Camera Bag

[RitchG]

I'd agree with handicap18 about the Tamrac Adventure 9 - I've had one for almost two years now (looks sorta like his when full, 'cept I have the other brand of dSLR) and it has traveled "the world" (the WD one as well as the large round one spinning through space); still love it. A couple other things - there are attachment points for straps on the bottom; I use these to tie up my tripod; and I sometimes sacrifice a couple of primes to fit in a video camcorder (Canon Optura Xi). It gets to be a little heavy, but the pack distributes it well and after a couple hours the numbness mitigates the pain anyway.
---Ritch

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I love using a backpack bag to get my gear somewhere. I hate using it while I'm shooting. It's a pain to take off every time you switch lenses. I've been meaning to try a slingback, but I haven't done so yet.

 

[YEKCIM]

I love using a backpack bag to get my gear somewhere. I hate using it while I'm shooting. It's a pain to take off every time you switch lenses. I've been meaning to try a slingback, but I haven't done so yet.

Mark, I'm pretty much in the same camp as you. I have an older Tamrac System 12 bag that holds two slr's with lenses, plus a ton of extra stuff. It's well padded and has extra pockets for smaller accessories, etc. It is great for organizing and transporting stuff, but when I'm "in the field", so to speak, I prefer a photg's vest, for convenience. I have found that a vest is perfect (for me, anyway) at WDW, as everything is very handy, and there's no bag to have to keep up with or get in the way. Just my personal preference, but it works.

~Ed

 

[MICKEY88]

Mark, I'm pretty much in the same camp as you. I have an older Tamrac System 12 bag that holds two slr's with lenses, plus a ton of extra stuff. It's well padded and has extra pockets for smaller accessories, etc. It is great for organizing and transporting stuff, but when I'm "in the field", so to speak, I prefer a photg's vest, for convenience. I have found that a vest is perfect (for me, anyway) at WDW, as everything is very handy, and there's no bag to have to keep up with or get in the way. Just my personal preference, but it works.

~Ed

I agree 100% I use a rolling backpack for transportation only,

1 camera/5 lenses/ 2 flashes/ 2 gary fong lightsphere diffusers/multiple chargers and such are in the backpack

my memory,batteries, cleaning supplies, etc. are in my vest at all times, when I go out to shoot I grab my camera and whatever lenses I want for that shoot, pop them in the vest and the bag stays in the car /motel room, whatever...


after many years of trying various methods, I settled on this and wouldn't do it any other way.


not being one to draw attention to myself I was hesitant to use the vest in public settings, now it's just a part of the gear

I have khaki vests for warm weather and black for cooler weather

 

[YEKCIM]

not being one to draw attention to myself I was hesitant to use the vest in public settings, now it's just a part of the gear

I have khaki vests for warm weather and black for cooler weather

Same here; but what's funny is when folks think you are a PhotoPass photographer (b/c of the vest) and want you to snap their pic and scan their card!

~Ed

 

[handicap18]

I love using a backpack bag to get my gear somewhere. I hate using it while I'm shooting. It's a pain to take off every time you switch lenses. I've been meaning to try a slingback, but I haven't done so yet.

ditto,,,, It is definately great to be able to store everything together.

I have a photo vest as well, though haven't really used it yet. I also have the lens pouches that attach to my belt. And with a pair of shorts with big deep pockets I can carry 4 lenses with me with this set up. 1 on camera, 1 in each of the 2 pouches and 1 in my pocket. I find everything to be very handy this way. Though sitting, at times especially in small chairs, can be a little tight. Though that may be having more to do with me needing to lose weight.

 

[Steve's Girl]

Same here; but what's funny is when folks think you are a PhotoPass photographer (b/c of the vest) and want you to snap their pic and scan their card!

~Ed

I'm sure you'd do a better job than the photopass photographer!

We recently had a lovely experience with the helpful photopass man. I asked him to use my camera to take a picture of me and DH. He looked at my settings and told me how I had everything all wrong (I was using manual mode for some night pictures of the castle). So he showed me how to "fix" my settings and explained how all the photopass photographers use the night portrait mode and if I knew what I was doing, I would use that too. Well, needless to say, the picture he took of us was pretty bad (I should have been suspicious when he kept trying to zoom with my 50mm prime lens even after I explained to him that it was a prime lens and he would not be able to adjust the focal length). My husband took a photo of me with the "wrong" settings before Mr. Helpful got ahold of my camera and needless to say, my husband's picture was much better than the photopass one.

