How To Pack A Camera In A Backpack

Exercise you lot want to know how to pack a photographic camera bag? Are yous looking to carry your camera equipment with you on a long trip, a day hike, or even just to and from your local shooting spots?

Don't worry.

Considering in this article, I'1000 going to share with yous everything yous need to know nearly choosing, packing, and traveling with a photographic camera pocketbook.

I've been traveling with photographic camera gear for over a decade now, including quite a few international flights, hikes through the wilderness, and more.

Which is why, by the time you're finished reading this article, y'all'll know exactly what you need to do to keep your gear safe and secure when not in use.

Are you ready to discover how to utilize a camera bag with great results?

Allow's go started.

Table of contents

• What Is a Camera Handbag?
• Do You Demand a Dedicated Camera Bag?
• What Does a Expert Everyday Camera Bag Look Like?
  • Made Specifically for Photography Equipment
  • Flexible Dividers
  • Just Big Enough for All Your Equipment
  • Snug on the Inside
  • Comfortable
  • Difficult to Open up While Walking
• The Best Way to Carry a Photographic camera: Types of Camera Bags to Consider
  • Pouches
  • Holsters
  • Backpacks
  • Sling Numberless
  • Shoulder Bags
  • Hard Cases
• How to Pack a Camera Pocketbook: Tips and Tricks
  • Requite Every Item Its Own Pocket
  • Make Sure There's Plenty of Padding
  • Betoken Your Lenses Up (or Sideways)
  • Move Around Dividers to Fit Your Current Setup
  • Only Take What Yous Need
  • Ensure Every Camera and Lens Has a Cap
  • Throw in a Couple of Silica Gel Packets
• What Gear Should You Include in Your Camera Purse?
  • Two Cameras
  • Simply the Lenses Y'all Need
  • A Camera Cleaning Kit
  • A Waterproof Cover
  • (Extra) Memory Cards
  • (Extra) Batteries
  • Optional: A Charger
  • Optional: A Remote Release
  • Optional: Flashes
  • Optional: Two Backup Hard Drives
  • Optional: A Laptop
  • Optional: A Tripod
• Flying With Camera Gear: Dos and Don'ts
  • Use a Checklist
  • Batteries Go on the Plane
  • Keep Your Camera Equipment With You at All Times
  • Pack Your Equipment With Easy Access
  • Don't Exist Afraid to Add Extras to Your Suitcase
  • Continue the Bag as Light and Small as Possible
  • Split up Your Lenses From Your Cameras
• How to Pack a Photographic camera Pocketbook: The Adjacent Footstep

What Is a Camera Purse?

First things first:

A camera bag is whatever camera-conveying device.

Like this:

And this:

And this:

A camera bag should allow yous to travel some distance without worrying about your gear getting broken, bumped, or stolen.

It should also assistance you comfortably behave your gear (then that you lot don't finish a long walk with a sore neck, shoulder, or hip).

Now, there are quite a few different photographic camera bag designs, and I'grand going to talk over those in a moment.

Just first, there's a cardinal question that I need to reply:

Do You lot Need a Dedicated Camera Bag?

If y'all're first getting started with photography, you're probably wondering:

Do you take to buy a camera handbag that's actually made for photography equipment?

Or can you just use a regular old haversack, shoulder bag, or suitcase?

In my experience, you absolutely, ane-hundred percentage need a dedicated photographic camera bag.

And here'south why:

Camera bags are designed specifically for cameras. They ensure that your camera equipment stays safety and secure while traveling. And they also make sure that the photographic camera gear is distributed in such a way that you end up with minimal discomfort.

Whereas standard bags and backpacks just aren't designed to handle cameras. With a standard backpack, for instance, your gear will bump and grind together, resulting in superficial (or more serious) impairment.

Plus, a standard backpack won't be able to protect your equipment if information technology gets dropped (which will happen on occasion; that's just how these things go).

And standard backpacks will effect in a lot of frustration over time, because you oftentimes won't exist able to access your equipment rapidly.

For example, you might pack your macro lens at the bottom of the pocketbook. And so, while hiking, you lot observe an interesting dragonfly. By the fourth dimension y'all've managed to extract the macro lens, the dragonfly will almost certainly take disappeared.

I become it:

Defended camera bags can exist expensive.

But they're a great investment, especially if you're planning on doing any form of long travel.

And it's important to note:

A good camera bag tin last you a off-white few years.

(I've been shooting for over a decade, and I've only ever used two bags. Both are still in great working condition, just I ran out of infinite in the old one and was forced to upgrade for an international flying.)

