Here’s why you should own more than one camera bag

If you've ever glanced at the array of camera bags on the market, you'd be forgiven for thinking there's a bag for every conceivable situation. Over the past decade, I've tested a wide range of bags from various brands such as Manfrotto, Lowepro, Vanguard, Benro, Tenba, Peak Design, Billingham, and Think Tank. These bags come in many forms, including shoulder bags, backpacks, holsters, hard cases, and even roller bags.

Each type of bag serves to protect and organize gear when not in use, but more importantly, they each cater to different shooting scenarios. For example, when it comes to wildlife or landscape photography, a large backpack like the Lowepro Flipside 500 AW II might be ideal as it can accommodate a heavy lens, laptop, and accessories.

The bag also typically features a hip belt and improved padding for comfort during long hikes. Conversely, when shooting street or travel photography, I prefer a different approach. My compact lenses, usually primes around 20mm or 35mm, allow for quick and easy access to my camera bag. Therefore, my preferred bag for street photography is the Bellroy Venture Sling 10L Camera Edition.

While it's a bit pricey, it's among the most comfortable shoulder bags I've used. However, it does lack space for a laptop or tablet, making editing on the go impossible. Another versatile option is the Eastpak Morius backpack, which serves as a low-key camera bag, allowing for easy, inconspicuous transport of equipment. Alternatively, I also use a plain Eastpak rucksack with a padded insert from an old Vanguard bag.

This setup, known as BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag), is ideal for everyday use as it is unobtrusive and ready to go whenever a photo opportunity arises. In conclusion, the key to finding the right camera bag is to choose one that complements your needs and shooting style. If you frequently photograph diverse subjects, having a specialized bag for each genre may enhance your experience.

The opinions and advice presented here are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect those of Amateur Photographer magazine or Kelsey Media Limited. If you have thoughts on this topic or any other photography-related subject, feel free to email me at ap.ed@kelsey.co.uk.