FAQs - What Bag?

Saving time, energy and money buying a camera bag

The quest for the perfect bag is much more complicated than it may seem at first, simply because there is no perfect bag for all occasions. Nikonian ladies will understand this very well, as they need to carry all sort of necessities every day, but for different occasions.
 

The variables involved selecting a camera bag

It is not a matter of being color-coordinated, and/or fabric coordinated with your outfit, not at all; well ok, not just that. For photography, whether on film or digital, there are more considerations, concerns; so a rational decision should depend on: 

Regardless of what relative weight you may assign to each of these variables, the fact is that these also change over time, or all the time. Now you know why most of us -that have long been at it- have several bags if not too many. There is just not a bag than can serve us well every time, for every occasion. I have more than 10 and find myself frequently wanting to look for a new one. Above at right you can see fellow Nikonian Lucd jesting with just six bags from his own vast collection.

The intention here is to save you from unnecessary spending of money, time and energy and to reduce the number of disappointments, at least a few, whether from your very first time -if it has not arrived yet- or at subsequent buying.

If you are an impulsive/compulsive buyer (like me), at least this section will make you feel better as it will improve your rationalization skills for future purchases, with more and maybe better arguments.

We expect to keep this section updated regularly, adding when necessary as new significant models or brands come to market. But please remember this is just an expectation.
 

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:

Each bag type has a best application. Of course you can get almost any bag to any location, but it will not be the most satisfactory situation; at times the wrong bag at the wrong place may place your equipment and even you in peril.

Hard learned experience has shown Nikonians what bag types are best for what main uses as per the table below:

Hip/Waist/Fanny bags, when small, are the most suitable for the main recommended use because they give you all the needed freedom of arms and hands, will not be that heavy and can be worn for long periods. Sorry, they don't look good if you are wearing a suit in the city.

The shoulder bag is the most common and more overrated of all bags. Sure, they provide easy access to the contents, however, as you become more and more enthusiastic about photography, you will want to make certain you didn't leave at home anything you might need, so you'll fall for a larger one. Typically, by the time you can afford all of the best, your bones begin to hurt and the heavy load becomes anywhere from uncomfortable to unbearable. That is why -as said before- they end up as bags for storage, especially the biggies. Now, if you are young and strong, you might love them. I did, for quite some time.

The backpack on the other hand, is the most comfortable way to carry a load. The armies of the world have made innumerable -and very expensive- studies supporting the idea that infantry can carry more and for longer when close to the body from both shoulders and waist than from one shoulder or from the waist alone. 

Furthermore, a medium or large-sized backpack will let you transport plenty of equipment as carry-on by commercial airplane , still meeting newer regulations and without having to worry about how the gear is doing in and out of the cargo area.

Strongboxes are for transporting even more equipment from location to location in a car or a truck. Somehow not much seen in airports, though.

Hard cases are the safest way to transport equipment, more so if there is danger of equipment getting wet. If large enough to be required into the luggage compartment of an airplane, try to buy one wheeled and make certain you have extra insurance. Most air carriers will not cover the contents unless the case is lost and even then there are limits on replacement cost claims. So,  when flying, use them only if you must carry more than what a carry-on backpack would allow -or a two piece soft camera bag- and cannot forward to your destination by courier. The other option is to get one that complies with carry-on size requirements.

Let's turn into what brands are out there, what characteristics one should be looking for, and how to choose if you cannot see one to try -with your own equipment- at a local store.
 

There are probably hundreds of camera bag and cases brands out there. Let's concentrate on those considered the very best to care for your camera gear by well seasoned Nikonians.

Bag companies - for your valuable camera equipment

Tamrac, Lowepro, Domke, Tenba, Billingham, CCS and Beseler seem to be the most popular brands among serious amateur and pro photographer Nikonians.

In terms of numbers, Tamrac and Lowepro are the most apparent leaders in the Americas. We have not heard enough in the forums to allow us to ascertain which brands lead in Europe. However Billingham likely occupies a good marketing position; born in 1973 in the UK, it started making camera bags in 1977-78. CCS (Camera Care Systems) is a British company which has been designing and manufacturing top-quality camera carrying systems since 1979.

The most peculiar thing is that both the leading American companies, Tamrac and Lowepro, were also started on -or around- that very same year that Billingham began bag operations: 1977.

Domke itself is also a relatively new company, started by Jim Domke, a staff photo journalist for the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper, in the late 70s. Tenba also came to be in 1977.

Granted that the Charles Beseler Company from New Jersey was started almost 130 years ago, but not as bag manufacturer.

So we owe to that decade of the 70s the origins of the best bags we now enjoy, taking the market by a storm with new materials and new designs, bringing to an end the era of the elegant but not so comfortable to carry hard leather cases, like those made by (or for) Nikon in the early years, as shown in previous pages and until recently in my closet.