What Does a Practiced Everyday Camera Handbag Wait Similar?

Let's take a wait at the key features in any proficient camera bag, starting with:

Fabricated Specifically for Photography Equipment

I've already discussed this 1 in the previous department, but it bears repeating:

Y'all need to make sure your camera handbag is designed specifically for cameras.

There should be camera-sized compartments. Lens-sized compartments. And dividers.

There should also be a lot of padding, in case the purse gets dropped or jostled around.

Note that this does non mean that the bag should exist for photographic camera gear just. Many defended photographic camera bags include laptop compartments and other pouches, which is perfectly fine.

What matters is that the purse is designed to take care of your camera.

Flexible Dividers

If y'all choose a camera bag that holds more than ane photographic camera and one lens, and then dividers are essential.

These are what keeps your camera equipment from banging effectually as y'all travel.

Now, fixed dividers tin can work, as long as you know that your camera equipment will actually fit betwixt them.

But I'm a huge fan of flexible dividers, and I recommend y'all utilise flexible dividers if at all possible.

Flexible dividers can exist rearranged depending on the equipment you put in the bag. They tend to work past way of a velcro system.

And while flexible dividers tin can exist a bit choosy to work with, they're also a perfect way of ensuring that your camera bag can handle different setups.

For case, you might have a landscape photography setup that includes a full-frame mirrorless camera, an ultra-wide lens, and a telephoto lens.

Nigh camera bags can handle this just fine.

But if you also shoot wildlife on long camping ground trips, you may need a bag that tin can also fit an alternative setup, i with multiple APS-C cameras, 2 super-telephoto lenses, and some teleconverters.

This is non something that the average camera bag is designed to accommodate. So unless you have flexible dividers, yous won't have compartments big enough for your 300mm and 400mm lenses.

Brand sense?

Merely Big Enough for All Your Equipment

There are two common mistakes made by photographers purchasing their first camera bag:

They grab a bag that's too small, and so that it can fit their casual camera setup merely tin't handle the kit they need for a long trip.

And and so they're forced to buy a 2d photographic camera bag, ane that'south much bigger, for traveling.

Here's the 2nd mistake:

Purchasing a camera bag that's too large.

This happens when photographers look to get more gear over time, but end up not using the extra space for any reason.

Which means that they're always walking around with extra space (and weight).

So instead of picking a pocketbook based on your standard kit, or based on what you expect your kit volition be, I'd propose laying out all of your camera equipment.

Then ask yourself:

Realistically, what's the most equipment I'd ever need?

And choice a bag based on that.

Snug on the Within

Some camera bags are designed for bigger camera systems (such as full-frame DSLRs or fifty-fifty medium format cameras).

Whereas other photographic camera bags are designed for indicate and shoot or mirrorless cameras.

Here's the problem:

If you lot purchase a camera bag that'south designed for full-frame DSLRs and yous actually employ a compact mirrorless model, your camera and lenses volition be sliding all around.

This results in a far greater chance of damage. Plus, you'll end up with more space than you need, which makes for actress weight.

And if you buy a camera bag that's designed for point and shoot cameras but you actually use a DSLR, then you lot'll struggle to fit any of your gear in the bag at all.

That'due south why you demand to make sure the bag you lot buy is snug on the inside–without being overly tight.

Comfortable

An uncomfortable camera purse isn't worth buying.

Because while you might think that yous can handle a fleck of discomfort…

…over time you lot'll get more and more frustrated.

Until, somewhen, you don't want to go out with your camera gear at all, because your camera bag is just too darn painful.

And, in the end, you lot'll probably stop up buying a second, more-comfortable camera bag.

And then start out with a comfortable camera bag correct off the bat.

That way, you lot'll never have to go through any pain at all.

Make sense?

Hard to Open While Walking

This final criterion depends on the type of photography yous exercise, and the blazon of camera bag you're after.

You see, if you practice a lot of traveling, and then yous'll probably be faced with the possibility of theft. This ofttimes comes in the form of grab-and-run type stealing.

Now, if your bag is secure, nobody will yank it off your back, your hip, or your shoulder.

But if it's easy to open up from the outside, yous face the possibility of someone apace unzipping it, grabbing your camera, and flitting abroad.

Which is why I adopt my camera bags to exist relatively difficult to open from the exterior (e.g., with small-scale zippers that must travel significantly to reveal the camera).

Plus, a bag that'southward more hard to open will preclude any accidental unzippings, which tin be truly catastrophic.

