Tuesday Tips Tricks and Techniques - What camera bag is right for me?

You have your bright shiny new camera.; maybe it is a huge dslr like the Canon 1Ds Mark IV or maybe you have a nice small compact or you may just use your cell phones camera but now how do you carry it around? I will just focus on the dslr on this post since that is what I use and if you have a cell phone you likely already have some sort of case for that. So what do you buy for your camera?

Options, options, options.... So many options for carrying a camera that it can get overwhelming. Do you get a backpack? Maybe a hard pelican case is better for you, but don't forget about the sling packs and traditional camera bags. Let's start with what I use, all three of them.

As a working professional that takes studio strobes on location I needed a case to haul the lights around in that would protect them. This thing is a beast, it is big, it is heavy but it does its job. The case is watertight and pressurized for flying. I haven't had to use either of those perks but the weather sealed aspect is nice when you are dealing with fragile electronic equipment. I can even downsize my gear to where I can fit the light, battery, cameras, lenses, and more all in one space which is great when I have to haul everything on my own. I wish it was just a bit larger or had a way to accommodate a light stand.  If you have a lot of gear and want absolute protection this is the way to go but be forewarned it is heavy and while it has wheels, they are almost entirely useless if you take it off of pavement.

Pros:
Weather sealed
customizable to fit what you need
impact protection

Cons:
Heavy
Bulky
wheels are useless off of pavement

Easy to carry and it fits most of your gear, especially if you are a hobbyist. When you start hauling multiple cameras and several lenses along with batteries, cables, remote triggers and flashes you run out of room fast. There are several sizes of backpacks and this one was perfect for when I got it. When you are looking for a backpack case make sure you allow yourself a little room to grow. At the very least you want plenty of room for your camera, a long lens, a wide lens, one flash, batteries, filters and room to spare for an additional lens. This setup is great for nature hiking or going to the beach. I can fit a long lens for wildlife, a wide angle for landscapes, a flash (because you just never know) and some batteries. I can even strap my tripod on the outside and have room for water. I highly recommend a backpack style camera bag for those who like to do a lot of walking around with their hobby. Some issues to be aware of are that if you are a tourist the case is on your back and someone could unzip it and steal your gear. Also be aware that the zipper could fail and spill your valuable gear.

Pros:
easy to carry
holds a nice assortment of gear
comfortable

Cons:
easier for someone to steal your gear while wearing it
The zipper could break spilling your gear
slow access when you want to change lenses

The shoulder bag, comes in an assortment of colors, designs and sizes. This was the very first bag I got for my camera so it fits very little anymore but I use it all of the time at weddings. I carry my camera on a sling strap and keep my spare flash and lenses to change right in the bag alongside batteries and memory cards. This bag will soon be replaced by a thinktank shoulder bag.

Pros:
Comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate and shooting style and budget
comfortable, but not as comfortable as the backpack
easy access

Cons:
if you get a size that is right for your gear and body I can't think of any except that it is not impact resistant.

Things to consider:

Make sure you get a bag that is comfortable to wear for an extended period of time. Has easy access to everything in the bag. Get a bag that gives you room to grow; if you have a camera and 2-3 lenses get a bag that can fit 4-5 lenses and maybe even a second camera. You want a bag that will last you a few years without running out of room, I am about two years past due to upgrade my bag. Don't get a camera name brand bag, you know like two of mine that say canon. When you get a bag to go with your brand, i.e. canon or nikon, you are advertising that you are carrying around expensive camera gear. For me, I will be putting my money into a http://www.thinktankphoto.com bag.

You could probably write an entire book on camera bag systems, but my thoughts and suggestions are to get a bag that will fit more than you currently have, is easy to access, is comfortable and doesn't blatantly advertise that you are carrying camera gear around.

What is your carrying preference?