a busy year and my hobby photography has once again taken a backseat to just about everything else. Maybe I’ll try again in like 18 years, I guess? Although I’m pretty sure it’ll be all AI and neural links then. Maybe Robot Tom will have a built-in camera!
Regardless, the photography flame was reignited and I did make some strides in taking photography more serious this year when I had the chance, which was almost exclusively at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The biggest change wasn’t so much a change as it was going from a period of transition to one of confidence.
I mentioned last year that I made the move to mirrorless again, for what felt like the dozenth time. It didn’t previously “take” – presumably because I kept trying Sony mirrorless cameras. (No disrespect to Sony; they’re great cameras–just not for me.) This time, I did plenty of field testing beforehand and moved from Nikon DSLRs to Nikon mirrorless. A much easier and smoother transition.
At this point last year, I was carrying both the Nikon z 7II and Nikon D850 and using both. One year later, I find myself barely touching the D850. I took it with me as a backup camera to shoot parades at Halloween, which was the first and last time I had used the camera in months. It felt so foreign, archaic, and cumbersome.
It’s not, of course. That speaks more to me being a creature (dinosaur, naturally) of habit. Last year, I was still more comfortable with the DSLR, which amplified the “faults” of the mirrorless camera. Now, the tables have turned.
Not carrying the DSLR is one way my camera bag has slimmed down. As I’ve become more confident with mirrorless, I’ve also developed greater command over my lenses with it, including what I do and don’t like using. In turn, I’ve narrowed down what I regularly carry, with more lenses typically staying at home (and becoming earmarked for eBay as a result, once the holiday season slows down).
Honestly, my camera bag is a bit boring and common as a result. I used to pride myself in having a number of novel or under-the-radar lenses. As I grow older and (maybe?) wiser, I find myself prioritizing function over uniqueness.
With another long and rambling preface out of the way, let’s dig into what’s actually inside my camera bag for this year and 2024…
Nikon Z 7II – In many important regards, including dynamic range, high ISO performance, and color depth, this is the best camera I’ve ever used. It also has in-body stabilization, exceptional autofocus, and a range of features that are unique to the mirrorless system. Even after using it for over a year, I continue to discover new capabilities.
As a longtime Nikon shooter, I love (and have grown accustomed to) the layout and interface. It’s very similar to my beloved Nikon D850 in this regard, and while a matter of personal preference, the camera is a great ‘fit’ in my hands and my muscle memory from the Nikon DSLRs mostly transfers over.
I still don’t love everything about it–for example, I have issues with the intelligent focusing systems that never occurred with the D850, but I recognize that’s largely a “me problem” given the widespread praise for its autofocus. When viewed objectively, the Nikon Z 7II is far and away the best camera I’ve ever used. I like it more with each passing day, and suspect that’ll become truer as I unlock its full potential and continue getting more comfortable shooting with it.
Nikon 14-30mm f/4Â – While Sony has an exceptional 12-24mm and Nikon’s 14-24mm is still the gold standard, I wanted a smaller ultra-wide angle lens. After doing a ton of research and field-testing all three, this was my pick. I’m still incredibly satisfied.
I’ve owned over a dozen different ultra wide angle lenses over the years, and the Nikon 14-30mm is the most well-rounded of the bunch. In addition to its size, this lens is seriously sharp and the ‘long’ end of the zoom range is good enough for regular field of view photos.
It’s definitely not the best overall ultra wide angle on the market, and the f/4 aperture makes it a poor option for dark rides (but not necessarily low light, thanks to the in-body image stabilization). It’s still far and away my most-used lens, and one that delivers for me in a wide variety of settings. If I were a more creative photographer or still willing to lug around 25 pounds of lenses, I’d pick something different. Maybe I will again someday. As it stands, I’m very satisfied with the Nikon 14-30mm and have zero regrets over one year later.
Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VRÂ – Compromise is the name of the game with a lightweight mirrorless camera bag. This superzoom is the stereotypical ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ lens…or is it?!
