Rough Guide to Bags - Types of Camera Bag

Zoomster If you have a bridge camera or DSLR with a single lens, then the snout-shaped zoomster may be for you. They come in various sizes and all feature a main tapered cavity which holds your camera. Most feature a couple of accessory pockets.	Pouch For small cameras. Most can fit on a trouser belt and many will have an additional pocket for media cards, etc.


Rolling cases Some large cases come with built-in wheels and a handle, like airport luggage, for ease of transportation. These are aimed more at getting your gear from A-B than using on a shoot.	Shoulder bag The main advantage of shoulder bags is that, unlike backpacks, you can get to your kit to change lenses etc while walking along. The drawback is that all the weight is on one shoulder, which, if the bag’s heavy, can cause discomfort after a while.


Messenger bag Messenger bags are like shoulder bags only thinner, and are usually worn across the body. There’s usually less padding and their lack of depth makes big cameras problematic.	Backpack Can’t decide between a shoulder bag and backpack? These go on your back like a rucksack, but you can access your gear by swinging it round to your front rather than having to remove it. Slings are relatively new and gaining in popularity.


Hard cases Hard cases are made from wood, aluminium or plastic resin. Inside is either a set of dividers, or a block of foam diced into cubes, which you customise to your needs. They’re designed for transportation, usually either in the boot of a car or on an aeroplane. Some, such as the Peli range (pictured), are waterproof and virtually indestructible.	Waist bags Modular carrying systems are based around a waist belt or harness, onto which you can attach any of a whole host of different bags, cases, pouches etc. These enable you to configure your gear-carrying solution to your specific needs.