In the last days of October we talked about the accessories every photographer should have in their backpack, but what has remained in our inkwell until now is the backpack itself. Whether you are an enthusiast or a professional, carrying your gear in a simple bag is not compatible with the need to properly protect your investment. With that said, today we will explore the traditional formats you can find on the market and some of the most recommended brands by consumers.
I never bought a case for my netbook. After a few years, you can imagine its condition. Dents, scratches, and the occasional piece of plastic flying off never to be found again are part of the equation. Now let's translate that to a DSLR and its essential accessories. Suddenly, the situation becomes much more serious. My netbook is already old, had two hard drive replacements, the battery is retiring, and the keyboard is similar, but it still works. An unexpected bump to a camera or a small scratch on a lens can ruin entire sessions, and we only realize it when it's too late. So it's better to prevent than to cure. If you've decided to invest a good amount of money in your photographic gear, what you use to carry it should not be a secondary purchase.
The Four Classic Camera Bag Formats
The general categories are four: cases, shoulder bags, backpacks, and hard cases. The case is ideal for those who prefer to carry little weight, or who seek quicker access to the camera. Of course, the first thing you sacrifice is storage capacity, but the average case has enough space to hold a camera with its lens, and auxiliary items like a cable, memory cards, or an emergency battery. In other words, if speed and mobility are your priority, the case is the most recommended option. The next step is occupied by shoulder bags, which you carry slung over your shoulder with a strap. Depending on its length, you can wear it cross-body or not, like a sort of photographic Indiana Jones. The bag gives you more space and, if the manufacturer decides, internal pockets to separate accessories, but it demands a certain balance. If you carry too many things, you'll end up more tired.
Backpacks emerge as the most popular option, and they divide into two subcategories: sling or regular. Sling backpacks bring back the Indiana Jones reference. Unlike a traditional backpack, the sling format comes with a single strap, a bit thicker and wider, easy to rotate, and designed to be worn cross-body. A middle ground between the shoulder bag and the traditional backpack, which, by the way, should not be just any backpack. One thing is a backpack that carries clothes or shoes, and a completely different one is a backpack intended for photography. Inside you'll find reinforced and padded spaces, with greater resistance to dust and, why not, to liquids. The variety of styles and colors is wider in this format. While you'll have to take it off completely to access the camera, the truth is that many have gotten used to that mechanic.
Finally we arrive at hard cases, or cases. Automatically they are separated from the rest due to their rigid construction and the presence of wheels on some models. In essence, hard cases aim to transport portable mini photo studios, with several cameras and lenses at once. Not a few professionals swear by hard cases since they consider them the safest alternative, but they also represent a higher cost.
When it comes to specific brands, all arrows point in the direction of Tamrac, Lowepro, Vanguard and Manfrotto. And if you don't have a DSLR yet, using a case is also recommended for compact units (those options are more economical). And as always, take your camera and get out there. Good luck!
