The Perfect Camera Bag for the Female Street Photographer
A review by Marianne Gilhuus.
For the first time ever I have a camera bag that does not make me look like a photo geek! (Or, to be honest, for the first time in my life I have a real camera bag, with room for more than just one camera)!
It is a beautiful leather bag (available in several beautiful different colours), which can be used/worn at any occasion. A great bag for combining shopping or having a coffee with friends, and photo shooting. And as the bag won’t give away that you are carrying a camera, it is ideal for a female street photographer!
For me it is a small drawback that the strap is too short to carry it across my chest. However, that is what makes it look more like a purse than a camera bag. I did not think much about the missing strap whilst photographing, but when doing longer photo walks it got quite tiring on the shoulder (not being able to ”distribute” the wight across my back). It does help, though, that the zipper can be opened from both sides of the bag, making it possible to alternate the carrying between the shoulders. One thing I love about this bag is its ability to stand on the ground without falling over, having four ”legs” underneath. It makes it easy to place beside me, being on the train or in a cafè
The bag has inner padding, and three removable dividers making it easy to adjust. For me it has the ideal amount of space: I have room for my camera Nikon D90 with a 18-105 mm lens attached, and an extra nikkor 50 mm, my wallet and my keys (i love the extra small pocket). And still there is room if I want to bring a flash or my Canon G7. As I have just moved to Melbourne, where the weather is changing all the time, it is perfect to have additional space for a scarf, an umbrella or even a small rain coat! For those with the need of room for several lenses and flashes etc, this bag might be a bit too small, though. Extra pockets on the outside of the bag are ideal for an iPhone or your lens cover, filters, batteries or memory cards. The back pocket has room for more, but filling it up might be felt against your body whilst carrying the bag. For me, though, being a stranger in the city, this was the perfect place for a map of Melbourne!
Check out the Pompidoo range at http://www.pompidoo.com.
Marianne Gilhuus
15 Responses to “The Perfect Camera Bag for the Female Street Photographer” - Add Yours
February 8th, 2012 at 6:24 am
There are several lines of bags that do this well. I am very impressed with my epiphanie bag (http://epiphaniebags.com). I’ve had it over a year and love it. Stylish, lots of compartments, durable and a great price. Look around, there are a lot of choices for women photographers now.
February 8th, 2012 at 7:21 am
I love my Lowepro Passport Sling, it’s much cheaper – perfect for students.
These bags – pompidoo and epiphanie – look really, really great.
Aah, now I want one of these
But I don’t have the money.
February 8th, 2012 at 10:53 am
Three months ago I bought a Lowepro messenger style bag, that I wear across my chest, carries my Nikon D90 with 70 – 300 lens, an extra lens, cell phone, wallet, and a few extras, it also has the ability to unzip for a bit more space. For me, this bag is perfect. It has some outside pockets as well. The ONLY drawback is that the space for the extra lens is not padded. I solved that by using some padding from other camera bags.
February 8th, 2012 at 10:56 am
Lowepro Passport Sling
February 8th, 2012 at 11:20 am
HA! Those prices are ridiculous! My Jo Jo Tote was far more cost effective than the pompidoo and epiphanie bags and is really awesome for toting my camera/random daily stuff around.
February 8th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
+1 on the LowePro Passport Sling – doesn’t look like a camera bag and easy to carry.
February 8th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Another overpriced “designer bag” posing as a camera bag.
February 8th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
These bags are gorgeous, but they are a bit pricey.
One of the neat little things I found is this “any bag” insert. I can fit it into a nice Coach or Kate Spade bag, or just a everyday bag that’s a little more inconspicuous.
http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/camera-bag-insert/
February 8th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
I am familiar with all of these women’s camera bags mentioned above, but I have to tell you about my all-time FAVORITE one! It’s called The Bossi bag by THEIT. It actually looks like a hip, modern purse. I kid you not, I use this bag even when I don’t have a camera in it!!! It’s THAT hip! It fits a ton of things, like a DSLR, a 2nd lens, your regular purse belongings (wallet, keys, lipstick, tissue) AND an iPad!
Here’s my review on it, if you want to hear more and see my product shots of it: http://www.annietaophotography.com/2011/09/24/the-bossi-camera-bag-product-review/
Here’s their website: http://lovetheit.com/index.php
Annie
February 8th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Wow! It’s from natural leather that’s because it’s pricey…but sooo chic! I love it
February 8th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Nice looking bag, but I would never put so much money for a handbag… I’m very happy going round with my little Lowepro what ever it is don’t remember and showing the world I enjoy my hobby.
February 9th, 2012 at 5:37 am
If I was a woman, perfect. But I’m not… However my other half is
M.
February 9th, 2012 at 11:43 am
I’d love a purse like bag for easier travel.
I’m using a vintage bag, and I love it, but for walking it’s heavy, large, and too boxy. Now to find a nice bag like the ones above in a students price range!
February 9th, 2012 at 11:45 am
I treated myself to a Kelly Moore last year and it was the best investment I’ve made. I love it and no one has a clue that it’s a camera bag until I open it up. It is huge, but people just assume I carry around a lot of stuff – fine by me!
I work in DT Seattle and sometimes bring my camera in to work for street photography; I was followed for several blocks one day when I had a regular camera bag. That made me a little paranoid – maybe the gal loved my shoes
February 9th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
The LowePro Passport sling was not that expensive, considering all the money I have spent on bags that just do not work for me. I have several that just fill up a shelf.
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