Recommendations for Theme Park Carrying (Backpack, Sling Bag, Shoulder Bag)

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dddwyer1981

Senior Member
Living in Orlando, we take the kids to the theme parks on a regular basis. Of course, I tote my gear with me.

I had a cheap Targus sling bag that I use to carry the camera currently. However, I just picked up a 70-200mm, and it won't fit in this bag. As a result, I picked up the Luma Labs Cinch strap so that I can carry the camera with a big lens across the body.

I'm wondering if I should pick up a regular backpack, shoulder bag, or a bigger sling bag to accompany the strap.

Has anyone had experience using a sling bag with a Black Rapid or Cinch strap - can they work together, or is it just too cumbersome?

Any recommendations? I guess bringing less equipment is always an option, but not nearly as fun.
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
If I were going to be taking kids to a theme park and WALKING a lot I would pick a lens and go with it especially if like you said you go a lot. Take one lens this trip and take a different lens on the next trip to get the "other" shots.

My wife and I tend to go a hot nature walks here in the south during the summer while she is on summer break. My back pack is way to hot to wear.
 
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dddwyer1981

Senior Member
Tracsoft - Don Kuykendall said:
If I were going to be taking kids to a theme park and WALKING a lot I would pick a lens and go with it especially if like you said you go a lot. Take one lens this trip and take a different lens on the next trip to get the "other" shots.

My wife and I tend to go a hot nature walks here in the south during the summer while she is on summer break. My back pack is way to hot to wear.
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That's what I was afraid of - bring less equipment.

My 24-70mm works pretty well in most instances while walking around, but there are those shots where I want the 70-200mm (i.e. when I wait with the infant, while my wife takes the 2 year old on the Merry-go-round). Next trip we take, maybe I'll try going with one lens, and see how it works out. Might be a heck of a lot less complex than worrying about leaving the gear in the stroller.
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
Based on my experience, ditch the bag if you intend to ride the roller coasters. Bring one wide and longer prime lens for indoor shots. A f2.8 zoom lens will be ideal so that you can just carry one lens. Use pop-up flash. Bring a plastic bag with you to cover your camera for those rides that can get them wet.
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
dddwyer1981 said:
I also saw some guy the other day walking around with a Spyder Holster and a belt with some lens change pouches on it.
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That's not bad but if it is during the hot summer weather, I wouldn't want that clinging around me. It also depends on how heavy the lenses will be. When going through the lines, you'll end up bumping those pouches with other people.

I would say keep it simple with one camera and one medium zoom lens.
 
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dddwyer1981

Senior Member
gqtuazon said:
That's not bad but if it is during hot summer weather, I don't want that clinging around me. It also depends on how heavy the lens will be. When going through the lines, you'll end up bumping those pouches with other people.

I would say keep it simple with one camera and one medium zoom lens.
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I like it. The roller coasters aren't an issue yet, since my oldest is only 2. "It's a Small World" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" is about as wild as we get. I guess I'll keep the existing sling bag, throw the extra lens in there, and burry it in the stroller.
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
I had rotator cuff surgery a while back and could not wear my back pack for my gear. I came up with this for those times I really needed to carry extra gear. I got two can koozies (the kind to keep your beer cold) and sliced them so that a lens would fit in and not rattle around and they fit in this case. You wear it around your waist and it is pretty comfortable. Added benefit is that you can carry two water bottles with you for fhose hot days. Extra room for SD cards and batteries. Can carry two lenses or lens and flash.
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carguy

Senior Member
We took our kids to Disney World last Oct. 4 days at 4 parks. I had a swiss backpack and a black rapid strap. Great combination!

Tap'n on the Galaxy S3
 
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PapaST

Senior Member
You have a stroller right now so that helps in some respects. Last time I went I just used one of my regular backpacks. It's an Osprey Momentum. I didn't have a stroller so I knew I'd be throwing in stuff like extra water for my daughter or store purchases or rain gear or my wife's purse. Basically I was the pack-mule for the trip. It's not a camera specific bag so I used a MountainSmith camera insert like this: Mountainsmith Kit Cube

It will stow into any backpack and if you use the dividers right you can safely carry a decent number of lenses.

I've used this in combination with a blackrapid with no problems.
 
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dddwyer1981

Senior Member
PapaST - thanks for the feedback. I was wondering if a camera strap would work with a bag on your back. Sounds like that shouldn't be a problem.

You also mentioned rain gear. That's a big deal down here in Florida. We get those afternoon showers pretty much every day. So its nice having a bag to put the gear in when it does start raining.

I guess I could bring a plastic bag, but that just looks tacky.
 
