Taking a DSLR

[FestMonster]

I have attended Glastonbury since 2007 but I have only ever taken my cheaper cameras I have now got a DSLR I was thinking of using this in the day and leaving it in the lockups at night ?? The camera plus 2 lens where quite a bit of money is it a good or bad idea to take it I know it will be a bit of a pain to have on me but I should get some good pictures and advice is welcome

[Tim5205]

I took mine last year and it was the best thing I done. Make sure it's insured. I just extended my contents insurance to cover it against theft, and any sort of accident and it's only cost me a couple of quid. Make sure you use the lock ups. Take spare batteries and plenty of memory cards. Spread your photos over lots of smaller cards. You'd be gutted if you lost all your photos. Theres plenty of threads discussing further and some great examples of the pictures you can take.

[The Dawg]

You will obviously get differing answers as some people do not take expensive items they will be gutted to lose. There are plenty secure lock ups all over the site so if you are passionate about your photography then go for it. There will be plenty of opportunity for decent pics and I always say it's a 'cannot fail' type of place where photos are concerned.

This year I am thinking about taking my Canon G12 as it fits very securely on my belt. I will just have to be careful that I don't take my pants off anywhere I shouldn't ;O)

[kpins]

Well worth doing loads of opportunities for amazing photos, just watch for dust if its dry and leave in the lock-ups at night then leave them a tip on the last day!

[ukslim]

As long as you use the lockups and have decent insurance for when it's with you, I wouldn't worry about the risk of losing it.

I'd be more concerned about the bulk/weight it adds to what you have to carry. It's up to you whether your photography is worth that.

I have found that the urge to photograph things gets in the way of participating properly in the festival -- when I'm photographing I'm observing, not taking part. So in the past I've gone on a photography walk for an afternoon, then consciously put the camera away for the rest of the time.

[FestMonster]

Thanks for the replys i did a google search last night of glastonbury pictures and after reading what ever one has said I'm taking my camera but I will only use it for an hour or so a day and the rest of the time i will leave it in the lockups

[spiky_simon]

I've taken mine in the past. You can get some good photos but it is quite a lot of weight to lug around, and unless you take a few lenses it'll be difficult to get all the shots you'd like. Not sure whether I'll take mine this year, though if I don't take it I'll probably wish I had. I wouldn't take it in a wet year.

[ethereal]

Took my DSLR and compact superzoom (Lumix, 26x) last year and got better pictures with the latter I think. For the extra zoom, video, and better wide angle I'm just taking the compact this year. Depends what lenses you're using and what you're shooting of course. Stages tend to be a bit further away at Glastonbury, plus it's busier than most and there's a lot more ground to cover there too (weightwise)

[allovicky]

I would check with your insurance first, I called them a few weeks ago and they won't cover my DSLR because they don't know how secure the lockups are. So if I take it its at my own risk

[smash]

Guess it depends how pissed you get!

[theleedslads]

I take my 50D with canon 10-22, and couple of other lenses and flash. I would regret is soooo much if I didn't take it as always get some amazing photos!

It never leaves me mind, the bag is always on my back, although it does get annoying sometimes!