Camera Bag

[WillowBelle]

That was another selling point for the bag I got from sams. I can *sling* it forward over my shoulder and it sits like a shelf. I can then open the *side opening* camera area to get what I need. Because it's side opening, when you slide it round front it is facing up. Hard to explain. I suppose it would be good for those long waits in line too....you'd have a shelf to lay your head down for a nap!

I actually went searching for the slingbag this weekend. Found 1 @ Best Buy (the 100). It wasn't too shabby. DH thinks I need to get a bigger one than the 100 series. Not sure I'm crazy about having the strap across my chest all day long (I am woman, hear me roar ). Wonder how it would be if I just carried it over my shoulder at times. I did like how you just spun it and BAM there was the pocket to get to your stuff. I have a feeling I will be purchasing one and selling my backpack. With my new camera, it's hard to zip (the backpack) shut - think I outgrew my bag. Any excuse to buy new equipment .

 

[WDWFWfan]

Okay, I know this must be the 1,000th time that a similiar question has been asked...but I have searched and searched and not found the exact information that I am looking for. Nevertheless I am looking for a camera bag, and no it doesn't need to "carry itself" that is unless someone knows of one...! Well, we can always dream, right?

Anyway I'm looking for a smaller lightweight bag to carry my photo gear into WDW this summer (this will not be my 'carry-all' bag). Basically what I am looking for is a bag that will hold a Canon 50D (maybe gripped) with mounted 17-55 2.8 and hood, a 70-200 f4 and hood, a 580EX II speedlite, extra cards, batteries, etc. I would like to have the option of stowing the camera with the 70-200 mounted as well.

I do NOT want a backpack (too much trouble to get to the camera in a hurry) or a shoulder bag (pain in the neck by the end of the day). I need something that will meet these needs and be as small as possible while providing quick access to my gear. While I do not really want a sling bag (same problem as shoulder bags) I have considered the Kata 3n1 series (quick access, more support). The problem is in order to fit my camera with 70-200 I would need the 3n1 30 which is a bit bigger than what I want. I would love to be able to attach a tripod (which the 3n1 would allow), but that's not absolutely necessary.

Here are a few things that I have considered, but I'm looking for suggestions as there is not a store close to where I live to check them out for myself.

Lowepro Off-Trail 2 (I really like the looks of this bag, but the waist strap looks uncomfortable...no padding).

Lowepro Specialist 85AW - looks too big and I'm afraid that it would tilt away from my body.

The Lowepro Inverse 200 looked nice (I loved the look of the belt), but I don't think it's near deep enough.

Kata H-16 is it a beltpack, shoulder pack or what?

I've also considered toploaders/holsters and belts as well, but need further suggestions.

Think Tank looks interesting, but I really don't know what to look for in their line. Would a holster work with a belt? Would it be too unweildly?

Anyway, I'm looking for any suggestions to help from those of you who may have experience in what I'm looking for. What does everyone here use? Thanks in advance!

 

[WDWFWfan]

Anybody?

 

[kaffinito]

I don't have knowledge of the bags you're looking for, but you might want to check out this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2115829

Or this one from a few months back. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2014415 I know the thread starts with "ladies" but maybe there is some information there you can use.

I personally use the Domke F-6. It is a shoulder bag however, but I can fit all of my park gear in there plus wallet, etc. in the bag. It's also lightweight.

Good luck in your search!

 

[jann1033]

i'm not familiar with the bags you mentioned i have a tamron messenger bag i really like but for a smaller bag i was considering one similar to this with the attachable lens bags ( my bag is a modular system so i figured i could just use the same modules . i know one is large enough for a body and 70-200 lenshttp://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=lowepro+holster+bags&oe=utf-8&cid=6719933945013276698&sa=title#ps-sellers

 

[WDWFWfan]

Okay I'm looking for a camera bag to carry at WDW this spring, see http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2121782.

And I have noticed that a lot of people on here seem to struggle with similar questions. There are other threads that talk about bags, but very few show pictures of the bags. As I am a visual person (and hate goggling all those bags) I though it would be great to create a thread that showed the different carry bags/rigs/holsters/vests/etc. that everyone uses. If you would like, tell us what you like/dislike about the bag as well!

Please show us your Bags! Loaded, unloaded, in use (would be great!), etc.

I would go first, but since I'm still looking for a bag, well...

 

[lfrobison]

My family is going on it's first trip in June. What exactly is photopass, and how much does it cost? Is it something I can prepay, or do I do it when I get into the parks?

 

[DizzyV6P]

This is what I have:

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-350,2087,14.htm

I used to have the Slingshot 300AW, but sold it for the fastpack. Same great sideways pocket, with 2 shoulder straps better balance when running around Disney with my full load out. (see my sig)

 

[zackiedawg]

Here's my Kata R102 backpack, loaded with my DSLR, 3 lenses, cleaning gear, filters, rechargers (both in the flap pouches), remote shutter release, and tripod mounted in the tripod holder:

Along with the Kata strap:

For Disney, I usually won't bring that big Tamron 200-500 lens that's attached to the camera body in those shots - it's my birding and wildlife lens and a bit of overkill for Disney.

I also bring a very small Tamrac bag (fits my A300 and 18-250 lens, and can squeeze in the 50mm F1.7)...so on days I don't feel like lugging tripods, filters and all, I can just grab the tiny bag with the prime lens inside mainly to use as a rain pouch to throw my camera in if I got caught in a freak rainshower. Most of the time, the camera will hang around my neck when I've got the small bag with me.

