Digital SLR camera bags differ from one another. The bags come in various sizes, colors, shapes and designs. However, there are several important features, which will make practically any Digital SLR camera bag a good one:

1. Well-built and durable. The bag should be well built and durable. A plastic inner frame and a water-repellent material are often a must for a bag.

2. Plenty compartments and zipper pockets. Smaller accessories should have special pockets for them. Side pockets and front pockets can be used for easy access to various important accessories.

3. Flexible design of the partitions. Some of the poorer designed bags have the divider set up the way that a camera has to be separated from the lens to be stored. This is a sufficient disadvantage, especially if you need to shoot fast. A good bag should allow you to reposition the Velcro dividers and thus make everything needed to fit in the bag, without having to disassemble your gear.

4. Appropriate size. Generally, the most space in digital SLR camera bags is taken up by the camera body and the lenses. So, if you only use one lens, a small camera will do. However, if you use additional lenses, then you need a larger bag. Too small of a bag will prevent you from putting things in and out easily, when needed. Too big of a bag will be cumbersome, making it annoying to carry it around.

5. Padding. The padding should be thick, and the thicker the better. A good bag should be constructed to cushion the impacts. The outside padding of the bag should be soft, becoming sturdier in the middle, with a very soft inner padding.

6. Smart design. A good bag will allow placing everything in it, without stacking your accessories on top of one another. This way, all your gear will be perfectly accessible.

7. Lightweight. A good bag should be lightweight, so that it’s easy to carry even in long trips.

8. Place for tripod. A good bag should also have a place to hang a tripod from.

9. Clips and zippers. The clips of the bag should be made from heavy-duty plastic. The zippers should work well, which is essential for quick access and fast shooting.

10. Appropriate price. You may also want to compare prices from different manufacturers, such as Lowepro, Tamrac, and Canon etc. Sometimes you will find a great bag for a lot cheaper, if you shop around long enough.

How to choose the most suitable digital SLR camera bag, shoulder bag or backpack for your favorite camera? Which one of them would be best for you?

The choice of a bag will depend on your personal circumstances. For example, photographers, who often travel, go hiking, white water rafting, diving and snorkeling; will require a different type of bag than a photographer, who mainly shoots indoors.

Being fragile and expensive, SLR camera requires special care. When seeing a scratch on the lens of the camera or even a snapped off part, photographers often start to seriously consider purchasing a good digital SLR camera bag. A good camera bag will help your digital camera to serve you much longer.

To date, there are a huge number of various digital SLR camera bags available both, off-line and online. It may sometimes be difficult to make the right choice. However, the following advice may help you.

A good camera bag will allow you to secure your digital camera and protect it from the weather and sudden shocks. Depending on the size, configuration, and a number of other attributes, camera bags can be divided into groups, including: bags, backpacks, pouches, underwater cases and anti-shock cases.

If you are mainly shooting in a city, you may be better of with a small bag, instead of a large bulky bag. A small bag, made of high-quality material, will fit well for city streets.

Some companies also offer glamour miniature camera bags. If your goal is to show your bag off, it might be a good choice. However, glamour bags are generally less comfortable and not spacey enough.

Some bags will best fit professional photographers, such as spacey bags with numerous pockets for various accessories.

Backpacks are best for those who travel a lot. Backpacks, made of special sturdy materials, would perfectly protect your digital camera from any kind of bad weather.

If you are shooting in low temperatures, for example, in winter, you may have to use special covers, which would allow you to shoot without taking your camera out.

To date, modern technology advanced so much that a photographer can even shoot underwater with the use of a special SLR camera case. These special underwater cases are made of high quality polymer. At the front, the case has a special hole for the lens, which is made of a good optical glass. This type of a case would allow you to take very high quality pictures even underwater.

Many photographers actually spend years, before finding a new suitable digital SLR camera bag, to replace their old one. It’s not surprising. Nowadays, there are hundreds of various camera bag models, offered by dozens of various manufacturers.

