Carrying a DSLR camera in the parks, bag or no bag?

[hannah_03]

It will only be my daughter and I on this trip and I want to bring my DSLR this time. I was wondering if I should bring the camera bag along to the parks or just carry the camera around my neck.

I'm worried on certain rides about where to place it while riding since I won't have anyone to hold it for me.

 

[chip007]

I say bring the bag.

I usually use a smallish camera bag (maybe 12" by 12") that can also double as a purse: a place for key card, cash, pins, autograph book, tissues, etc. (That said, I am considering using my photo backpack this time since we won't have a stroller to hold larger items, but I think that may just be too much to carry all day.)

I don't know about you, but wearing a large camera around my neck all day can be painful. I like to be able to take it off and put it down sometimes, and I would not do that without a bag.

It may be a little inconvenient but I wouldn't go to a park without my DSLR and a long lens. I may even bring the monopod or the Gorillapod, but that means a larger bag. Decisions, decisions.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd take just the camera. If its in a bag, its not handy for taking pictures.

 

[DisneyZell]

We have a dslr as well, and always bring our backpack to put it in. One of the main reasons is we don't want it to get wet on certain rides and in case it started to rain, it would be a little more protected. We usually just hold it in our lap on rides or I put in by my feet with the strap around my foot so it doesn't go flying!

 

[10_Kyle_10]

I brought mine with a bag just cause I didnt want to bang it around in line ques etc. I think the only ride I had a problme putting it somewhere was space mountain but even there I was able to get it in between my legs. I brought a poncho to put ove it on water rides...works out well!

 

[OKW Lover]

Suggestion for those of us who want to go minimalist. Stuff an empty plastic bag (like one that you get from a gift shop) in your pocket. If you go on a water ride, pull it out and stick the camera in it to keep it dry.

 

[WillCAD]

I never carry a camera bag in the parks. I also never carry spare lenses, since I have a good walkaround (Sigma 18-125).

I always carry a camera poncho, too; it's a 1-gallon Ziploc bag with the corners cut out to fit over my camera while it's still on the strap:
http://willcad.org/image_cameraponcho.shtml

OKW Lover made my point for me - a camera is useless if it's turned off, has the lens cap on, and is stored in a bag all day. Why spend money on a camera if you're not going to use it to take pics?

 

[my3weasels]

I never carry a camera bag in the parks. I also never carry spare lenses, since I have a good walkaround (Sigma 18-125).

I always carry a camera poncho, too; it's a 1-gallon Ziploc bag with the corners cut out to fit over my camera while it's still on the strap:
http://willcad.org/image_cameraponcho.shtml

OKW Lover made my point for me - a camera is useless if it's turned off, has the lens cap on, and is stored in a bag all day. Why spend money on a camera if you're not going to use it to take pics?

Thanks for the link to the camera poncho!

 

[Matt71]

I never bring a bag into the parks. Of course I am constantly taking pictures (took close to 5000 pics last trip), so putting the camera away is just a hassle. Plus, I'm sure I'd forget it somewhere. If it is around my neck I know exactly where it is at all times.

For most rides, I'm usually taking pictures, but if I'm not, I'll just hold onto it.
For water rides, I bring a gallon ziplock bag.

I keep spare batteries and memory cards in my fanny pack.

 

[hannah_03]

I never carry a camera bag in the parks. I also never carry spare lenses, since I have a good walkaround (Sigma 18-125).

I always carry a camera poncho, too; it's a 1-gallon Ziploc bag with the corners cut out to fit over my camera while it's still on the strap:
http://willcad.org/image_cameraponcho.shtml

OKW Lover made my point for me - a camera is useless if it's turned off, has the lens cap on, and is stored in a bag all day. Why spend money on a camera if you're not going to use it to take pics?

I will be taking tons of pics as usual LOL! It won't be in the bag often. I just wanted to be able to stash it safely somewhere if I needed to and I'll be alone with my 5 year old daughter. I might just see how it will fit into the bag I will already be taking into the park with me.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Mickee]

While most of the time I carry my DSLR with the Sigma 18-125 as WillCad..I also have a 6 pack cooler, the collapsible one, soft sided for protection that easliy folds flat and does not take up much room in a back pack or say steal me all over it either....has a small front zipped pouch for extra battery and card if needed.
Nice to put in for the water ride....

Also I like to put in there at dinner or lunches so there are no accidents on or under the table...

My camera and 430 flash fit nice in there..just a thought....

Now for traveleing I have another carry bag that all my equip fit in,camcorder, P & S but the cooler bag is my go to bag once there.

Note to self: Put gal zip lock bag in cooler bag

That cooler bag has been around the world!

 

[Debbie-TN]

I usually carry mine around my neck also, but I carry one of those insulated lunch sacks(the kind that has the fold over flap) in my backpack in case I need to put it away for a while. It's lime green, of course.

 

[Tao Of The Dive]

I always carry my camera bag. I also make sure to put a plastic ziplock bag in it to put my camera in. I figure between the padded camera bag, and the ziplock bag, my camera is safe in a ride where i get inundated. Bestbuy also sells flexible camera cases which still allow you to use the camera even while in the bag, and there are two styles of the bag depending on the shape of your camera... For waterpark enthusiasts, I doubt they are depth rated.

 

[WillCAD]

I always carry my camera bag. I also make sure to put a plastic ziplock bag in it to put my camera in. I figure between the padded camera bag, and the ziplock bag, my camera is safe in a ride where i get inundated. Bestbuy also sells flexible camera cases which still allow you to use the camera even while in the bag, and there are two styles of the bag depending on the shape of your camera... For waterpark enthusiasts, I doubt they are depth rated.

I'm interested in seeing that case from Best Buy, but I can't find anything on their web site. Can you try to find it and link to it for us?

 

[Tao Of The Dive]

I'm interested in seeing that case from Best Buy, but I can't find anything on their web site. Can you try to find it and link to it for us?

I hope it's okay to post external links...

Unfortunately, my post count isn't high enough yet, So I can't even private message it to you. Try going to Leisurepro dot com and look up the DiCAPac WP-s10 SLR/DSLR Waterproof camera case.

Anyhow, I couldn't find it on Bestbuy, although I've personally seen it at my local store. I did however find a link to my favorite dive gear website. I hope this helps.

 

[chartle]

Last time I took an SLR in 99 I used something like this.

I used the belt loop to attach it to my hip pack. I carried alot of stuff back then the hip pack held two 1/2 liter water bottles and I also strapped two more one liter bottles to it. In the morning I had close to 3/4 of a gallon of frozen water strapped to my stomach.

 

[EggSalad]

Bag for sure!