Introduction.

The main purpose of a camera bag is of course to allow you to carry your equipment easily while protecting it from damage. A good bag is set up with plenty of adjustable sections and lots of padding to protect and securely hold your equipment. It should also have a large opening for easy access.

Camera equipment can be a bit heavy and on a long outing you do not want to put strain on your shoulders or back. Nice wide carrying straps and shoulder pads are a must.

The bag must also be able to take some abuse. Hiking and other outdoor activities can be rough on you and your equipment. Make sure the fasteners such as clips and zippers are sturdy and can take some punishment. If a fastener fails and your equipment falls out it can cause a lot of damage.

Check the tags before purchase and make sure the bag is also waterproof. If you are having a hard time finding one you can always have it waterproofed later. As an added precaution it is always a good idea to carry a plastic sheet or poncho to cover your camera bag in case of rain, heavy mist or snow.

Many people make use of the shoulder bag. With a large opening and external pockets the shoulder bag is quite popular. This type of bag is carried over one shoulder, which can put a strain on you due to the fact that the weight is not distributed evenly. You can switch to the other shoulder from time to time but it may become uncomfortable on a long outing.

You will also need to set it down when working with your camera to compose your shot. This is not so bad if you have someone along to help you watch it but it may leave your expensive equipment open to theft.

Another style of bag that has become very popular these days is the backpack. This type of camera bag is great for long sessions. A backpack is carried over both of your shoulders, which distributes the weight more evenly. It is less of a strain on your back and is well suited for longer excursions especially if you are hiking through the woods or on nature trails.

With the bag on your back you do not have to worry about setting it down on the ground where it is less secure. You will also have your hands free for getting that shot or reading a map.

This type also has adjustable compartments to hold your equipment securely, with a large opening to allow for very easy access. There are some that even come with a pocket for your laptop.

One disadvantage is that to access your equipment you will need to remove the bag from your back. This minor inconvenience is a small price to pay for the security and comfort of a backpack though.

Some photographers may also be interested in the rigid type of camera case. More like a metal suitcase this is a specialty type and is not as popular as the shoulder bag or backpack. The biggest advantage is that they are very secure and provide terrific protection. Most have foam inserts that can be custom cut to fit your equipment perfectly. If you do a lot of traveling where you need to check your bag then this is a great choice.

The biggest disadvantage is that they can be quite heavy and are more difficult to carry, which makes them a poor choice for hiking excursions.

What you should include in your bag.

Of course you want to keep the weight of the bag down as much as possible while giving yourself the widest range of equipment. The following list I would consider as basic essentials.

· Camera body

· Tripod

· Shutter release cable

· A macro lens or close up kit

· An 18-55 mm zoom lens

· A 55-200 mm zoom lens

· Spare batteries

· Extra memory

· A skylight filter

· A polarizing filter

· A lens cleaning kit

· The cameras manual

There may be some other items that you wish to include. For example, a compact rain poncho if the weather looks like it might turn. Maybe you are photographing birds, which would make a pair of binoculars a good choice.

Remember cover all the bases but try to keep the weight down. A small amount of extra weight can have a big effect over the course of a long outing.

Summary.

Make sure the bag you choose has plenty of room and is easy to access. It must be comfortable to carry and provide good protection from the weather.

Do not carry any equipment you are not going to use. This will just put extra strain on you and the camera bag.

Remember the most important part of photography is to take a lot of shots and have a great time.

By: Terrence Girard