The Craft Of Camera Bag Making

Camera bags have evolved from the fitted leather cases that came with the earliest cameras. In the 1970s, war and documentary photographers used fishing bags, and the company Billingham modified its waterproof soft bags with padding to protect camera gear.

Today, there are many types of camera bags, including shoulder bags, messenger bags, holster bags, backpacks, roller bags, and backpack inserts. When choosing a camera bag, it's important to consider factors such as size, style, durability, and comfort.

Some popular camera bag brands include Peak Design, WANDRD, Brevite, Think Tank, MindShift, Lowepro, PGYTECH, Clever Supply Co., and Wotancraft. These brands offer a range of features such as innovative designs, water resistance, padded dividers, and multiple compartments.

When selecting a camera bag, it's also crucial to think about the type of camera and amount of gear you have, as well as your personal preferences for style and functionality.

Types of camera bags: shoulder, messenger, holster, backpack, roller, and insert

Camera bags are designed to protect your camera and its accessories from damage and theft. They come in a variety of styles, including shoulder bags, messenger bags, holster bags, backpacks, roller bags, and inserts.

Shoulder bags

Shoulder bags are small and lightweight, typically falling to the wearer's rib cage. They are easy to access but offer limited space. Sling bags are also considered a type of shoulder bag.

Messenger bags

Messenger bags are similar to shoulder bags but slightly larger, typically falling to the wearer's hip. They can be worn across the body or over both shoulders. They are often used by urban photographers as they can carry non-camera items like a laptop, lunch, and a water bottle. They offer quicker access to your camera than a backpack.

Holster bags

Holster bags are designed to carry just your camera with your favourite lens attached. They are usually attached to a belt or a strap and can also be packed away in a bigger bag. They are made to protect your camera and usually come with a built-in rain protector.

Backpacks

Backpacks are often preferred by travelling photographers as they can carry all equipment, including cameras, lenses, tripods, food, water, clothes, and laptops. They are also good for distributing weight comfortably across the wearer's shoulders. However, access can be an issue as the backpack usually has to be taken off to get to the gear.

Roller bags

Roller bags are similar in capacity to standard backpacks but are designed to be rolled on the ground. They are ideal for urban projects and transporting heavy camera gear without carrying it on your back.

Backpack inserts

Backpack inserts are large accessories meant to fit into another larger backpack. They are often preferred by photographers as travel backpacks tend to be more comfortable and feature-rich.

Camera bag materials: canvas, leather, and synthetic

Camera bags are made from a variety of materials, including canvas, leather, and synthetic fabrics. Each material has its own unique characteristics and advantages, offering different levels of durability, style, and functionality to cater to the diverse needs of photographers.

Canvas camera bags are known for their toughness and tear resistance. They are often treated with a wax coating or laminated finish to enhance their water resistance, making them suitable for outdoor shoots in varying weather conditions. Canvas bags are also aesthetically pleasing, offering a more natural and rustic look compared to traditional black camera bags. Some canvas bags feature leather trims, adding a touch of elegance to the overall design.

Leather camera bags exude a premium and stylish look, making them a popular choice among photographers. Leather is a strong and supple material that can withstand the demands of photography adventures. It is also versatile, as it can be found in various colours to match different styles and preferences. Leather bags are often designed with padded interiors and removable dividers to provide extra protection for camera gear.

Synthetic materials, such as nylon and polyester, are also commonly used in camera bag construction. These fabrics are ideal for outdoor adventures due to their lightweight and excellent water-resistant properties. Synthetic camera bags are designed to be durable and can withstand rugged use, making them suitable for nature and wildlife photography. They often feature multiple compartments and pockets, providing ample storage space for camera equipment and accessories.

When choosing a camera bag material, it is essential to consider factors such as durability, style, comfort, and functionality. Canvas, leather, and synthetic materials each bring their unique advantages to the table, allowing photographers to select the option that best suits their individual needs and preferences.

Camera bag features: size, weight, protection, accessibility, and security

When choosing a camera bag, it's important to consider its size, weight, protection, accessibility, and security.

Size and weight often go hand in hand. You want to ensure your camera bag is large enough to fit your gear but not so large that it becomes bulky and heavy. The ideal size and weight will vary depending on your needs. If you're travelling with a lot of equipment, you might prefer a larger bag, whereas if you're hiking, you'll want something more compact and lightweight.

Protection is a key feature of camera bags. Look for bags with padding, dividers, and weather-resistant or waterproof materials to keep your equipment safe from bumps, scratches, and the elements.

Accessibility is another important consideration. Some bags offer quick access to your camera through side pockets or sling designs, while others have more secure access points that may take longer to open. Think about how quickly you'll need to access your gear and choose a bag with the appropriate level of accessibility.

Finally, security is crucial when it comes to camera bags. Look for features like lockable zippers, theft-resistant designs, and hidden pockets to keep your valuable equipment safe.

