Camera Gear Bags & Cases

Innovations in camera bag design do not generally proceed at the breakneck pace of digital technology, and some tried-and-true examples (like my battle scarred 30-year-old Domke F-2, right) have endured virtually unchanged for decades. However, over the last year or two I’ve noted a distinct spurt in creative camera bag designs, many offering ingenious and effective new ways to tote your gear.


Some new bags provide more convenient ways to carry and access your equipment, including your laptop, that hallmark of the digital revolution. Others extend your options by converting from shoulder bags to backpacks, rolling along on wheels, or simply looking ultra-cool and fashionable.To give you a taste of what’s out there and what makes it special, I’ve gathered a baker’s dozen of the latest models and present them for your delectation over the course of this week. We hope you find something fascinating and useful here that fits your kind of shooting to a T—we sure did!

Tamrac Aero Speed Pack 85 Dual Access Photo/Laptop Backpack
 
Aimed at photographers who want to tote a high-end DSLR outfit in comfort, but also need quick access to their gear, the Tamrac Aero Speed Pack 85 Dual Access Photo/Laptop Backpack sports an innovative Dual Access System that allows fast access through the side door when the pack is worn over one shoulder, but when the pack is removed you can also get to your equipment via a traditional front panel.
 
This versatile backpack holds and protects a DSLR with a grip and lens attached (including most 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lenses), plus a few additional lenses and accessories. A separate, foam-padded laptop compartment holds laptops up to 17 inches. The side door is equipped with a water-resistant zipper while the front panel has a weather flap, and there’s a large top compartment for personal items. The pack features a carrying handle and a comfortable, foam-padded harness. Two lash tabs on the bottom allow a tripod to be carried using optional accessory straps.

Tenba Vector

$10-$100
Those of us who write about the latest photo gear may not necessarily be of the generation that is buying the stuff; same deal with those who make cameras and accessories. Case in point: Tenba. The bag maker realized that while an older generation may prefer black camera bags, this might not be the case for the younger set. Enter the hipster-friendly Vector line, which can handle a range water-resistant bags that are both practical and fashionable. They're available in Krypton Green, Oxygen Blue, Cadmium Red and a more traditional Carbon Black and include daypacks, top-load smaller camera bags, compact camera pouches, and shoulder bags that are sized to accomodate anything from a single compact camera to a multi-lens DSLR kit and a laptop. 

Tamrac Velocity 8x Sling Pack

Like many of the latest backpacks, the Tamrac Velocity 8x Sling Pack can also be slung over a shoulder for easier access to your equipment. It accommodates most prosumer DSLRs with grip (such a Canon 5D Mark II or a Nikon D700) with an 8-inch-long zoom lens attached (like Canon’s 70-200mm), plus two additional lenses and a flash. Inside the main compartment, the camera with mounted lens is suspended on two vertical foam-padded dividers that are internally reinforced.

When swung around to the front, the secure zippered Quick Flip Top opens away from the body for fast and convenient access to camera gear. A well-padded sling strap distributes the weight, and a Tuck-A-Way™ waist belt allows the Velocity 8x to be used comfortably during vigorous activities such as hiking or biking. The front pocket has organizer pockets inside and also features Tamrac's US-patented Memory & Battery Management System™ that uses red flags to differentiate available memory cards and batteries from ones that are used up.

Domke F-2 Backpack

 

The original Domke F-2 bag has been a mainstay among photojournalists for over 30 years, and now it’s been ingeniously reconfigured into the Domke F-2 Backpack. The bottom of the bag is arranged exactly like the F2 Original bag, but there’s now extra room at the top for accessories or personal items. The Domke tradition is maintained with the familiar breathable weather-resistant cotton canvas construction, cotton webbing, YKK zippers on each compartment, and indestructible steel snap hooks with welded steel rings that secure the main weather flap, providing a quick, reliable, pilfer-proof closure.
 

A comfortable foam padded harness with waist and sternum strap distributes the load for a comfortable carry. Eight compartments provide ample space for a pro DSLR outfit, and the padded bottom adds cushioned support and helps to keep equipment dry. A removable four-compartment insert separates the contents, and there are five additional pockets, an inside mesh zipper pocket for small accessories, and four exterior pockets, one on each side, and two on the front and bottom.

Pelican 1510 case

This high-impact, all-purpose watertight case is designed for air travelers who must protect valuable equipment stored as carry-on baggage. The Pelican1510 provides nearly 1,800 cubic inches of usable storage space and sports rubberized front and side grips for maximum comfort, as well as stainless steel ball bearing, polyurethane wheels and an extension handle (with an effortless release latch) for easy transport. It also features stainless-steel- reinforced padlock protectors to deter cutting and theft.