However, there are several manufacturers, who are on top of the competition, whether because of their low prices, high quality, or the combination thereof.

Three of the most famous brands are Lowepro, Tamrac and Crumpler. Let’s see what is different about these three brands?

Lowepro

Lowepro offers one of the widest selections of various camera bags. The company was established back in 1967 by professional mountain climber Greg Lowe. That was also the year when Greg had designed his first internal-frame backpack. Ever since then the company was among the best camera bag manufacturers, keeping up with the latest trends and requirements. Lowepro has always strived to produce bags, which would best meet the expectations of any photographer, whether an amateur or a professional photographer.

The smallest and cheapest digital SLR camera bag may cost as low as $10. A medium model, which would hold a camera with a lens attached, and some space for a couple additional lenses and other accessories, may cost around $50. The most advanced models, such as trekker bags, may cost up to $350.

Tamrac

Tamrac is another popular manufacturer of SLR camera bags. The concept behind Tamrac bags was conceived back in 1977. The name of the company comes from the pine tree, native to the American wilderness.

Tamrac has been offering quality innovative bags for dozens of years, well competing with various other companies in the industry.

Tamrac also offers a wide selection of bags for all types of photographers and their individual circumstances. The prices range from $20 to $200. As a brand, Tamrac is cheaper than many other brands.

Crumpler

Crumpler is another famous company, offering a modest variety of SLR camera bags. The variety might be smaller, in comparison to other manufacturers. However, the quality of the bags by Crumpler is second to none.

The company is based in Australia, and it was founded in 1995.

The cheapest Crumpler bag can be found for as low as $15, and the most expensive professional bag sells for as much as $500.

All in all, any one of these 3 manufacturers will provide you with a good digital SLR camera bag, depending on your needs and requirements.

Is there such a thing as perfect SLR camera bags? Can “one size fit all”? Or will you actually need to buy two or more bags for different occasions? Many people choose to use two camera bags, one for traveling and another for general events, family holidays or for light travel. SLR camera bags are not cheap. Thus, buying one good camera bag might be a better idea. If you are looking into buying one good bag, you should try to foresee the important qualities of your future bag.

A perfect SLR camera bag should be capacious enough to allow storing all of your gear. The size of your bag should also be considered in case of the future upgrades of your telephoto. A photographer may often start with a cheaper 70-300mm telephoto, measuring around 3 inches in diameter and 5.6 inches in length, and then upgrade it to a more expensive 70-200mm telephoto, measuring 3 inches in diameter and 6.8 inches in length. Your camera bag should allow for such an upgrade in the future.

You will probably be carrying your bag a lot, that’s why finding a camera bag with a comfortable design is so important, whether it’s a slinging bag or a backpack bag. For instance, some of the poorer designed bags are meant to sling over your specific shoulder (e.g., the right shoulder), and they cannot be adjusted to sling over the other shoulder (e.g., the left shoulder). For the most convenience, you will be better of with a camera bag, which can be adjusted to sling over either shoulder.

Some people prefer backpack bags due to their even pressure. Also, there are bags, which come with both carrying possibilities. Many of the backpack bags can also be carried on the front.

Furthermore, the bag has to protect the gear well. The bag should feature a sound internal protection, with a very soft lining to protect your gear from any abrasion damage. The perfect bag should be structurally very strong and durable, with the best materials for the outside of the bag including: sturdy plastic panels, water resistant materials, and thick closed cell foam.

Thus, the features of a perfect SLR camera bag include: some extra size and space, comfortable slinging or backpack design, sturdy outside materials and extra-soft inside materials. A thoroughly conducted research will free you from having to buy two SLR camera bags for various occasions.

A good SLR camera bag should not just be capable of holding an SLR camera with a lens. There are several other important features, which a good camera bag should include:

1. A good digital SLR camera bag should be equipped with a soft broad strap, in order for convenient carrying of the bag even on long trips. The strap should also be adjustable, allowing you to adjust its length.