 

[RBennett]

My family is going on it's first trip in June. What exactly is photopass, and how much does it cost? Is it something I can prepay, or do I do it when I get into the parks?

Photopass is completely free to use. You walk up to any Disney photographer in the khaki vest and blue shorts at key areas and they will take your photos (either with your camera or theirs.) If they use theirs, they will then take a thin plastic card out. They will scan the plastic card and "store" your picture that they just took. When you get home, you log onto their website and you can view all of your pictures that they took and purchase any/all that you wish. BTW, hang onto the first card they give you and the rest of the photographers will scan later pictures (during that same trip) on the first card! You can either prepay and purchase a cd in advance (and save like $25) or wait until you get back home to see if it's what you want. I think the cost is around $125 for a cd once you're home or $100 in advance. But someone may correct me on that.

 

[Donold_Fan]

You can either prepay and purchase a cd in advance (and save like $25) or wait until you get back home to see if it's what you want. I think the cost is around $125 for a cd once you're home or $100 in advance. But someone may correct me on that.

Those are the prices. You don't need to keep the one card (although, you will need the number), you can get as many cards as you want, you just have to add them all to your account. Also, when you see the photos at home, you can add borders.

One of the posters on the Theme Park Strategy boards (BradK) has put together the definitive info site about Photopass here.

http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disneysphotopass/

 

[WDWFWfan]

Great! Keep them coming!

 

[singjenn]

What is the wooden looking thing with the blue tip? Is that a cleaning brush?

 

[ilovehuhu]

LOve the bag.

 

[zackiedawg]

What is the wooden looking thing with the blue tip? Is that a cleaning brush?

It is...it's a sensor cleaning brush - German-made, kept in a plastic case so it doesn't get any dust.

I've got 3 sensor-cleaning stages - one is the bulb blower - works 85% of the time. Then the sensor brush, which covers another 12% of the time. For that rare and nasty 3% of the time, I've got the sensor swabs and solution.

The sensor brush is also great for cleaning the mirror and the viewfinder grid.

 

[singjenn]

It is...it's a sensor cleaning brush - German-made, kept in a plastic case so it doesn't get any dust.

I've got 3 sensor-cleaning stages - one is the bulb blower - works 85% of the time. Then the sensor brush, which covers another 12% of the time. For that rare and nasty 3% of the time, I've got the sensor swabs and solution.

The sensor brush is also great for cleaning the mirror and the viewfinder grid.

Ah, yes. I have a rocket blower and you are right about it working about 85% of the time
As for the swabs and solution.....I'd just be afraid to put anything on my censor. Doesn't it make you sweat when you're cleaning it!?!?

 

[mtdewlarissa]

i have used before and i liked it. it was nice to have the whole family in shots. we have dsrl and took photos with it.

 

[RBennett]

The biggest suggestion that I can give to anyone about photopass, I actually learned during our last trip in October. I talked with quite a few photopass photographers because at the time DW and I were looking at becoming cast members and they informed me that they are under the service department, not sales. So they are more than happy to take your picture with their camera so that you can have the special borders, and possibly better picture than most people's p'n's, but they are equally happy to take your picture with YOUR camera. And also, they will not solicit you for a picture because they don't want to come across as harassing, so if you see a spot that you want them to take your picture..... ASK!

 

[bnorm27]

I think photopasss is a great service offered at the parks. I think it is a bit pricey at $125 though. Generally, I am the picture taker of the family, and it was nice to leave the work to someone else. And, they are always more then willing to take a picture with your camera as well. They do a nice job. My advice, if you are going to use it, take as many pictures as you possibly can so you get your money's worth out of buying the CD. I do believe that if you buy the CD, you cannot add the Disney frames and such to the pictures.

Also one tip. If you bring your own camera, take a picture of your photopass card number(s) instead of writing it down. This way, if you lose the card, you can still get the pictures.

 

[RBennett]

I think photopasss is a great service offered at the parks. I think it is a bit pricey at $125 though. Generally, I am the picture taker of the family, and it was nice to leave the work to someone else. And, they are always more then willing to take a picture with your camera as well. They do a nice job. My advice, if you are going to use it, take as many pictures as you possibly can so you get your money's worth out of buying the CD. I do believe that if you buy the CD, you cannot add the Disney frames and such to the pictures.

Also one tip. If you bring your own camera, take a picture of your photopass card number(s) instead of writing it down. This way, if you lose the card, you can still get the pictures.

I agree with the "pricey-ness" of the CD, however I'll reiterate what you said... GET AS MANY AS YOU CAN. That way when you have a ton of pictures, they end up costing less per picture. I heard from a lady on the DIS who actually made it her mission to get pictures by every photopass photographer and ended up with nearly 400 pictures!! That's like .31 a picture! Photopass ended up having to send her 4 cds for all of them! Also, a lot of times if you tell your photopass photographer that you pre-bought the cd (or that you're planning on buying it) they will take a few more pictures than usual. I had some of them take 6-7 shots in a setting for us. But here's the great thing; if you do buy the CD, you can add the borders and icons to your pictures and they will be there when they send you the cd. DW and I went during MNSSHP and there were several shots of us that we added different borders to, and it ended up giving us 2 or 3 more pictures because we couldn't decide which border we liked the best. Hope this helps the OP know more about photopass!