The Best Fashion to Deport a Camera: Types of Camera Bags to Consider

Now that you're familiar with the key features of a good photographic camera bag, let'due south accept a look at most of the options on the market place today:

Pouches

Camera pouches are designed for everyday-type photography.

They're inexpensive, but they're also very small, which means that y'all won't exist able to fit more than a camera and ii lenses at virtually.

You lot can carry a photographic camera pouch via the top strap, or yous can clip information technology to your belt and clothing it.

Camera pouches are for walking. For street photography. And for family photo outings. They're cracking at offering a lightweight, easy-to-admission camera-carry solution. But I don't recommend a pouch if you lot're planning on doing whatsoever extensive traveling or hiking.

Holsters

Holsters are similar pouches, except designed for slightly easier admission.

They by and large firm a camera and a single (attached) lens. While holsters often shut up completely (then that your camera equipment is protected from rain and theft), they tin besides exist left open up–and so that you tin grab your camera and take a shot in 1 polish motility.

As with pouches, I'd recommend holsters for everyday situations and other scenarios where y'all're not going to be traveling long distances and don't need much equipment. You might utilise a holster for sports photography, portrait photography, or street photography, simply I don't advise information technology for mural, wild animals, or travel work.

Backpacks

Backpacks are my personal favorite method of conveying your camera equipment, and hither'southward why:

They're versatile.

Backpacks offer a lot of space, which means that you can carry pretty much all of your camera equipment if y'all demand to. They're as well very padded, and then you can confidently travel with gear on planes and buses.

Plus, backpacks are merely comfy, especially if yous have a lot of equipment that y'all frequently carry around.

I've used camera bags of all types, simply backpacks are the merely ane that'southward really stuck–which is why I near exclusively utilise backpacks these days.

If you're a mural photographer, wild animals photographer, or travel photographer, then a practiced backpack is pretty much essential. You're not going to be able to keep long hikes or bumpy flights with a pouch or a holster (and while hard cases can do the task in the latter case, they're not platonic for conveying while walking).

The biggest downside to a backpack is the lack of access; in most cases, you have to swing it off your shoulder and put it on the footing before you can take hold of whatsoever equipment. But, for many photographers (myself included!), the sacrifice is worth it.

Sling Bags

Sling numberless are essentially one-armed camera backpacks, designed to get over your shoulder.

They tend to offer an intermediate amount of space: not quite as much as a photographic camera backpack, but more than a pouch or a holster. And they offering a lot of padding, plus they're solid and secure enough that you can accept them on planes.

Personally, I notice the one-armed comport method to exist less comfortable than a backpack, only that volition depend somewhat on what you're used to.

If you're later on a backpack-similar solution with easy admission, then a sling bag is probably the mode to go.

Shoulder Bags

Shoulder numberless are mostly a step down from the security or padding offered by a backpack or sling bag–simply they offering fast admission to your camera gear while including a lot of space. You tin can often fit one or two cameras, plus a trio of lenses, into a shoulder bag (though this volition depend on the bag you buy; there are enough of smaller or larger models).

Every bit with sling bags, I observe the one-shoulder method of camera-carry to be less comfortable than a backpack. But if you've used a messenger-type bag before, you lot may experience differently.

So if you're after a fast-access bag with decent space, a shoulder bag is worth considering.

Hard Cases

Hard cases are the safest and sturdiest of all cases.

They wait similar what y'all'd expect:

A difficult outside, with a soft, padded interior.

By and large, hard cases are used for long trips, and are especially useful if you lot program on checking your luggage (rather than carrying it on).

Only difficult cases are very heavy, which means that you're not going to want to use them for whatsoever type of walkaround photography or hiking-type photography.

Really, if you're going to use a hard case, I'd highly recommend also purchasing one of the other options on this listing to go along with information technology. That way, you lot can travel safely with your hard case, and so transfer your primal equipment into a backpack, a sling bag, or a pouch before heading out to do photography.

(The exception, of course, is if you're but traveling to a studio, where you won't need any of these additional behave options.)

How to Pack a Camera Bag: Tips and Tricks

Now let's take a look at how to pack a photographic camera bag to ensure maximum security and comfort while out shooting.

Give Every Item Its Own Pocket

Rule i of packing photographic camera equipment:

Don't double up pockets.

In other words:

Don't stack lenses or cameras on top of ane some other.

Instead, use the dividers that are bachelor to business firm every camera and every lens individually.

While it tin be tempting to accept a couple of small lenses and put them in the aforementioned pouch, they may blindside into one another.

This might cease up completely fine.

Just it also might finish upwardly scratching, denting, or otherwise damaging either 1 of the two lenses.