2. A good bag has to have many pockets for various equipment and accessories, including: external pockets and internal pockets, mesh pockets and zipper pockets, and so on. If the bag has many zippers, they should preferably be equipped with 2 locks, one from each side, so that they can be conveniently closed and opened from any side. The pockets should be easily accessible, with many compartments and holders.

3. The inside of the bag should have soft padded walls and dividers, which will securely capture and hold the camera and other accessories.

4. The outside and the walls of the bag should be made of semi-hard material, which will keep the equipment intact. The interior partitions of the bag should be adjustable and removable.

5. Another good feature is reverse opening of the lid of the bag, for easy access to the camera.

6. A good digital SLR camera bag should allow carrying it on the shoulder, around the neck and as a backpack. Some bags even allow carrying them on a lap belt.

7. A bag should provide enough space for additional lenses, filter kits, zoom-lens, external flash, film, memory cards, and other needed accessories.

8. A good bag should be made of a durable water-resistant material, making it an all-weather bag. Additional protection from bad weather can be provided by a safety clasp, which would not allow water and dust into your bag.

9. A sound bag will also have rubber protection on the bottom of the bag.

10. A bag should be made of lightweight material, with sturdy and soft inner lining to protect the equipment.

Thus, the features of a good digital SLR camera bag should include: soft broad adjustable strap, numerous pockets for various accessories, soft sturdy padded walls and dividers, reverse opening of the lid, plenty of space, durable lightweight water-resistant material, and a rubber protection on the bottom.

Another optional, but also important feature of a good bag is the possibility to attach additional small bags and lens cases to it.

SLR cameras are expensive, which results in the need of a quality SLR camera bag. Thus, when you are not shooting, you should keep your camera in a good quality camera bag. A good SLR camera bag is the most convenient way to carry your camera around, having your bag hang on a strap on your shoulder. Furthermore, in this case your hand also becomes a “natural protection” from any physical impacts. In doing so, the camera can always be quickly retrieved, to get started with your shooting.

It is necessary to capitally approach the choice of your SLR camera bag model. The number of specialized SLR camera bags and backpacks, designed to carry photographic equipment, is huge. When deciding on a particular bag, you need to keep in mind the number of cameras, lenses and additional accessories, which you will want to carry in your bag.

Also, you should think in advance, how you will carry your equipment – assembled or disassembled? When the lenses are attached to the camera, you can start shooting faster, without having to waste your time on the installation of the lens. However, an unattached camera and lens take up less space, which will result in a smaller, cheaper, and easier-to-carry bag, which will also require less space in the transport.

Your SLR camera bag should be equipped with spacious pockets for the film, preferably located outside. The film should not tip out from the pockets, and it should be easily and quickly accessible.

Some of the requirements may be mutually exclusive; therefore, it is necessary to find a compromise between various requirements, before buying your camera bag. Try not to hurry and thoroughly look for the best bag, until you are confident, that this is the most appropriate model.

General requirements for SLR camera bags and backpacks include safe and fast fastening. Best for this purpose are metal snap hooks and plastic clips. Zippers are good in case your equipment needs to be securely closed within a long trip. However, zippers are not the best option for photographers, who need to do rapid shooting.

Further, the bag should be made of very durable material, which would protect the equipment in case of an impact. For this purpose, most bags come with special pads of various shapes and sizes. However, many of these pads are generally not used with the real operation, because fewer pads and partitions allow photographers to fit more equipment in their bags.

Generally, the better you do your homework, the more are the chances of locating your perfect SLR camera bag.

SLR camera bags are a personal choice for every photographer. Currently, the market offers numerous camera bags from a variety of manufacturers, featuring such famous brands as Lowepro, Tamrac, Domke and many others. It is often very hard to make up your mind, when choosing your new SLR camera bag.