When doing my initial bag assembly, I tested this head to head against the Nikon 24-120mm f/4. Aside from the aperture, I found the Nikon 24-200mm edged out that lens in every regard. I was shocked. Prior to this, I was using the Sony 24-240mm, and this lens absolutely blows that out of the water.
Suffice to say, the Nikon Z 24-200mm outperforms its superzoom stereotypes in just about every regard. It’s shockingly sharp, distortion is minimal, and autofocus is relatively snappy. Obviously, compromise still comes with the territory–it’s not as good as any of the individual lenses it would replace and there’s no bokeh to speak of. But as a superzoom for landscapes shot at f/8 or above? It’s unparalleled. Shockingly.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 – The first Sigma Art lens is still the best. The bokeh is beautiful & buttery, the lens is insanely sharp, and the photos have a distinct “look” to them that pops straight out of camera. I cannot articulate what makes this lens special, but it has a certain je ne sais quoi that I’ve never found in any other prime lens.
It’s also the perfect focal length for walk-around shooting if you’re going to be using a prime, and is insanely good for dark ride photography, with snappy autofocus and that wide open f/1.4 aperture. I can’t say enough positive things about this lens–I just wish they made a version for Nikon mirrorless, because mine has seen better days after a decade-plus of heavy use.
Despite trying many similar lenses during the last 10 years, none have ever come close to the unique quality of the Sigma 35mm. At this point, I’ve given up. No prime lens is ever going to top this one for me.
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 – The most recent addition to my camera bag for 2024, I picked up the nifty fifty for the first time in about a decade–and that was the cheapo ~$100 model. This purchase occurred after much deliberation about whether I should buy the 50mm or 85mm. (The longer lens would’ve been more distinct from my Sigma 35mm, but my hope was that this would replace both from time to time.)
I’m still not sure I made the right decision, but I do find myself carrying the Sigma 35 less and the Nikon 85 never as a result. So I guess that’s a decent answer. While it doesn’t have the “secret sauce” of the Sigma 35mm, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is otherwise amazing, easily justifying its added cost over the old nifty fifty. It focuses quickly, sharpness is off the charts, and bokeh looks fantastic. Baby photos were my original motivation for buying this, but more and more, I find myself packing this lens, the 14-30mm, and 24-200mm–and that’s it.
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII – I love everything about this lens besides its weight and size, which is like saying I love Hummers minus their mileage. That’s pretty much its defining feature! I only carry this lens about 25% of the time or less, and the only reason it’s not 100% is the size and weight.
This is great for detail-oriented photography at Disney, parades, and its versatility is surprisingly strong. On the days it comes out with me, I really go crazy using it, pushing the creative uses for what might seem like a limited lens. Given how much I still use this, I anticipate upgrading to the mirrorless version if I can find a sale on it in 2024.
Rokinon 12mm Fisheye – Fisheye used to be my signature style. I’ve owned more fisheyes than any other lens type and for good reason–I used them more than just about any other lenses. In retrospect, that was way too much. I now look back at my photos that gratuitously and unnecessarily use the fisheye and wonder, what was I thinking?
This cheap and small manual focus Rokinon fisheye is more than sufficient for my now pretty limited use of fisheye. I really enjoy its sunburst, but honestly, wish they were even more over-the-top. If you’re going to use a fisheye, might as well go all-out! Regardless, I’d recommend spending as little money as possible on a fisheye lens, or not buying one at all.
Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ IIÂ – For years, I resisted mount adapters, telling myself (and others) that I’d fully commit to a system and buy/sell lenses accordingly. That was before selling, buying, selling, and rebuying DSLR gear. It was also before knowing that Sigma would never (seemingly?) make its Art lineup for the Nikon Z mount. The balance is odd with both the Sigma 35mm and Nikon 70-200mm, but that’s not really the fault of the adapter. Regardless, I find myself using this less and less, and would love to rid myself of it entirely in 2024.
Gear I Own But No Longer Use:
- Nikon D850 — I still love this camera, and even after going mirrorless, would probably buy its successor if Nikon ever releases another DSLR in this line.
