Digital Photo magazine looked at six of the top camera shoulder bags on the market to see which one was the best based on quality, features and price.

The six bags picked for the test were: Crumpler Muffin Top 7500, Domke F-6 Little Bit Smaller, Kata DC-445, Lowepro Stealth Reporter D200 AW, National Geographic NG2475 and Tamrac Pro 8.

The challenge was simple – gather up a collection of gear that a keen enthusiast has accumulated and wants to take out on a day’s shoot and try and fit in as much of it as possible into each bag!

The gear included a D-SLR with large, standard, zoom lens, a telephoto zoom, standard prime, flashgun and other accessories such as charger, extra memory cards and filters.

Despite the stiff competition, picking up the Digital Photo Gold Award for best shoulder bag was Kata’s DC-445!

‘Looking quite understated at first,’ writes DP’s Phil Hall, ‘the bag is great once you take a closer look. The build quality is first rate, with excellent padding, while the space inside the compartment has been used really well, fitting a load of kits in for its size.

‘The strap is comfortable and the relative compactness of the bag means it can go anywhere with you. And at £55 [at time of writing], it offers amazing value – a great buy.’

Digital Photo made a good point in the feature’s introduction – a camera bag is one of the most essential pieces of photography kit when going out for a day’s shoot, so why not buy the best one!

For more information call Manfrotto Distribution on Tel: 01293 583300 or email: info@manfrottodistribution.co.uk
 

Digital Photo’s WHAT TO LOOK FOR in a Camera Bag:

Padding: There should be a layer of closed cell foam surrounding and separating your gear.

Capacity: Should be able to comfortably hold all your gear – and any future kit that you may accumulate.

Strap: A well-padded strap is a must, allowing you to carry gear in comfort. A non-slip grip is essential, too.

Presstop: It’s not a standard feature on all bags, but a presstop offers fast access to your kit should you need it.

Fabric & Build: Bags should have a double thickness for added protection, while the stitching used should be to a high standard.