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How to Choose a Camera Bag
Kamera Express
How do you choose the right camera bag?
Camera, check. Lens, check. Memory cards, check. Holiday, check. But how do you take everything with you? A camera bag is a must-have for the photographer on the go. Whether you are going on holiday or just heading out. There is a wide range of bags specially designed for photo equipment. Unlike normal bags, camera bags are equipped with different compartments, so your equipment stays securely in its own place. This means your valuable gear is well protected.
What types of camera bags are there?
Case
The smallest type of camera bag is the case, intended for compact cameras. Its main advantage is that it is small in size and therefore easy to store in, for example, a larger bag or your trouser or jacket pocket. The case protects the camera against dirt, dust and scratches. Do make sure that your compact camera fits properly in the case without too much space left over. That way, you can be sure your camera cannot slide around and get damaged. The small size is practical, but it does mean you cannot store much else in it. Some cases do still have space for a memory card or battery.
Advantages
✔ Very compact and easy to take with you in your pocket or in another bag
✔ Provides protection against drops, scratches and dust
✔ Available in many sizes, so always a perfect fit for your compact camera
Disadvantages
✘ Storage options are limited
✘ Not suitable for larger cameras
Holster bag
You could see the holster bag as the case for a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Just like a case, this is (if all is well) precisely tailored to your camera, including a lens. This means it is well protected against drops and impacts. The size, of course depending on your camera, is practical and ensures you can still easily put it away in another bag when travelling if you do not want to keep carrying it around your neck. Most holster bags come with a carrying strap, so you can also wear them as a full-fledged bag around your neck or shoulder. The opening at the top ensures you can grab your camera within seconds to take a photo.
Advantages
✔ Space for a DSLR or mirrorless camera and lens
✔ Opening at the top for quick access to your camera
✔ Easy to take with you thanks to its compact size
✔ Different sizes, always tailored to your equipment
✔ Often enough space for small accessories such as memory cards and batteries
Disadvantages
✘ No option to take extra lenses with you
✘ Often no space for larger accessories such as chargers and flashes
Shoulder bag
The shoulder bag offers space for more than just the basics. It comes in different types and sizes, so there is always one that suits your gear. This also makes the shoulder bag suitable for enthusiastic image makers with, for example, two bodies and several lenses and accessories. The interior is divided into different compartments, which you can often adjust to your own preference. A bag with lots of storage options immediately brings us to the downside of the shoulder bag: carrying comfort. It is great to head out with a lot of gear, but you should not forget that all that weight ends up on one shoulder. On the other hand, you have quick access to the bag and do not have to take it off to reach your gear.
Advantages
✔ Space for more than just your camera, all accessories can come along
✔ Different compartments for all your equipment, often both inside and outside
✔ Often adjustable dividers for arranging the interior yourself
✔ Easy access to your gear without having to take the bag off
✔ No sweaty back on warm days
Disadvantages
✘ Carrying comfort with a heavily loaded shoulder bag; all the weight is on one shoulder
✘ Inconvenient if you need to be agile and, for example, crouch down
Backpack
Of course, we do not need to explain what a backpack is. Just like a shoulder bag, it comes in all kinds of sizes, so there is always one that suits your needs. Since the weight is distributed over two shoulders, you can load the bag quite heavily without immediately getting shoulder and back pain. There are also backpacks with a hip belt, which distributes the weight even better across your upper body. A backpack has different compartments and sometimes also offers space for extra personal items, such as a jumper, some food or a laptop. Some models also allow you to carry a tripod or water bottle on the side. A backpack fits a lot of gear, but you compromise on speed. You have to take the bag completely off your back to reach your gear.
Advantages
✔ Large capacity for multiple bodies and/or lenses
✔ Often space for more than just your photo equipment
✔ Heavier loads are possible thanks to good distribution through two shoulder straps, a harness and sometimes a hip belt
✔ The interior can often be adjusted to your own preference
✔ Sometimes space to attach a tripod to the outside
Disadvantages
✘ You do not have your camera in your hand within seconds
Sling bag
You wear a sling bag over one shoulder and on your back. You could therefore see it as a combination of a shoulder bag and a backpack. It offers, in part, the carrying comfort of a backpack and, in part, the ease of use of a shoulder bag. When you want to grab your camera, you slide the bag from your back to the front, where you have quick and easy access to your camera without having to take your bag off. Although the carrying comfort is better than with a shoulder bag, all the weight still ends up on your shoulder. An extra strap under your arm does ensure that the bag stays firmly against your back. In terms of capacity, it of course differs per model, but normally you can certainly fit another lens or other accessories such as a flash in a sling bag alongside your camera and a lens.