- Nikon Z 40mm f/2Â – It’s small and light, but the quality and sharpness just aren’t good enough to pick this over the 35mm or 50mm.
- Nikon 85mm f/1.8 – I love the idea of an 85mm lens, but this old ‘budget’ DSLR lens just has too many shortcomings.
LowePro Flipside 300 AW III – The move to mirrorless also allowed me to trade down camera bags. Previously, I was using the LowePro’s Turtle in a Half Shell, which is easily the dorkiest camera bag on the market, as it looks like a snapper went to a surplus store.
This bag is excellent. Way better than looking like a tactical terrapin. It’s not stylish, but it looks a bit more normal and has space for everything I carry–including a laptop–and can serve as my personal item when flying. Now that I’m carrying less gear (that photo is from last year, there’s never that many lenses in it these days), I have room for other items…like diapers!Â
If you want more in-depth reviews of a broader selection of equipment, the best place to start is Tom’s Ultimate Disney Parks Photography Guide, which covers a variety of topics from links to tutorials, tips, and tricks to recommendations for point & shoots, DSLRs, lenses, and more. (Many of these are pretty old and haven’t been updated in a while, but the underlying ideas and principles still apply.)
Your Thoughts
What do you think of the photography gear in my camera bag? Have you taken the mirrorless plunge? Sony, Nikon, or something else? What’s in your camera bag? If you use any of these cameras or lenses, what do you think of them? Any questions? Hearing feedback from other photographers is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Tom, old buddy, lol. Any of that equip you no longer carry, LMK what you are looking to sell, lol. I know your stuff is well cared for 🙂
I bring my Z8 with the Tamron 35-150 2-2.8 and my old trusty 14-24 2.8 (with FTZ) and pretty much call it a day. I rarely used 24-35 range so I’m good missing that. 14-24 is perfect for fireworks/night shows and the Tamron handles the rest. I do have a 70-200 2.8 and Nikon 200-500 5.6 but those aren’t normally needed unless I’m shooting parade or concert at like Food & Wine.
I guess I’ll be the micro-4/3 guy – did WDW earlier this year with just my Olympus OM-1 and 12-100 F/4 lens – then took the same rig to Japan for 2 1/2 weeks in October. Wide zoom range, no swapping lenses, and way lighter than the Canon EOS DSLR rig I used to travel with.
Strangely enough, I saw more people with *disposable 35mm film cameras* in Japan than people carrying DSLR-type cameras. Phone cameras have really destroyed the casual-use digital camera market completely, even in the camera capitol of the world…
That’s ironic, considering most non-Samsung phone cameras are still junk. Sure, they’ve gotten better, but still not the same as a real camera.
Great timing on this article: I just bought a Nikon Z6II a few months ago and am still collecting lenses.
Thanks for reminding me about the Sigma 35mm f1.4: that goes to the top of my list for 2024.
On the 50mm f1.8, I assume that’s the old D lens with a converter? I have the new Z version and it’s the sharpest lens I’ve ever used. That being said, the old 50mm f1.4D lens really had some nice bokeh, while the newer 50mm f1.8Z is so clean and perfect it borders on sterile. But I’ll give it a few more months.
Just got back yesterday from our Disneyland trip. I had my Fuji gear with me. Absolutely not the top of the line, I have an X-T20, but more than good enough for great shots. I ended up just switching between my 18-55 and 35 1.4. even though I also had the 55-200 with me. (We ended up skipping the parade and I didn’t use it as a result) I feel about the Fuji 35 1.4 similarly to how you do the Sigma 35 1.4. It’s my go-to prime and the rendering is something special. Currently I am kicking myself because 95% of my shots of World of Color are unusable. I really wish my Rokinon 12/2 hadn’t been damaged maliciously a few years ago, I could have really used it. Before my next trip I will probably purchase the AF version. I had the T20, a backup E1 with a tiny Neewer 25 1.8 attached (that I never used) and my Konica 57 1.4 (which I had brought for portraits I ended up with no time for, d’oh!) all tucked into a Manfrotto backpack. The backpack even fit my 15″ laptop for the trip down. Next trip there are lots of things I would do differently, but not how much I used the 35 1.4. Between dark rides, musician shots and details, it got a huge workout. Thank you for all of your advice, which I should have paid closer attention to in regards to WOC. Lol.