For added convenience, TSA-Accepted padlocks, lid organizers and padded divider sets are available so travelers (including photographers and audio visual professionals) now have the 1510 as a viable carry-on solution. Like all Pelican Protector™ Cases, the 1510’s open cell-core construction helps it protect sensitive equipment even under extreme conditions.

Adorama Slinger Bag

If you are the proud owner of a MILC with a couple of lenses, or a starter or consumer-level DSLR with a lens or two and a flash, the Adorama Slinger is a low-cost bag that may be just big enough for your needs. With a main compartment with movable partitions measuring 10x10x4 inches, as well as an outer pocket and two mesh side pockets to hold an extra flash (or a water bottle so you can stay hydrated), the camera also offers a security pocket in back that can hold a passport, plane tickets, or a small notebook. There's a 2-inch waist strap and adequate weather protection. The bag is available in Black, Green, Gray, Maroon, Navy and Camouflage and if aren't too particular about which color you get, some colors are deeply discounted at times. Right now, several colors only cost $29.95.

Lowepro Fastpack 100

 

The Lowepro Fastpack 100 is a lighweight backpack with a triple compartment design that provides a comfortable carrying solution that holds a digital SLR camera, extra lenses or flash units, a notebook computer, and contains generous storage for accessories and personal gear. A 180-degree access panel in the Fastpack makes loading and retrieving camera equipment quick and easy, while adjustable dividers enable its compartment to be fully customized to fit different combinations of gear. 

With its security flap snapped closed over the camera compartment, Fastpack offers an additional layer of protection while maintaining fast-access through the side entry compartment—even while the pack is being worn. The top compartment provides ample capacity for personal accessories.

The larger Fastpack 250 accommodates a digital SLR with attached mid-range zoom lens, two to three additional lenses or flash units and accessories and has a specially designed, easy-side-access compartment for a 15.4 or 17 inches and offers extra space for cables and computer accessories.

Lowepro Pro Roller x100

 
The Lowepro Pro Roller x100 is a rolling airline carry-on bag that will accommodate one to two pro DSLRsd with grip plus four to six lenses and accessories, and a laptop computer up to 14 inches. It features a unique Lock & Go security system that includes a TSA-approved Travel Sentry lock and a retractable cable, and a Reserve Pack feature, a camera backpack built into the hard case that serves as a dual carrying option. Additional user-friendly details include stable. side-mounted left tread/right tread wheels that are easily removable and replaceable with an Allen wrench, adjustable padding and organization options, empty/full memory card indicator flasps, and a removable cord management pouch.
Interior dimensions: 11.4W x 6.6D x15.7H inches; Notebook compartment, 12W x 1.1D x 15.3H inches. Weight: 3 pounds, 13 ounces. Color: Black. Cost: $264.

Domke Limited Edition F-803 Ruggedwear

If you like that “lived-in” look of your favorite pair of jeans that only get better with age, the remarkably commodious Domke Limited Edition F-803 Ruggedwear compact camera satchel will give it to you straight out of the box. Using an exclusive canvas material coated with waxes and oils, the fabric has a distinctive distressed and weathered look. This treatment proofs it against inclement weather while retaining the breatheability of cotton—just like classic British foul-weather motorcycle apparel. All Domke Ruggedwear bags come with an ointment that you can reapply to maintain its unique qualities and appearance.

Fortunately the F-803 is more than just a fashion statement. The smallest of the Domke Satchels, it has gained a following among photographers who don't want to call attention to their expensive equipment, a bag that doesn't shout "cameras!" It also works very effectively as a laptop bag or as a light briefcase for business travel.

 

Clik Elite Compact Sport Backpack

 
The Clik Elite Compact Sport Backpack is compact enough for skiing or biking, yet full-featured enough to let you carry your DSLR and an extra lens along with enough clothing and food to keep you going for a full day. Side-entry design swings around to give you access to the camera compartment without fully removing the pack, while giving you the ability to carry extra lenses and gear on your back
 
Other features include: A hydration sleeve and tube port that will hold a 45-ounce bladder, zippered outer pocket for quick access to accessories, stash pocket with compression cord, fully padded 250 cubic inch camera bay with weather-resistant zipper and modular organization, a media organizer with weatherproof zippers to protect memory cards, cables, and business cards, adjustable sternum strap, and the ability to host other Clik Elite units for fast camera access. The Sport is constructed of heavy-duty and high-tenacity ballistic nylon fabrics and sports robust zippers.

Info Found At: adorama.com