Carrying SLR camera ?

[schwoomp]

I would really like to carry my SLR camera in the parks. I am thinking of getting a small messenger or sling bag to carry that and a couple other things. Will I end up finding it to be more hassle to carry my camera than it's worth? I know there are some rides that will require me to use a locker (I probably wouldn't be going on every one of those whether I have a large camera or not), but would a bag that's bigger than a fanny pack but smaller than a backpack work for the majority of rides/attractions?

And that reminds me- do I need cash or coins for the lockers, or can I swipe a credit card?

Thank you!

 

[mesaboy2]

There are about 6 rides across the 2 parks that require lockers for loose items larger than a small fanny pack. Only you can decide if using lockers for those rides is hassle enough. You should be okay on everything else, except for possibly Ripsaw Falls and Bilge Rat Barges, which get extremely wet and have optional lockers.

The lockers that are mandatory are free for a time tied to the expected wait time for their associated attraction. I recall being able to use a credit card for the optional ones on the wet rides. I've never used the day-long ones up at the front of each park, but I assume they're the same.

 

[schwoomp]

Thanks for the response. I hear ya- one person's hassle is another person's 'no big deal'. I guess I was just curious if others had carried a larger camera and felt like they were having to figure out what to do with it all the time. A friend of mind carried one at WDW a couple weeks ago and it didn't bother her, but she had a stroller to put it in from time to time. Worst case, if it gets to be heavy or too much of a bother, I guess I'll find a pay locker to stick it in for the rest of the day.

 

[Novinha]

I just got back from my trip last week. We spent one day at Universal Studios and one day at Islands of Adventure. I didn't want the hassle of carrying my SLR around at Universal so I put it up in a locker up front ($8 all day fee) until we were done riding, then brought it back out. I hated not having my SLR with me all day. It made me really sad and I felt like I missed out on some great shots (we did have a point and shoot, but it's not the same as my "good" camera). The next day at Islands of Adventure, I decided to carry my SLR on me all day. Didn't bother me at all. The free lockers were easy to use any time we wanted to ride something that required them. And I loved having my SLR on me all day to get those amazing photos. I am super glad I had it for our early entry to Harry Potter. Next time I go to a Universal park, my SLR stays with me the entire time.

 

[Dixie K]

I took my DSLR to Universal and got some awesome photos of "Hogwart's" with my 18-250mm go-to lens. It was a stormy day, so the storm clouds really made for an awesome background of the exterior castle shots. I will be taking my DSLR with me whenever I go again. I carry my camera in a Case Logic sling case, which I love! I wasn't too keen at first about having to put my camera in the locker at the Hogwart's ride, but it turned out to be no problem; in fact, we rode it twice that day. If you have a wide angle lens, I would bring it too. I did bring a small point and shoot for interior shots of the castle, which my husband kept in his buttoned pocket during the ride. We don't ride the "wet" rides, so I can't say what the conditions are like as far as having a DSLR on those rides.

 

[schwoomp]

Thank you. The more I've thought about it, the more I think I will regret it if I don't have it with me. Worst case, I can walk it up to the front and put it in one of the lockers there. Now to decide what type of bag to carry it in!

 

[hawkeye680]

You will regret not having it, as I think there are a lot of different opportunities for SLR-worthy pics.

Just a suggestion, look at the Maxpedition Jumbo Versapack. That's what I use and it does fit in those lockers. Mine sits in an SLR sleeve inside the bag but you should be able to find one of those easily.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Take your camera. I have a sling bag and I love it at home but in Florida, I found it easier to just wear my camera. We are doing Universal this year and because I will be putting it in a locker, I will carry my bag but in Magic Kingdom last year, I carried a big ziplock bag and wore it on all the rides. Universal tends to be stricter about wearing/carrying anything on their rides but in their defense, their rides are much more intense than the ones at Magic Kingdom.

Does anyone have a favorite lens for Universal? I was thinking of carrying my 24-70 and my 50-300 but I'd love to carry just one!

 

[newlittleminnie]

Sorry to intrude on someone elses thread but I will only be wearing a small fanny pack when I visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Will this be allowed on all rides?

If not could you give me some idea of which rides I WON'T be allowed to keep it with me?

Thank you!

 

[wendyt_ca]

I have a Canon SLR and I always use my bagellini sling bag. I usually bring a light top to wrap it in that I may wear if I get chilly. I have never had issues. We always store it during the rides that require it be stored but have never had issues keeping it on the ones that don't. On rides where it wouldn't fit in a bin or whatever is provided on the ride I sit it on the floor of the ride at my feet and double wrap the strap around my leg. I know we had to store it for the Mummy, RRR, FJ, The Hulk, MiB and Dragon Challenge.

 

[sigepmike]

Just found this thread. I've never taken my DSLR to the parks, but we are going to do so next week. I didn't know how we were going to carry the camera, but I found this backpack that we are going to try out. I like the idea of having the camera separated and a space to store our other park "stuff".

http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-TBC-307-Camera-Backpack/dp/B001T0HYJA

 

[Metro West]

Sorry to intrude on someone elses thread but I will only be wearing a small fanny pack when I visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Will this be allowed on all rides?

If not could you give me some idea of which rides I WON'T be allowed to keep it with me?

Thank you!

Fanny packs are OK on all rides...so you should be good.

 

[RMulieri]

Fanny packs are OK on all rides...so you should be good.

PBI...Small fanny packs are ok..If your fanny pack is the size of a toddler, and it interferes with ride restraint systems, you will need to lock it up.I saw a couple of people on my trip that had these HUGE fannypacks with water bottles dangling from them and they were told to lock them up

 

[Metro West]

PBI...Small fanny packs are ok..If your fanny pack is the size of a toddler, and it interferes with ride restraint systems, you will need to lock it up.I saw a couple of people on my trip that had these HUGE fannypacks with water bottles dangling from them and they were told to lock them up

Well that's true. These "fanny" packs and strollers get bigger all the time. Some day strollers will be the size of Hummers!

 

[RMulieri]

Well that's true. These "fanny" packs and strollers get bigger all the time. Some day strollers will be the size of Hummers!

I hear ya.. I was stunned to see they made fanny packs that big..But they do, and they do not fit on the rides, and made its owners very unhappy..LOL