Thus, it might be a good idea to listen to professional photographers’ advice.

1. Some photographers’ advise people to purchase the most durable camera bags, which will protect their valuable camera from any kind of damage for years to come, without even showing a hint of a wear on the bag itself. This advice is probably one of the most important ones, because you do want to protect your SLR camera.

2. Other photographers’ advise people to pay most of their attention to comfortable compartments in the bag, such as compartments to accommodate a few lenses, a flash and the camera itself. It is important to have a special compartment for the camera, preferably equipped with parting walls with a Velcro fastener.

3. Talking about the size of the camera bag, many photographers recommend buying a bag about 2-3 times larger than your camera.

4. Some photographers suggest that a rectangle bag is more convenient than a square bag. However, the shape of the bag is one of the personal preference aspects. Some photographers actually prefer bags, which look like sacks, since they are most compact and discreet.

5. Other professionals advise to decide in advance, whether you are planning to carry a tripod in your camera bag. In this case, the tripod should fold 3-4 times, and the bag has to provide enough space for it. Tripods should be preferably lightweight, such as tripods made from carbon fiber.

6. Other professionals warn against the “beauty” bags, saying that such bags are generally smaller in size and flashier in color. For example, a gray or a black color bag will allow using it in any conditions. Camera bags with defiantly bright colors and with the attributes of a higher-price range will often attract the interest of muggers to your SLR camera bag.

7. Some photographers advise to seek for the most functional SLR camera bags, which would accommodate lenses, flash, as well as provide enough space for some snacks or a bottle holder for a busy photographer.

In general, a good bag should have a rigid frame, laid with thick foam, with movable partitions, strong non-slippery straps, and reliable metal snap hooks. All those features will provide protection for the contents of your bag from bumps and other dangers.

SLR camera bags nowadays feature all types of design, a wide variety of exterior and interior materials, sizes, the number and the location of the compartments, and so on. Sometimes it may be hard to choose from a wide choice of bags, available on the market.

However, there are several important features, which distinguish good SLR camera bags from the rest of the bags. When choosing your new SLR camera bag, make sure that it fits in with many of the following 10 important features:

1. Good bags should feature protection from rain and snow, such as a rain-flap, covering the zipper access in its entirety, or even a special “weather jacket”.

2. The interior of a sound bag should be extremely soft and not-abrasive to the gear.

3. The exterior material of a good bag should be sturdy and durable. A good choice is a bag with sturdy plastic panels.

4. The bag should have many deep soft pockets, including front and side pockets, zipped pockets and sleeve pockets for various uses. Various other compartments, from the top and the sides, for placing various accessories and extra lenses, will provide you with the most comfortable and secure placement of your gear.

5. When choosing a bag, make sure that the straps will allow you to carry your bag either as a backpack bag, shoulder bag, chest bag or a tummy-bag. Padded handles on the top of the bag will also provide you with a comfortable hand carrying of your SLR camera bag.

6. A good bag should allow you to adjust its capacity, by attaching or detaching additional bags, e.g., from its sides.

7. A bag should also allow you to easily access all of your gear, without having to reposition your bag each and every time.

8. It may also be important to consider a bag with a somewhat disguised type of design, which will not make you a target for a mugging.

9. Additional security can also be provided by a bag, the main gear compartment of which can’t be opened, when the bag is on your back. This will protect you from being robbed, while walking in a crowded place.

10. A good bag will generally come with a life-time warranty, which will protect you from workmanship defects etc.

Try to make sure that your prospective bag conforms to the majority of the above 10 features. If your prospective bag does, then most likely you have made a good choice from the available SLR camera bags on the market.

The choice of an SLR camera bag is a very serious task for any photographer, whether it’s a professional or an amateur photographer. Probably, every photographer’s dream is finding a secure and comfortable bag, which will protect their SLR cameras and the rest of their equipment in different situations.

