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Camera bags are as diverse in both size and function as the cameras, lenses, and other assorted photography gear they’re designed to carry. Many new photographers may be familiar with just a few styles of camera bags, making it easy to end up with a camera bag that might hold the camera, but isn’t quite the ideal fit for that particular photographer. In this guide we’ll go over ten factors to look at when searching for a camera bag to help you buy the best one for your needs as a photographer.
When purchasing a camera bag, you’ll want to carefully consider what you actually need your camera bag to do. You might be thinking, “Well – I just want it to hold my gear!” but with so many styles of bags out there designed for so many different uses, this is a decision you’ll want to make carefully.
Once you consider these 10 factors, you should have an easier time picking a camera bag based upon your real needs, rather than just the bag’s aesthetic appeal.
1. How long you typically spend taking pictures.
Do you take short walks around the neighborhood or will you be trekking for a week through the backcountry? For short distances, a well designed camera bag of any style shouldn’t be difficult or painful to carry, but certain styles are better suited for walking long distances in greater comfort while carrying your camera gear.
2. What kind of photography you shoot
Certain camera bags are better geared towards specific types of photography, depending upon how your body moves while shooting. Street photographers tend to find themselves navigating crowded streets, sports photographers often spend hours standing or kneeling, wildlife photographers might find themselves crouching behind bushes, and landscape photographers may hike for hours to reach a scenic mountain vista.
The style of camera bag you choose will have a direct impact on how comfortable you are while crouching, kneeling, or walking long distances, so you’ll want to factor this in when choosing a bag by paying careful attention to what kind of activities the bag is recommended for.
3. How safe is it where you’ll be doing most of your photography?
Do you need to keep a constant eye on your gear or will it be fine out of sight on your back? Some camera bag styles like backpacks obviously mean that your gear will be riding around on your back, behind you. If you live in or travel to areas where pickpockets and thieves are more commonplace, it’s worth considering a bag that doesn’t stick out as a camera bag and that can be kept in your sight at all times and isn’t easy to rip off your shoulder.
4. What the terrain is like where you will be doing your photography.
Will you be climbing mountains or just navigating the streets? The kind of ground you’ll be covering and the activities you’ll be doing while taking pictures are really instrumental in choosing a camera bag that’s right for you. For instance, the kind of camera bag best suited for an outdoor adventure photographer trekking through the jungle is naturally going to different than the camera bag best suited
5. What the weather is like where you’ll be shooting.
Does it rain frequently, necessitating a camera bag that’s waterproof or has a rain cover? If you’re headed into a wet climate during the rainy season, you’ll want to choose a camera bag carefully — many camera bags may be able to resist the water from a bit of light sprinkling, but if you’re caught in a torrential downpour, you’ll want the knowledge that your gear is safe within a waterproof bag or under a waterproof rain cover. Be sure to check out our guide to camera rain gear! If you frequently shoot in cold climates, you’ll also want to make sure you choose a camera bag that keeps your gear dry and insulated from snow and ice.
6. How important style is to you.
Do you want a camera bag that doubles as a fashion accessory, or does it serve more of a utilitarian purpose? Camera bags come in a vast array of styles, with some styled to look like old-school safari bags with canvas and rich leather, and others taking a more utilitarian approach and opting for the lightest materials and most ergonomic design.
7. How much camera gear you have and how much you realistically plan to bring with you most of the time.
If you own two camera bodies and eight lenses, will you be carrying all of this gear around with you all the time or will you be bringing along just a fraction of your gear most days? Do you plan on adding a lot more gear to your kit? It’s pretty easy to find yourself drawn to some of the biggest bags out there — they’ve got all the bells and whistles, but you’ll need to think about what your realistic needs are and whether you really want to be carrying a huge camera bag around.
8. How often you change gear while out shooting.
Your shooting style and needs should not be overlooked when picking a camera bag. While some bags are designed for maximum comfort when carrying heavy camera equipment long distances, others prioritize ease of access for photographers who need to quickly reach their gear. If you’re primarily a landscape photographer trekking long distances and only pulling your camera out at scenic points, you’ll have different needs than a street photographer who needs quick access to their camera body and lenses.
9. Whether you plan to fly with your gear.
Every photographer who travels knows that it’s a bad idea to put camera equipment into checked luggage. Horror stories abound within the photography community of very expensive gear that’s been damaged or stolen from checked bags, so it’s always ideal to travel with your camera equipment in a carry-on bag that you can bring aboard an airplane. In order to bring your camera bag onto the airplane with you though, it will need to fit within the airline’s carry-on size requirements, so if air travel is a priority you’ll want to make sure to select a bag that is carry-on sized.
10. How often you shoot and how careful you are with your gear.
Using any camera bag trumps using no camera bag, but some bags are better suited for heavy use and occasional bumps and bangs. Every camera bag should afford a reasonable degree of protection to your photography equipment, but some bags are designed specifically to cushion your cameras and lenses against rougher conditions, like those that photographers shooting professional outdoor action sports like rock climbing might experience.
11. Whether you need to carry a tripod.
Tripods are one of those essential, must-have photography accessories for many photographers. If you’re one of these photographers, and carrying a tripod is a necessity, you certainly don’t want to have to carry it in your hands, so you’ll want to be sure to choose a camera bag that includes a way to easily carry and access your tripod.
12. If bringing a laptop is a necessity.
Many camera bags offer a padded laptop or tablet sleeve so that you can bring along some computing power to edit photos while you’re out and about. You’ll want to make sure that the bag you’re considering provides adequate protection for your tablet or laptop, and that it can accommodate your particular screen size.
13. How much personal gear and accessories you need to bring.
While photographers who typically don’t go out taking pictures for more than a few hours around town probably won’t need to worry too much about how much personal gear their bag can carry, those who head out on long hiking trips and multi-day photo trips are likely going to have plenty of other stuff to bring along like clothing, food, water, and sleeping gear.
Many camera bags designed for longer trips often have additional space for extra gear. You’ll just want to check the bag’s specs to make sure it can hold everything that’s essential to you so you’re not forced to decide between a lens and a snack when it comes time to pack your camera bag!