What’s the best Camera Bag with the best value & quality?
Jul 20, 2018 08:08:31 #
I started out by purchasing a camera bag from Amazon. I didn’t know what to really look for when deciding what camera bag to get so o got the bag that had a high rating with several other Amazon customers reviews.
As of right now, I have a Nikon 5600 with several lenses both prime and kit. My camera came with two kit lenses as I added 3 more over a two year period. I’ve added a Nikon Speed Flash and other miscellaneous items.
I’ve outgrown my current Altura Photo Camera bag. To be honest the Altura bag felt on the cheap side of quality. I always had a slight bit of doubt my equipment wasn’t as secure as it could have been due to the bag.
What camera bags do you recommend that’s the best bag for the buck?
Thanks for your help!
Allen
As of right now, I have a Nikon 5600 with several lenses both prime and kit. My camera came with two kit lenses as I added 3 more over a two year period. I’ve added a Nikon Speed Flash and other miscellaneous items.
I’ve outgrown my current Altura Photo Camera bag. To be honest the Altura bag felt on the cheap side of quality. I always had a slight bit of doubt my equipment wasn’t as secure as it could have been due to the bag.
What camera bags do you recommend that’s the best bag for the buck?
Thanks for your help!
Allen
Jul 20, 2018 08:11:46 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
TAMRAC, especially lightly used ones. They can be had on eBay for a song.
Jul 20, 2018 08:21:12 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
LowePro and Think Tank bags are my favorites for design, variety, quality and durability. Go to your local camera store with all your gear and see which one fits your stuff best. Best Buy probably isn’t going to do it for you. Camera bags are highly individual things so it’s hard to recommend a specific model. The style I prefer may drive you nuts.
Jul 20, 2018 08:26:59 #
I do not care for "Camera Bags", I prefer unmarked generic bags and get padded containers for cameras and lenses, better fit and versatility, and no Steal Me logos on my gear. Bob.
Jul 20, 2018 08:35:33 #
bobmcculloch wrote:
I do not care for "Camera Bags", I prefer unmarked generic bags and get padded containers for cameras and lenses, better fit and versatility, and no Steal Me logos on my gear. Bob.
I took a black marker to the embroidered name and plastic logo on my dark Canon bag for that reason.
Not easily discernible now.
Jul 20, 2018 08:36:50 #
mizzee wrote:
LowePro and Think Tank bags are my favorites for design, variety, quality and durability. Go to your local camera store with all your gear and see which one fits your stuff best. Best Buy probably isn’t going to do it for you. Camera bags are highly individual things so it’s hard to recommend a specific model. The style I prefer may drive you nuts.
I agree!
Jul 20, 2018 08:55:07 #
Jul 20, 2018 08:56:32 #
I actually purchased the LowPro back pack from best buy. It has been a great investment but it is true. When people see the LowPro name they assime you have the best in it so it makes it a target. Thieves will be thieves and its best to just keep it close at all times. Best Buy sold the bag for 128.00 but I had them match amazons price of 84.00. It fits all mky gear and has even taken several tumbles down an embankment.
Jul 20, 2018 09:01:52 #
Great point. I didn’t think about that. I’ll check those bags out that you mentioned. Thank you!
Jul 20, 2018 10:10:58 #
Jul 20, 2018 10:32:47 #
That's kind of like asking "What brand of car should I get?" It's such a personal choice, and depends on so many things - the above posts don't even scratch the surface. All of these recommendations lead to sound choices as far as manufacturers. I do agree on avoiding Canon and Nikon branded bags as "Steal This Bag" invitations, but I don't think most thieves are likely to know whether a satchel, backpack, or shoulder bag contains your lunch, your fishing tackle, or several thousand dollars in camera gear.
I'm over 65 and have been hauling gear since JFK was President. The quality has improved incredibly over those decades. So I'll suggest my personal advice on selecting bags. YMMV, and what's right for me or for any other poster is not necessarily right for you. Getting a bag that accommodates what you need to carry, is comfortable, has good access, and protects your gear requires only a few simple questions:
1) How much do I really need to carry and how much does it weigh? I typically carry a DSLR, three lenses, extra batteries, an exposure meter, a handful of filters, a flash with diffuser and small softbox, plus a notebook and pen. Some people like to toss a light tablet/notebook computer in as well. If you customarily carry a lot of stuff, I would strongly recommend also getting a second, inexpensive "go light" bag, capable of holding just a body and a couple of lenses. Many inexpensive models to choose from in this style.
2) What style do you prefer? I'll take a backpack when hiking, but most of the time I find it too awkward and slow to access. Some people like the messenger or sling style, but I prefer the old school shoulder bag. Things like the amount of padding, the type of strap, and the "flex" of the body make a real difference in how it will feel if you've been carrying it around for a few hours. Before you decide whether a rig is comfortable, put some actual weight in it and walk around with it. Most of the poorly designed ones get uncomfortable pretty quickly.
3) How much do you need protection vs quick access? The more layers you have, the more water and dirtproof your gear will remain, obviously, but if you have to open the bag, unsnap or unzip a compartment, take out a separate lens case, and remove the lens, it will obviously slow your shooting. Flexible dividers may be helpful if you often change the configuration of your outfit - if not, then it's less important.
4) What's your budget? There are some incredibly expensive bags out there, but you don't need to spend a ton. Look for build details like double stitching, overlapping zipper flaps for water protection, and especially, the quality of straps and pads.
