Camera Bag

[mickeem]

I'd have to agree with you about the quality. Even just the quality of the photos before they are printed.
I had a ton done, during a week, and when I looked at them online, they were out of focus, washed out, the nighttime ones were awful. I was counting on getting at least one nice one from the bunch, but didn't find any that were worth printing.

It didnt seem to me that while waiting in line for photos, the photogs were any more rushed than usual. Are they not adhering to their training anymore? Just sticking CM's out there that dont know what settings to use?

Or was it something in the transfer to the Photopass system.
next time I will look at them before I get home, see if they are looking any better..

 

[rtphokie]

My complaint was more in the quality of the prints than the quality of the photography but your points are good ones.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

I had a similar experience... Last year when we were at WDW, we had a ton of photopass pics taken... After reviewing them online, I found that quite a few were poor quality... You figure that if this is thier "job" at Dsiney, they would be trained to use the equipment they have... Their cameras are very nice and capable of producing amazing images... I even had a couple that were taken on a tripod that were crooked You would think they would at least make the picture straight... But, i will say that most of the pics were great...

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Does anyone have any recommendations on a small waterproof bag? I have lloked at the Lowepro Drypak, but it's bigger than what I want. I'm looking for something that will hold my camera w/lens and and extra lens. I have a lowepro sling w/a weather cover, but I want more protection.

Thanks!

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

How can I preorder a photopass CD? I have searched the Disney photopass site but I have not found the link.
Thanks

 

[dmaz]

I tried the same thing. About 1-2 weeks before my trip Disney sent me an email with a link to pre-order. I have also been trying to search to see if people think it is actually worth the $.

 

[mtdewlarissa]

i got the photopass serveral years ago and i would do it again. it is nice to have the whole family in the pic. you can also add things to the photos on online before you buy. i would get as many photos taken as you can. i had near 100 before i did the add ons.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

I agree... I did it last year, and well worth the money IMHO... When we go back in September, we are going to stop every single photopass person and get a pic... It was very nice to have my whole family in the pic, rather than everyone but me

 

[PixieDust32]

Here is the link.

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

And you can do it anytime even after your trip. I did that last year, I went to disney, came back, edit my pics, "pre" purchase the CD, they will give you a code, then after you done with your editing and ready to check out, click purchase CD and enter the code you got via e-mail, that would make your balance from the regular cd price to zero balance.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm looking for a good camera bag. I want a backpack for easy of carrying. I want a large bag so that I can carry a lot of gear to locations - 2 bodies, a 70-200, a very large telephoto (to be purchased later), several smaller lenses, several flashes. For those occasions that I take it into the field, I'd like it to be easy to use. I also want it small enough to carry on a plane. I'd like it to be either weatherproof or to include a cover.

I have a Lowepro DryZone 200. It's great for when I'm out on the water. It's a bit small for what I want. It's also a pain to get in an out of because of the waterproof layer.

I've also got a Lowepro Mini Trekker AW, which is great for field use, but too small when I'm traveling and want to bring a lot of gear.

Some bags I'm looking at include the Airport Addicted v2 from Think Tank and the Kiboko from Gura Gear. I didn't see any good carryon sized bags from LowePro. Any other suggestions?

 

[Experiment_626]

Some bags I'm looking at include the Airport Addicted v2 from Think Tank and the Kiboko from Gura Gear. I didn't see any good carryon sized bags from LowePro. Any other suggestions?

I can't really give any meaningful suggestions -- I carry a LowePro Slingshot 200 and like it (though if I add much more gear, I'll need to move to the 300). I just wanted to say that I consistently hear good things about the Think Tank bags -- supposedly, they're constructed in such a way so as to maximize comfort, even minimizing the tendency of backpacks to hold in heat and make your back perspire. So there's that.

SSB

 

[spinetnglr]

Did you check out the Kata line of bags? I have the 467 which has the laptop sleeve and probably would not be quite big enough to carry all that you want but they might have one in their line up that is a bit bigger. Right now I can carry my D300 with a lens mounted on the camera and room for three more smallerish lenses and the sb-600 flash unit. The upper area has room for another lens and some other small things such as a blower and some other small cant do without accessories. I really like the construction of the bag, even loaded down its a very comfortable bag to wear and carry. I am going to probably order the optional trolley so I can wheel it in the airports when I go to WDW in October. It does come with a rain cover and it does fit under the airline seats if you dont want to stuff it in the overhead bins.

 

[AndrewWG]

Know anyone in the military? I have seen your setup and think they are the only ones who would have a backpack big enough.

 

[NostalgicDad]

I can vouch for the Think Tank brand. I have the first generation of the Airport Acceleration and get loads of equipment in it. The construction is as good as it gets and even when carrying 35+ pounds, comfort is not a problem. I mainly use it as my carry on for all the gear I take on trips then break out my Kata 465 to carry just the essentials pertaining to the day. I think you would be very satisfied with the quality of Think Tank.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'd vouch for the Kata brand. I've got the R102 backpack, which is currently holding the following for me:

A300 body
Sigma 30mm F1.4
Minolta 50mm F1.7
Sony 18-250mm
Tamron 10-24mm
Tamron 200-500mm big zoom
Sony HVLF42 flash
bulb blower
sensor brush
5 filters
wired remote shutter release
large microfiber towel
battery charger, video cables, USB cables
Sony T100 ultra-compact plus charger and wires

Here's a pic with almost all the above, except the Tamron 10-24mm which hadn't arrived yet...but you can see I've got a space for it:

Not quite as much as you, but the body plus 5 lenses and a flash is no problem, and there's still enough room for accessories. The cavity for the camera body is plenty deep - enough so that you can hold a full frame body with vertical grip and big zoom mounted on-body (I got the bag because I needed one that could handle my A300 with the Tamron 200-500 mounted...this was one of the very very few!). Note that the 200-500 is off to the side in the shot above - when I mount it on camera, I place the 18-250mm in the side space, then move that divider from the center to the side, with the 10-24 moving above the 18-250. Then, the 200-500 can sit mounted on body in the entire center section. The lid holds the wires, filters, and chargers in side zippered pockets. And the space between the camera body and the lid is around 5 inches...meaning a vertical grip or tall full frame body would fit no problem.