I’ll say this. I’ve owned every 35mm f/1.4 lens by the big 4 manufacturers (Nikon, Sony, Canon and Fuji) and to me the Fuji just renders the best. That lens manages the rare combo of being both clinical and full of character at the same time.
I’m a video guy so my camera case is a little different. I travel with two HD cameras , two 4K cameras ,
two 8k cameras , and a 360 degree camera. For stills I have a Nikon DSLR. With additional lenses it’s
a heavy bag but each camera uses a different battery so I carry ten pounds of batteries. All in all a VERY
heavy bag. I’m considering lightening up by replacing some of my cameras with Samsung S23’s.
Hey Tom. I use a Nikon Z 6 and agree on the 50mm and the 14-34 lenses that you use. That 50 works great handheld in museums without the need for flash. I cant say i use the 14-34 at the theme parks – its my landscape lens. My overall go to for travel is a nikon 28-300 f4/f5.6. I have to use this one with the adapter (its an f series) and it is heavy, but it is extremely versatile and takes beautiful pictures across the range. The bokeh is lovely too. The z 24-120mm f4 is a nice substitute for disney – i give up some distance for a lot less weight and no need for the adapter. I just tried that one at the mnsshp this year and it worked great at night.
Reading this yesterday got me to go to Amazon and look at wide angles. I saw that Rokinon/Samyang now makes a 12mm/2 AF version for the Sony E-mount and it was fairly cheap. I already had the manual one and like it so I ordered it. Arrived this morning before I left for the office. The one bad thing is that it takes a 62mm filter vs the 67mm the manual version (and the Hasselblad zoom I have) uses. Sure, I can use the 67 with a step-up ring, but not if I want to use the sunshade. And the sunshade will not fit on backwards over the lens like most do but the lens does come with a pretty decent fitted case at least. And an issue only photo people will understand, until I can find the 62mm B+W HTC polarizer I want for it I’ll want a spare 67mm lens cap to protect the filter when it’s on this lens (though I can leave the UV/haze on the Hass lens to protect it well enough inside the carry case, I guess).
I guess if I were going to try and be serious, I’d carry both lenses this week and take identical shots to compare the AF vs manual directly since this is a solo trip, except when I might link up with a few D3 (Disney Day Drinkers) members… But I’m not that crazy and will do a comparison later on when I get around to it. Maybe.
I’m honestly excited for the return of the mirrorless saga. Admittedly, I did forget about it’s existence, but happy you found a mirrorless system you like.
Have a Nikon D series and headed to Glacier next summer. Would love to take wildlife photos but need a lens that can zoom without getting eaten by bears…since they frown upon that in the park…what would you recommend as an affordable lens for bears, moose, etc. Friend has amazing lenses but he also spent $10,000 plus on it! Sadly not in budget. So what would you suggest that I don’t need to sell a kidney for?
Nikon Z 100-400. You could add a 1.4 or 2 teleconverter if you need more distance, but it will diminish the f stop. The weight is pretty nice.
Don’t wait 18 years. I’m just getting back into in the last few years. Son will be 18 in February. It’s hard for me to do it on family vacations much. I need to take time and have patience. I don’t like messing up everyone else’s trip. Try to set aside certain days or specific times to do it on vacation, or you end up feeling guilty. Good luck!
I use a Samsung android. If everyone’s head and feet are in the picture I’m a happy man.
Well Samsung has long had the best phones cameras on the market. I’ve been considering trading in my S21 Ultra for the S23 Ultra, but it’s only marginally better from what I’ve seen. They do some great things in low light but still aren’t quite the same even with 200MP sensors.
