Camera Bag

[disneyboy2003]

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

The overall Lightroom workflow should be the same, regardless of whether it's beta or not (ie. I don't think the workflow is different just because it's beta software).

It also took me a while to get used to Lightroom. It actually doesn't take that long to figure it out. But once you do, you'll be able to take advantage of its power and flexibility, especially in cataloging & organizing all your photos.

Lightroom's Develop module should be almost exactly the same as Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) that you're already using. Both are based on the same RAW processing engine. The Library module is where you do all the importing, keywording, rating, captioning, organizing, etc. These 2 modules are probably the most-used of the 5 Lightroom modules.

There are several excellent books on Lightroom available. One is by Scott Kelby, and another is by Martin Evening. However, since Lightroom 3 is close to being released, you're probably better off waiting for the next edition of these books.

There are also Intro to Lightroom videos available all over the Internet and on YouTube.

Regarding your specific question about Bridge/ACR vs. Lightroom, this was actually a very heated question early on when Lightroom was first introduced. Adobe answers this specific question here: http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom/faq/

Here's another recent link that also addresses Bridge vs. Lightroom: http://thelightroomlab.com/2010/02/adobe-photoshop-lightroom-vs-the-adobe-bridge/

One thing that really struck me was that Bridge is mainly a file browser, whereas Lightroom maintains catalog information in a database. Lightroom stores all your photo information (ex. keywords, captions, EXIF data, ratings, file location, etc) in a database. Bridge doesn't do this. So if you store any photos offline (like archived on a DVD), Lightroom knows exactly where it is. If you search for a photo that's offline, Lightroom can tell you where it is. Bridge can only tell you about photos that it currently sees (ex. local hard drive, USB drive, network hard drives, etc).

Also, because Lightroom's catalog is a database, finding a photo based on keywords, ratings, EXIF data, etc is LOTS faster. Let's say you want to find all 5-star photos of Mickey in front of Cinderella's Castle taken in 2008. Lightroom can find all photos that fit those criteria in a matter of seconds (assuming you did all the proper keywording and ratings beforehand). However, Bridge is only a browser, so it'll find your photo after many many many minutes, after going though all thousands of your other photos.

And then imagine if you changed your mind and wanted 4- and 5-star photos. Lightroom can pull these up immediately. Bridge, not so immediate.

Keep giving Lightroom a try. Also, like others have mentioned, Apple's Aperture is another popular program, as well as Bibble.

 

[JoeDif]

OK....so I'm sold on using the Lightroom Catalog.....great feature!!

Over the past week I've been importing all my jpeg and Raw files into the catalog and applying keywords, etc. What I have noticed is that some of the jpeg's that were processed with Topaz Adjust are importing with the entire image having a weird pink and green color cast. Is this normal with Topaz products?

 

[HockeyMomNH]

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.

Thanks for the info. I found a similar deal to that online. The turnaround time was quick. Hopefully they turn out right. I did it on my work computer so I can't remember the name of the company.

 

[eddy-4]

Hey, All.

I've been following this thread for the last day and have learned some valuable things:

1) I'm going to need to take two bags to the World--one to transport my stuff safely on the plane (Slingshot 200) and another to tote around the parks with the items I need for that particular day.

2) My choices for the second bag are between the Crumpler 5 or 6 Million Dollar Home.

So here's my question: will the Crumpler 5 fit a Sony A700, attached 18-250mm and either a 70-300mm or a 50mm (I plan to use the 70-300 in AK, but probably won't use it for the other parks). I'd also like to fit the Gorillapod Focus, a card wallet and two spare batteries in it. Will these fit in the 5MDH or am I better off considering the 6MDH despite the extra bulk and the possible discomfort of carrying it around in the parks?

Sadly, this question has consumed me for the better part of the last 24 hours.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Sadly, this question has consumed me for the better part of the last 24 hours.

Nice to know that I'm not the only one!

I am planning to get out and do some shopping this weekend. Hopefully I can find some bags to try out.

 

[Steve's Girl]

So here's my question: will the Crumpler 5 fit a Sony A700, attached 18-250mm and either a 70-300mm or a 50mm (I plan to use the 70-300 in AK, but probably won't use it for the other parks). I'd also like to fit the Gorillapod Focus, a card wallet and two spare batteries in it. Will these fit in the 5MDH or am I better off considering the 6MDH despite the extra bulk and the possible discomfort of carrying it around in the parks?

Sadly, this question has consumed me for the better part of the last 24 hours.

Personally, I wouldn't want to carry a 6MDH around the parks all day. The camera, lenses and misc items you listed will fit fine in a 5MDH. I don't have a Gorilla thingy so I'm not sure about that one. My 5MDH is set up with 3 slots inside. In the center is the camera with lens attached. On one side is room for a decent size lens and on the other side is room for a smaller lens (prime type) or a flash. I have also attached items to the loops on the outside of the bag. I have a Lowepro lens case that attaches very securely to the loops.

 

[eddy-4]

Personally, I wouldn't want to carry a 6MDH around the parks all day. The camera, lenses and misc items you listed will fit fine in a 5MDH. I don't have a Gorilla thingy so I'm not sure about that one. My 5MDH is set up with 3 slots inside. In the center is the camera with lens attached. On one side is room for a decent size lens and on the other side is room for a smaller lens (prime type) or a flash. I have also attached items to the loops on the outside of the bag. I have a Lowepro lens case that attaches very securely to the loops.

this is exactly the answer I was looking for! Thank you so much!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So here's my question: will the Crumpler 5 fit a Sony A700, attached 18-250mm and either a 70-300mm or a 50mm (I plan to use the 70-300 in AK, but probably won't use it for the other parks). I'd also like to fit the Gorillapod Focus, a card wallet and two spare batteries in it. Will these fit in the 5MDH or am I better off considering the 6MDH despite the extra bulk and the possible discomfort of carrying it around in the parks?

