SLR in the Parks

[rotary2808]

Another question for you experts: what type of camera bag do you recommend? I don't really want anything too bulky like a backpack, really just something big enough for the camera and a backup battery.

 

[WillCAD]

Another question for you experts: what type of camera bag do you recommend? I don't really want anything too bulky like a backpack, really just something big enough for the camera and a backup battery.

I prefer to go bagless. I keep my camera on a strap or harness that's comfortable enough for every day wear, which keeps it handy and ready to shoot at a moment's notice. I keep it turned on (set to automatically go into sleep mode to save battery life), and I don't even put the lens cap on (though I do have U/V filters on al of my lenses to protect them). It's easy enough to slip a spare battery and a few memory cards into your pockets, especially if you have a small media wallet to keep them organized and protected.

Going bagless prevents me from dumping 200 pounds of gear into a bag that I might not need - it forces me to take ONLY what I know I will need. It also means that I can skip the bag check lines at park entry, don't have to worry about finding a place to put a big bag whenever I go on a ride, and never worry about a huge bag hanging from my shoulders possibly knocking some poor kid over as I make my way through the parks.

 

[rotary2808]

Are there any rides that I might need a camera bag to put it away in? I think someone mentioned that possibility on Rock'n Roller Coaster?

So on the roller coasters you just hang on tight to the camera with it secured around your neck and you've never had any problems? I'm so scared my husband's very expensive camera is going to go flying off an attraction.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Why would you bother with a DSLR at the park? It seems like it would be a bulky nuisance. I'd hate to have to lug something like around with me. Wouldn't a decent p&s be better?

 

[rotary2808]

Why would you bother with a DSLR at the park? It seems like it would be a bulky nuisance. I'd hate to have to lug something like around with me. Wouldn't a decent p&s be better?

I used to feel the same way. A p&s was all I took. Then I used my husband's dslr on our ABD Italy trip last month and fell in love with it. That was the first trip we'd ever taken it on, we were always scared something would happen to it. I see people carrying dslr's around Disney all time and would love to see what a difference it might make. It might just be a one time thing, but I figure it's worth a shot.

 

[handicap18]

Why would you bother with a DSLR at the park? It seems like it would be a bulky nuisance. I'd hate to have to lug something like around with me. Wouldn't a decent p&s be better?

I used to feel the same way. A p&s was all I took. Then I used my husband's dslr on our ABD Italy trip last month and fell in love with it. That was the first trip we'd ever taken it on, we were always scared something would happen to it. I see people carrying dslr's around Disney all time and would love to see what a difference it might make. It might just be a one time thing, but I figure it's worth a shot.

Emily, since your new here I'll explain this post to you. Mark is quite possibly THE most sarcastic member of this board.

What he failed to mention in his post is that he started this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2185311

More specifically he took this picture of HIS gear:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32066351&postcount=17

Another member took a picture of Mark a few years ago when they met up at Disney. Mark looked like he was ready for battle with all his gear draped around him.




As for a bag... well if your only taking the camera with the lens attached and the extra battery, you might want to consider getting an Op-Tec strap. They are VERY comfortable (far more comfortable than the junk straps that come with the camera) and you can just wear the camera all day around your neck. This is what I do. I keep the extra battery and memory card in my pocekt and I also have a lens pouch (or 2) that attach to my belt for extra lenses.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Another question for you experts: what type of camera bag do you recommend? I don't really want anything too bulky like a backpack, really just something big enough for the camera and a backup battery.

I have this: http://products.lowepro.com/product/Edit-140,1941,22.htm

They are made for camcorders but fit my Canon XSi with 18-200mm lens attached. I bought the 18-200mm so I could have an easy lens for travel with both wide angle & telephoto so I didn't have to switch lenses at all.

There's a little velcro pocket on each side (I even fit a dollar store poncho in one), and a zipper pocket in front (for battery and extra SD cards). Also inside under the flap is another pocket that I keep my cell phone, gray card and anything else I'm bringing with me. I think I spent about $30 on the one I bought from Best Buy. I went to the store and actually put the camera in it to make sure it fit before I bought it.

I'm too paranoid... I'd never be able to go without a bag!

 

[rotary2808]

Emily, since your new here I'll explain this post to you. Mark is quite possibly THE most sarcastic member of this board.

What he failed to mention in his post is that he started this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2185311

More specifically he took this picture of HIS gear:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32066351&postcount=17

Another member took a picture of Mark a few years ago when they met up at Disney. Mark looked like he was ready for battle with all his gear draped around him.




