Choosing the best camera bag must not be a difficult task. Whilst there are a large total of dissimilar designs and makes to choose from, there are fundamentally just 2 varieties: shoulder bags and backpacks. Both have their amount of energy and weaknesses, and selecting the right kind for you requires thinking a bit when it comes to kinds of shots you take and where you go with your camera.

So let’s make a quick assessment of shoulder bags:

What are they?

Shoulder camera bags have a strap that goes over one shoulder for carrying. They open from the top.

Main points

These kind of digital SLR camera bags are outstanding because they are so easy to access. Just whip open the flap at the top and get hold of the instrumentation you need. Changing lenses, memory cards and so on is an sheer breeze with this system.

But the comfortableness of this is offset by the fact that a single strap distributes the weight of the bag unevenly over your shoulders. If you like to walk around with your camera a lot, this may in a literal sense become a real pain!

Shoulder bags feature solid foam padding around the sides which offers good protection. They are though, oftentimes a bit exposed up top, where the opening flap have a tendancy to be thin material only.

Foam dividers with Velcro affixations may be effortlessly shifted with regards to to redesign the interior of the bag, to best fit your altering collection of photography equipment.

A number of digital SLR camera bags in this design feature a waterproof lining stitched into them. Where that is not the case, it’s normally possible to get hold of a neat waterproof cover that slips over the top.

Now let’s take a look at backpacks:

What are they?

Just like normal backpacks, camera carrying bags of this kind have two straps, one fitting over each shoulder.

Main points

Backpacks are kinder on your body when it comes to carrying them for any length of time. The weight of a camera and other photography instrumentation may be rather significant. Backpacks disseminate this weight evenly and make a photo-shoot less of a gym session.

If you love outdoor photography and take long walks with your camera, a backpack makes things easier. They are likewise the best camera bag choice for people who travel with their DSLR camera.

These bags are not only comfier for carrying, but they tend to be somewhat better padded too. The whole of the inner surface is covered with strong padding, supplying shelter from all angles.

As with shoulder bags, back pack digital SLR camera bags normally have movable dividers inside which concede you to secure your photography instrumentation in place.

Often backpacks have more zip sections, netted pouches and general ‘extra’ areas than shoulder bags. Again, this is to their vantage when it comes to long photo shoots where spare batteries, phones, maps and the like, could be needed.

So when choosing the best camera bag, spend a great deal of time thinking with regards to what kind of photography you do. Is comfortableness your priority, or comfort? Do you need to alter lenses quickly or is that not a problem? Are you likely to take your camera on trips?

In reality, most photographers have need for dissimilar things at dissimilar times. So it may be well worth choosing two distinguished camera bags in dissimilar designs, to cover all possibilities.

Most helpful customer reviews

239 of 239 people found the following review helpful.
Almost just right…
By Brett Despain

Almost just right…, April 10, 2008
By Brett Despain (Draper, UT USA) – See all my reviews

Still looking for the perfect bag…this one comes very close. I own a Lowepro Compurover AW and a Tamrac Adventure 9 bag. The Compurover is too heavy and you have to crack it open like an egg to get to the Camera compartment. The Tamrac is the perfect size, but you have to take the bag off and lay it on the ground or your lap to open the camera compartment, otherwise you risk spilling out all of your gear! Not good.

This Fastpack 250 intrigued me because the side access pocket allows access to your camera quickly without taking the backpack off. Guess what? it works. You really can get your camera out quickly while still wearing the bag.

I bought this as strictly a travel bag. I’m a pilot so I needed a medium sized bag that I could fit in the cockpit while carrying my 40D and 3 L lenses. I also need the top compartment of the bag to carry a few snacks, water and other supplies.

Okay here’s the breakdown.

Pros:
1. Slim design, fits in cockpit and on top of my roller suitcase with ease. Also fits very nicely in the space underneath your seat in an airliner.
2. Side camera access in a serious advantage. I considered the sling packs, but I like the comfort and security of having a full backpack. The sling packs are uncomfortable after a while and hard to position to get your camera out without twisting up your clothes or coat.
3. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear. Significantly lighter than my other two bags.
4. Not as pricey as my two other backpacks. I paid less than $90.
5. Side pocket fits a good sized Nalgene water bottle.
6. Medium size and all black color doesn’t shout “Camera Bag!” while wearing it.

Cons:
1. No all weather cover flap. A major oversight if you ask me. I took the one off of my Tamrac to use with the Fastpack.
2. No chest strap. I think it needs one.
3. It’s almost a little small. I wouldn’t go any smaller than this bag because you’ll be leaving something home that you’ll want later.
4. It needs a side or bottom strap that you can attach a monopod to. I’m thinking of having one sewn on. For now I’ve attached a carabiner to the top handle and strap on my monopod there.
5. Outside pockets are really worthless. They are sewn in flat and don’t have room to expand. You can get a few filters and a flash card wallet in them but that’s about it.

Like I said it’s not perfect, but I’m giving it four out of five mainly because I like the overall size and design of the bag as well as the convenience of the side access camera pocket.