Hard case companies - for your photo gear

Another company from the mid seventies, Pelican, is the most renowned of all hard case manufacturers, started by Dave Parker with a product for scuba divers. Their Protector Case™, featuring protective case approval MIL-STD-4150J, has been preferred by the military (including NATO) for a series of applications. They've taken a very important market share in most industries. Strong and very well built, they offer the best protection for transportation of sensitive equipment, like our cameras and lenses. Made of Ultra High Impact Structural Copolymer Polypropylene, they are available in 17 stock sizes and all include a neoprene gasket, ABS latches, and a pressure relief valve. So they are watertight, airtight, dustproof and crushproof. Furthermore, they carry a lifetime guarantee against breakage or defects in workmanship. They now also have strongboxes and soft side bags. As an example, one model of soft side case, the Pelican PCS161 fits inside a Pelican 1610 hard case, making the combo a dual purpose unit.

But as anyone else in most industries, Pelican faces competition. Like that from UK (Underwater Kinetics), another company from the mid 70s. Storm Cases, one of the newest product lines by Hardigg, an older company well accustomed to comply with military specifications, is another interesting competitor. Doksocil, originally a gun case manufacturer (Gun Guard) has now added the Camera Guard line.

Porter cases belong in the strongboxes category. Their carry-on Divider cases are reported as being used by on-the-go professionals for weddings, sporting events, location shoots, etc. and well liked when you have to fly.

This list of brands is by no means complete, it pretends to show the better known and preferred bags and cases by Nikonians.

What to look for selecting a camera bag

The best possible bags and cases are those capable of complying with stringent military specifications.
 

Fabrics for camera bags

Zippers on camera bags One of the worst things that can happen in the field is a rusted stuck zipper, either you won't be able to open your bag or can't close it; so by all means avoid bags with metal zippers. (Yes, I have one of those too and the required good set of pliers to open it). To have plastic zippers is not enough, the self-healing nylon coil type is so far the best to avoid problems.

The camera bag hardware Again, searching for security and light weight, look for welded, heavy duty Double Bar D Rings that never turn sideways. You don't want a ring to open under a heavy load of precious camera gear. If the bag has side release buckles, make certain they are high load bearing.

Camera bags bottom and partitions A professional bag must have a tough and protective bottom, not a soft one. You don't want to listen ED glass breaking when the bag is put on the ground. The best bottom plates are made of high impact ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic, the same used in football helmets. Insist on it. Partitions better be of closed cell foam padding for shock and vibration protection. Should also be removable for flexibility of contents arrangement.

By now you know why I always end up buying Tamrac, even after attracted by sexy looking bags of other reputable brands.
 

Choosing a camera bag size

You may by now have a bag type you like by its use, but what size is next. Let's concentrate on the required volume for your present equipment, adding some slack for expansion.
 

For simplification purposes, lets say here that in terms of sizes they come in "small", "medium", "large" and "huge".

Forget about the small one, although you may want to have a small bag just to carry and protect a body with a lens, and a couple of rolls, you will soon find out this is not "the serious" bag as soon as you want to add anything; and you will.

The best one to have first is a probably a "medium" one, and later maybe a "large" bag for photo trips. Seldom a huge one, unless you are a weight lifter or can hire sherpas and pack mules. I used to load and carry almost everything I had, usually returning without having touched half of the stuff and with a backache, confirming Murphy's Law on bags: "The more you carry, the less you use".

SMALL	Typical small bags take from one small 35mm SLR body with one small lens to a motorized body with two lenses (one medium, one small), a couple of rolls of film and speedlight.
MEDIUM	As defined here, medium bags can take from one small or large 35mm SLR body or with power winder, one medium lens, two small lenses and a speedlight; to two large bodies one large lens, one medium and three small lenses with speedlight, some film and accessories.
LARGE	Should hold from two large bodies, one large lens, two medium and two small lenses with speedlight; to two large bodies with two large lenses, two medium and two small ones with speed light, film and accessories.
HUGE	Capable of carrying three to four large bodies, 5 to 7 lenses, speedlight, film and accessories. Huge bags are commonly used to carry both 35mm and medium format systems. These are not carry-on bags for air travel.

Airlines and camera carry on

Most airlines specify "linear" requirements, adding width, depth and height dimensions, but have a luggage rack where your carry-on should fit. If you plan on traveling by commercial airplane with your gear, after you take a look at the table below with "carry-on requirements" (euphemism for "restrictions"), always check with your airline or contact your travel agent.
 

* Total number of bags and total weight may vary by classes (turist / coach / hospitality / business / first / domestic / international) and by season. Check with your travel agent or, better, with your airline carrier(s).

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