Camera Bag

[Gianna'sPapa]

I have used Lowepro for several years and have found them to be very rugged and useful. I have the Slingshot 200 aw and the Fastpack 200. They are both good for a DSLR with (depending on size) several lenses and flash. In the Fastpack I have the camera with attached 70-200, kit 18-55, flash and filters, etc. I will upgrading to a larger size for travel before our next trip to WDW because my kit has grown since the last trip. I have found the best prices for Lowepro at www.avidmaxoutfitters.com. They usually have some type of sale or giveaway.

 

[Snappy in OK]

I have been using a Tamrac (I believe it's the Explorer 7) which holds my DSLR with a 18-55 lens, the extra 70-300 lens, and their is room for the ext. flash. That is in the bottom of the backpack. The top section is a separate pocket that holds other stuff you want to take along - jacket, snacks for the kids, etc. A small pocket is on the front of the lower section that holds memory cards, business cards, etc. And there's also a mesh pocket on either side for water bottles, etc. I think I paid around $65 for it. It is comfortable to carry and has been protecting my equipment everywhere we go - soccer games, vacations and WDW.

 

[PAcpl]

We are booking a private Photopass session at the Beach Club in May. The sessions can be booked from 8 am until 7 pm or sunset. Since the shoot will be at the Beach Club im assuming there will be a lot of outdoor shots.

What time of the day would you suggest booking the session to get the best light? Should we go with midday when the sun is at its peak. Or something a little later to catch some of the sunset?

Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[JoeDif]

I'd definitely go later to catch the sunset. That mid day light can create some really harsh shadows. Also with the light coming on at the resort and across the way at Boardwalk you will get some really nice backgrounds.

DW and I will also be at Beach Club during late May.

 

[disneyboy2003]

The sessions can be booked from 8 am until 7 pm or sunset.

Wow! An 11-hour photo session!

What time of the day would you suggest booking the session to get the best light? Should we go with midday when the sun is at its peak. Or something a little later to catch some of the sunset?

I've always heard that midday was the worst time to do a photo session. Like JoeDif said above, you get really harsh shadows during midday. And because the light is so bright, it can create extremely bright highlights, too.

In general, the best times for photography are during the 2 "golden hours", which are about 1/2 hour before & after sunrise (1 hour total) and 1/2 hour before & after sunset (another hour). That's when the ambient light outside is the softest / most diffuse, creating softer shadows.

Believe it or not, even Wikipedia has an article about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hour_(photography)

Hope that helps. See if you can take some breaks during that 11-hour photo session. Whew!

 

[DVC Mike]

I like my Lowepro Fastpack 200 very much.

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

Does anyone know where to get photo pass discounts or coupon codes?

thanks

 

[C&B Young]

We got 1 coupon in advance with our welcome package/magical express tags (we booked through CAA), then ended up getting 2 better ones while actually at WDW (1 at MNSSHP, one in our room as an Anniversary "present"). We didn't use the Photopass enough to warrant getting a CD, but did order a couple 8x10's from the Halloween party.

 

[DisFam95]

I know there will be so many opinions on this. I've narrowed down that I want mainly
Backpack style - Not sure I'm fond of the sling style being a woman w/ a larger bust .
Side access port
No laptop needed
tripod clip nice but there's always a way to strap that on

I wish I had a place where I could see all three together. But I know Wolf carries 2 of them. One place carries the kata but have a no return policy.

My top choices (so far) are..

Tamrac Aero Pack 75

Lowepro Fastpack 200

Kata 3N1 20 or 30 (the 20 seems so much smaller than the other 'medium' size brands)

Anyone compared these bags for themselves. I'm so indecisive about stupid stuff like this..and with paint color.

I'm afraid to ask if there are other great bags that meet my requirements.

Thanks!!

 

[Pugrpooh]

I have the Kata 3N1 10 and use it mostly as a backpack and it's very comfortable. When I'm travelling by airplane I'll use it as a sling pack sometimes because I have a Vera Bradley backpack purse that I have also, and I can carry them both that way.

Last summer, I actually took my Kata fully loaded down to the camera store to check out the 3N1 20. Of course everything fit but it was only slightly larger than the 3N1 10 and it really wouldn't have held anything else. The 3N1 30 is larger than I wanted to carry.

I haven't checked out the other two you are considering, but I'm happy with the Kata.

 

[Icemann]

I just bought a Tenba Shootout and it worked out real well so far.plenty of room and it has a some nice features.I have a Lowepro and a Demke F2 that I use as park bags.

 

[DVC Mike]

I have the Lowepro Fastpack 200 and use it to travel with my camera.

When I go into a park, however, I use my Lowepro Slingshot 100.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I have the Tamrac Aero 80 (has the laptop space but not the side entry) and it's my favorite bag for travel. I love the top compartment and the small storage areas located in the bag. I also use the water bottle holder and other outside mesh pocket a lot. I don't use it for walking around like in the parks though as I prefer something smaller but if you're used to taking a backpack then this one is a good one. I do like the side entry and larger area for the camera on the Aero 75 - that is improved over the Aero 80.

I've used a Kata 3-n-1 30 which is similar in size to the Tamrac I have but I did not like the camera access as well although there are other nice features to the bag like the sling option, the bright yellow interior to see things better and the rain cover. It has nice pockets on the inside but nothing on the outside.

 

[Belleandtinker]

I read that we should get an email regarding pre-ordering the PhotoPass CD at 45 days before our trip. Is that true? We haven't received anything and want to pre-order/get discount.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

The answer is you MAY get an offer...or you may not. It's like anything else. Disney now gets to offer you the right to pre-purchase photopass. You don't automatically get to pre-purchase anymore My October and January trips I did not get sent a pre-purchase offer either

 

[chwgmjay]

I got the email today, at the bottom of the email is: "Disney's PhotoPass offer is only valid when purchased prior to your check-in at the Walt Disney World® Resort", but when you click the link photopass link it didn't give me any sort of discount. I guess you don't necessarily get the discount even when you get the email.

 

[Belleandtinker]

I received a "welcome back" email from Photo Pass today along with a generic "your trips is almost here" email - no pre-purchase information.

 

[eddy-4]

I booked my trip through AAA. I had read about the prepaid discount on the photopass CD, but also read that I was not eligible since I had booked my trip through an agent.

An entry on one of the boards (I think, mousesavers--sorry, couldn't find it ) suggested that I have my travel agent contact the photopass people, give them their agent info and the dates of my trip. The photopass people would pass the email to the marketing folks who would hopefully send out a discount code (not quite the same as the prepaid plan). I did so and my travel agent called me by the close of business to tell me that Disney had sent me an email with a special $50.00 off code.

If you have an agent, you might want to ask him or her to contact Disney.

 

[thedeans]

We leave in 8 days and I just received mine today. It said "Your Disney Vacation Is Almost Here Dean Family!" from Disney Destinations. It has Disney's PhotoPass CD Save $50!. I had also received the other emails that did not have the pre-purchase information. When we went in December I received the email with the pre-purchase information 30 days before our trip.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I just called Photopass to ask. Since I booked through Disney, they said approximately 10 days before my trip I would receive an email from Disney Destinations entitled something to the effect of "Magical Musts". In that email will be lots of links, one of which will be for Photopass. Using that link it will lead me to the discount for pre-purchasing the Disney CD.