Tips For Giving The Perfect Camera Bag Gift

If you have a friend who’s heavily into photography, a camera bag is always a great gift idea. Photographers, whether they’re amateurs or pros, are always looking for another bag for their cameras and gear. They may want one for carrying all of their gear to a major photo shoot, another one for streamlined carrying and a third one for those in-between times. Giving someone a great new camera bag will tell the recipient you understand how important photography is to them and that you support their hobby or career.

The most important thing you need to know is what kind of bags they already have and what kind they could use. If you have the chance, take a look at the camera bag they’re using when they’re with you. Is it a huge bag with lots of pockets that is slung over the shoulder, or a smaller bag that straps around the waist?

Ask a few questions to get some more information. Do they have any other camera bags? Does the one they’re using have any limitations or drawbacks? Do they wish they had one that was arranged better inside? Most camera buffs love to talk about their gear so you should be able to get a pretty good feel for what kind of camera bag would fill in the gap for them.

Some things to look for when shopping for a camera bag include:

* Wide, padded straps are always best. It makes carrying a camera bag easier and more comfortable.
* If you are buying a bag large enough for the camera, lenses and some attachments, make sure you get one with dividers inside that will keep things in place and cushion the individual components.
* For even more versatility, consider a camera bag with movable dividers that can be rearranged depending on which camera and gear the recipient wants to use on any given day.
* Consider the elements. Does your friend use their camera outside or in damp conditions? If they are nature photographers or sports photographers, it’s almost inevitable that the bag will get wet. Having a zip closure with oversized teeth will reduce the chance of the zipper sticking when it is wet or dirty.
* Look for added protection such as a fold-over flap that keeps the zipper covered.
* Does your friend shoot a lot of action pictures? Look for a camera bag that zips open from both sides. This provides quick access for using the camera on the fly.
* An inside pocket that snaps or zips closed is a nice safety feature for keys or other personal items.
* Water resistant materials are more practical than the luxurious and tempting leather versions. Keep in mind that while a leather camera bag might look great indoors, if the photographer goes anywhere at all that is dirty, dusty or damp, a leather camera bag will quickly get ruined.
* Be sure to read the warranty included with the bag. These will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the top camera bag manufacturers will usually offer a lifetime warranty against defects.

If you’ve compared different brands and styles of camera bags and still aren’t sure what to get, consider talking to a friend of the person you’re shopping for. He or she may have great suggestions that will help you find the perfect camera bag for the ideal gift.

Do You Need a New Camera Bag?

You’ve got a great new camera – congratulations! It may have a basic camera bag with it, or you may have purchased or received a camera that doesn’t have a bag at all. Before you tell yourself you don’t really need a camera bag, stop and consider the ramifications of lugging your camera around or wearing it on a strap around your neck all the time.

- If you have a camera of any decent size, you can carry it on a strap around your neck, but that can get old pretty quick. It’s fine when you’re quickly moving around and snapping pictures, but if you have a long break between sessions or are done for the day, that camera is going to get in your way. Tucking it into a camera bag gets it out of your way so you can move freely. Carrying a camera bag is more comfortable than hanging your equipment around your neck.

- If you’ve been using a photographer’s vest, you may be realizing the shortcomings of carrying gear this way. Fumbling around with small pockets is the least of your problems. Vests that will hold enough gear for a serious photographer tend to be cumbersome and hot. When you’re working in a warm environment or want to be able to move around freely, you’ll quickly shed the vest, leaving your equipment and camera in a heap on the floor with the vest. Wouldn’t a camera bag be a better idea? You can take out only what you need instead of having every possible lens, flash and piece of gear hanging off your body. Setting down your camera bag so you can quickly dig through it is also a plus – much easier than groping all over your vest while you’re wearing it. Another bonus – your gear isn’t likely to fall out of your bag, but if you’ve stowed multiple items in your photographer’s vest, it’s inevitable that something will fall out while you’re moving around.

- Some people don’t get a camera bag for their compact digital camera because it’s small enough to tuck into a pocket or purse. It’s a huge mistake; the lens of the camera will quickly be scratched up from shoving it into a denim pocket or letting it rattle around inside a purse where it will get banged up against who knows what. Using a small camera bag will protect your camera even if you tuck it into a pocket or handbag, giving you years more use and a much clearer shot when taking pictures.

- A small camera case protects your camera from the elements when it’s not in use. If you set it down on a table while you’re at an event, a spilled drink, crumbs from food and a number of other mishaps can gum up your camera or seriously damage it. Every time you set your compact digital camera down, tuck it into a small camera bag to protect it from accidents.

- Any time you get new camera equipment, you may discover your old bag isn’t working well for you anymore. Although it costs a bit extra, getting a new, roomier bag increases your versatility. You’ll be tempted to leave some gear or a lens behind if your old bag doesn’t hold everything, but wouldn’t you hate to see the perfect sunset or find the perfect action spot, only to realize the one lens you really need is at home because it didn’t fit into your camera bag? Do yourself a favor and get a larger bag for those times when you just can’t predict what you might need.

The price of a good quality camera bag is worth it every time. If you find yourself wondering whether you need a new camera bag, the answer is probably yes.