The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Camera Bag for Your Needs
- Types of Camera Bags
- Considerations for Gear Size and Quantity in Your Camera Bag
- Camera Bag Protection and Durability
- Comfort and Ergonomics of Your Camera Bag
- Accessibility and Organization Features of Your Camera Bag
- Final Thoughts on Photography Travel Bags
- Other Recommended Photography Gear
- What Kind of Photography Travel Bag is Right for You?
- Get Ready for Summertime Travel Photography With This Crucial Gear
- Vanguard VEO City CB29 Urban Crossbody Camera Bag
- Vanguard VEO Adaptor S41 Side Opening Camera Backpack
- Vanguard VEO Active 53 Camera Backpack
- Vanguard Alta Rise 28 Messenger Bag
- Vanguard VEO Select 42T Roller Case
- Camera Bag or Camera Case: Which Do You Need?
- Which of These Vanguard Camera Bags is Best for Your Needs?
Photo by freemixer via iStock
Camera bags are essential to any photography or videography kit, but knowing which is best for you can be challenging with so many different ones on the market. Don’t sweat it, though, because we created this ultimate camera bag guide with one sole purpose: to help you find the perfect bag for you and your needs!
In this article, we’ll review the most popular types of camera bags, share which genres of photography each type of bag is best suited for, explain what to look for in a camera bag, recommend a few of our favorite bags, and more.
Now, whether you are looking for an affordable camera bag, a comfy camera backpack, or a travel-friendly rolling camera bag, let’s dive in and discover everything there is to know about camera bags and how they can make you a better photographer!
Check out the video above by Peter McKinnon to see how he packs his camera bag before heading out to shoot.
Table of Contents
Types of Camera Bags
Vanguard VEO GO34M
While many different styles of camera and photography bags are available today, the three most in-demand are sling bags, backpacks, and rolling bags. Here’s a closer look at each one.
Camera Sling Bag
Sling bags, or messenger bags as some people call them, are heralded for their versatility and ease of use. Their unique design lets you quickly transition from storage to shooting, so you never miss a shot. Sling bags are ideal for urban, street, event, and portrait photographers. One of the best sling bags for photography is the Vanguard VEO GO34M.
Camera Bag Backpacks
Next, we have camera backpacks. They provide more storage than sling bags and distribute weight evenly across your back and shoulders, making them more comfortable, even when worn for hours on end. Camera backpacks are good for landscape, wildlife, nature, and action photographers. A popular backpack is the Vanguard VEO Select 37.
Rolling Camera Bag
Finally, you can’t sleep on rolling bags. They are gear haulers perfect for frequent travelers and people carrying heavy equipment. With that in mind, rolling bags are popular amongst professional photographers and videographers. One amazing roller bag is the Vanguard VEO Select 58T. It also comes with hidden straps that transform it into a backpack.
Considerations for Gear Size and Quantity in Your Camera Bag
Vanguard VEO Select 37
When shopping for a camera bag, one of the first things you must consider is how much gear you need to carry. The first step is assessing the size and weight of the gear you already own (camera body, lenses, tripod, etc.). At a minimum, you need a bag to hold your most essential items.
Next, you must anticipate whether you plan on investing in more gear soon. If so, you should look for a bag with adjustable compartments and/or expandable space. That way, you won’t need to continually buy new bags. Lastly, you have to weigh the need for carrying capacity with the desire for a compact and lightweight bag and decide which is more important.
Learn More:
Camera Bag Protection and Durability
Vanguard VEO Select 58T
While carrying gear is one crucial function of a camera bag, keeping it safe is another. Therefore, you should always evaluate a bag's padding and cushioning levels, which will help protect your delicate camera gear from impacts and shocks. Removable padded dividers are particularly useful since they both keep gear safe and allow you to customize your bag.
Other things to consider are the bag's material, the quality of the zippers/closures/seams, and whether it comes with a rain shell. These design features play an important part in protecting your camera equipment and the longevity of a bag. A camera bag made from higher-quality materials will be substantially more durable than one constructed from cheap materials.
Comfort and Ergonomics of Your Camera Bag
Vanguard VEO Select 58T
How comfortable a camera bag is is also critical. No matter how much you love a bag, it’s useless if you never want to wear it and always leave it behind in your closet. Everyone has different body types and shooting styles, so wearing it is the only way to ensure the perfect fit. That is why it is paramount to try bags on in person and adjust them to fit you.
Padded shoulder straps, adjustable hip belts/chest harnesses, and ventilated back panels are key features that affect comfort and fit. Weight distribution and balance are also important to keep in mind so you don’t end up with unwanted shoulder and back pain in the middle of a photo shoot.
Accessibility and Organization Features of Your Camera Bag
Vanguard VEO Select 37
Depending on the type of photography (or videography) you shoot, your accessibility and organization needs will vary. However, one thing always stays the same: you don’t want it to be a huge hassle to get in and out of the bag. To avoid this, we recommend prioritizing accessibility features like quick-release buckles, magnetic closures, and zippered compartments.
Efficient organization can also help speed up your productivity and workflow speed. Customizable dividers, padded inserts, and dedicated accessory pockets make organizing camera equipment easier. Then, it’s up to you to arrange the gear according to frequency of use and in a way that works for you!
Final Thoughts on Photography Travel Bags
Photo by Mikhail Dmitriev via iStock
Many factors play a role in finding the ideal bag for you and your needs, but we hope this camera bag guide has helped prepare you to make a good decision. Finally, check out the list below to compare and contrast the bags mentioned in this guide with more of the best Vanguard camera bags on sale today.
Other Recommended Photography Gear
Disclaimer: Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.
