In the world of photography there are countless accessories that you can use to make your photos look different, to get hundreds of different effects, to take sharper photos or to add light in situations where you need them, but there is only one that brings them all together: a good backpack or a bag for the camera.
The briefcase, bag or backpack to carry photographic equipment are much more important accessories than most photographers think, since inside them they move and protect all the tools and accessories necessary to be able to take the photograph.
- The camera.
- Lenses.
- Flash and accessories are too expensive to overlook the way you take them with you to take your pictures.
- So it’s very important to pay close attention to how to do it.
In today’s article you will not only see the importance of a good backpack for your SLR camera and the different types of them, but you will also know the fundamentals to consider when choosing the next backpack for your camera. The security of your computer depends on it: will you miss it?
Is there anything more valuable to a photographer than his camera?In the material world, probably not, so the safer and more protected you are, the better.
Photographic backpacks and bags are not only a way to conveniently store and transport your equipment, but they are also the main way to protect your photographic equipment when you go out with it.
Scratches, bumps, dust and even thieves will be lurking from your camera and equipment as soon as you decide to go out and take photos, so the more protected you are from these threats, the more you can take your photos quietly. .
While you can use almost any bag, backpack or shoulder bag to carry your gear, not everyone guarantees the protection you want. Backpacks specially designed for photographers are generally sturdy, with padded and even waterproof compartments to ensure comfort and safety.
There are endless options on the market that you can choose, depending on your needs, to store, transport and protect your equipment, given so much variety, it is important that before you go out to buy your next backpack for your SLR camera, I will think about how you will use it, in what situations (bad weather, city or studio photography, etc. ) and also how much equipment you plan to put inside.
So, to give you a better idea of the options at your disposal, I’ve prepared a brief summary of the main models to choose from, in order to strike a balance between comfort and use:
1. Coverage: As the name suggests, blankets are a very good option to carry and protect your camera, its size will not allow you to store anything more than a camera with its lens, a memory card and some other cable, but if if you are looking to carry a light weight with you, the covers are an ideal choice. Its main advantage is the ability to quickly remove the camera to locate a large photo.
2. Shoulder bags: this type of bag, slightly larger than the covers, will allow you to not only carry your camera, but also some lens and its corresponding accessories. A good shoulder bag should have enough padding to protect your camera, splits to keep your gear organized, and pockets that allow you to store the smallest equipment. Its shape and size may vary by manufacturer, but almost all have one thing in common: the ability to carry your suspended equipment from one of your shoulders. In a comfortable and safe way, but try not to overload it, because by putting all the weight on one shoulder, you may feel tired and sore on your back if you carry it too much.
3. Shoulder Bag: These backpacks are halfway between a shoulder bag and a backpack for your SLR camera as they seem to take advantage of the best of both: a great way to carry your gear and the convenience of accessing it at any time. image without having to remove it from your back (rotates easily). Unlike normal backpacks that have two? Handles or straps so you can spread the weight between the two shoulders, these shoulder straps have a single strap that will cross your chest.
4. Backpack: Backpacks are the perfect way to carry your equipment safely, comfortably and comfortably, their size is larger than the bags and shoulder bags that will allow you to carry with you all the accessories you consider practical, although you can use almost all backpacks for this purpose, those specially designed for photography, since they are padded, with divisions and some even waterproof , will allow you to do it safely. Its two straps will allow you to spread all the weight on your shoulders and back, making them ideal for long days of work or adventure. Its main drawback: if you want to remove your camera or any other accessory, you will have to take it off your back.
5. Rigid suitcases or briefcases: if you need to carry a lot of equipment, a rigid suitcase or briefcase will be the ideal choice for you, these briefcases are used, for the most part, by professional photographers who, because of their large number of cameras and lenses they need to do their business, a backpack or bag does not guarantee them the space and safety they need to do so. While this is the perfect way to move and protect your computer, it’s usually the least used mode.
There are as many models as there are manufacturers, so your choice will not be easy at all, especially considering that almost all bags and backpacks can be easily converted for use in photography.
Anyway, here’s a short list of the most popular photo bag and backpack manufacturers, which aren’t the only ones:
Each of the brands I just mentioned offers a lot of different models of excellent quality cases, bags and backpacks, but remember: these are not the only ones.
For you to lean towards a particular manufacturer, it is important that when reviewing the bag or backpack you pay special attention to the quality of the seams, zippers and fabric with which they are made, if these appear to be of poor quality or not very resistant it is better to keep looking, the last thing you want is that in the middle of a walk a strap or zipper is broken , throwing all your equipment to the ground.
