It is safe to say that photography is not a cheap hobby to pursue. Camera equipment and accessories are a pricey investment, so it is vital to ensure they stay properly protected throughout your travels.
?Investing in high-quality, functional camera bags, like digiDirect camera bags and cases, will not only make carrying your kit much more convenient but also grant you the peace of mind that your prized possessions are safe and secure.
Table of Contents
Camera Bag Features
Adjustable Interior Spaces
The reality is, your camera gear setup will change. Either because your shooting style evolves, your chosen subject and environment changes, or you simply find new and interesting accessories you want to include in your kit.
For this reason, it is important to purchase the right bag that will evolve and adapt to these changes as needed.
Many high-quality, practical camera bags feature adjustable dividers and padding, with velcro straps that can be moved or removed as needed.
They significantly improve the bag's usefulness and ensure your gear stays properly separated and doesn't bang together as you walk.
Laptop Space
If you are taking your camera bag on a hike or another outdoor adventure, this feature may be less necessary. But for general travel, you will likely want or need to have your laptop on hand, either for work or to transfer images after a long day of shooting.
Selecting a camera bag with a built-in laptop slot is incredibly convenient, since it eliminates the need to carry separate bags for your devices. If your laptop is on the smaller or lighter side, it takes up minimal additional space and weight.
Waterproof Features
Whether it is a waterproof shell you can put over your entire bag, or a bag made with waterproof materials and zippers, having these incredibly useful features in your travel camera bag will come in handy the next time you are caught out in the rain in the backcountry.
The weather is so unpredictable, and if your gear gets wet, it could be extremely difficult to dry it before it becomes damaged.
Waterproof shells work well for light rain, but if they shift or develop an unexpected leak, it could quickly become disastrous without you knowing. For this reason, it is worth the extra cost to spring for a bag specifically designed with waterproof features.
Tripod Strap
While many modern tripods are made of lightweight materials, most are too big to fit safely in your camera bag.
If you don't have a way to strap your tripod to the outside of your bag, you'll have to carry it. This may take some weight off the bag itself, but you will quickly grow tired of holding it.
A good travel camera bag will have a strap on the side that can securely hold your tripod. However, even these straps do have a limit.
If you are a landscape photographer who regularly travels with large tripods, it may be worth buying a larger bag that can accommodate a folded tripod.
Water Bottle Pocket
Whether you are taking a long hike, spending the day exploring a new city, or setting out on an extra-long travel day, you will need to stay properly hydrated, and putting a water bottle inside your bag not only takes up space, but it also invites the worst-case scenario: water leaking all over your expensive gear.
Avoid all possible risks and opt for a bag with a convenient water bottle pocket on the outside. Typically, they are fitted with two, which can be used for bottles or as a handy umbrella holder on more temperamental days.
Back Opening Design
If you have ever found yourself in the position of having to take your bag off, put it on wet or dirty ground to get your camera out, then put it back on, ultimately dirtying your jacket and pants, you will appreciate the benefits of an open-back camera bag.
While your bag technically still needs to go on the floor, put the front down first. This may not make your bag look its prettiest from the back.
Still, it prevents your clothes from getting dirty, which will inevitably transfer to the interior of any vehicle you eventually have to enter.
Waist Strap
If you are traveling with professional gear or just more gear than normal to capture extra special shots on your vacation, investing in an ergonomic bag for long hauls and heavy equipment will be a lifesaver for your lower back, shoulders, neck, and hips.
Having a strap around your waist will help distribute the weight of your bag more evenly, relieving pressure primarily on your lower back and shoulders. While you may not notice it much at first, the longer you carry your bag without this addition, the more uncomfortable it will become.
Subtleness
When traveling, one of the worst things you could do is publicly announce that you are carrying thousands of dollars' worth of camera gear.
If you are traveling by airplane, it may be worth purchasing a roller bag that will make moving through airports and to and from your hotel much easier. You can include a smaller bag for day outings to carry only the things you need that day.
The key is to find a bag that looks as normal and inconspicuous as possible. Lowepro, a popular camera bag brand in the United States, offers a wide range of bags in standard designs, with all the features of a safe, practical camera bag.
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This story was published in partnership with digiDirect.
