Camera Bag

[cathdisfan]

Thank you both for your help.

Jenseib- where did you have the photos that you have taken? can you send me pictures. we have 11 adults and 4 children I think that it would be great to get some photo's like that of the kids.

 

[jenseib]

The ones in my signature were taken at Expostion hall after going to BBB. They supposedly will take them of anyone who goes in, but first priority to BBB guest. Just go back (bypassing the desk) to the photogrpaher and ask for some shots and they put them on your photopass. If you want to see what kind of shots I had taken over our trip I have a trip report going (the link is in my signature) and I have a ton posted in there. When I started the report I hadn't gotten the CD in the mail yet, so it take a few pages before they show up. but you are welcome to read it all if you like and make comments along the way. I might be able to help you answer any other questions you have as well there.

 

[alamode]

I just ordered the Photo Book. It was my family's first trip to WDW, and I put some photopass shots and some of my uploaded shots in the book.

Anyone else buy one of these? Are you satisfied with the quality?

 

[jenseib]

I just ordered the Photo Book. It was my family's first trip to WDW, and I put some photopass shots and some of my uploaded shots in the book.

Anyone else buy one of these? Are you satisfied with the quality?

I think the book is very pour quality of pictures. I oreder one in 2007 because I didn;t have enough pictures to be worth the Cd and with the book I added alot of stock photos. It was OK, but nothing spcial. Tis year I ordered the book and the CD. The book ened up costing me alot. They no longer have free shipping with the pre order and you used to have unlimited pages, and that is not longer either. I had over 30 pages and it was very costly and you are only allowed the maximum of 4 pictures on a page. With limited backgrounds. I then made a book through shutterfly for my MIL and the pictures were a zillion times better in that book, and I could put many more on each page. The book was actually free becuase I got a coupn and only had to pay shipping, but even if I paid for it it was MUCH cheaper than Disney's. I will never buy the Disney book again. I'll make my own through another site.

 

[mickeyfan2009]

How do you preorder the photoCD? I went onto the website and it keeps requesting a photopass number.
Thanks

 

[jenseib]

http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitcdplan.aspx

 

[mickeyfan2009]

Thanks!!!!!

 

[WDWFigment]

What do you think is the ideal camera bag for Disney? What about the ideal contents?

Here is my ideal set-up:

Ideally, I would rather not have the tripod on the back of the bag, but that's a sacrifice I had to make to stay with a small bag. As for the bag (LowePro Slingshot AW 100), I think it's perfect because of the size. It holds my lenses, flash, and accessories without any extra/unused space. It also has a nice All-Weather cover in case the weather turns bad (in which case I would have to carry the tripod by hand). Plus, with the one strap bag, when I wear the bag I can sport the strap over one shoulder casual "cooler than a regular backpack" look that everyone loves!

As for the contents, of course I am a bit biased because this is what I carry, but I think I have the perfect combination for a DX Nikon shooter. Starting at the wide end, the Tokina 11-16 is arguably the best UWA lens for the money on the market right now. Even wide open it's sharp, and I find myself using that f/2.8 more than I ever expected. It might as well be a prime, but that is not criticism. I don't need the 16mm end of the lens. I find myself almost always using it at 11mm--if I wanted something longer, I'd go with the 18-200.

As for the 18-200 VR, it's the perfect vacation lens. It may not perform the best, but you sure can't beat its versatility. You can't always take the time to change lenses for each shot, and this lens provides the solution to that problem.

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4...what can I say that hasn't been said? It's the dark ride killer. I plan on expanding my uses for it this upcoming trip, but even as a dark ride-only lens, it can't be beat.

The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 might be close in use to the Sigma 30mm to the casual observer, but really, they're worlds apart. The 50 isn't as useful for dark rides, where you're usually too close to the set scenes to compose well with this lens (although I'm sure this will be a point of contention). However, what it offers for portrait and parade shots makes it a must-have as well.

Finally, my "sleeper pick" for WDW is the SB-400 flash. It might not have a lot of the features of the SB-600/800/900, but who wants one of those huge things mounted to their camera all day? The flash is a must for WDW because when we're there the majority of the pictures I'm taking, contrary to what you see posted on Flickr and here, are of us. For these types of shots, the on-camera flash is far too harsh on skin, and the ability to bounce is great. I don't see this flash recommended much for Disney camera bags, and I think that's a mistake.

