Best Camera Bags?
Recently Digital Photography School asked its readers about camera bags and what they thought the best bags were. It turns out a number of folks responded and the top 3 bag brands mentioned were Lowerpro, Crumpler and Tamrac. It’s interesting to read in the comments that some folks won’t buy these popular camera bags because they are too obvious to thieves and instead go with bags that are more general. For more: Best Camera Bags as Rated by Digital Photography School Members.
I currently have a Shootsac myself which I really like. It’s not ideal for a lot of camera gear, but great for a day out shooting. It keeps all the items I need anyway, as well as spots for my wallet and phone. I love that you can easily change the covers and have two already that I alternate between, and that it doesn’t entirely look like a camera bag.
What bags do you guys use or recommend?
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March 26th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Crumpler all the way. I’ve got 5 in total, they are hard wearing and very well designed.
Not only do ‘Crumpler makes great bags for all your baggy needs’ but according to them ‘Crumpler makes you sexy’ too.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I’ve always wanted a Crumpler actually. Perhaps I need to invest in one and put this “makes you sexy” bit to the test!
March 26th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Beat me to it….. I bought one of these for my birthday and can squeeze my 17″ lappy into the bad boy as well as my 30D and two lenses.
It holds more but now I find myself trying to buy kit to fill the bag - not the best situation!
Sadly, yes they do scream “I OWN EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT!” at Joe Public so unless you’re massive or made of spiky bits like Hedgehogs you need to be careful about toting them about.
Plus it definitely makes me sexy.
March 26th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Crumpler for the win indeed! Those bags are great quality.
Although I personally use a Crumpler backpack without any photopockets, but instead slide a Lowepro holster bag inside. Suits me.
March 26th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Oh, and how does it matter that your bag looks like a camera bag? Because most of the time you’re wandering around with your camera in plain sight anyway…
March 26th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Sometimes it’s nice to be able to put the camera away and not stick out like a sore thumb.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Ive got loads of different bags, a few crumplers and lowepros. My favourite though is a standard Uniqlo man bag - its inconspicuous and carries my camera well enough, with a spare lens and flash at a push.
I only use the big guns if Im out for the whole day, or fancy taking a tripod along.
I can see what Tom is saying, but I think I agree more with gacetillero.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:38 am
I’ve just bought the Crumpler daily and its brilliant, I like the fact I can take the Camera compartments out and use for a day-to-day when I want to.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:24 pm
AGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHASHDHASDHAGKJABHWIENUFUWIOEDMKOQWIULENLQN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t get me on camera bags ………………..
Someone will make trillions of pounds by simply designing a bag which can hold two cameras and a couple of lens and some rolls of films (or digi-cardy-things) that has easy access, is rainproof and fairly resistant to being dropped ….. but MOST of all doesn’t make you look like a dicksdailyhead train spotter geek OR indicate as plainly as a large sign around your neck - that you have something worthy of a good old mugging for …….
Crumplers are fine but, man, all that padding …… mine (which I never use now) weighs in at around half a geoff cape …. and It needed a small mortgage (not easy to get nowadays) to buy it …
I’m hunting for a 110 on ebay …. it’s so much easier ….
April 7th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I have used mainly non-specific bags up until now, going for the theory that these bags are an advert for expensive cameras/laptops, but after much thought, I plumped for a Crumpler Daily M. I just had to have something that would separate gear so as not to scratch cameras etc. This one is a pretty good size, not too big and not too small. It will take a couple of prime lenses, a flash gun, film, gloves and then a body with lens pretty comfortably. So perfect for me
May 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
hi
can anyone tell me where to get the shootsac in london?
i’v the GAS (Gear acquisition syndrome) and own dozens camera bag too
mine fav is domke, nice cotton canvas finish in ugly navy blue. small, not excessive padding and don’t shout “expensive camera”
May 21st, 2008 at 10:56 am
field:
I ordered one online from their website, and I’m fairly sure that’s the only way to get your hands on them over here. It’s a good little bag if you don’t have a lot to carry around, though I did “modify” mine (read: removed some stitching) so I could wedge my camera body into it as well.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:32 am
Yeah, you have to order the Shootsac online. It’s a nice little bag for walking around with - not ideal for carrying all your gear though so it depends on what you are looking for.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:39 pm
thanks evilkitchen and lorissa
how durable are they? do they provide enough padding for the gear? i usually just carried my rangefinder, another small lens and small notebook and perhaps a magazine
asking alot here. anyone in london offer to meet up and let me try your shootsac?
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I haven’t had any issues with durability so far, but I don’t think I would want to drop the bag with any gear in it. There isn’t any “padding” per se, just the medium thickness neoprene (think wet suit) that the bag is made of. It can handle bumps and what not just fine though.
I usually carry phone/wallet/keys etc in one of the compartments, 2 or three lenses and a body in the bag. It can get pretty heavy, but not so bad once the camera and 1 lens are out
One thing I will say is I ordered 2 different covers with the bag initially and the colours were WAY off what was displayed on the site. They may have fixed that issue though, as quite a few people were complaining.
I’d planned on dragging it around the London bridge area tomorrow late afternoon. If you’re around you’re more than welcome to check it out.
My email is kevin at evilkitchen dot ca if you want to drop me a line just to make sure I’ll be there.
May 27th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
oh… i missed that opportunity… next week? :-p
here’s another interesting bag… think quite similar to the shootsac but maybe smaller (?)
http://figitalrevolution.com/range-finder-camera-bag-leica-zeiss-ikon/
what’s your opinion?