|
A few decades ago, when photographers graduated from the stiff-sided, faux-leather camera bags of yore to padded, flexible nylon models, our Lowepro Magnum shoulder bag seemed state of the art. (It was so well-built that we still use it from time to time.) Little did we know that thirty years hence there would still be room for innovation in the field of camera bags. Indeed, 2008's Editor's Choice bags (which actually tilt toward backpacks) are some of the most ingenious and unusual we've seen in years, making this category one of the hardest in which to single out just one product. For that reason we've given Camera Bag of the Year honors to two of them, but almost any of the models featured here has equal claim.
Co-Camera Bag of the Year: jill-e designs Medium Leather Camera Bag
Open a woman's purse and you'll probably find makeup, a hairbrush, keys -- things you wouldn't want in close contact with an SLR. Enter the plainly named but stylish Medium Leather Camera Bag, from women's camera bag specialist jill-e designs. It's pure practicality posing as fashion, with a "fun polka dot padded interior" roomy enough for a pair of SLR bodies, a couple of flashes, and two or three midrange zoom lenses (or one midrange zoom and one telephoto). Of course that all depends on how much other stuff you cram into it, but the new bag even comes with a tethered, pocketbook-sized "personal items" pouch if you want to keep your makeup separate. You can detach both the pouch and the comfortably padded shoulder strap -- and, when you need to look more modish, tote the bag with its purse-style dual carrying handles. It comes in both all-black and bone with black trim. About $220.
Co-Camera Bag of the Year: Kata 3N1 Sling/Backpack
 |
Sling packs always seemed like a good idea to us, providing quicker access to their contents than you get with a traditional backpack. There are two problems with them, though: They're not designed for left-handers (unless those 15 percent of us are willing to wear one on their left shoulder, which makes it awkward to access the contents with your left hand when you swing the bag forward), and the single-strap design can be awkward and uncomfortable over longer hauls. Kata's innovative design is three, three, three bags in one. (Sorry, we're just out of our minds from three months of Editor's Choice.) It's a sling pack for right-handers. Tuck away the red strap, pull out and buckle up the black one, and it's a sling pack for left-handers. Buckle up both straps out and it's a backpack. In fact, for the latter you simply cross the second strap over the first, adjusting each strap's dual sliding pads for greatest comfort against your chest. Not to slight lefties, but it's this capability that impresses us the most. Fortunately the 3N1's ultrasecure "quick draw" flaps work in any of its three configurations, giving you instant side access to your camera when you swing the bag around front. There's room in there for your SLR with zoom attached, and, depending on model -- it comes in three sizes -- from two or three to five or six more lenses, depending on what other accessories you're packing. Under $100.
Other Top Camera Bags:
Best Buy: Lowepro Flipside 300
This model's tall, slim design accommodates a pro SLR with a long, bulky 300mm f/2.8 lens attached. That still leaves room for up to three smaller lenses and accessories including a flash, light meter, cables, and memory cards. But what makes this model special is that its main compartment can only be opened from the back -- rendering it inaccessible, and safe from pickpockets, when it's strapped on. And if you're using the waist strap, you don't even have to take the pack off and set it down to get to gear: You just slide off the back straps and rotate the bag to the front, then angle it forward. Your tripod is secured with straps and a flip-down holder that keeps two legs secure. About $75 (in black, red with black trim, or blue with black trim).
Tamrac Adventure 10
 |
We really like this new backpack for its tall and narrow shape, which not only makes it easier to pass through tight spots and avoid snagging brush when you're trekking, but also makes it less likely you'll take out passers-by when you're in transit to the wild. Unlike many other big packs, the Adventure 10's extra height also allows it to accommodate a laptop computer with a 17-inch screen, which slides into a padded rear slot. The padded bottom half of the water-resistant backpack is for photo gear, and can accommodate a pro-size D-SLR with a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom attached, perhaps four or five lenses, a flash, and a lightmeter. That adjustable space opens separately from the pack's top half, which is a large (11x12x6.5 inches) open compartment intended for nonphoto essentials such as clothing and food. Mesh pockets inside and out accommodate both photo and nonphoto extras, and the pack has a comfortable harness system with a waist belt to keep it from bouncing or swinging. If red isn't green enough for you, the Adventure 10 also comes in a gray-and-black color scheme. About $170.
|
