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	Introduction
»	Bags by type
	Bags by use
	Bags by brand
	What to look for
	Choosing size
	Carry-on restrictions

It is rather easy to understand what each type does and where it goes, but hard to choose indeed; furthermore, for the passionate (impulsive / compulsive) buyer it is hard to resist the temptation of that particular one in your hands at the store or gleaming in a catalog.

In general, experience has taught seasoned Nikonians what follows, by type:

Nikon leather camera shoulder cases .

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HOLSTERS: for a single body and a couple of rolls of film, bigger ones allow for a flash or a small additional lens. Nothing more. The beauty of them is that they offer good protection to the camera, can be worn any way you want, preferably on your chest, with straps to prevent it from dangling around. They come in all sizes to accommodate any body and almost any lens up to an 80-200mm or the 80-400mm VR.	..
TOP-LOAD BAGS: for those who like the holster design but would like to carry something else too, whether a cell phone or more small lenses or more film. If not to big they can also be worn at front or hanging from a shoulder or across the chest. As holsters, they are good when weight can't be too much and contents can be replenished every night.
HIP/WAIST/FANNY BAGS: for those wall climbing a mountain would be a good recommendation, but only if carrying a light body with a small lens and film only. For anything bigger or heavier they may destroy your balance or your waist backbones.
VEST/HARNESS: for smart hikers with a well organized mind to remember in what pocket is what item. Probably the most comfortable unless you are driving. Although a most obvious give-away in urban scenarios, shouting to the crowds you are a SWAT team member, an unlawful commando or a deadly serious photographer with lots of equipment.
SHOULDER BAGS: for those wanting to carry still more stuff than in a vest/harness, have easy access to contents, are still young or are broadly built. They end up as storage bags when you grow old, specially if the bag is too big. The "convertible" shoulder bags have a wide belt to make them useful longer when attached both to the shoulder and the hip.
BACKPACKS: for those needing to carry from small loads to big loads comfortably, leaving the hands free to do anything, like embracing your bride, driving a bike (if not too big a pack), perching from a not so high cliff or simply slowly walking on an incline. Perfect for the wilderness if you buy one you can run with. More and more common now in the urban scene.
STRONG BOXES: for those requiring to transport lots of equipment and not always trusting those handling them. They provide better protection than any other with the exception of hard cases. If wheeled, even better.
HARD CASES: definitively the safest way to transport photo gear, best for  equipment protection, most useful when traveling by air or near water. They are impact proof, air tight, water tight and can have either cushion partitions or "pick and pluck" foam. Bigger sized models are wheeled and therefore more convenient to carry.