A polarizing filter, 32 GB worth of Extreme III memory cards, and lens clothes round out my bag. I consider this to be the perfect Disney camera bag. Almost. The only thing "missing" in my opinion is the Nikon 10.5mm fisheye.

What, if anything, am I missing? What is in your bag? What's in your perfect bag (within reason)?

 

[annnewjerz]

Honestly, this sounds pretty perfect to me. I have the D90, the Nikon 18-200, the Sigma 30, the "Nifty Fifty" and as soon as I can find a Tokina 11-16 in stock----it will be mine! Muhahahaha!

I haven't been to Disney with my set-up yet, but will be going in December and if I don't have the Tokina by then, I'll be renting it. I have a Crumpler 5MDH and 6MDH. I'll probably carry my camera, cards and a lens or two around in the 5MDH, but am looking for a backpack to transport the whole lot of it in to Disney. You may have just given me my answer!!

I have a SB-600 and a Nikon 60mm micro as well, but I'm not sure if I'll be bringing that stuff down with me. The SB-600 is great, but add on my GF diffuser and it's just a little bulky to carry. I was thinking I might buy a cheap diffuser for the built-in flash for the occassion that I may want to do some fill flash for pics of DH, etc. but haven't decided on that yet either.

The 10.5 fisheye is on my "short" list----but for now, I think I am pretty close to my perfect Disney set-up. My set-up at home is a whooooooole different story. For that, we'd have to add in the 70-200 f/2.8, the 105 2.8, maybe the 75-300 or 300 f/4, the list goes on and on

A girl can dream, can't she??

IMO, great post!! Sounds like we have pretty similar gear and I'm interested in seeing what responses you get.

 

[oogieboogieman]

Great set-up!!! The only thing I would suggest is a more comfortable camera strap. I felt the need for that strap on my first DSLR trip. IMO, it's more uncomfortable that the strap that came with the camera. I used mine for a total of 6 hours.

 

[WDWFigment]

Great set-up!!! The only thing I would suggest is a more comfortable camera strap. I felt the need for that strap on my first DSLR trip. IMO, it's more uncomfortable that the strap that came with the camera. I used mine for a total of 6 hours.

That's one aspect of my photography set up that is admittedly not ideal, but it's a matter of dealing with the pain because I love Disney camera straps.

This may seem odd, but I have a collection of 8 different ones. When we're at WDW, I change out the camera strap each day. It may be uncomfortable, but it's fun for me, so I do it. Sometime I will have to take a picture of my Disney camera strap collection and post it here.

 

[zackiedawg]

This is what I consider the perfect bag and contents, with one exception to be added as soon as possible:

Now...yes, it's a backpack, and yes, it's pretty stuffed. But I don't necessarily haul it around the parks this way. I still consider it the ultimate Disney bag because I can fit everything I own related to my camera in any way into a single, well-weighted, tough bag...then I can branch off with a smaller bag into the parks, carrying whatever parts and pieces I need for the particular job.

The bag is the Kata R102 backpack. I've added 4 or 5 more dividers to fit more lenses (you can add or reconfigure to your heart's content). The camera is the Sony A300. The strap is a Kata Reflex E. The backpack has a raincover too. Bag contents:

Sony 18-250 F3.5-6.3 lens
Tamron 200-500 F5-6.3 lens
Minolta 50mm F1.7 lens
Sigma 30mm F1.4 lens
Sony HVL-F42 wireless flash
Hoya ND400 filter
Tiffen UV filter
Hoya star filter
Tiffen warming filter
DSLR sensor brush
Bulb blower
A300 charger
T100 charger
4 Maha PowerEx 2900 AA rechargeable batteries
Maha C401FS NiMH charger
Wired remote shutter release
Microfiber lens cloth
Sony T100 ultracompact camera
Slik Sprint ProEZ tripod (on the outside side of the bag)

The only piece of the puzzle missing for me is an ultra-wide zoom...which I'm looking to add in the next month or two. Otherwise, I'm good to go!

As for going in the parks, I also bring along two other camera bags. One is a midsize shoulder bag from Tenba...it has enough room for the A300 with one lens attached, the flash, and another lens, plus pockets and pouches for batteries or filters. The other is a very small soft-sided pouch bag from Tamrac, that will fit not much more than my A300 and one mounted lens. The Tenba is the one used to go in the parks for the day, and bring multiple lenses along. The Tamrac is the one I bring for that day when I'm only using the A300 with one mounted lens, and not bringing any others with me. It essentially never gets used, except when I stop to have lunch or for a surprise rainstorm - otherwise it's empty and crumpled up in one hand.

