Question about DSLR's in the park

[snappycindy]

Hello..I am very new here, although I have been "lurking" for awhile. I apologize ahead of time if my question has been previously answered, but I could not find a thread.

I would like to know, for those of you who have digital SLR cameras and have taken them on your trip, how you carry them around? I have a really nice backpack that my DH gave me for Christmas (specifically for the type of camera I have) and I could fit alot more in there, but I am just wondering if I'm going to regret ever bringing it in the parks...ie: will it get too heavy, can I bring it on rides, ect.

Any and all thoughts on this would be appreciated! We leave tomorrow and we'll be staying at CSR.

Thanks!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

It will be heavy but the pictures will be worth it!!!! DISboards does have a photography board. Come on over.

 

[zackiedawg]

You might want to consider getting (or bringing if you already have one) a small camera-sized bag, that can fit the body and one primary lens, and bringing that along with your main pack.

That way, on days you want to have everything with you, bring the backpack...but you'll have the option on other days to travel light, with just the camera and 1 lens, keeping it around your neck most of the time with a small portable bag to zip it up in case of rain or when transportationing around.

I have an old Tamrac pouch case that just fits my DSLR and my 18-250 lens...it's a soft side bag, so I can crumple it down for minimal inconvenience when I'm wearing my camera around my neck. Meanwhile, my whole camera collection and other lenses are in my Kata R102 backpack, and I can bring that to the park when I really want to have all of my lenses available.

 

[atpatt]

When I take mine into the parks, I use this:
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-D-SLR-Neoprene-Pouch-Cameras/dp/B00011CS1M

I usually keep a 28-135mm on it, but for AK switch to 70-300 and throw the little 18-35mm kit lens in my shoulder bag or stroller.

That pouch is great for protecting against bumps and knocks, but wouldn't do much for protecting the camera in a fall.

I've never taken my bigger camera bag to the parks. Too heavy and big with all the stuff in it.

 

[loopner67]

When I take mine into the parks, I use this:
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-D-SLR-Neoprene-Pouch-Cameras/dp/B00011CS1M

I usually keep a 28-135mm on it, but for AK switch to 70-300 and throw the little 18-35mm kit lens in my shoulder bag or stroller.

That pouch is great for protecting against bumps and knocks, but wouldn't do much for protecting the camera in a fall.

I've never taken my bigger camera bag to the parks. Too heavy and big with all the stuff in it.

Love that pouch! Thanks for sharing the Amazon link.

 

[atpatt]

Glad to be of service!

I wanted to add that I am not certain that is the exact size pouch that I have. I can fit my Rebel xti with the 70-300 lens in mine. Just check the measurements! They do come in various sizes and can be found on other sites.

 

[sherry7]

I am in the process of ordering a Sony A300, but I don't have it yet. I'm glad you asked this question, because I was just thinking the same thing today...how in the world am I going to tote this big camera around WDW?!?

Have you heard of the Lowepro Slingshot bag? It comes in 3 sizes - 100, 200, and 300. I was looking at the 100 size today at Best Buy, and it was really nice and I liked the way it fit. However, I'm not sure it would fit my camera with a 75-300mm lens attached. I'm going to have to try it after I receive the camera/lens. So, I might need the larger 200 model instead. As an added bonus, these bags have a waterproof cover in case it starts to rain. Unlike a normal backpack, you don't have to take it off to access your camera. You simply "sling" it around from your back to your stomach.

You can see the Lowepro Slingshot 100 here: http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-SlingShot-All-Weather-Digital-Backpack/dp/B000BAX50G/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1219714596&sr=8-1

Here's the Lowepro Slingshot 200:
http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Slingshot-Weather-Backpack-Black/dp/B000B9O83A/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1219714596&sr=8-2

Oh, and of course someone made a "knock-off" of the Lowepro Slingshot. I was at Sam's Club today, and found a DuraShield sling bag, which is almost exactly like the Lowepro Slingshot 200...waterproof cover and all. It was only $39.99. I went ahead and bought one, although I'm hoping that I'll be able to use the smaller 100 model instead.

You can see the knock-off model here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/365610@N21/discuss/72157606345657860/
and here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/weatherphoto/discuss/72157606060474524/

 

[atpatt]

Sherry, I bought the 100 on advice from the photography forum and it is a great bag. I holds my xti with the 70-300 lens attached, plus holds my other 2 lenses, along with a large lens hood. In the smaller two sections, there is plenty of room for extra batteries, chargers, and a point and shoot. I haven't taken it into the parks just b/c there is always so much stuff in it.

Two thumbs up on the bag.

 

[sherry7]

Sherry, I bought the 100 on advice from the photography forum and it is a great bag. I holds my xti with the 70-300 lens attached, plus holds my other 2 lenses, along with a large lens hood. In the smaller two sections, there is plenty of room for extra batteries, chargers, and a point and shoot. I haven't taken it into the parks just b/c there is always so much stuff in it.

Two thumbs up on the bag.

Thanks for replying about this. I know the 70-300 lens is going to take up a lot of room, so I wasn't sure about the size.

A question for you though. When the 70-300 lens is attached to the camera, can you fit it in the "normal" way, or do you have to put it in sideways?

I'm considering this bag for taking to WDW, so I want to make sure everything fits in there the way I want it too.

 

[OKW Lover]

If you're really serious about taking pix, don't carry your camera around in a bag/backpack. You need to have it handy for it to be of any use. Bags are OK to transport from one place to another, but once there rely on a nice wide shoulder strap to keep your camera handy.

 

[sherry7]

If you're really serious about taking pix, don't carry your camera around in a bag/backpack. You need to have it handy for it to be of any use. Bags are OK to transport from one place to another, but once there rely on a nice wide shoulder strap to keep your camera handy.

That's a good thought, and quite understandable. However, how do you protect your camera while on rides?

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

That's a good thought, and quite understandable. However, how do you protect your camera while on rides?

Some rides you can leave your bags, other have netted bags to put your belongings in, ziploc bags work wonders for keeping them dry on wet rides!