Posted in: Business on November 16th, 2011

Buying camera bags to hold equipment may not seem to be the most important consideration for a newcomer to serious photography to take into account when putting together a collection of decent kit. However, whatever the quality of a photographer’s camera and lens, it is rendered useless if it cannot be properly transported.

Obviously, the type of photography someone wants to do will shape their choice of camera bag. Over time, it may well be worth having several different kinds of bag for different assignments and environments as interests and abilities develop.

One option is a shoulder bag. This is a good option for people taking photos in urban environments. A shoulder bag is very straightforward to carry, and often do not overtly look like camera bags, which can be useful in situations where discretion might well be as important as getting the right shot. If a photographer has to move between differing locations and environments, this feature can also be useful.

In a wilder, more rural environment than a greater amount of gear will need to be transported; for this reason, an actual backpack is often the best choice to make. Accessing kit quickly can be an issue with backpacks, but they do hold much more equipment than a shoulder bag, and non-photographic gear can also be carried as they are usually very roomy.

Quick access backpacks are another useful option to consider. These open by means of quick pull systems which allow the bag to quickly convert into a more convenient shape. These are often more expensive, but are a worthwhile investment for the serious photographer.

Weather covers are a very useful addition to any photographer’s kit. These cover bags and protect them from the worst excesses of wind and rain. Most bags come with one as standard, but they are available separately. Again, anyone photographing in wilder, more rural locations should make sure that they have a weather cover.

Transporting a tripod is one of the least favourite activities of any photographer. Many simply strap the tripod to a backpack or carry it with a strap of its own across a shoulder, though specific tripod carriers are available if that option is chosen.

Camera vests are a popular option to carrying gear, and are lightweight and versatile. Usually with a large number of spacious pouches, a good vest can often h9old as much kit as a rucksack. They also possess the significant advantage of keeping all the gear within an arm’s length of the photographer, useful when speed is key to getting the right shot.

A belt is another option. From this, lens cases and other equipment holders can be hung, making it versatile and adaptable. It can make equipment seem bulky though and does not necessarily make moving about that easy.

In conclusion, what really matters is the personal preference of the photographer, depending on their likely working environment and requirements. Visiting a photography store and trying things out is really the best way to go about selecting camera bags.

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.