Demands on Photojournalists are high, and they expect their camera bags to perform to the same level that they do.
Good camera bags that can hold up in the high demands world of photojournalism can be hard to find. For a bag to succeed in this role it will need to keep your gear secure, safe from bumps and bangs, keep it safe from the elements, and offer quick access to all of your gear.
The market is flooded with bags that either look good but aren’t practical, or are practical but have poor build quality. In this article we are going to take a look at some camera bags that not only stylish, they will stand up to everything the modern photojournalist can throw at them too. Here’s a look a four stylish, yet practical camera bags for the modern photojournalist.
Think Tank Photo Retrospective 30
Think Tank have been churning out quality bags for a long time now, and the Retrospective 30 is no exception to this rule. This stylish bag is available in a variety of finishes and materials, and it can hold a lot of gear, which is perfect for the photojournalist who likes to carry a lot of equipment. The Retrospective 30 is capable of holding a gripped DSLR with a 24-70mm f2.8 lens attached, and it has room for approximately three more lenses, including a 70-200mm f2.8. Depending on your setup and how you organize the bag it could also hold two pro DSLR bodies (un-gripped) and two to four additional lenses.
In our review we said:
“The Think Tank Retrospective 30 Leather camera bag is an extremely useful bag for the photographer that NEEDS it. If you’ve just got a lot of gear but don’t always need to lug it around and instead just store it, go for the regular Retrospective 30 and save some quid. The Leather is a bag designed for the photographer that needs to carry loads of gear at a time and wants a bit more style while doing so.”
There is a wide pocket underneath the large front flap which can hold a 10 inch tablet, and there are plenty of extra storage slots that can hold pens, SD cards and other accessories. The bag is nice and comfortable to wear for long periods of time thanks to the padded strap, and the bag itself is form fitting. The various materials all offer weather resistance, but the bag comes with a weather proof cover just incase you need it. For under $160 you will be getting a stylish bag that can hold all of your gear and keep it safe. When it comes to camera bags for photojournalists, this one from Think Tank should definitely be considered.
Buy now ($155.85): Amazon
Think Tank Retrospective 30 Product Images
Pro Tip: Be sure you are prepared to clean your camera and lenses by keeping a small yet highly effective camera cleaning kit in your bag.
Domke Chronicle Camera Bag
Domke are known for producing bags of high quality, and the Chronicle is just another in their lineup that will meet the needs of the modern photojournalist. The Chronicle is a bag that can hold one to two DSLR bodies with a 24-70mm and two to three additional lenses, a flash and a 9.7 inch tablet. You could also configure the bag to hold one DSLR and a 70-200mm with an additional two to three lenses with a flash and a tablet also. If you shoot with a Mirrorless body you could potentially squeeze five to six additional lenses in to it along with other accessories. Needless to say, you can cram quite a bit of gear into this Domke bag.
In our review we said:
“Getting your gear in and out of the Chronicle is easy. If you’re out at an event, or at a press conference, you can get your camera out of the bag quickly. That is extremely important. If you only have a few minutes to get your shot you do not want to fumble around getting your camera out.”
The natural canvas that the Domke Chronicle is made from is water resistant, but is also treated with a special water repellent that you actually get more of when you buy the bag so that you can reapply it the after some time. The bag is breathable which means your gear will be protected in very humid conditions. There are other nice features like the quiet opening velcro, the expandable side pockets, and the serial number and barcode that each bag is given is a nice touch. Register your bag and Domke can help you if your bag becomes lost or stolen. The top zipper gives you access to all of your equipment which means you’ll be able to get your gear out quickly instead of fumbling around with the bag and possibly missing the shot you need. There is a reason why this bag is the official bag of the Whitehouse News Photographers Association. It’s durable, can hold a ton of gear, is comfortable to use for long periods, and it looks good too.
Buy now ($149): Amazon
Domke Chronicle Product Images
Pro Tip: Sensors get dirty all the time and there is nothing worse than a piece of duct ruining your shot. Keep some sensor cleaning swabs in your bag so that you can make sure your camera is in top condition. They are available for APS-C and Full Frame cameras.
Tenba Cooper 13″ Slim Camera Bag
If you’re a photojournalist who likes to keep their load light, the Tenba Cooper 13 inch slim camera bag could be the one for you. The Tenba Cooper has a simple, yet elegant design which won’t draw much attention to you when you are out and about. While the Tenba Cooper is a smaller bag, don’t let it’s size fool you. You will be surprised how much this bag can hold, especially if you are a Mirrorless shooter.
In our review we said:
““This is a bag designed for the photographer who won’t overpack, but will instead bring just the right amount of gear–if they’re a mirrorless shooter or a DSLR shooter that brings one or two lenses, a laptop, and smaller things. It works out very well, is lightweight, comfortable, etc. “
The quick zip design of the Tenba Cooper gives you direct access to your camera and lenses without opening the front flap which is a nice touch, and could be the difference between getting the shot or missing it. When it comes to the gear it can hold, the Cooper can hold a DSLR with 2-4 lenses (up to 70-200mm 2.8), and a flash. If you shoot with a smaller Mirrorless body then you will be able to cram even more inside this small bag. The pockets on the outside of the bag are expandable and can hold a water bottle or other small accessories. The Tenba Cooper 13 inch camera bag is weather resistant and has rain flaps that will help protect your gear, and the shoulder strap is well padded, which makes this bag very comfortable to carry over long periods of time. The Tenba Cooper 13 inch slim camera bag is the perfect choice for photojournalists who don’t want to be over burdened by their gear, but who also want a bag that is pleasing to the eye.
Buy now ($249.95): Amazon
Tenba Cooper 13″ Slim Camera Bag Product images
Pro Tip: Never be caught out with failing memory cards. While SD cards are amazing they can become corrupt, and you could lose all of your work. Be sure to stock up now while prices are low.
Peak Design Everyday Messenger
The Peak Design Everyday 15 inch canvas messenger bag is one of the best looking messenger bags around, and it is also very practical. This bag is large enough to carry a full size DSLR and up to three lenses, along with a laptop and many other accessories. The divider system is quite unique, and is possibly one of the best we have seen and used. As we know, quick access to your gear is very important, and thanks to the top zipper you almost instant access to your camera and lenses.
In our review we said:
“I like the Peak Design Everyday Messenger bag; and if I like it other folks will love it. It has a damned great build quality, it’s comfortable when properly set up, can carry lots of gear, has a great way to take the weight off your back, the best locking design I’ve seen thus far, and looks nice.”
The Everyday Messenger bag can hold plenty of gear, but another great feature is the strapping system. Peak Design designed these straps to evenly disperse all of the weight in the bag across your entire upper body. The straps make this bag incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time, which is great as you just never know how long you will be out in the field. The Everyday Messenger is water proof thanks to the waxed canvas finish, and it’s also very stylish with its color coded stitching. The Maglatch system is a quiet and secure way to lock away your expensive gear, but it also gives you quick access to everything inside. If you want to have a bag that looks good while out in the field, but also have a camera bag that is very practical, and very comfortable, this one may be perfect in both form and function.
Buy now ($249.95): Amazon
Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag Product Images
Are you a photojournalist working in the field? What bag do you use? What do you look for in a bag? Let us know in the comment section below.