In 1967, professional mountain climber Greg Lowe designed his first internal-frame backpack in his very own garage. Thus, Greg also started a revolution in the design of the SLR camera bags. This extraordinary person back then was looking for a portable system, which would protect fragile photographic film during trips with the most extreme conditions. The bag was to protect the equipment from the weather as well as from shocks during the mountain climbs. In addition, the bag was to be easy to carry and easy to use.

During the following years, camera bags and backpacks by Lowepro started to be designed in order to meet Greg’s stringent requirements. These bags further became top of the line items, serving any photographer well, no matter if he/she was working in the mountains or on the city streets.

Greg Lowe established the Lowepro Company, which continues the tradition of designing and manufacturing top of the line SLR camera bags and backpacks.

Lowepro brand is guaranteed in the protection of your photo equipment. Lowepro was refining its innovative ideas for decades, analyzing the equipment used by photographers, as well as analyzing the most diverse working conditions of a photographer.

Lowepro SLR camera bags are made with the use of the most durable and solid materials. Lowepro SLR camera bag is designed for keeping in mind the necessary functionality, providing protection against dust and moisture, vibrations, sudden shocks and extreme temperatures.

One other important feature of a good SLR bag by Greg Lowe is a non-slipping strap. A high quality non-slipping strap will hold on even on the most “slippery” clothing. If the strap of the bag is slippery, your SLR camera bag may fall, damaging or ruining your camera.

An SLR bag, manufactured by Lowepro, represents a true pinnacle of the SLR bags design. The bags are made of durable materials; the snaps of the bags can be quickly and easily fastened and unfastened, including zippers and snap hooks. These bags have special pads of various shapes and sizes inside, to better protect your equipment.

An SLR camera bag, inspired by Greg Lowe, currently is one of the best available camera bag choices, both, for professional and amateur photographers.

SLR camera bags are probably the second most important accessory, after the SLR camera itself. Rapid development of digital photography and accompanying accessories resulted in the emergence of durable, practical and functional camera bags.

Currently, there are several major manufacturers of professional bags for SLR cameras, including Lowepro, Domke, and Tamrac. Before buying a camera bag, you should first try to get yourself acquainted with the most recent trends in the market of SLR camera bags.

Why do you need a good professional camera bag? Modern SLR cameras are quite expensive. The camera, optics, filters, flash, memory, etc., all require very careful handling. These requirements impose special responsibilities on the designers and developers of the camera bags. The best manufacturer is the one, who pays the most attention to the demands of their customers, constantly seeking new solutions and conducting tests and trials with a large number of professional testers.

A camera bag should not just feature nice design, fashionable color or shape; a good professional bag has to have other important features. For example, a bag must feature compact and, most importantly, safe compartments to transport one or two cameras, several lenses, tripod, and other accessories. In addition, it is very important to ensure a quick and easy way to access the contents of the bag, without having to turn the bag around.

Modern SLR camera bags come in a variety of lightweight waterproof materials. The bags generally have quality and quiet snaps and fasteners, providing the work of a photographer with the necessary comfort in any conditions.

What else should you pay attention to, when shopping for a bag? The outside of the bag should preferably be soft, with plastic in the middle and a padded surface: when you are walking through a crowd, a bag made from hard material could seriously hamper your speed and even irritate the people around you.

Furthermore, try to pay attention to the color of the bag. The best option is gray, blue and green shades. Such colors will not attract any attention to your very expensive camera. In fact, it’s best if your camera bag does not even look like an SLR camera bag. For example, a famous American company “Domke” makes its professional Reporter handbag look like “potatoes’ sacks”. Not all professionals like the organization of internal compartments, but this bag is very different, and it does not look like a camera bag at all.

Lowepro, Domke, and Tamrac are all well-known brands, which manufacture good professional SLR camera bags. Any one of these three manufacturers can provide you with an excellent top notch quality bag for your SLR camera.