Camera backpack – crash course by Raul Rus
Start with the end in mind
It’s easy to purchase a backpack just because that looks good to you. Granted, some of the camera backpacks out there can turn some heads. I hope it’s not unbecoming if I recommend that you have to consider the use and what you’ll be carrying. Are you trying to get just the looks or will you buy one that can hold all your equipment and will take is easy on your shoulder even during long walking/hiking sessions?
Major players
The major brands aren’t <u>always</u> the best to suit your needs. But for us regular mortals, they do cover our needs and sometimes they even have pleasant surprises in stock for us. The most notorious are Tamrac, Lowepro, Kata and Crumpler. Not necessarily in that order. And if I may say so myself Crumpler is way underestimated in the US, in my opinion.
No doubt that there are also niche manufacturers that make larger camera backpacks specific for certain needs, but since this lesson is meant to give you insight into mainframe photography backpacks we won’t address this matter any further.
Major brands description
basically Tamrac and Lowepro offer the same level of quality and practicality. Old school design, slr camera bags, camera backpacks and everything in between plus accessories. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, they do have high quality products that can withstand a lot of abuse. The Tamrac and Lowepro backpacks are very spacious and especially Tamrac camera backpacks tend to be a bit bulky for my preferences. If I’m to pick one thing not like at them is definitely the conservative design, paradoxically I stand behind my previous statements even considering their newer products, maybe because of the colors they choose.
A totally different game can be seen in Kata’s and Crumpler’s backyard. Kata really manages to produce a sci-fi design with classical colors, meanwhile Crumpler combines clean, but not traditional designs with fresh colors. Kata seems to avoid too many vertical or horizontal zippers, and so the sci-fi design. Both Kata and Crumpler camera backpacks will make you stand out in a crowd. If I’m allowed a bit of subjectivity here, I prefer Crumpler.
From what I’ve heard Crumpler has a major advantage over Tamrac and Lowepro by passing regulations and being able to be pass on as a hand luggage on the airplane. And your photo equipment is not something you want baggage handlers to throw in and out of the plane at the airport. During the last couple of years regulations changed a lot, so you should check existing regulations before buying if that is important to you.
Price tag
Some Lowepro models can start from as low as 50$, while at the other end of the spectrum Crumpler starts above 200$. The old saying “you get what you paid for” seems to hold true here as well. As I’ve said earlier, Lowepro and Tamrac are high quality, nobody can argue with that. So if Crumpler seems to be a bit overpriced, I usually think of it as the Apple of camera backpacks: it’s a bit overpriced but you get a great design.
Final tips
Remember my first point: start with the end in mind. Think before you buy if you’re going to carry a laptop with you most of the time? If the answer is “no, but I need more space for my day to day stuff, make sure you get a backpack with the additional space needed.
However, if you want to go for a different brand than the ones I mentioned, then make sure to check if the backpack you chose is comfortable. A deal breaker could come up if you don’t check the shoulder straps to be well padded and comfortable. The four brands I’ve talked about have this by default, but make no mistake about it an uncomfortable backpack is a deal (and a back) breaker.
If you stick to these simple guidelines you have a good chance of getting a camera backpack you’ll fall in love with pretty soon. Or is it just me that does that?! For more information or any questions and suggestions, please drop by our virtual camera backpack store.
About the Author
Raul has found his passion for photography during his first year of college with a Konika film camera, but now went fully digital even though sometimes reminisces about shooting on film. If you have any questions left unanswered or you think you are ready to get your camera backpack, click on the link and drop by his virtual store.
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