Five Small Camera Bags for the Casual Photographer

Written by / Mighty Girl

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    • My camera bag was stolen a while ago while I was traveling, and I’ve been searching for a perfect replacement ever since. I’m looking for a lightweight bag for casual shooting with room for my wallet and iPhone. I recently asked my Twitter followers for some good suggestions, and these are a few of their most beloved bags:

    1. Crumpler 4 Million Dollar Home Photo Bag, $65crumpin.jpg
    crumpout.jpg    
    Crumpler got high votes, and I have to agree. For functionality and style,
    Crumpler is on its game. I had this bag for years, and found it very
    useful once I clipped off the fugly rubber tag on the front. It’s the
    size of a small purse with a long comfortable strap, and there are
    three interior compartments. I like to carry my camera body (lens
    attached), plus an extra lens and flash. There’s an exterior pocket for
    your wallet or cell phone, but both can be a tough squeeze. Overall
    though, pretty great.

    Margaret Mason
    Margaret Mason
    Maggie Mason is the author of No One Cares What You Had for Lunch: 100 Ideas for Your Blog, publisher of Mighty Mighty Media, and a Twitter power user (@Maggie). Her personal blog, Mighty Girl was recently nominated for a SxSW Lifetime Achievement Award, and she was named one of Silicon Valley's Top 50 Influencers by Now Public.

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    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 Alexis

      I really need to get one for the new Cannon Rebel we just bought! Thanks for the advice Maggie.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0120a4cfa2f0970b MJJ

      I ended up going with one called the Ape Case for my Nikon D40x and have been pretty happy with it. It was a good price and as the name indicates it’s pretty rugged construction.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 Aisha

      I like the Lowepro because the zippers seem like they’re on the part of the that’s on your back, facing in, making it harder for people to get into (I’ve read about this bag feature/design in a few mags).

      The Domke is something my boyfriend would be happy to carry around, always a plus for me…

      Granted, I’d need a camera for a camera bag.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 Michelle Riggen-Ransom

      Behold! The grooviest little camera bag of all time. It holds my Rebel, charger, cord and an iPhone. Could probably fit a small wallet, too. Plus it’s cool and I love it.
      http://www.acmemade.com/product/The-Bowler-Camera-Bag,24,5.htm

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 wen

      I have the Tamrac Velocity one above (the “sporty option”) and love it. One great thing is that you can swing it around for easy entry and exit rather than taking it on and off like a backpack.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 AngieB

      Maggie, thank you for this! Ugh, what a dilemma. I love the look of Domke but be warned, I broke the LED screen on my camera last yr using a Domke. The lack of padding can really be an issue esp when traveling. We were in India where there was zero way to get it repaired and it was a big downer… and an expensive repair. Also the pocket situation in the Domke is annoying and difficult to hold all the other stuff you need, like cell and wallet.

      LOL the rubber patch on the Crumpler is definitely fugly! I’ve seen that line in-stores and it does the job but it lacks the style of the Domke. Jill-E line is cute but no shoulder strap = terrible for travel.

      I’m so tempted to take this mission on and retrofit a bag I love to suit my purposes. I have yet to see the bag that’s JUST right. Pls keep us posted on what else you discover in your quest!

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 lori

      I love love love my Lowepro Slingshot 100! I have carried it to Europe and Central America, hiking, walking around Disney World, and while shooting weddings. I’ve managed to squeeze 2 bodies, 4 lenses, a flash and batteries in it, and it has a place to attach a tripod too. Only downside is if you don’t like the “across the body” style.
      http://products.lowepro.com/product/SlingShot-100-AW,2034,4.htm

    • http://profile.typepad.com/fkhatibloo Fatemeh Khatibloo

      I like the Lowepro — have it.

      But I’ll reiterate my earlier reco: Diaper bag! The Emily style from StorkSak is awesome, and most smaller lenses fit into the insulated (read: padded) bottle pockets.

      Plus, it’s designed with a woman’s body in mind, has plenty of pockets to mitigate the need for a purse, and weight almost NOTHING if you get the microfiber version. I absolutely adore it, and have traveled with it to Italy and Australia.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 emily

      Maile, from Daily Relish has designed a new line of camera bags that look fabulous. They’re not quite available yet – hopefully soon! But you can get a sneak peek here: http://dailyrelish.squarespace.com/journal/2009/9/27/cute-camera-bagsfinally.html?SSScrollPosition=333

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 gimchi

      i have the diana bag (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029U2UAC) and it works *pretty* good for when i want to bring camera + bag + wallet. frustrating though, how small things shift around the bottom of the bag, though. it’s very sturdy and i like the long straps. it’s kind of boring and only comes in black.

      additionally, i have the bowler bag, but as cute as it is, i kind of hate it. i’ve attached an extra camera strap to it so i can carry it long, instead of by the tiny crappy handles, but when i do that, it doesn’t lie straight on my side and instead hangs in wonky positions, causing me no end to my frustration. it’s difficult to wear, shoot and put away.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 sraikh

      I have a Tracy Joy bag and I love it. http://www.tracyjoy.com/shop/

      I love mine. Almost everyone I show the bag to,cannot believe its a camera bag

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 iPhone Wallet

      Crumpler definitely have it’s own style and gives a perfect protection to your camera. But we should give our precious iPhone with it’s own house or protection case like iFlip, it really protects well and it’s very sleek and stylish.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 Jacinta

      Hi Maggie!
      I spied the camera bag you had on Momversations… a kind of backpack with compartments for other things, and I was wondering if you could tell us where you got it. I can’t get it out of my head!

    • http://profile.typepad.com/gizmotastic1 Gizmotastic

      I’ve used the Domke bags for almost 30 years. They are made to last and are comfortable to carry. If you are going to be carrying a camera, a couple lenses, a Speedlight and computer then the Domke Reporter Satchel might be more to your liking.

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