Best Camera Bags – As Rated by Digital Photography School Members
Last week we asked Digital Photography School members to tell us about their camera bags and to give recommendations for which ones they liked best. The response was overwhelming with close to 200 responses as I write this. 70 or so bags were mentioned by name but there were some interesting recurring brands and model numbers that I thought it would be useful to summarize here for those looking to buy a new camera bag.
What you’ll find below is a summary of the 9 most mentioned camera bags in our survey – categorized by brand.
Lowepro Camera Bags
Loweprow bags were the most popular in our community with a range of their bags being among the most mentioned including:
Lowepro Slingshot 200 All Weather Backpack – (pictured left and the most mentioned bag in the whole survey)
Lowepro SlingShot 100 All-Weather Digital Camera Backpac
Lowepro SlingShot 300 All-Weather Camera Bag
Quite a few other Lowepro bags were mentioned also – the other popular Lowepro range mentioned was the Stealth Reporter range including the D100, D200, D300, D400, D550 and the D650.
Crumpler Camera Bags
Crumpler bags were the 2nd most mentioned brand (they just beat Tamrak) with the ‘Million Dollar’ Range most mentioned including:
Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home Photo Bag – (pictured left and the 2nd most mentioned bag in the survey)
Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home Photo Bag
Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home Photo Bag
Once again other Crumpler bags were mentioned but the million dollar range being an older one seems to have more users to this point.
Tamrac Camera Bags
Tamrak bags were the 3rd most popular brand with the ‘Adventure Series most mentioned including:
Tamrac Adventure 7 Photo Backpack – (pictured left)
Tamrac Adventure 9 Photo/Computer Backpack
By no means were these the only camera bags mentioned in our informal survey – there were literally hundreds of responses with great discussion on the pros and cons of each camera bag.
I hope this is a helpful resource for those looking to buy your next camera bag! Feel free to continue to add your recommendations in comments below.
28 Responses to “Best Camera Bags – As Rated by Digital Photography School Members” - Add Yours
March 21st, 2008 at 1:45 am
A good bag is hard to find. I regret my purchase of a slingbag, should have tried it on at the shop.
March 21st, 2008 at 2:34 am
I use a canon bag for all my gear but just recently purchased a Tamrac (the one you posted) for quick trips and it’s great. Highly recommended for those that need a smaller bag for less equipment.
March 21st, 2008 at 2:40 am
Man, where was this when I walked into a Ritz and bought one of their Quantaray bags. Quantaray sounds like gin. “Quantaray gin has lingering notes of honeysuckle and grass, with a hint of a displeasing chemical finish.”
On one hand, it’s a bag, a lot of my stuff fits into it, and it hasn’t fallen apart yet.
On the other hand, it’s not worth the money I paid for it. :(
March 21st, 2008 at 3:46 am
I swore by a LowePro Slingshot 200. Just swapped to a LowePro mini Trekker because I needed more space, but just as awesome bag. The concept of the Slingshot is brilliant – just don’t carry heavy gear for miles, or it can make your neck ache a little.
Loads of space, and it poured down once, didn’t have time to get the all weather cover out, but the water just ran straight off the bad – gear all snug and dry.
March 21st, 2008 at 5:59 am
Spamouflage,
What exactly did you not like about the slingbag. I’m in the market for a new bag soon and I’d like to know the downsides of the slingbag
Thanks
March 21st, 2008 at 6:10 am
IMO the only downside the slingshot 200AW has is that it is too small if you have much gear, it holds a 400D with the 55-250IS mounted and 4 other lenses, it has a compartment for CF cards and 2 other small compartments which can hold flash and such.
I think its very comfortable, but ive only trekked 25-30 Km with it on.
March 21st, 2008 at 8:51 am
To follow up on my previous post, and also that of Malk: the slingshot is an excellent concept and it does hold a lot of gear. I’m 6 foot, have a 52 inch chest, and it still fits me comfortably (more so than my Berghaus walking rucksack!!!). It’s just that there has to be a compromise between space and convenience. This sack has convenience like you wouldn’t believe (you don’t have to get a wet back to get your gear out!!), but it’s just too tight for a large body like a 40D with a battery pack fitted, along with a lens like a 24-105 L IS. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even considered changing.
If you are going to be walking miles with your gear, and also taking a tripod, I’d look at a full backpack system. If you want an easy access system that you will be comfy with all day, dotting about, then you probably can’t beat the slingshots (my opinion only).
Incidentally, I used a LowePro strap for a year. I’m a big guy, and always stuggled to be able to wear the camera down my side (it was too high, and bounced around). I recently got a Op/Tech strap and it’s really long, spreads the load very well, and has excellent non-slip silicon pips on it. The perfect complement to a LowePro slingshot.
March 21st, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I own a lowepro compuday pack and the only thing that makes cry is what I paid for it here in Europe: 120€ (makes around $180!!!)
But it is worth. It’s got nice room for the camera gear, lots of room for a laptop (even for those big-honkin’ transportable personal PCs) and extra room for any other stuff.
March 21st, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I own a Lowepro SlingShot 100 and I’m very satisfied with it. Excellent built and it holds just what I need: My Nikon d70 with standard 18-70mm zoom, a Sigma 50mm Macro, battery charger, filters, flash cards, spare battery, lens hoods, and I believe there’s still room for a flash – I will know when I buy one :)
March 21st, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I would have thought this survey is precisely why you shouldn’t buy a Lowepro: get the bag a majority of enthusiasts use and get targeted by thieves? Not for me thanks.
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:19 am
I wouldn’t purchase any of those bags as a thief will be on the look out for those particular bags. Bags like Lowepro, Crumpler, etc just scream out…”Hey, I’ve got a bunch of expensive gear in my bag.”