OK, sorry for really straying from the topic of this thread. I'm done now!

 

[YEKCIM]

I'm sure you'd do a better job than the photopass photographer!

We recently had a lovely experience with the helpful photopass man. I asked him to use my camera to take a picture of me and DH. He looked at my settings and told me how I had everything all wrong (I was using manual mode for some night pictures of the castle). So he showed me how to "fix" my settings and explained how all the photopass photographers use the night portrait mode and if I knew what I was doing, I would use that too. Well, needless to say, the picture he took of us was pretty bad (I should have been suspicious when he kept trying to zoom with my 50mm prime lens even after I explained to him that it was a prime lens and he would not be able to adjust the focal length). My husband took a photo of me with the "wrong" settings before Mr. Helpful got ahold of my camera and needless to say, my husband's picture was much better than the photopass one.

OK, sorry for really straying from the topic of this thread. I'm done now!

Not to go off on a different tangent, but we have found the PP photog's to be a very mixed bag. Some definitely know what they are doing, and the results reflect that. Some were apparently hired, given a dSLR, and told to go shoot, with little or no training, either in the mechanics of camera operation, or even composition. Their photos reflect their level of expertise, too. Makes ya wonder...

IMO, if they would properly train their people, pay them a decent commission, and turn them loose, Disney and Kodak would make boatloads of money...it *is* a great idea, after all.

~YEKCIM

 

[handicap18]

Not to go off on a different tangent, but we have found the PP photog's to be a very mixed bag. Some definitely know what they are doing, and the results reflect that. Some were apparently hired, given a dSLR, and told to go shoot, with little or no training, either in the mechanics of camera operation, or even composition. Their photos reflect their level of expertise, too. Makes ya wonder...

IMO, if they would properly train their people, pay them a decent commission, and turn them loose, Disney and Kodak would make boatloads of money...it *is* a great idea, after all.

~YEKCIM

certainly not to bash the PP photog's,,,, Most of whom were great when I handed them my camera. Though one guy I handed it to (keep in mind that they use the same camera I do, at least at this time they did) couldn't see anything,,,, ops, dumbo me left the lens cap on, so I told him just to take it off. He looked the front of the camera a few times, turned the camera around a few times, so I had to go over and take it off for him. Apparently he doesn't normally use an slr and they don't put lens caps on their lenses. The pic he took came out perfectly fine btw. I thought it was amusing.

BTW,,, I would love to be a Disney PP Photographer. Maybe one day when I retire.

 

[MICKEY88]

ditto,,,, It is definately great to be able to store everything together.

I have a photo vest as well, though haven't really used it yet. I also have the lens pouches that attach to my belt. And with a pair of shorts with big deep pockets I can carry 4 lenses with me with this set up. 1 on camera, 1 in each of the 2 pouches and 1 in my pocket. I find everything to be very handy this way. Though sitting, at times especially in small chairs, can be a little tight. Though that may be having more to do with me needing to lose weight.

the vest reduces the odds of banging a lens, and is much easier than shorts with full pockets when you need to use a restroom...

 

[MICKEY88]

Same here; but what's funny is when folks think you are a PhotoPass photographer (b/c of the vest) and want you to snap their pic and scan their card!

~Ed

that happened frequently last February, my 2 favorites were the PP photog near the castle that asked if I knew where Rico was, I said not only don't I know where rico is, I don't know who rico is.... he said aren't you one of us, I said photographer yes..disney employee no...


the 2nd was the pp photog that almost left the country fair tent, when I walked in the princess line...he thought I was his relief...LOL

my brother in law, said no, we brought our own photographer on vacation with us...LOL

 

[MICKEY88]

IMO, if they would properly train their people, pay them a decent commission, and turn them loose, Disney and Kodak would make boatloads of money...it *is* a great idea, after all.

~YEKCIM

I'm not so sure they would make any more than they already do.., they make boatloads now from people that aren't into photography like us. and those of us who are really into it, wouldn't pay for their photos...

last February, my sister and brother in law compared the pp photos to those I had taken and decided not to buy any from disney..

there were some I wasn't thrilled with, but over all my composition and lighting were much better..

 

[handicap18]

that happened frequently last February, my 2 favorites were the PP photog near the castle that asked if I knew where Rico was, I said not only don't I know where rico is, I don't know who rico is.... he said aren't you one of us, I said photographer yes..disney employee no...


the 2nd was the pp photog that almost left the country fair tent, when I walked in the princess line...he thought I was his relief...LOL

my brother in law, said no, we brought our own photographer on vacation with us...LOL

Excellent!!! That is a great story! Especially your BIL's comment!