• The Peak Design Everyday Sling has a compact size, robust construction, and unique organisational capabilities. It can carry a camera, lenses, a laptop or tablet, memory cards, cables, and even a tripod.
• The WANDRD PRVKE is a stylish and innovative bag with a removable camera cube, checkpoint-friendly laptop sleeve, and magnetic tote handles. It's made from heavy-duty tarpaulin and water-proof zippers, making it robust and weather-resistant.
• The Brevite Jumper is a lightweight, functional, and compact bag. It has a quick-access door, dual tripod carrying capacity, and multiple storage compartments for camera bodies, lenses, batteries, water bottles, and other accessories.
• The Think Tank Retrospective is a durable and flexible bag with padded interior dividers and a comfortable grippy shoulder strap.
• The MindShift BackLight is a rugged and elegantly designed bag with ample space for camera gear and regular daypack items. It features back-panel access, large zipper pulls, a built-in rain cover, and an integrated tripod carry system.

Camera bag considerations: comfort, durability, and price

When choosing a camera bag, there are several factors to consider, including comfort, durability, and price. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Comfort:

• The type of bag you choose should depend on your personal preference and how much equipment you need to carry. Options include backpacks, shoulder bags, sling bags, roller bags, and belt packs.
• Backpacks distribute weight evenly across both shoulders and are ideal for carrying heavy gear, but they may not be as quick to access as other bag styles.
• Shoulder bags and sling bags allow for easier access to your equipment but put all the weight on one shoulder, which can become uncomfortable over time.
• Roller bags are great for transporting large amounts of gear but may not be as mobile as other options.
• Belt packs are ideal for maximum mobility and carrying extra equipment without the bulk of a bag, but they have limited capacity and don't offer as much protection.

Durability:

• Look for a bag made from durable, water-resistant materials such as canvas, leather, or synthetic fabrics.
• Ensure the bag has padded, removable inserts to protect your equipment and allow for customisation.
• Check the quality of the zippers, especially on the main camera compartment, as these are often the first thing to fail. Consider getting a bag with lockable zippers for added security.
• Opt for a bag with a warranty to guarantee against any defects or issues.

Price:

• The price of a camera bag can vary widely depending on the brand, materials used, and features offered. It's important to set a budget and find a bag that offers the best value for your needs.
• Keep in mind that you often get what you pay for in terms of quality. Spending a little extra on a well-known brand can result in a more durable and long-lasting bag.
• Consider the cost of any additional accessories or inserts you may need to purchase separately.

Camera bag brands: Peak Design, WANDRD, Brevite, Think Tank, MindShift, Lowepro, PGYTECH, Clever Supply Co., and Billingham

Camera bags are a 20th-century invention, replacing the fitted leather cases that came with the earliest cameras. They are designed to conveniently carry and provide quick access to high-end camera equipment.

Peak Design

Peak Design offers a range of camera bags, including backpacks, shoulder bags, and waist packs. Their bags come in different sizes, such as the Everyday Backpack V2, which is available in 20L and 30L capacities, and the Everyday Sling V2, which comes in 6L and 10L options. Peak Design's bags are well-rated, with many of their products receiving an average rating of 4.5 stars or higher.

WANDRD

WANDRD is a brand that caters to travel photographers and filmmakers. Their PRVKE bag is one of their most popular products, known for its generous padding, comfortable shoulder straps, and ample pockets and compartments. WANDRD also offers a range of sling bags, such as the ROGUE 3L, which is lightweight and ideal for day trips and adventures where agility is crucial.

Brevite

Brevite offers modern camera backpacks in various colours, including charcoal gray and lemon yellow. While specific features are not mentioned, the brand has received positive reviews, with over 10,000 5-star ratings.

Think Tank

Think Tank is a brand that focuses on developing inventive carrying solutions for photographers. While specific bag models are not mentioned, they offer a range of bags, including backpacks, shoulder bags, and rollers, indicating a comprehensive selection.

MindShift

MindShift Gear, associated with Think Tank, offers a wide variety of camera bags, including backpacks, sling bags, and photo cubes. Their bags accommodate different camera setups, from DSLRs with multiple lenses to mirrorless camera systems. Some of their backpacks, like the BackLight series, feature dedicated laptop and tablet compartments, quick access to gear, and waist belts for tabletop access. The PhotoCross sling bags are designed for DSLR or mirrorless setups and include pockets for laptops or tablets.

Lowepro

Lowepro provides a range of camera bags and backpacks for various devices. They offer different collections, such as the PhotoSport and Trekker Lite series, with bags featuring dedicated laptop compartments and adjustable dividers to accommodate camera gear. The Adventura BP 300 III is one of their more affordable options, while the Pro Trekker BP 650 AW II is a larger capacity bag.

PGYTECH, Clever Supply Co., and Billingham

Unfortunately, I couldn't find specific information about these brands. However, Billingham is mentioned as a company that originally produced fishing bags but modified their design with padding to cater to photographers in the 1970s.

Frequently asked questions