Camera Bag

[Groucho]

I love to get Lightroom 3, but I'm not so excited that I'm going to start using a beta verion as my production photo tool. At it's heart, Lightroom is a database and I'm not a fan of using beta databases for anything other than testing.

I'm not suggesting that - just saying that if you want better performance from Lightroom, you may want to just take a look at 3b2 just to see if the improvement is significant enough to make it not worth doing anything about for now and just being patient until 3 final comes out.

Since you've since stated that your video encoding is too slow, then it's a moot point. All I'm sayin' is that LR performance will get better for everyone (well, everyone who upgrades) when 3 is released. Hopefully (presumably) it will also incorporate better multiprocessor support - it's been shown that LR exporting uses only one core; on a dual-core PC, you'll get the best performance from running two exports at once.

 

[Mosca]

I used Lightroom effectively for a long time before I finally grasped what it is doing conceptually, how it is serving me as a user better than anything else available right now.

It stores all your "negatives" in one place, and allows you to sort, view, and edit them before outputting them as final product. And after you have output them, you retain the original negative (raw file). It also can use Adobe plugins (CS4, PSE) or 3rd party plugins (I use the NIK suite); you export as a TIFF to the plugin, do the edits, then import back to Lightroom as a TIFF, all the while retaining the original file. As a database, it is incredibly powerful, allowing you to tag and cross reference your photos however you wish, it allows you to edit the EXIF data and add personal information... and... and... and....

And it does all this in a way that is almost intuitive to use. The editing tools are incredible. FOR ME, Lightroom is as essential a part of my photographs as the camera and lens I took them with.

Now that being said, if you are a Mac user, I've heard that Aperture is also an incredibly powerful application. I'm a Mac user, but I use Lightroom 2; I'd already had it, and when I switched to Mac I ported my license over. But Aperture gets some pretty solid endorsements from those who use it. I tried it in the Apple store, and I could get used to it.

 

[mrcricket]

I have Aperture and after a learning period, have found it very useful. I'm looking at upgrading to Aperture 3, which looks like a good improvement over 2. What I like about Aperture, is similar to what others on this thread have said about Lightroom - cataloging, non-destructive editing and raw conversion. I actually find Aperture easier to use when processing raw files than photoshop. But, I still use photoshop as my primary editorial tool. To me, Aperture (and it sounds like Lightroom) are compliments to Photoshop and well worth the investment, especially if you have large libraries.

Good luck on whichever you choose to use.

 

[ukcatfan]

You might give Bibble a try as well. I prefer it over Lightroom. Some people that have tried both say that Lightroom is better for organization, but Bibble has not left me wanting any more in that area. Both are very powerful tools and a huge step above ACR.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Hi Lynn

This is an example of my memory card pic that I lock into the card. I put my info on it before each trip and after I've formatted the card. You can use a business card or plain piece of paper. I like looking at my Einstein when I'm away from home

The same goes for the inside of my bag. I use a small pic from home put my info on it and set it in the front mesh compartment.

I can't see the pic. I love the idea though.

 

[DebºoºS]

I can't see the pic. I love the idea though.

Sorry, can you see it now?

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Sorry, can you see it now?

I'm still not seeing it. Is it just me?

 

[DebºoºS]

I'm still not seeing it. Is it just me?

Here's a link to it . Maybe that will helphttp://debspix.smugmug.com/photos/460789065_NY8hi-M.jpg

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Here's a link to it . Maybe that will helphttp://debspix.smugmug.com/photos/460789065_NY8hi-M.jpg

The link is not working for me either. Maybe it's my computer. I'll have to check my laptop when I get home. Thanks for trying.

 

[DebºoºS]

Not a problem. PM if you need help with it.

While we're on the topic of labeling things. I put my phone number on the outside of my memory card cases with a Staedtler CD/DVD marker.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

That's a good idea too. I am worried about taking so much stuff with me into the parks and want to make sure everything is labeled. I ordered some dogtags yesterday.

I just noticed your signature. What is a photowalk?

 

[DebºoºS]

I just noticed your signature. What is a photowalk?

We get together to take pics, walk and talk. It's a lot of fun if you enjoy taking pics. The F&G is perfect for it.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Sounds like fun. F&G is so beautiful. I am really looking forward to taking pics there this year.

 

[photo_chick]

I have a problem with my neck and sternum so I've yet to find a bag that is truly comfortable when I'm out a long time.

When I'm out an about my camera never makes it into the bag anyway so I've gone to using a Crumpler Industry Disgrace strap (LOVE this strap, very comfy and distributes weight well) with a Lenscoat camera pouch to keep my baby safe from bumps and bruises.

I have a couple of smaller bags I toss lenses and things in. Lately my favorite is a hip pack meant for hiking (walmart $9.98). It holds 2 water bottles on the outside and has a large compartment where I can fit 3 lenses in their own pouches, memory cards, cell phone, etc... When I don't need to carry water with us I've been "borrowing" my daughters 2 Million Dollar Home. It works well for a couple of lenses and goodies.

 

[ssanders79]

You can download Lightroom 3 Beta 2 for free from Adobe Labs. I have not tried it. I am waiting for the full release before upgrading from Lightroom 2. The beta will expire when the next beta version is released or the full version becomes available for purchase.

 

[Gdad]

I pretty much just use Lightroom for sorting and culling raw files because you can get nice big thumbnails and sort through a few hundred shots easily and delete the non-keepers. Once in a while I will have a batch of shots I just do a basic resize/jpg conversion in LR but for anything I care about I do all my editing in CS3.

 

[Docarino]

Thanks for the advice. I did download Lightroom 3 to try it out. I don't find it that intuitive but I'm not sure if that's the beta version or if I'm just so comfortable with my current workflow that I need to give it a little time. I'm not too excited about purchasing new software at this point but if it's really awesome and I'm missing out, I may have to

 

[Icemann]

When I just carry a few things I use a Domke F2 bag,It Is a very comfortable shoulder bag and when we get serious and stay out longer in the parks I us a Tenba Shootout backpack.You will find out that one bag just won't do you will have to have a few

 

[MICKEY88]

one advantage of CF cards,, the first thing I do when I buy a new card is write my email address and phone number on them with a sharpie

 

[Snappy in OK]

Do you have any idea where you got the dog tags?



This is a really great idea. Thank you!

Sorry, I didn't get online yesterday. I had originally searched online for dog tags. I ordered mine from dogtagsonline - they were delivered quickly, were correct, and I was able to personalize my kids' tags. (I included "My name is ___ on both of theirs, and "Nut Allergy" on DS.) They also came with a rubber silencers, and I got a different color for each one. Each set of 2 tags came with 1 long & 1 short chain. I used the 2 long chains for the kids' and the short chains for my bag & camera.