Advantages
✔ Ease of use of a shoulder bag, but with slightly more carrying comfort
✔ Quick access to your camera without having to take the bag off
✔ Space for more than just your camera and lens
✔ The bag sits firmly on your back, relieving your back and shoulder muscles
✔ Often fairly compact in size
Disadvantages
✘ With a heavy load, the weight is still not evenly distributed
Trolley
A photo trolley is a compact and practical solution when you want to take a lot of gear with you but do not have space for a large case. Thanks to its size and the wheels at the bottom of the trolley, it is ideal as hand luggage for your flight or train journey. However, you should not make things too adventurous, because a trolley rolls best on flat surfaces. Some trolleys are also equipped with shoulder straps, allowing you to carry it on your back too, whether temporarily or not.
Advantages
✔ Lots of storage space for all your equipment
✔ Wheels ensure you barely notice the weight
✔ Useful for flights or train journeys
Disadvantages
✘ Less suitable for adventurous trips
Hard case
You cannot protect your valuable equipment better than in a hard case. A good hard case protects against shocks and drops. Most manufacturers even guarantee that you can drive a car over it! Differences in air pressure and extreme weather conditions are no problem either. This means you can safely take it with you on a plane. When buying a hard case, you choose between two interior variants: pick-and-pluck foam that you customise based on your gear, or dividers. The latter are a kind of partition. A hard case is especially useful for professional purposes and is not something you would just take with you on a city trip.
Advantages
✔ Ultimate protection for your valuable equipment
✔ Highly suitable for professional purposes
✔ Resistant to all kinds of influences
Disadvantages
✘ Not so easy to take with you
✘ Not really suitable for the hobby photographer during a city trip
Which camera bag should you choose?
You now know what is available on the market and what the advantages and disadvantages of each type of bag are. But which bag is right for you? To make a good choice, it is important to think about a number of things.
What type of camera do you have?
The type, but especially the size, of the camera largely determines which bag you should choose. If you photograph with a compact camera, a case is probably the best choice. If you have a mirrorless or DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses, you will end up with larger bags.
How many lenses do you want to take with you?
A camera with lens fits nicely in a holster bag, but if you want to take an extra lens with you, it is better to look for a larger bag.
What else are you taking with you?
Are you heading out with only the basics or taking all kinds of accessories with you? Or maybe other personal items for the journey? This determines the capacity of the bag. Also take a good look at whether and how you can use the extra compartments.
Do you also want to take a laptop with you?
Do you want to be able to edit photos on your laptop right away? Then it is best to choose a bag with a special laptop compartment. That way, you know it can come with you well protected.
Do you want to take a tripod with you?
A tripod is always useful as a photographer. Unfortunately, it does not fit in the bag, but luckily there are bags that allow you to attach it easily to the outside. That saves carrying an extra tripod bag.
Do you need quick access to your gear?
If you work in situations where speed is important, you do not want to have to take off an entire bag before grabbing your camera. In that case, you benefit more from the quick access to your camera offered by, for example, a sling or shoulder bag. If you are in no hurry at all because you mainly work on location or in the studio, consider a case, trolley or backpack.
Do you walk a lot with the bag?
If you walk a lot, you should not compromise on carrying comfort. Especially if your bag is heavily loaded, your shoulders and back will thank you at the end of the day. The best option is probably a backpack. If you only carry the bag for short distances, you can of course also choose a shoulder bag or case. For keen hikers, a compartment or mesh pocket for a water bottle is no unnecessary luxury either.
How long will you be away?
A few hours away from your hotel or several weeks on the road; that is quite a difference. For short trips, a small bag is often sufficient. If you are going away for longer, you may need more space.
Where are you going?
Maybe not the first thing you think about, but still important. In a busy city, you really do not want your bag to show that it contains expensive equipment. Fortunately, there are also bags that look like normal bags. That way, you do not make it obvious that there is something worth taking from you.
What are your future plans?
You would not be the first to buy a new lens and then find out that it no longer all fits in the bag. So think ahead about whether you want to expand your gear in the future, so you can base your choice on that.
What feels right?
Ultimately, it is simply very important whether the bag feels right for you. That is about the design, but also about carrying comfort. This is different for everyone. So do drop by one of our shops to try out a number of bags. Do not forget your gear when you do. Then you can immediately try whether everything fits and how the weight feels.
