How should I carry my d5100 around the parks?

[dawnmichele]

OK. Here's my dilemma.

This summer I got a Nikon D5100. I LOVE it, and I wrote a little about it in my pre trip report over here. Not long after I bought the camera I bought a wrist strap for it. I've always hated neck straps, and in the olden days when I had a 35 mm I would just wrap the neck strap around my wrist a few times. That was making me nervous with the D5100 so a wrist strap seemed the perfect solution and it has been. When I'm shooting I walk around with the camera in my hand and safely secured to my arm in case some accident happened and I dropped it.

That works great at home, but when I'm at Disney in 3 weeks, I'm not too sure I will want the camera in my hand all the time. I imagine I will want my hands free. So I'm thinking of getting a cross body strap. A Black Rapid strap for women in particular. It seems great, but its 60 bucks. I can afford it, but on the other hand $60 is a counter service meal for the whole family. Or 6 margaritas. Or a dozen snacks. I don't want to buy it before the trip unless I'm really going to like and use it.

If I don't buy the cross body strap, I'll be carrying my camera (and possibly a second lens) in a Crumpler bag. That figures into the decision because if I'm using the cross body strap, I can pick a lens for the day when I leave the hotel and avoid a bag all together, which means skipping the dreaded bag check line when I want. Otherwise I can carry the Crumpler with and extra lens, accessories and random bag things when I feel like touring heavier.

So I can't decide what to do and I thought I'd come here and ask the experts what you'd do I'd you were me - buy the strap or just use the bag?

Other info that might figure in -- I will be with other people who may decide to do the bag/check line so I might have to wait anyway. My lenses are the 18-55 kit lens and a 55-200 lens that I am expecting to come in the mail today.

I am seriously looking forward to any thoughts you can offer about my quandry and thank you in advance for taking the time to help. And I'm sure I'll have a fantastic time and come home with precious photos either way!

 

[photo_chick]

I keep my DSLR (Canon 50D) around my neck or sometimes slung across my chest messenger style. I have a Crumpler Industry Disgrace strap (there's lots of comfy straps, but that's my favorite) and it's long enough, and padded enough, to be very versatile. I also keep a Lenscoat Bodybag (the model that holds the camera and a lens) on it so I don't worry about knocking it around on things. I tend to stick my memory cards, batteries or an additional lens or two in the hip pack I use to carry our water bottles and rain ponchos. And i keep a plastic shopping bag to put it all in when it rains or on water rides.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm a BR guy. I have two that convert to a two camera system when I carry two. I swear by the BR system. I switched from a neck strap because after an hour or two at WDW I had a screaming headache. I carry a large amount of equipment that includes several f2.8 lenses. I have been known to carry the 70-200 all day and with the BR attached to the tripod collar (along with a battery grip), I never really got tired. For me, cross body is the only way to go.

 

[MolonLabe]

I haven't taken my DSLR to the world yet (solving that this Christmas season) but I found out very quickly walking around the field museum that the neck strap is awful.

I did my first "shoot" last night for my church, they do a thing called "500 turkeys", basically they get collect enough food (from green beans to corn, stuffing, cranberries ect. ect) for a complete thanksgiving day meal. This year they collected enough for just over 600 turkeys to distribute to needed families!

Anyway, part of the event is holding a 'family' type event where the boxes are packed with the non perishable foods and several stations are set up around the church and in the church basement.. box 'assembly' and taping, food stations, taping, stacking and then the children make cards ect. ect.

It was packed and I spent a couple hours moving around, changing floors ect. ect. I took a couple hundred photos over all.

I used a carryspeed FSpro with the F1plate. So easy to use and so comfortable. I could also easily sling it up and pull the quick strap up to cinch it closer to my body with it flopping around.

I think I had the camera for about 4 hours total. Almost the entire time I had a 430exII speed light attached. I should probably mention it was a T4i with a 17-50 f2.8 OS lens. Not exactly a light setup. I had challenging light situations depending on where I was at and it just wasn't convenient to keep taking the flash on and off. Shooting in manual mode the whole night, it was simpler to just switch the flash on and off as needed when bumping up the ISO wasn't enough.

I had a lighter setup at the field and after 2 hours my neck was in agony. I felt nothing after 4 hours with the carryspeed strap. Loved it.

 

[SplashMo]

If you do not bring a camera bag you should bring a plastic bag to protect the camera on the water rides and during rain. Maybe bring the plastic bag either way.

Have Fun!!!

 

[rossb]

I use this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/195226-REG/Tamrac_51501_515_Compact_Zoom_Pak.html

It is the smallest bag you can get away with. You can either strap it to your belt, put it over a shoulder, or just hold the top handle. You can also strap lens cases to the side of it.

 

[photo_chick]

I haven't taken my DSLR to the world yet (solving that this Christmas season) but I found out very quickly walking around the field museum that the neck strap is awful.

The right strap makes all the difference in the world.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

If you ever use one of these,

http://www.blackrapid.com/products/curve

you'll never go back to anything else.

 

[dakotix]

I've been using a canon20D for years. It was great for a drive x-country but I'm not sure how often I'll use it at the World. I'll definitely bring it but will most likely only use it when catching the parades or fireworks..and even then its dicey at night since I'd have to make sure I brought my tripod for those long exposures...and its bulky! Ive been to Disney alot so our little canon elph will most likely be what we use most of the time since its not like we're going to blow up the photos we take at disney and hang them on our walls at home. You can pick one up at walmart for about $100. The elph fits in your pocket and will take great great photos suitable @ 5x7s or 8x10s.

 

[dawnmichele]

Thank you all so much for your tips and experiences!
I've decided I'll take my stuff to Disney in the Cumpler bag, of course, but today I am going to pick up the Black Rapid curve strap - probably with the floral print becauase I'm kinda girly like that.

And by the way, my zoom lens did come that day, and I am Loving it.

 

[photo_chick]

Thank you all so much for your tips and experiences!
I've decided I'll take my stuff to Disney in the Cumpler bag, of course, but today I am going to pick up the Black Rapid curve strap - probably with the floral print becauase I'm kinda girly like that.

And by the way, my zoom lens did come that day, and I am Loving it.

When I got the camo print Industry Disgrace it was because it matched my Converse.

 

[Duzzygirl]

If you ever use one of these,

http://www.blackrapid.com/products/curve

you'll never go back to anything else.

LOVE mine!

 

[ionz13]

I recently went to Disneyland for two days with this bag, Clik elite Probody sport (http://www.clikelite.com/products/probody-sport/). I carried my D90 and an sb800 with some accessories, snacks, and a jacket (I had room for a lot more camera equipment too).

I had used a Crumpler 5 million dollar home for about two years, I enjoy this Clik Elite one much more. It's very comfortable and I like the extra storage up top.

PLUS there's a rain jacket!

 

[KeeperSyd]

I actually used a binocular strap that carries over both shoulders like a backpack. It was awesome and I took many more pics that if I had to get my camera out every time