15+ years ago, everyone ran out an bought a dslr (Canon Rebel) the moment they had kids. Those quickly hit closets.
I became a passionate photographer — spent a small fortune on gear, became a decent hobbyist and semiprofessional (few weddings, lots of engagement shoots); had a photography blog that was raking in a couple thousand per month.
Alas, I’m getting ready to pack for a Christmas trip to Florida. And debating whether it’s even worthwhile bringing much camera gear. I did drag my camera gear around Italy last summer, got some great shots. But many of the shots are only marginally better than I could get with a phone. Where I used to try to do some shooting virtually every weekend, now my camera goes untouched for weeks/months at a time. Phones are now more than good enough for that casual shot, quickly preserve a memory. Used to be, if I was going to dinner with extended family, I’d absolutely bring my camera. Now, my phone is more than good enough for those shots.
On the one hand, AI and other tools are amazing for the passionate photographer. With the new AI in photoshop, it makes enhancing my photos so easy — erasing the huge crowds of tourist getting in the way of my scenic Italy shots, swapping out a boring sky. At the same time, the tools make is so easy, lessening the need for great photography technique, that it also takes away from the art and passion.
So alas…. I’ll probably still bring a scaled down camera bag to Disney. I’m going to throw in the Osmo Pocket 3 — small and handheld, and I’ve been playing around more with video.
My Sony A7R5
Sony 24-70 2.8
Sony 14mm 1.8
Aiming to pack light, that might be all — Fewest lenses I will have taken to Disney in years. I might add the Sigma 100-400 for Animal Kingdom, but its a big lens to carry (even tough small for 400mm)… or I might add the gorgeous 135/1.8..
Do I add a Gorilla pod, or real tripod? I’m not even sure
Anyway Tom, you are a talented photographer and I’m glad to see your passion is still alive.
I know you’re feeling about longing to return to Japan! But as far as camera gear goes, let me warn you now that baby paraphernalia will only increase with time. And you will need to help carry it!
Once she can walk, she’s going to carry all of her own paraphernalia. That’s how this works…right?!?! 😉
That’s what the monstrosity-sized strollers are, isn’t it?
I love the Sigma lenses I’ve owned over the years, especially the price point over the equivalent Canon, Sony, etc equivalents.
Which Sony bodies did you test out against the Nikon? That looks similar to the A7 series and pretty comparable to the A7R I would get if I was more serious about shooting photos versus lead.
Those cheapie Samyang/Rokinon lenses really do well for the price, surprisingly good. Kind of funny to have a filter that cost more than the lens it’s on, but sometimes…
I owned the Sony A7RII and A7III. More recently, I tested out a couple of the newer models for a few days.
To be crystal clear, it was a me problem–all of those are excellent cameras. Sony has made tremendous strides and is arguably pushing the envelope on technology more than Nikon or Canon.
But I frequently found myself pushing the wrong buttons, getting lost in menus, etc. and missing shots as a result. Almost entirely a matter of ~15 years of muscle memory with Nikon. I just couldn’t get over that. (On the plus side, I can quickly change settings without looking on the Nikon!)
Haha, I know what you mean. Switching between my older Canon stuff and Sony was similar. And while I love Sony products, their menus are sometimes cumbersome. A good friend has the A7 II (I think) and an RX-10 and says he often uses the ‘cheaper’ RX-10 more. He was using both when we all met up in Germany a few years ago.
One thing is for certain with all brands. The advent of much cheaper optical glass combined with generally smaller sizes for the mirrorless cameras makes obtaining and carrying more lenses a lot more feasible than it was 20 years ago. I haven’t carried an actual camera bag in a long time. I just put stuff in pockets of my Drago park pack and often can just stick lenses in pockets of my cargo shorts or pants for quick access.