 

[WDWFigment]

Justin, your lens arsenal looks somewhat similar for WDW purposes as mine (with the exception being that you have a 200-500, and I have a UWA). I didn't mention it above, but I wouldn't mind the Nikon 70-300 VR...or better yet, the 80-400 VR. However, I don't think I'd put either in my WDW bag. They might be nice for shooting from the roof of the Contemporary or BLT, but probably not within the parks (unless I wanted to bust up my lip on Kilimanjaro!).

You also have quite a few accessories that I haven't had a chance to pick up yet. Maybe I will have to make an order with B&H sometime soon to pick up some things. Nice bag!

 

[zackiedawg]

Thanks WDWFigment. I definitely want to add an ultrawide...I'm waiting for the Tamron 10-24 to release in Sony mount so I can try out both the Tamron and the Sigma 10-20 and decide which seems better to me. I own and trust lenses from both companies...and heard plenty of good about the Sigma, but I'd feel better if I could test them both and make an informed decision. The Tamron reviews have been mixed, but the areas that it has been widely complimented is precisely where I'm most likely to use the lens - so I really need to try them both out. The Tammy is getting close, maybe by mid-July...so I should have the UWA before heading to Disney again, which is likely around Sep/Oct.

 

[RBennett]

Not to take this TOO OT, but re: your star filter Justin; do you find it useful or would someone get the same effect by just taking the aperture to a smaller opening (like f/11 or f/12)?

 

[zackiedawg]

Depends on the lens. With some, like the Sigma 30m F1.4, stopping it down gives you a pretty nifty star effect with no filter needed. But other lenses have different blade designs which are less prone to the effect. For example, my SAL18-250 lens stopped down to F16 still produces no star effect at all!

Then there are those times when you actually want to shoot more wide open, or need to in very low light scenes, where the filter can deliver the desired effect.

So I do find it somewhat useful, though like many of my filters, I don't use them a lot. And there are occasional times I've used it for daylight shots too, like when you want to take car photos, and want those special looking glints off the highlights on the polished chrome...the star filter is great for those.

 

[Todd_H]

This is usually what I carry to the parks:

Inside this raggedy Canon backpack is my 5DM2 with a 24-70 f/2.8 attached, a 70-200 f/2.8 (which will probably be stowed in a locker most of the time), a 50mm f/1.8, a good amount of memory (mostly 4GB cards, but a few 8GB also), my Black Rapid strap, remote shutter release, a tripod leveler as well as a hot shoe mounted level, lens cleaning pen and rocket blower, a CP filter, and a star filter. I also pack a few 1 gallon ziplock bags to place all gear into in case it rains heavily. This year I'll be renting a 15mm fisheye and a 50mm f/1.2 lens and I'll probably pick up a 1.4X teleconverter for the 70-200 and maybe an ND filter to play around with some long daytime exposures. I'll also carry a tripod in, but will leave it in a locker until nighttime.

 

[hea]

Hi
I know that in general Disney is a safe place, but anyone have bad experiences about leaving camera bags outside of attractions and finding someone steal it ?

How practical is to take a medium bag witin rides ?

thanks

 

[Chikabowa]

I think in general, if you don't want something to be potentially stolen, that you don't create the opportunity for someone to steal. Regardless of how safe you might perceive the situation to be.

In other words... I would never leave my camera out for someone to possibly steal.

I shoot a lot of weddings and I ALWAYS advise the bridal party to lock up their purses and cameras prior to walking down the aisle. Why? Because I've been to more weddings where someone off the street has walked in, walked into the bridal room, stolen everything and then walked out looking like a guest. You would think it's the LAST place anyone would steal... but it's not necessarily the case because it happens all the time.

I had no problem carrying any of my equipment on any of the rides - wet, bumpy or wild - and I am in the crowd on this board that carries some of the heaviest and biggest gear. So with a medium sized bag, my suggestion is that you will be fine. If you want to protect your equipment do not let it leave your sight.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We always take any valuables on the rides with us. I have never had a problem with a bag holding a DSLR on any of the rides. Either there is a pouch that will hold it or it goes on the floor between my feet. Of course on some rides you can just hold it on your lap as well.