Also notice in the top right corner of the bag is the rain cover in its bag...this can be stored elsewhere in the lid, or strapped to the outside of the bag, opening up additional room for another smaller lens there. I didn't need the space (yet) so for now the raincover resides there unless I need it.

Perks to the bag include the armored exterior (these guys build military spec packs, bullet proof vests, and professional war-zone photojournalist stuff), the rain cover, the quick access door within a door (you can open a smaller inner flap to remove just the camera body and mounted lens, without dumping the rest of the bag's contents on the ground...the main lid can remain securely closed), the ability to change the interior dividers as you need, and purchase more divider material to cut and design as many chambers as you need, the Yelloop interior material which is very soft and vibrant yellow color to make equipment easy to see and distinguish, the very comfortable and wide straps with excellent pack balance designed for long hauling a lot of weight for long distances (there's that military expertise again!), excellent and hardy strap and support systems for plenty of accessories such as tripod holders, waist packs, water bottles, front packs, and camera strap loop mounts on the front of the shoulder straps to take the camera weight off your neck when its outside the bag.

Obviously, check their line to see if the next bag size up or down would be better for you - the only question I would have is whether there'd be room for 2 bodies, flash, and more than 3-4 lenses. I think it would fit - but you'd probably need to buy more dividers to make extra chambers.

 

[ukcatfan]

With the weight that much gear is going to be, go with the one that comes with a personal trainer!

 

[mabas9395]

I'm looking for one similar to Marks list. But I'd also like it to have a very thick and comfortable waist belt to make it easier to carry all day.

 

[fitzperry]

One nice feature of the Kata backpacks is that yellow lining. It is so much easier to find stuff in there than in my Tamrac backpack, which has a black interior.

Sorry Mark, can't help you with any particular bag suggestions. You need a sherpa, not a backpack. Or Hermione's little beaded purse from Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows--now that would be a great bag!

 

[YesDear]

I have the same problem as Mark but in a different way. I am getting concerned that my current backpack (a Lowepro Computrekker plus) will be too large for the carryon for my trip to China. I am getting very conflicting reports as to how large and how much it can weigh. I am flying Air China and their website says 11ibs. I have spoken to many who travel Air China and reports are they do not track it.

I really do not want to buy another bag for this trip!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm looking for one similar to Marks list. But I'd also like it to have a very thick and comfortable waist belt to make it easier to carry all day.

I have a very thick and comfortable waist. I'm just look for the right belt to go with it.

I have the same problem as Mark but in a different way. I am getting concerned that my current backpack (a Lowepro Computrekker plus) will be too large for the carryon for my trip to China. I am getting very conflicting reports as to how large and how much it can weigh. I am flying Air China and their website says 11ibs. I have spoken to many who travel Air China and reports are they do not track it.

I really do not want to buy another bag for this trip!

This advice from the Kiboko review on the LL site might help:

You approach the check-in counter confidently, knowing that your Kiboko bag is going to fit inside the airline's carry-on template for all aircraft but regional jets. But the agent is having a bad day, doesn't like the cut of your jib, and asks you to put your carry-on bag on the scale. Uh oh! It's 10 pounds over the limit.​

Don't despair. What I do is simply take the heaviest body and lens and sling it over my shoulder, also putting a lens or two in a vest pocket (wearing a shooting vest when flying helps with this).​

Since you're allowed to carry a camera, and the contents of your pockets and person aren't subject to weight restrictions (at least not yet), you're given a dirty look and then sent on your way. Round the corner and stop, put things back in the bag, and as the Brits say - Bob's your uncle. I have no problem doing this because enforcement of this particular rule by airline personnel seems to be both arbitrary and capricious.​

I decided to go with the Kiboko. It was a tough call over the Think Tank. I have friends with Think Tank gear and I really like it. Not to knock Lowepro, but the TT belt system is much nicer. I wish I had it instead of the Lowepro F&S. I went with the Kiboko because I didn't know anyone with either of the two bags I was comparing and the only reviews I read online that mentioned both made the Kiboko sound nice. Time will tell if I made the right choice.


I also rented a Canon 100-400mm for my next trip. I'm curious to see how I like it. I some people that love theirs. I know others that have a love/hate relationship with theirs. I'm not thrilled with the 400mm f/5.6 prime at $1,200 with no IS, a slow aperture, and no zoom. The 100-400mm with it's old IS and push-pull zoom isn't that appealing for $1,600. The 400mm f/4 DO is an awesome lens, but it lacks zoom and costs $5,400. The 400 f/2.8 would be awesome, but it's darn heavy and expensive ($6,800). I'd like a Canon equivalent of the Nikon 200-400mm f/4, but $6,300 is a lot for a lens. Maybe I'll love the 100-400. More likely, I'll just keep grumbling about needing a long lens and not liking any of my options.
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