And then go along each piece of equipment separate!

Past the way, if you lot have the space for certain lenses but you don't have plenty pockets, and then I'd recommend grabbing some dividers.

You can quickly install these into your bag, and–voila!–you'll be able to keep all of your items safe and audio in their own compartments.

Make Sure In that location's Plenty of Padding

Padding, padding, and more than padding.

That'south what yous must accept if you care well-nigh your camera equipment.

Because most camera equipment is delicate. It's prone to breaking.

In fact, yous can interruption a lens only past dropping an unpadded photographic camera purse.

Non skilful, right?

That's why it's essential that you keep your camera bag as padded as possible. No equipment should finish up in any hard impacts with the ground. And no equipment should finish upward in any hard collisions with one another.

Point Your Lenses Upwards (or Sideways)

This is a quick tip, just one that can save you lot from a ton of impairment:

When y'all pack your bag, instead of positioning your lenses face downward, angle them so that they're face or sideways.

Y'all run into, while face downwardly lenses won't normally present a problem, in that location will exist times when you driblet your handbag (or but ready it downwardly quickly).

If your lenses are face down, the front end chemical element (or the front filter, if you have one) can shatter.

Whereas if your lenses are positioned sideways or confront, this won't be a trouble.

Move Effectually Dividers to Fit Your Electric current Setup

If your photographic camera bag includes flexible dividers–that is, dividers that you can rearrange–apply them.

Figure out in advance what equipment yous'll be taking.

And before you put a single piece of kit in your backpack, make sure you set upwardly your dividers and then as to perfectly fit all your equipment.

Equally I emphasized in a previous section, the best camera bag is ane that's snug, but non too tight. When yous're rearranging your dividers, aim for this.

That way, your camera gear won't jostle around. Instead, it'll stay safe and secure, no matter the state of affairs.

Only Take What Yous Need

Hither's a common beginner fault:

Taking every piece of gear out on every outing, even though some of the cameras and lenses probably won't go used.

So if you own a tripod, iv lenses, and two cameras, you'd pack all of it in your photographic camera handbag–fifty-fifty though it's highly unlikely you lot'll use the 2nd camera, and information technology's highly unlikely that yous'll apply two of the four lenses.

Make sense?

Patently, what constitutes also much equipment will depend on you, how far you'll be traveling, and what you'll be shooting.

But I'd recommend erring on the side of bringing besides piddling, not too much, peculiarly if you're going on a more casual trip.

(If y'all're planning on going on a long international trip, on the other paw, and so I'd recommend erring on the side of bringing too much.)

Worst case scenario, your photographic camera stops working and you don't accept a backup. Or yous need to shoot a bird in the distance only simply accept your broad-angle lens.

And while information technology's frustrating to have such a thing happen, you lot'll recover. Plus, it's better to have fun with merely a few pieces of equipment than to be weighted down by far too much gear.

(Also, taking simply ane lens and i camera is a good practice for improving your photography and your inventiveness. So if you do finish up in a state of affairs where you wish y'all had a longer or shorter lens, etc., being limited tin can actually help you become a more interesting shot!)

Ensure Every Camera and Lens Has a Cap

Here'due south another quick tip:

Brand sure that every lens and camera y'all pack away has all its caps.

I'yard talking about lens caps, rear lens caps, and camera trunk caps.

Now, it's easy to forget this. Information technology's piece of cake to take hold of your lens, note that the lens cap isn't at that place, and just throw information technology in your camera purse anyway.

Only this opens you up to all sorts of possible damage. The front element could get scratched. It could get chipped. Or information technology could get broken.

Taking cameras without a trunk cap or lenses without a rear lens cap is even worse; you could damage the back of your lens–or your camera sensor, which is ultra-delicate and costs a huge corporeality of money to repair.

So make certain you always use your caps!

Throw in a Couple of Silica Gel Packets

Here's your concluding tip for packing your photographic camera equipment:

Take some silica gel packets.

And keep them in your camera bag at all times.

Silica gel sucks the wet out of the surrounding surface area, which is great for situations when your camera equipment got wet (such as during a rainstorm or a shoot near the waves).

Silica gel is also helpful in humid environments, where you e'er desire to continue the air dry to prevent mold spores from growing.

You don't need a lot of silica gel; a packet or 2 should practice the fox (and too much silica gel is bad for your gear, so don't get overboard).

You can buy silica gel online, but y'all also have the option of asking your local shoe store if they have any leftover packets (pretty much every shoebox has some silica gel, so this is a great style to go your hands on a lot of it!).

