I'm about to open a whole can of problems!!

[RBennett]

Ok, so I need some advice. I am in the process of purchasing a Pentax K100D, (I know Kevin will be so proud of me) and I am needing some help finding 2 accessories. I am wanting to purchase a tripod and a camera case. That's where the debate comes in. I am wanting a full-size tripod and a case that can hold my camera, the kit lens, the 55mm-200mm lens, and my memory cards and batteries. And preferably I am not wanting to kill my wallet. So what do you recommend for those two things? From what I've read and picked up around here I'm pretty well set on other accessories such as memory cards and batteries and the Imaging Editing Software. Thanks in advance!!

 

[jann1033]

dddouble post

 

[jann1033]

i got a canon backpack style case for $40 on amazon a while back...it holds my camera body, 7 lenses pockets (my largest is 70-200mm which is a bout 6 inches then room for 5 normal ie up to 100mm prime plus one more larger lens.) also has room for filter cards ect in the 2 inside mesh pockets, 2 small outer pockets for cleaning stuff and 2 large 8x10 " or larger outer pockets for books, papers etc...tripod straps on the bottom..full i can hardly lift it but it was imo a great buy http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6TA/002-5185493-5408066 i doubt it would upset your camera to much to rest in a canon bag and that way everyone but the nikonians/sony camps will think you belong to their "club"
tripod i got a giotto Mt i love( starts around $130 for aluminum) just as a fyi, i have read you should get a tripod that will hold 1 1/2-2 xs your largest kit so if you buy a head include that as well...lots of tripods only hold 5 lbs so make sure you check the weight
http://www.hpmarketingcorp.com/giottos_tripods.html
and a bogen/manfrotto monopod, amazon again for $30 that is fantastic esp for the price( doesn't wobble at all with my 6 lb+ of largest kit i have on it., think it's good for like 11 lbs)
http://amazon.com/Bogen-4-Section-L...42&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_i=ybh

 

[Master Mason]

I have the lowpro Mini treker AW backpack, It holds my XT, 70-200 f2.8, Sigma 18-135, canon 50mm, pocket tripod, memory cards, filters, remote sutter releases and a few other things like a light windbreaker if needed. Only problem is I carried it around DL for 4 days when it was full, and it did get a bit heavy, I think I am going to get a small sling bag for my upcoming WDW trip, I don't need the whole kit all the time.

I have a Velabon 347 tripod that is light and easy to carry, it was probably close to max'd out with the 70-200 but it does work. I also have a monfrotto mono that I absolutely love.

Right now I don't use a tripod enough to justify 200+ for one, if I get to that point, then I'll look at the carbon fiber ones.

 

[wkrider]

THis is the case I bought for my new K100d..carries my camera with kit lens, 70-310mm, 50mm, boot flash, memory cards, and much more. I can even put my Fuji S5000 in the top pocket...I love it.

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/All_Weather_Cover/SlingShot_100_AW.aspx

 

[ukcatfan]

I have a Tamrac shoulder strap bag that is not bad for light duty. It holds the camera with hood on backwards, my 50mm, extra hood, a few filters in hard cases, two sets of batteries, and three memory cards in hard cases.

But wait, I have a Lowepro Orion Trekker II in the mail right now Now that the DDs are older, we do not need a full backpack to carry in the parks (no more diapers ). I wanted a sling type, but DW cannot stand the way those feel to carry, so I went with a typical backpack style. It has more than enough room for my gear (only two extra lenses), my p&s, plus room to carry the other stuff we need at the parks. It is not all weather, but being FL residents that get to go often, we do not tromp through any kind of weather anymore.

I do not do much tripod work, so I only have a cheapo Walmart special. I think I will invest in a monopod before my August trip.

Kevin

 

[RBennett]

Right now I don't use a tripod enough to justify 200+ for one, if I get to that point, then I'll look at the carbon fiber ones.

That's how I am. I know I won't use it enough to justify spending very much at all. To be honest the only time I see myself using one is for fireworks where I'm leaking the shutter open for a couple seconds. Given that this is all I will use it for, is THAT even enough to justify spending the money on it?

 

[Jeanne B]

THis is the case I bought for my new K100d..carries my camera with kit lens, 70-310mm, 50mm, boot flash, memory cards, and much more. I can even put my Fuji S5000 in the top pocket...I love it.

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/All_Weather_Cover/SlingShot_100_AW.aspx

I've been debating on this one for my K100, I've had it sitting in my shopping cart on Amazon for a while now. Good to know that you can also fit your Fuji in the top pocket since I have a p&s that I like to carry with me along with my K100. Problem is, I have too many bags as it is!!

 

[jann1033]

That's how I am. I know I won't use it enough to justify spending very much at all. To be honest the only time I see myself using one is for fireworks where I'm leaking the shutter open for a couple seconds. Given that this is all I will use it for, is THAT even enough to justify spending the money on it?

imo since i don't use mine tons either( macro and really low light is it) i wouldn't spend a bunch on one but the gorilla pod kind of scares me( my camera, flash and largest lens would be over 6 lbs and just don't want to trust it) so i figure i can leave it in the locker till fireworks time at someplace like disney and mine has a good case so i can actually carry it pretty easily for shorter excursions..it's just when you need it you need it even if it isn't all that often. however, you could try a monopod and maybe the gorilla pod or table top tripod for less$$ and then if you feel you do need one, get one. i just think of tripods as a necessary evil i had a quantary one( that might not be spelled right)for years but it started slipping since it was overloaded and i figured i didn't want to see my camera crash to the pavement somewhere

 

[jann1033]

I have a Tamrac shoulder strap bag that is not bad for light duty. It holds the camera with hood on backwards, my 50mm, extra hood, a few filters in hard cases, two sets of batteries, and three memory cards in hard cases.