No thanks, I use a generic backpack w/my gear fitted in smaller bags and a couple of key locks for the zippers.
Cheap and comfy. Just my $.02
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:49 am
PopPhoto has a list of 5 camera bags this month also…I am in the market for a bag for my trip to the Grand Canyon and both are a valuable resource. Thank you!
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 am
I have a Lowepro Cirrus TLZ 25 for walking around needing only one lens and no battery grip. If I need to bring along my entire gear, I have the Tamrac 5606 System 6. It has enough room for my Rebel XTi with battery grip & 24-105mm lens attached and it still has space for my 70-200mm and 3 more lenses, my Speedlite 580ex II, chargers, memory cards, spare batteries and other accessories. It may not be the best bag available but for the price and quality, it’s definitely worth it.
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:43 am
If your looking for a good day pack/camera pack I would recommend the Naneu Pro Alpha. (http://www.naneupro.com/products/mo-a/)
Its well made and hold a good amount of equipment and has room for a lunch or other stuff.
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 am
I love the Slingshot 300 because you can carry more stuff. It’s terrific for using while walking. The ease of bringing the bag in front of you without taking the pack off makes it better than a regular backpack for me.
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 am
I was shopping around for a good solid camera bag, and low and behold I purchased a Lowepor 200 I am very pleased. It holds all I need now and has more room for upgrading ( when I get there).Good article just came a bit late for me.
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I’m in the Slingshot 200 camp. I got it for a DSLR with a mid-size lens mounted, a small spare, and a speedlight, plus cards and a spare battery. I’m still using it, with all of the above plus two more mid-size lenses, another small lens, another speedlight and a third battery, plus some assorted lens care stuff (hoods, filters) and a slew of memory cards. Still have room in the outside pocket for a couple of powerbars and a note pad. I think I’m full up though.
I guess I understand why a walk-and-shoot bag doesn’t have a place to hang a camera support, but I wish the choice was mine. I’ve added an extra loop to the rubbery one on the far side, but it really needs two (big flaps with velcro, please) to keep things from swinging around.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Replying to a comment by justmy$.02 I don’t believe that a lowpro bag is more “susceptible” to thievery than any other bag.
Don’t think for a second that your unnamed backpack will deter a thief even if your sitting next to someone wearing an obvious camera bag. No matter what size shape, brand or condition it is in if you constantly put down your bag a thief is likely to grab or go through it; particularly if your in a tourist hotspot.
The slingshot bag being designed the way it is, means you do not have to take it off to sit down or take your camera out. This alone makes it more difficult for thieves than a regular backpack as your not letting go of your bag as much.
March 26th, 2008 at 3:56 am
I love it how people think that their way is the only way.
First of all, as mentioned, the LowePro bags are really not more of target than other bags. They don’t say “Canon” in big letters. And the LowePro logo, which is much less well known, is very small.
Secondly, I mostly use my Slingshot for day hikes in the mountains, where thieves are just about my last concern. The Slingshot is a good bad if it feels comfortable to you and meets your needs.
March 28th, 2008 at 2:03 am
I recently bought a Joe Farve backpack that is made for Adorama camera. It is as well made as a smaller Tamrac bag I have. Has lots of room and lots of adjustable dividers. It even comes with a rain fly. Cost is much lower than an equivalant Lowpro or Tamrac bag. Has a compartment for a laptop.
March 29th, 2008 at 1:20 am
A black diaper bag works really well for my equipment. It cost less than $20 and has enough built-in pockets to separate fragile equipment. It may not be “sexy,†but it doesn’t advertise “expensive equipment†either.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:19 am
I like the Mountainsmith Aurora because it has a rubber foot – brilliant! I like to take my camera skiing, sailing, canoeing, and around seattle where the groung is usually wet. And it’s big enough to carry my small video camera as well.
April 19th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
justmy$.02 – I agree with you! A few of my friend’s computer’s been stolen and they were in their Crumplers.
But I’m liking the Lowepro CompuDaypack. I suppose sticking something over the logo tag would do the trick?
I travel quite a bit (long haul) and I’m wondering if I could get through the airport with that bag and a weekender suitcase. Anyone knows?
August 5th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
>Chewbies
Usually they say OK to go when I tell them it’s a camera bag. They don’t want no
hassle of facing customer with damaged or lost photo gear after insisting check-in the bag.
January 11th, 2009 at 4:10 am
Camera bags are the bane of my life. I’ve tried them all from Billingham to Tamrac and have the Tamrac System 6 at the moment with Billingham inserts, as the Tamrac inserts are too cheap and nasty. None are easy to work out of though, especially if you’re short, dumpy, and round shouldered as I am. I like the quality of the Billingham which comes at a price, but worth every penny if you are serious, but I wish these ex fishing tackle bag makers would consult photograhers who, like me, need to wear a bag across their chest.
February 13th, 2009 at 8:12 am
I’m looking for the largest and most comfortable pack out there. I would like it waterproof or have a built in cover. I also would like to be able to strap a tripod and clothing on the outside.
Anyone out there have a good idea what that bag might be?
June 16th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
My current favourite is the Kata R series, particularly the R-104. Very tough, loads of space, and a legal airline carry-on.
http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?p_Id=488&Version=Photo
July 29th, 2009 at 12:12 am
I am in love with my LowePro Slingshot 200 All Weather. and I have some pictures as well. It’s really a fantastic bag for photowalks as well as professional shoots. Take a second to read my review of it, I think you will love it as much as I do. http://www.almostprofoto.com/lowe-pro-slingshot-200aw/
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