The Best Camera Bag - A Guide to Buying

Choosing the best camera bag should not be a difficult task. Whilst there are lots of different designs and makes to choose from, there are fundamentally just 2 varieties: shoulder bags and backpacks. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and selecting the right kind for you requires thinking a bit about kinds of shots you take and where you go with your camera.

So let’s make a quick assessment of shoulder bags:

What are they?

Shoulder camera bags have a strap that goes over one shoulder for carrying. They open from the top.

Main points

These kind of digital SLR camera bags are great because they are so easy to access. Just whip open the flap at the top and get hold of the equipment you need. Changing lenses, memory cards and so on is an absolute breeze with this system.

But the convenience of this is offset by the fact that a single strap distributes the weight of the bag unevenly over your shoulders. If you like to walk around with your camera a lot, this can literally become a real pain!

Shoulder bags feature solid foam padding around the sides which offers good protection. They are though, often a bit exposed up top, where the opening flap tends to be thin material only.

Foam dividers with Velcro attachments can be easily shifted about to redesign the interior of the bag, to best fit your changing collection of photography equipment.

A number of digital SLR camera bags in this design feature a waterproof lining stitched into them. Where that is not the case, it’s usually possible to get hold of a neat waterproof cover that slips over the top.

Now let’s take a look at backpacks:

What are they?

Just like normal backpacks, camera carrying bags of this kind have two straps, one fitting over each shoulder.

Main points

Backpacks are kinder on your body when it comes to carrying them for any length of time. The weight of a camera and other photography equipment can be quite significant. Backpacks distribute this weight evenly and make a photo-shoot less of a gym session.

If you love outdoor photography and take long walks with your camera, a backpack makes things easier. They are also the best camera bag choice for people who travel with their DSLR camera.

These bags are not only comfier for carrying, but they tend to be slightly better padded too. The whole of the inner surface is covered with strong padding, providing protection from all angles.

As with shoulder bags, back pack digital SLR camera bags usually have movable dividers inside which allow you to secure your photography equipment in place.

Often backpacks have more zip sections, netted pouches and general ‘extra’ areas than shoulder bags. Again, this is to their advantage when it comes to long photo shoots where spare batteries, phones, maps and the like, could be needed.

So when choosing the best camera bag, spend some time thinking about what kind of photography you do. Is convenience your priority, or comfort? Do you need to change lenses quickly or is that not a problem? Are you likely to take your camera on trips?

In reality, most photographers have need for different things at different times. So it can be well worth choosing two separate camera bags in different designs, to cover all possibilities.

Full advice and suggestions: http://www.photography-art-cafe.com/digital-slr-camera-bags.html

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