Another benefit of mirrorless’ lighter weight is you can carry and use a lighter tripod. Note to self, look for a smaller, lighter tripod you might be more inclined to carry and use…
I used to do photography but then I had kids and I haven’t touched it in 3 years. our trip to Disney in 2019 was the last time. your honestly convincing me to dust off my camera. I have a Nikon (don’t remember the type). I love the interchangeableness of the brand. I have all the lenses I could afford
Have you ever considered moving to Canon? They’ve been pumping out some amazing new lenses for the RF mount. If most interest to you is the new 10-20mm F/4. The worlds widest rectilinear lens. I just picked it up as an upgrade to the old EF 11-24mm F/4 and that 1mm makes an already expansive picture even more absurd. Would be great addition for all those tight indoor attraction shots.
I saw that lens, and intriguing as it is, I have zero plans to ever switch from Nikon. I learned my lesson after trying to do that with Sony twice.
If I were just getting started, or still in my prime and capable of adapting more quickly, I’d give it some thought. But it not “taking” the times I tried with Sony, plus the massive expense in selling my gear and rebuying Canon, just makes it a complete nonstarter.
This is not a knock on Canon, for what it’s worth. I don’t buy into the camera wars–they’re all capable of making fantastic bodies and lenses.
Haha, that’s like trying to get us to switch from Dewalt to Makita or something else. Still like Dewalt better and have way, way, way too much invested to change now.
I agree. At this point it’s splitting hairs between Sony, Nikon and Canon (can’t believe I am putting Sony in the same sentence now, but they absolutely blitzkrieged the camera world with their mirrorless bodies in the late 2010s and everyone had to play catch up. You just do such a great job of capturing the indoor spaces with the 14mm-30mm I would love to see what you could do with the 10-20mm and it’s so small and light compared to other UWAs, if there was a lens based on your photography style that would make you consider moving systems I figured it’d be it.
I was thinking recently that we hadn’t seen a photography post in a while and that the baby might bring one out. And here is the post! I enjoy reading your mirrorless journey and I’m glad you’ve come around on fisheye lenses. 🙂
I haven’t bought any photo equipment in a long while. It can be tempting, but even though my 5dMkIV is old by technology standards, it still takes as good of pictures as the day I bought it. I hear you on the weight of the zoom lens, though. I spent the weekend at a soccer tournament using the Canon 70-200 with a 1.4 teleconverter. I would not want to lug that onto 7DMT.
Btw-id love to see some of those Japan photos over on Travel caffeine!
“Btw-id love to see some of those Japan photos over on Travel caffeine!”
And I’d love to get back to work on all that. I have several posts in draft over there, but it’s slow-going. Writing about Japan makes me miss Japan, so I’ve been trying to avoid that until we have a trip on the books that I’m confident we’ll actually be able to take. Really hoping for Spring 2024, but it’s still up in the air!
Holding a 5D + 70-200 + teleconverter all weekend for a soccer tournament sounds like quite the workout!
If you decide to go to Japan with Megatron, you might try to get it in before she starts crawling and definitely before she starts walking. We once took our 6mo old on a longish flight (not LAX to NRT long), and it was perfectly wonderful. Nursed when she got fussy, changed her with ease. We sat there so proud of ourselves, thinking “and people complain about traveling with babies!” Cut to 11mo when we did the same flight and she was crawling all over everything and just about to walk AND cutting a bunch of teeth. Oof. Kiddo was a squirm bucket, could not understand that she couldn’t just get out of our laps and wander around, and she let everyone on that plane know how she felt about it!
Traveling right at the 6 month mark was our original plan, which we assumed would align perfectly with then opening of Fantasy Springs on April 15…and then they announced it’s opening in June. A little worried that’ll be pushing our luck, and considering an earlier trip now as a result.
Bah! The best laid plans of mice and men. Y’all are clearly smart and well-informed parents. If you take an early trip, well, you’ll just have to make another visit before too long! (Oh, no! Not that briar patch!) We found 2.5yo, once she was potty trained and could play on an iPad with headphones (no parent shaming here!), to be another sweet spot for travel.
Great and useful information! I guess it’s time for a new Nikon!
Is that a nikon lense in your pocket? Lmao