But wait, I have a Lowepro Orion Trekker II in the mail right now Now that the DDs are older, we do not need a full backpack to carry in the parks (no more diapers ). I wanted a sling type, but DW cannot stand the way those feel to carry, so I went with a typical backpack style. It has more than enough room for my gear (only two extra lenses), my p&s, plus room to carry the other stuff we need at the parks. It is not all weather, but being FL residents that get to go often, we do not tromp through any kind of weather anymore.

I do not do much tripod work, so I only have a cheapo Walmart special. I think I will invest in a monopod before my August trip.

Kevin

so is the bold to assume dw is the pack mule of the family( as my hubby refers to himself when he is loaded down with all my gear)

 

[Master Mason]

That's how I am. I know I won't use it enough to justify spending very much at all. To be honest the only time I see myself using one is for fireworks where I'm leaking the shutter open for a couple seconds. Given that this is all I will use it for, is THAT even enough to justify spending the money on it?

Check out the Velabon I recommended. I think it was Bob Quincy that recommended it to me. It honestly does everything I need. fireworks and some long exposure night stuff is about it. I think I got it on ebay for about $67 bucks it only weighs a few pounds and folds to about 18 inches. Perfect for me. I do recommed a remote shutter release with it though.

 

[wkrider]

I've been debating on this one for my K100, I've had it sitting in my shopping cart on Amazon for a while now. Good to know that you can also fit your Fuji in the top pocket since I have a p&s that I like to carry with me along with my K100. Problem is, I have too many bags as it is!!

I think you would be happy...my Fuji is not a point and shoot...this is it....

I carried the bag for the first time a few weeks ago at Downtown Disneyland and loved it.

 

[Groucho]

I wouldn't rule out an older bag, either. I did a bunch of checking to see if I could find something to hold my camera and a bunch of lenses comfortably, and after looking at a lot of things, just stuck with my old over-15-year-old Tamrac boxy shoulder bag.

This is what it looks like closed...

But for the WDW trip, it swallowed everything you see in this photo except for the tripod, monopod, ball head, and the 400mm lens (which almost fits)... oh, and the table didn't fit either. But yes, both camera bodies, five lenses, and a bunch of accessories fit. Since then, I started carrying around my old flash unit, and it holds that without having to remove anything! (Though it does bulge a little here and there!) That's an Op/Tech SOS strap attached to it, too... that helped it keep my shoulders from screaming in pain like the old stock strap could do sometimes.

I don't think any of the new bags could store that much - some of them seem to have more padding than open space!

Since you're only going to be carrying two lenses at this point, and one will be attached to the camera, I'd suggest getting a belt-mounted lens pouch. This was very handy at WDW! With this setup, you really hardly even need a camera bag, if you keep the camera around your neck. You can see my lens pouch as a black and blue square to the left of the camera bag in the second photo.

For tripods, I've heard good things about the Velbon Maxi, and would have seriously considered it but that 400mm lens you see in the photo demanded that I get something a bit heavier-duty. You can also consider a Gorillapod SLR or SLR Zoom, although the SLR Zoom is getting very close to the price of the full-blown Velbon, especially once you factor in the cost of a ball head for the Gorillapod.

Oh, and congratulations on the camera! I'm sure you'll love it. Welcome to the Pentax army.

 

[boBQuincy]

Crumpler's $5 Million bag will hold your camera, lenses, and plenty of accessories.

Velbon's Maxi 347GB is about full size and sturdy enough for most dSLR cameras. It comes with a panhead but fits a ballhead if that's your choice. I do recommend a remote release, the tripod is not sturdy enough to press the shutter button without causing vibration.

Gorilla's largest model, the SLR-Zoom is ok for about 3 pounds, much more than that and I would be concerned about it holding securely.

 

[Groucho]

The Velbon Maxi that I was thinking of is the 343E, which is sold at the linked site for $70 including a ball head. I think it's very similar (if not identical?) to the one you mentioned.

 

[boBQuincy]

The Velbon Maxi that I was thinking of is the 343E, which is sold at the linked site for $70 including a ball head. I think it's very similar (if not identical?) to the one you mentioned.

The 343E is similar to the 347GB, minus the leg braces (which probably don't do anything anyway), the center column crank (may be no big deal) and the ballhead instead of the panhead with quick release. Like the 347GB, it appears the 343E head can be quickly changed.

I do like the quick release although Velbon's is not the most sturdy. Velbon rates it for about 7 pounds, I would be nervous with that much weight on it.

 

[ukcatfan]

so is the bold to assume dw is the pack mule of the family( as my hubby refers to himself when he is loaded down with all my gear)

I wish! She is not a thrill ride person, but I am, so she is stuck carrying the stuff while I go on those rides. She typically plays the, "you're a weightlifter" card and has me be the pack mule. Two years ago I spent about 75% of the trip with a backpack on and a four year old on my shoulders.

Kevin