Maybe we should start calling you Rico!!!

 

[handicap18]

the vest reduces the odds of banging a lens, and is much easier than shorts with full pockets when you need to use a restroom...

I really only carry the 50mm f1.8 lens in my pocket. That and my wallet. I might also have the extra battery and SD card, but thats about it. And they are pretty deep pockets. To reach the bottom I have to lean to which ever side pocket I'm digging into.

On my belt are the 2 pouches and my phone. And awaaayyy I go.

 

[Master Mason]

I have my kit in a Lowpro mini trekker AW, it works great for moving stuff, however the last time I was at DL I was solo and really only going to take pics so I carried the thing the entire time, after a while it was very heavy and cumbersome. I think I will get a 200 Slingshot to take with me next time, it should hold what I really need to have with me, and I can rotate stuff out as needed. At least that's what I am thinking. (my kids would abandon me if I showed up in a vest, I am sure they are great but I already embarras them with the shoes and hats I wear.

 

[DizGeek]

Um...Spaceship Earf...

I'm talking about the actual spot....I like the palm trees in the foreground.

 

[MICKEY88]

I really only carry the 50mm f1.8 lens in my pocket. That and my wallet. I might also have the extra battery and SD card, but thats about it. And they are pretty deep pockets. To reach the bottom I have to lean to which ever side pocket I'm digging into.

On my belt are the 2 pouches and my phone. And awaaayyy I go.

ummmmmmmmmm the point was what happens whan ya drop your shorts...LOL

 

[MICKEY88]

I have my kit in a Lowpro mini trekker AW, it works great for moving stuff, however the last time I was at DL I was solo and really only going to take pics so I carried the thing the entire time, after a while it was very heavy and cumbersome. I think I will get a 200 Slingshot to take with me next time, it should hold what I really need to have with me, and I can rotate stuff out as needed. At least that's what I am thinking. (my kids would abandon me if I showed up in a vest, I am sure they are great but I already embarras them with the shoes and hats I wear.

after one or 2 days the family gets used to the vest...

 

[jann1033]

I love using a backpack bag to get my gear somewhere. I hate using it while I'm shooting. It's a pain to take off every time you switch lenses. I've been meaning to try a slingback, but I haven't done so yet.

agree, i tried a sling shot out in a store and it seemed to me to still have a problem i hate, you have to hold the pack open flat to get into the whole thing( ie the pack has to be parallel with the ground) at least that was the only way i could figure out how to get in to the bottom of it( sales person had no idea how to use it so maybe i was missing something.)then you are trying to juggle the completely open pack and what you are taking out of the pack as well..you didn't have to take it off though but imo still need 3 hands to feel like you are not going to drop a lens on the ground, presently i'm thinking of the biggest lowepro toploader( ?or some such similar name) and a couple of lens cases clipped on. it's getting annoying not having a bag i really like to cart my stuff in...the canon is great for holding it all but to heavy for me to carry especially with my tripod etc....i might go look at some crumpler bags as well as lots seem to like them..since husband plays pack mule he totally nixed the vest idea but if he is now planning on taking my rebel and me taking the next d, plus all the lenses etc it'll be worse than going when the kids were babies and needed all diaper bags etc. cause we wont' have the stroller to lug them in.

 

[MICKEY88]

agree, i tried a sling shot out in a store and it seemed to me to still have a problem i hate, you have to hold the pack open flat to get into the whole thing( ie the pack has to be parallel with the ground) at least that was the only way i could figure out how to get in to the bottom of it( sales person had no idea how to use it so maybe i was missing something.)then you are trying to juggle the completely open pack and what you are taking out of the pack as well..you didn't have to take it off though but imo still need 3 hands to feel like you are not going to drop a lens on the ground, presently i'm thinking of the biggest lowepro toploader( ?or some such similar name) and a couple of lens cases clipped on. it's getting annoying not having a bag i really like to cart my stuff in...the canon is great for holding it all but to heavy for me to carry especially with my tripod etc....i might go look at some crumpler bags as well as lots seem to like them..since husband plays pack mule he totally nixed the vest idea but if he is now planning on taking my rebel and me taking the next d, plus all the lenses etc it'll be worse than going when the kids were babies and needed all diaper bags etc. cause we wont' have the stroller to lug them in.

sounds like you need his and hers matching vests....LOL


seriously once you start using a vest you wonder why you avoided it for so long, it is the most practical solution,