So what do I carry? A Billingham large, which retails for over $400. I got the same model for my wife, both lightly used on eBay, for $180 and $100 respectively. It's large, flexible, and totally waterproof. There are double rain flaps, so I can unzip the inner compartment (it has snaps to hold it open) and just close the flaps to protect my gear in a light rain or drizzle. The bag itself is well padded and conforms to my hip and lower back, no matter where I hang it. But best of all is the two inch canvas carrying strap and pad. It's anchored at four points on the end of the bag, rather than the normal two, which keeps the thing from twisting and turning - my pet peeve with most cases. I also bought an optional thick neoprene pad that snaps onto the strap and makes even a full load feel better on my surgically repaired shoulder. Zippers are brass, all trim is handstitched leather and the canvas is heavy and totally waterproof. I'm afraid I'm spoiled now!
It's perfect for me, but you need to go out and find what's perfect for you. There are so many great quality choices out there compared to five decades ago!
Best of luck,
Andy
I'm over 65 and have been hauling gear since JFK was President. The quality has improved incredibly over those decades. So I'll suggest my personal advice on selecting bags. YMMV, and what's right for me or for any other poster is not necessarily right for you. Getting a bag that accommodates what you need to carry, is comfortable, has good access, and protects your gear requires only a few simple questions:
1) How much do I really need to carry and how much does it weigh? I typically carry a DSLR, three lenses, extra batteries, an exposure meter, a handful of filters, a flash with diffuser and small softbox, plus a notebook and pen. Some people like to toss a light tablet/notebook computer in as well. If you customarily carry a lot of stuff, I would strongly recommend also getting a second, inexpensive "go light" bag, capable of holding just a body and a couple of lenses. Many inexpensive models to choose from in this style.
2) What style do you prefer? I'll take a backpack when hiking, but most of the time I find it too awkward and slow to access. Some people like the messenger or sling style, but I prefer the old school shoulder bag. Things like the amount of padding, the type of strap, and the "flex" of the body make a real difference in how it will feel if you've been carrying it around for a few hours. Before you decide whether a rig is comfortable, put some actual weight in it and walk around with it. Most of the poorly designed ones get uncomfortable pretty quickly.
3) How much do you need protection vs quick access? The more layers you have, the more water and dirtproof your gear will remain, obviously, but if you have to open the bag, unsnap or unzip a compartment, take out a separate lens case, and remove the lens, it will obviously slow your shooting. Flexible dividers may be helpful if you often change the configuration of your outfit - if not, then it's less important.
4) What's your budget? There are some incredibly expensive bags out there, but you don't need to spend a ton. Look for build details like double stitching, overlapping zipper flaps for water protection, and especially, the quality of straps and pads.
So what do I carry? A Billingham large, which retails for over $400. I got the same model for my wife, both lightly used on eBay, for $180 and $100 respectively. It's large, flexible, and totally waterproof. There are double rain flaps, so I can unzip the inner compartment (it has snaps to hold it open) and just close the flaps to protect my gear in a light rain or drizzle. The bag itself is well padded and conforms to my hip and lower back, no matter where I hang it. But best of all is the two inch canvas carrying strap and pad. It's anchored at four points on the end of the bag, rather than the normal two, which keeps the thing from twisting and turning - my pet peeve with most cases. I also bought an optional thick neoprene pad that snaps onto the strap and makes even a full load feel better on my surgically repaired shoulder. Zippers are brass, all trim is handstitched leather and the canvas is heavy and totally waterproof. I'm afraid I'm spoiled now!
It's perfect for me, but you need to go out and find what's perfect for you. There are so many great quality choices out there compared to five decades ago!
Best of luck,
Andy
Jul 20, 2018 10:37:31 #
AllenParkerPhotography wrote:
My vote is for Think Tank bags. My sense in Dallas you have a Brick and Mortar store you can check them out?Welcome to the forum.I started out by purchasing a camera bag from Amaz... (show quote)
Jul 20, 2018 10:43:14 #
I went to a brick and mortar store and actually tried several out...
Placing my camera gear in , ease of use, how easy or hard it was to put on or take off.....choose a backpack style, I purchased at a local camera store and to look at the backpack you would think it was just a normall backpack, not one made for camera gear...It is made by promaster, but the only marking's on it are so small that you pretty much would have to be standing within a foot of the backpack to it the logo and you would have to find it, as it is not really in a normal area on the bag....
Go with what works for you...
Placing my camera gear in , ease of use, how easy or hard it was to put on or take off.....choose a backpack style, I purchased at a local camera store and to look at the backpack you would think it was just a normall backpack, not one made for camera gear...It is made by promaster, but the only marking's on it are so small that you pretty much would have to be standing within a foot of the backpack to it the logo and you would have to find it, as it is not really in a normal area on the bag....
Go with what works for you...
Jul 20, 2018 10:47:40 #
rocar7 wrote:
Billingham are the best!
For me as well. And they've got a pretty comprehensive line. But it's still such an individual choice that it's hard to recommend anything specific.
Andy
Jul 20, 2018 10:59:22 #
AndyH wrote:
That's kind of like asking "What brand of car... (show quote)
Ok, that’s really good to know. I’ve just started really getting into photography over the past year. My main needs in a camera bag is waterproof, light weight, and durable so that if I drop t on hikes then my equipment won’t be damaged. I usually empty things from my current bag that I don’t need before hikes but I’m still stuck with an over sized bag with empty padded compartments.
Maybe I asked the wrong question when first asking.
Maybe asking what brands are highly reputable and well known for being great quality or just an overall great camera bag?
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