If you have spent a fortune on your equipment, try not to skimp on getting a bag or backpack, as the integrity of your equipment will be at stake.
Now that you know what different alternatives are available on the market and which are the main manufacturers of them, you’ve probably already had an idea of the type of bag you need to move and protect your equipment. Now it’s time to make this idea a reality!
Below, I have prepared a list with 9 aspects that you should not overlook if you want to make the right decision when choosing your next photographic backpack:
1. The use you will give: it is important to take into account the types of practical photography in order to choose a bag or backpack that best suits the situations in which you will take your photos. A backpack for adventure through a forest or a mountain is not the same as another wandering the streets of a city venturing into “urban photography”. Depending on how you use it, a case, bag or backpack will be more or less useful. When choosing a backpack, it is important to be clear about the equipment you will need to carry with you.
2. Equipment and accessories: as I just commented, it is not the same to carry a camera with a mounted lens, than to carry the camera, a lens, a flash, a laptop, etc. The size, weight and quantity of items you’re carrying with you determines the type and size of the bag or backpack you need to carry them.
3. Compartments, divisions and pockets: you should pay close attention to this aspect because the quantity and quality of the divisions in your bag or backpack is what will ensure that your equipment does not move or crash inside your bag or backpack. It is very important that each compartment firmly holds each accessory and protects it from possible shocks. Again, this will depend on how you use it the number of divisions and pockets you need to occupy when using it. Many backpacks and bags allow it, thanks to the use of Velcro, to adapt the different divisions to the size and shape of the lenses or accessories you want to carry with you. The thicker and padded they are, the better protected they will be.
4. The weight of the backpack: this is another aspect that you can not ignore because, because of the weight of all the equipment you carry with you, you must add the weight of the backpack or bag you carry with you. It may seem to you, photographic backpacks can become very heavy on their own because the materials with which they are made bring a lot of extra weight, your back and shoulders will thank you for considering them when choosing.
5. Security: Almost nowhere in the world will you be exempt from someone else’s friend being able to open your bag or backpack and take something that doesn’t belong to them, the easier it is to open them, the more likely it is. that something is going to fall off or they’re going to be stolen, and even more so if they’re backpacks where you don’t always have your load in sight, inside your backpack you’ll carry very expensive equipment, so try not to be too flashy. Taking care never goes wrong, so I recommend you, in addition to paying attention to these aspects I just mentioned, read the following article: “Tips for not stealing your camera?”
6. Comfort: The more you take your photos, the better results you will get with them, so make sure that the backpack you choose is not an obstacle. Finding a comfortable, lightweight, durable and safe backpack is very difficult, but finding a balance between all these features is not so difficult, you only have to do a good previous analysis of the use you will give, to define the type of bag or backpack that best suits you.
7. Resistance and durability: As I mentioned above, the last thing you want is that while you are on a photo ride a strap or zipper breaks and all your equipment ends up touching the ground or if it rains your camera gets wet That’s why the strength and durability of the materials with which they are made, the quality of zippers and seams , etc. , are essential to prevent damage to your camera, lenses and accessories. Please note that there are backpacks designed for adventure. that are stronger and waterproof than those designed for more everyday and less extreme use. Again, it all ends according to the use you’re going to give it.
8. Style: While fashion is completely secondary when choosing a backpack that accompanies you on all your photographic adventures, it may be more important to you, if you are one of these people do not worry because there are countless models to choose from. Plus, with a little imagination and style, you can easily create yours. How? Read the following article 😕 DIY Photography: How to assemble photo accessories for home ?.
9. The price: all the aspects you have just read are conditioned by the latter: the price, the best way to save money when buying a bag or backpack is to carefully analyze the use you will give it so as not to pay the benefits that you will never end up consuming, if you do not plan an adventure it makes no sense to spend a fortune on a bag for this purpose , now once you’ve defined that aspect, try not to skimp on expenses. The cost of a quality backpack is more of an investment, safety for your equipment and quality for your photos as it will allow you to work more comfortably and relaxed.
I can’t think of a better way to finish this article than by quoting Alexa in the article Very useful accessories for your next photo trip ?:
“The most important thing is that it’s comfortable, lightweight and allows you to handle yourself nimbly when it comes to removing or storing the camera, lenses and more. If it has several compartments so that everything is organized, it is much better, and if it is waterproof, it would be almost perfect, if it is not perfect do not worry, but organize it well and try to get the most out of what you have.
Mario’s note: To guide you, in my case I went through 3 or 4 backpacks before finishing the one I’m currently using and loved, a Lowepro hatchback. You can have it in blue or black.
I hope you found today’s article useful. If so, be sure to share it on social media and recommend it to your friends and colleagues.