As for a bag... well if your only taking the camera with the lens attached and the extra battery, you might want to consider getting an Op-Tec strap. They are VERY comfortable (far more comfortable than the junk straps that come with the camera) and you can just wear the camera all day around your neck. This is what I do. I keep the extra battery and memory card in my pocekt and I also have a lens pouch (or 2) that attach to my belt for extra lenses.

I completely understand now. That is a lot of equipment. And I thought my one camera would be a lot. I might look into that Op-Tec strap, the strap that came with the Olympus isn't bad, but by the end of the day it was starting to irritate my neck just a little.

I have this: http://products.lowepro.com/product/Edit-140,1941,22.htm

They are made for camcorders but fit my Canon XSi with 18-200mm lens attached. I bought the 18-200mm so I could have an easy lens for travel with both wide angle & telephoto so I didn't have to switch lenses at all.

There's a little velcro pocket on each side (I even fit a dollar store poncho in one), and a zipper pocket in front (for battery and extra SD cards). Also inside under the flap is another pocket that I keep my cell phone, gray card and anything else I'm bringing with me. I think I spent about $30 on the one I bought from Best Buy. I went to the store and actually put the camera in it to make sure it fit before I bought it.

I'm too paranoid... I'd never be able to go without a bag!

Thanks Karen!!! I'm definitely going to look at all the options. That bag looks really nice and isn't too much. I'm just curious what people know works at Disney.

BTW, I love your picture of Dreamfinder and Figment. I remember those days well and miss them too. I keep hoping one day Dreamfinder will come back.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Emily, since your new here I'll explain this post to you. Mark is quite possibly THE most sarcastic member of this board.
...

I prefer "ironic" rather than "sarcastic". "Sarcastic" implies malice, and none was intended. I just thought it would be fun, immediately after having defended taking a slightly larger than normal amount of gear, to question someone else's desire to bring more gear than absolutely necessary.

 

[AndrewWG]

On the faster rides, I just keep the camera bag between my feet with the bags strap wrapped around one of my feet. This way, if I get flung from the ride and end up in a strange part of WDW never before seen, I will still have my camera with me to document it for all of you guys to see.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Olympus Digital SLR. Not sure which model

I had a blast using it

I'm the only Disser in the family.

Always glad to meet fellow users here. We do have an Olympus thread going if you want to join in.

Here is another thread you might find helpful. I believe it's on page 25 "gear bag" threads are linked, there are some pics of different types of bags.

 

[rotary2808]

Always glad to meet fellow users here. We do have an Olympus thread going if you want to join in.

Here is another thread you might find helpful. I believe it's on page 25 "gear bag" threads are linked, there are some pics of different types of bags.

Thanks!!! I'll have to look into both of those.

 

[lizet313]

I just bought a Canon XSI and well I bought the camera bag.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017IAV2G/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

I just received everything and well I am beginning to think it might be a little big to carry in the park. I don't mind taking it but is there something better for two lens

I bought the Canon EF-S 55-250mm and EF-S 18-55mm (it came with the camera at purchase.)

Any input is welcomed thanks.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I completely understand now. That is a lot of equipment. And I thought my one camera would be a lot. I might look into that Op-Tec strap, the strap that came with the Olympus isn't bad, but by the end of the day it was starting to irritate my neck just a little.



Thanks Karen!!! I'm definitely going to look at all the options. That bag looks really nice and isn't too much. I'm just curious what people know works at Disney.

BTW, I love your picture of Dreamfinder and Figment. I remember those days well and miss them too. I keep hoping one day Dreamfinder will come back.

It worked really well for me last September. It even fit inside the pouches on the back of the seat on Everest. And wherever I didn't have a pocket, I put the strap around my leg and just kept it between my feet. It has a decent amount of padding so I was never worried about the camera being damaged if it got bounced around. I kept my park ticket in the front zipper area so that was always handy too.

Thanks on the picture I loved Dreamfinder as a kid- that's me at about 2 years old on my first trip to Disney!

 

[racreel]

It is easy for me. I don't like the fast rides... nothing with "mountain" in the name.

Mikeeee

Expedition Everest?? Fantastic coaster and doesn't have mountain in it's name. LOL

Rockin 'N' Rollercoaster?? Doesn't get much faster than that.

For SLR in the parks you need to find the right camera bag for you. I've got a of Lowepro SlingShot 100. It hangs across your back and is easily swung around to the front to access the camera.

 

[Shutterbug]

I have a lowepro backpack style for my camera gear. The bottom portion carries the gear and the top carries pop/water, sunblock, etc..

There have been days where I have went to the park with out the camera bag at all so I can have some unburdened fun but then I get there and I feel naked and have this troublesome thought that I am going to miss the shot of century cause I left the camera gear back at the house