86 of 87 people found the following review helpful.
Personal Item Size/ Safe and Convenient…ROCKS!!!
By TC
Lowepro quality and organization evident. This bag will NOT do or haul EVERYTHING but meets my needs for now. I have several digital camera bags(my wife might read this so i’ll leave it at that) and i needed a bag to carry a “loaded” Canon 70-200 2.8 L II IS on my 7D body. The bag does this well with the hood still backwards but the remaining lenses can’t have on hoods in the lower compartment. This bag flew with me as my “personal item” and my carry on suitcase to Phoenix for a Grand Canyon (yes, i went down into the Canyon with it minus my Macbook), Joshua Tree NP, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

In the bag: Macbook 17″, 7D,5D, Canon 70-200 2.8 L II IS, Canon 100mm Macro, Canon 24-105mm L IS, Hoods for these 3 lenses, Domke Protective Wrap, Canon 1.4 extender, extra caps, extra flash cards, camera manual, extra eye cup, lumquest soft screen, cleaning cloths and lens pen, Op/Tech Rainsleeve, case with circular polarizing filter, battery charger, spare battery, 4G flash drive, Dazzle USB to download cards, Petzl Tikka XP headlamp, sunglasses, hat, bandana, nylon shell vest, 2 bottles of water, snacks and gum. I attached my parka shell below the back safety panel.

I kept everything together and carried it all with me into the field and room and car. When I removed the long lens i placed it in the upper pouch and could work quickly removing the camera body and smaller lenses together especially when hiking for a while. I did fall over once while leaning over from a kneeling position shooting macro because i never used the hip strap and the pack shifted. The pack was very stable in the field and in the airport and plane.

Now i’m putting the 5D body with macro lens or 24-70L in the upper pouch and leave long zoom on the 7D.

Oh, my wife said the blue bag matched my windblock jacket and was pretty! This bag does not look like a camera bag so extra safety.

FINAL WORDS-can carry like a sling bag(i have one) or backpack with/without computer as good daybag without bringing it “all” with you. durable & tough- i’d put it backwards on a rock or dirt often & it’s not even marred. cleaned up well from debris after going through tight places. maybe this will help you to choose the right bag for youself the first time, but you’ll wind up with another as your gear changes.

Hope you enjoy the quality, comfort, reasonable price and the real reason you need this bag…to take YOUR images and EXPRESS yourself……SHOOT! My equipment changed but not my bag! Just back from Finland & Estonia 10/2010

65 of 67 people found the following review helpful.
vs the slingshot 200
By Christopher Lee
I was considering the Lowepro slingshot 200 and the Fastpack 250, and boy am I glad I went with the fastpack. Here’s a quick side by side comparison:

1. Camera storage compartment: pretty much identical between the two models.
2. Ease of Access: Much easier and more comfortable for the fastpack; just let go of the right strap and swing the bag around. The slingshot swings around and ends up on your chest, pretty awkward feeling/looking; the fastpack ends up near your left waist, allowing you to suavely draw your slr.
3. Size: the fastpack is bulkier than the slingshot, though not by much.
4. Price: the same for both models.

Other random fastpack 250 notes:
1. Laptop storage compartment: the zipper opens along the side, not around the whole backpack.
2. Cellphone pocket: my samsung t-629 fits very snugly.
3. I use this bag for school, storing a slim folder in the laptop pocket, and a couple of 8×6 books in the top compartment.

See all 199 customer reviews…

Lowepro Fastpack 250 Backpack Camera Case

On streets or trails, you may shoot all day when you wear the lightweight, comfortable Fastpack 250 backpack by Lowepro. It protects a digital SLR with an 18-55mm or 17-85mm kit lens attached, plus 15.4″ Widescreen notebook, and extra storage for 2-3 further and added 105mm f/2.8, 18-200mm f/3.5, or 70-300mm f/4.5 lenses, flash, and other personal accessories. You won’t miss a shot, because side-entry compartments let you grab instrumentation and accessories, even while you’re on the move or without taking the backpack completely off! Customize the easy-to-access main compartment with adaptable dividers, use the outer organizer to keep more prominent accessaries handy, and manage memory cards with a built-in pocket. Brethable, contoured shoulder straps disseminate weight evenly.

Manufacturer Description: You may shoot all day when you wear the lightweight, comfortable Lowepro Fastpack 250 backpack. It protects a digital SLR with an 18-55mm or 17-85mm kit lens attached plus 15.4″ widescreen notebook while providing generous storage for 2-3 further and added 105mm f/2.8, 18-200mm f/3.5, or 70-300mm f/4.5 lenses, flash, and other gear. You won’t miss a shot, because side-entry compartments let you grab instrumentation and accessories, even while you’re on the move. Customize the easy-to-access main compartment with adaptable dividers, use the outer organizer to keep huge accessaries handy, and manage memory cards with a built-in pocket. Breathable, contoured shoulder straps disseminate weight evenly. Hardware Capacity: 1 digital SLR with a mid-range zoom lens attached plus 2-3 further and added lenses or flash units (up to a 70-300 f/4.5, 15.4″ widescreen notebook, memory cards, batteries and cables.

Fastpack 250 Highlights: 1. Security Flap Provides further and added shelter to outer compartments 2. Built-in Memory Card Holders Efficiently manage memory cards 3. 180-degree Side-entry Panel Provides finish access to camera compartment and lets you without apparent effort custommake camera kit to suit your shooting needs 4. Adjustable Dividers Delivers magnificent shelter in customized fit that’s easy to load 5. Triple Compartment Design Ensures superior camera protection, notebook shelter and organizes personal accessaries 6. Harness Pocket Provides easy access to MP3 player or mobile phone 7. Outer Accessory Pockets Provides external storage for big accessaries to provide fast access 8. Mesh Side Pocket Keeps a water bottle or other personal items readily accessible 9. Tough, Water Resistant Outer Fabric Protects versus moisture and abrasion 10. Side-entry Access Offers fast and easy access to camera and gear so you may capture that perfective shot in a moment