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dddwyer1981

Senior Member
Right now, I think I have some decent glass. Both my 24-70mm and 70-200mm are f/2.8. I only have one prime lens 50mm. I think the 85mm will be my next purchase.
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I used to work at WDW, and can't tell you the number of times I saw a parent overloaded with camera or video gear. Many times, I saw it cause friction within a family and also with other guests.

My advice is to keep it as simple as you can; one camera and one lens, or a good point & shoot camera. I really think that your 24-70 would be fine for outdoors, but the 50 is fine, too. Carry it in a padded bag with some protection from rain. A plastic bag will work for a while, but if the camera goes in and out of it a lot, it will end up wet. Use the strap connected to the camera to carry it in the bag, as well. (No strap needed for the case.)

And if you place it in a stroller, don't leave it unattended. Yes, it's obvious, but ...

WM
 
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dddwyer1981

Senior Member
Whiskeyman said:
And if you place it in a stroller, don't leave it unattended. Yes, it's obvious, but ...
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No doubt.

I think we're planning on heading to the parks this weekend, so I'm going to try just bringing the 24-70mm with a little holster bag.

Many times, I saw it cause friction within a family and also with other guests.
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I can certainly relate to this. When I want to change a lens, or while I'm grabbing the gear out of the bag, my wife gives me a look because she's dealing with the two little one's. From what everyone is saying, it sounds like less is more in this situation. Guess I'll have to save the big gear for more casual environments.
 
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carguy

Senior Member
dddwyer1981 said:
Which Swiss Backpack (was it camera specific)?
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No. SwissGear Synergy Laptop Backpack. I've had it for years. Took it due to the capacity and ability to hold two waterbottles (for both kids). never had it packed full, but enough empty space to carry jackets for each kid, my 55-200 (for when were at Animal Kingdom only, left it in the hotel safe for the remaining parks). Take a nice 'carry' lens and a good zoom if you plan to hit Animal Kingdom (for the safari ride primarily).

It was a great combo and was not an issue on ANY of the rides.

I read the posts last summer about not taking a DSLR and lens with family so you can enjoy them more blah blah. I had zero issues with my camera at my side always ready to fire. Kids had a blast, We had a great time and have plenty of cool shots to enjoy for years :)

Flickr set from our trip: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michiganclassics/sets/72157632953873137/

Nikon D40 on 'gasp' Auto with 18-55mm for the most part. Didn't venture off auto and buy new glass until the first of this year :)

Due to the obvious security issue leaving gear in a stroller unattended, dont' count on the stroller because you'll need to put that gear someplace when you end up leaving it unattended. Pack light (camera, 1-2 lenses, spare battery & SD cards).

Have fun :)
 
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dddwyer1981

Senior Member
carguy said:
No. SwissGear Synergy Laptop Backpack. I've had it for years. Took it due to the capacity and ability to hold two waterbottles (for both kids). never had it packed full, but enough empty space to carry jackets for each kid, my 55-200 (for when were at Animal Kingdom only, left it in the hotel safe for the remaining parks). Take a nice 'carry' lens and a good zoom if you plan to hit Animal Kingdom (for the safari ride primarily).

It was a great combo and was not an issue on ANY of the rides.

I read the posts last summer about not taking a DSLR and lens with family so you can enjoy them more blah blah. I had zero issues with my camera at my side always ready to fire. Kids had a blast, We had a great time and have plenty of cool shots to enjoy for years :)

Flickr set from our trip: Walt Disney World 2012 - a set on Flickr

Nikon D40 on 'gasp' Auto with 18-55mm for the most part. Didn't venture off auto and buy new glass until the first of this year :)

Due to the obvious security issue leaving gear in a stroller unattended, dont' count on the stroller because you'll need to put that gear someplace when you end up leaving it unattended. Pack light (camera, 1-2 lenses, spare battery & SD cards).

Have fun :)
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Those are some great shots in your Flickr album. Hopefully I can come up with some of the same caliber.
 
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co2jae

Senior Member
I am a regular at disney (2x per year minimum) and I use a simple case logic $30 sling pack. Has a enough padded room for my D7000 with the 18-105 (outdoor and general shots)on it in the main pocket and a big enough side pocket for 70-300 mm (which I dont bring to Disney) or my 35 mm prime (indoor and wife's required food pics for travel reports). It also has extra smaller pockets for lens cleaning items and filters. I ride every single roller coaster and thrill ride there is with my family and have not had a problem with this set up. I can slide the pack to my back or quickly in front of me, but it generally rides on my hip. There is a waist band for weight support if I need it but I usually just use the shoulder strap and have easy, 1 zipper access to my camera. NEVER EVER EVER leave your set up in your stroller. Pack light and keep it on your person.
 
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