Sadly, this question has consumed me for the better part of the last 24 hours.

I'll just reconfirm that these items will fit in the 5MDH.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

I got my new bag today. I decided on the LowePro Slingshot 100 (thanks WDWFigment!). I am super happy with it. It is a perfect size for me, not too big but fits all my stuff perfectly!

Here are some pics.

I got a water bottle attachment for the side where my gorillapod is right now. I am not going to bring the gorillapod with me all the time but it fits there really well. It's snug so it won't fall out.

My video camera fits in the top part.

Here is the inside configuration. That's my telephoto lens in the top. There is also room for another smaller lens below the camera. I am thinking of renting a UWA for the trip and it should fit there fine.

I took a Sharpie marker to the inside cover and put my contact info there. I have blurred it out to protect my identity.

I know that the sling bag is not for everyone, especially us girls, but this bag is really similar in style to the baggalini that I wore to the parks last year. I like that it is easy on and off and having it across my body just feels safer.

Now I just have 27 more days to wait until I can try it out at the parks!

 

[JPG]

Nice choice HockeyMom!!! I went with the exact same choice, color and all. Mine should arrive any day now. Thanks for posting the pics as it gives me a better idea of how to load my gear.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Nice choice HockeyMom!!! I went with the exact same choice, color and all. Mine should arrive any day now. Thanks for posting the pics as it gives me a better idea of how to load my gear.

Thanks! I love the color too!

 

[jupster75]

I bought one of those Slingshot bags before we went to Disney. I love it! It is so versatile. When you get on rides, you don't necessarily have to take the bag off, just "sling" it to the front.

 

[SrisonS]

Nice idea with writing your info inside with a Sharpie. I think I'm gonna do that myself. And to think that I used to think my mom was crazy for writing my name all over my belongings.

 

[photo_chick]

Go on a day trip with it before you go on your Disney trip.

I had what I thought was the perfect bag once, then I went out to the zoo with it and discovered it was anything but perfect after a couple hours. I'm not saying that will be the case for you, but it's not fun to get someplace and find out after a few hours that your bag is uncomfortable for you. And it's something you likely won't find out for a few hours.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Go on a day trip with it before you go on your Disney trip.

I had what I thought was the perfect bag once, then I went out to the zoo with it and discovered it was anything but perfect after a couple hours. I'm not saying that will be the case for you, but it's not fun to get someplace and find out after a few hours that your bag is uncomfortable for you. And it's something you likely won't find out for a few hours.

That is a very good suggestion. I have to start breaking in the walking shoes too!

 

[photo_chick]

Oh yeah... I went hiking once in new boots. It wasn't pretty.

 

[sdshutterbug]

Alright, I don't know if anyone will be able to help me on this without having the actual lenses and bag to play with, but I know Lowepro is a popular brand so maybe some of you have already figured this out for yourself! I just got a new lens, which brings my lens total to 4. I have now outgrown my beloved Lowepro 100 AW...I think. I won't be upgrading though; I love this bag and although it was meant to actually hold the camera in the bag, I almost never put it away, so really I only need this to hold 3 lenses, a small flash, and some extra gear. So far I have made some awkward arrangements so I'm looking to see if anyone has any ideas. Here is all my gear sprawled out (on my Disney Resort Collection comforter ):

As you can see, I need to find space for any 3 of the 4 lenses at a particular time, the flash, the gorillapod (which pretty much has to go in the personal accessories bin), and the other little "trinkets" (flash cord, shutter release, homemade light modifier). No matter what I do, getting at lenses seems to be difficult ordeal and they all seem kind of squished.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I've got the same bag and am going through the same issues as you are right now. I keep getting more gear but the bag isn't getting any bigger. I really like the feel of it and don't know if the bigger one will be ridicously large! As soon as I find that perfect lens (Uh huh), I'll be able to trim it all down. Until then I wrap all my lenses in foam and stuff them in, it seems to give them a little more protection from rattling and scraping on each other.

 

[MICKEY88]

Alright, I don't know if anyone will be able to help me on this without having the actual lenses and bag to play with, but I know Lowepro is a popular brand so maybe some of you have already figured this out for yourself! I just got a new lens, which brings my lens total to 4. I have now outgrown my beloved Lowepro 100 AW...I think. I won't be upgrading though; I love this bag and although it was meant to actually hold the camera in the bag, I almost never put it away, so really I only need this to hold 3 lenses, a small flash, and some extra gear. So far I have made some awkward arrangements so I'm looking to see if anyone has any ideas. Here is all my gear sprawled out (on my Disney Resort Collection comforter ):

As you can see, I need to find space for any 3 of the 4 lenses at a particular time, the flash, the gorillapod (which pretty much has to go in the personal accessories bin), and the other little "trinkets" (flash cord, shutter release, homemade light modifier). No matter what I do, getting at lenses seems to be difficult ordeal and they all seem kind of squished.

Personally I think you need a new camera bag for your floorplan

 

[HockeyMomNH]

I don't have as many lenses as you, but I do have a suggestion for the gorillapod. Here is mine.