Camera bag quality. How do you decide?

[john t]

Hi all
I have been looking at a backpack large enough for a 150-600, a couple of bodies and lens.

It struck me the huge price range difference for camera bags, from £30 - £250+. I've never been in to chasing the big brand names,as that usually means big prices. However, I'm interested to get your view if you can get a genuine good quality bag, that protects your kit for under £100

 

[rob-nikon]

It depends how much you value a good bag, what kit you are carrying and where to.

The main brands do good quality bags for decent prices. Lowepro are a reliable good quality brand who's bags are built well, protect and last. There are copies on ebay, some may be from the same production line but some are poor copies that are not built so well. There are of course the likes of f stop who are expensive but a very specialist bag due to the ICU system used along with the rucksack style harness system.

I personally wouldn't touch any of the ebay copies as the quality and workmanship may cause the bag to fail with thousands of pounds worth of camera and lenses taking a tumble. Lowepro, thinktank and similar brands do reasonable quality bags for reasonable money. The expensive brands like f stop make it worth it when you want versatility from one bag or are carrying huge weight and need a good harness with good weight distribution.

Previously Ive had 3 or 4 bags each doing a certain task, now I have one f stop bag with a couple of ICUs that meet all of my needs. Ok it's expensive but it's no more expensive than having 3-4 bags doing different things (smaller kit, all kit, long lens, airport/traveller etc). It's going to last me years, a bit like getting a good tripod, for me it's worth the investment ensuring I have a bag that will last, can protect my kit properly and is nice to carry with giving me back ache.

 

[Dave Semmens]

The Lowepro 500 flip side is around your budget - I have not had issues with mine and am happy to recommend it.

Not tried any cheaper bags - It's a great bag to say it only cost around 1% of the equipment value it safely carries.

Dave.

 

[htid]

I've just got a lowepro flipside 500 as mentioned above. Not received it yet but has lots of good reviews and will hold my 500mm prime so will be easily able to hold your lens. Got mine for £104 from Amazon.

 

[Sejanus Aelianus]

Bags are the bane of photographers. If and when you find one that meets your needs, stick to it like glue!

The problem is that your gear changes and so, inevitably, does your need in bags. This used to be my favourite outfit and the Billingham served perfectly. Alas, I then went digital...

 

[Deadlock]

Many variables are simply personal preferences in style making it difficult to suggest something.
I like backpacks - not shoulder bags or slingshots.
Cheap bags may have poor stitching, little padding so the straps cut into your shoulders or be ill fitting or formed so it sits uncomfortably for long periods.
I like
- rain proof
- side pouches for bottles of water.
- the main compartment zip on my back to prevent someone unzipping and grabbing the camera.
- To be able to put the bag down on the ground to open up the bag and then not have my back covered in mud.
- a separate compartment for random stuff/sandwiches.
- space for 2 bodies, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8, 1 backup lens, flashes, chargers, extra batteries, random extras.
The lowepro flipside 400 met these requirements and is £84 on amazon

But sometimes I travel light with a regular day rucksack holding a single body & lens in a pouch bag.

 

[rob-nikon]

The lowepro flip sides are a good bag for the money. The flipside 400 I previously had was a nice little backpack, fitted a 300mm f2.8 in so a 150-600 should fit ok.

 

[BillN_33]

I have a few camera bags - but I always end up with a Rucksack