What Gear Should Y'all Include in Your Camera Handbag?

Y'all know how to choose a camera bag.

And you know how to pack your camera purse for great results.

Simply what should you really include in your camera purse? What practise you demand to ensure you lot accept a successful photo outing?

That's what this section is all nearly.

Two Cameras

Every photographer needs a photographic camera.

Simply I'd really recommend you lot go with ii.

The kickoff should be your primary camera, which you use almost of the time.

And the second should be your backup camera, which you might employ for another (rarer) purpose, such as for the occasional snapshot.

What'southward important is that y'all accept a second camera on manus in case your first photographic camera fails.

After all, what if you're traveling overseas and you don't accept access to a photographic camera shop? Are you just going to go the balance of the trip without taking photos?

If y'all have a second photographic camera body, that won't fifty-fifty be a question.

Of class, if you're only going out for the day, you may be able to get away with a single photographic camera, especially if the shoot isn't 1 that has any expectations riding on it.

(In other words: Don't take a single camera to a wedding shoot. Always take 2!)

But the Lenses You Demand

Every bit I've emphasized above, yous should only pack the photographic camera equipment yous need.

Every extra lens adds weight to your bag, and makes it more uncomfortable to behave your equipment.

Note that keeping your lens count to a minimum starts during the lens ownership process; instead of getting ten dissimilar prime number lenses, y'all might want to find a couple of zooms that encompass the entire range, particularly if you discover yourself frequently traveling with your equipment.

Always ask yourself:

Am I really going to use this lens?

And, if the answer is "Probably not," then leave it at home.

In fact, you'll often find that y'all're a more than decisive lensman without all your equipment. Which ultimately results in more than successful images!

A Camera Cleaning Kit

Cameras become dirty, no thing how well you take care of them.

(Lenses get muddied, likewise. Every bit practise tripods.)

Which is why yous should ever, e'er conduct a lens cleaning kit in your photographic camera handbag.

At minimum, this should include a rocket blower and a castor. But I'd also recommend you have a LensPen, too as a special microfiber textile and some lens cleaning solution.

That mode, you tin can get rid of whatever sand, dirt, dust, or other droppings that makes its way onto or into your camera equipment while you're out.

Past the style, it'south of import that you lot know how to clean your camera properly; you definitely don't desire to cease up damaging your camera or lens on accident.

And then check out our commodity, here, where I discuss the proper way to clean your equipment.

A Waterproof Cover

Bad atmospheric condition can come at the most unexpected times.

That's why you should e'er carry a waterproof cover with you.

Later all, you don't want to become defenseless in a downpour and have no mode of keeping your photographic camera dry.

(This is an peculiarly large trouble if yous don't have a water-resistant bag.)

Now, waterproof covers don't cost much. And y'all tin can fifty-fifty proceed shooting with them on.

But if yous don't desire to purchase a waterproof encompass, y'all can always brand one out of a trash handbag and a couple of rubber bands.

Just make sure you take some method of protecting your equipment from the elements, and you'll exist okay.

If you lot're going on a long trip, you're going to need lots of retentivity cards.

The particular amount depends on your shooting way and the genre of photography you focus on. But I'd recommend at least taking x medium-sized retentivity cards, if not more.

The idea isn't to accept the exact right amount of space.

Instead, take far more than storage space than you need–so that, if you happen upon a crazy, award-winning scene, you still have the retentiveness carte du jour space to capture it.

By the mode, this applies to shorter trips, too. While y'all won't need 10+ memory cards, you'll desire to take at least a few, only in case yous take too many pictures or your primary carte du jour fails.

Camera batteries don't last very long.

This is especially true of mirrorless cameras, which often don't last for more than 400 shots or so.

Oh, and if you're shooting in the cold, the battery will drain even faster.

That's why I e'er recommend y'all take at least one actress photographic camera battery (and 2, iii, or even four extras is even better).

Because in that location's no worse feeling than having all of your camera batteries die in the eye of a shoot.

Unfortunately, batteries can exist pretty expensive.

But they're admittedly worth it.

Optional: A Charger

If I'chiliad just going on a day trip, I generally don't bring a charger with me. Instead, I just make sure I have plenty of batteries.

Merely if I'm going on whatever sort of extended trip, carrying a charger is key. They're not big and they're not beefy, but they can make a big difference to your shooting.

Oh, and I recommend you use the charger every chance you get. Always be charging your recently-depleted batteries, instead of waiting until they all go down to nada.

Optional: A Remote Release

Remote releases are designed for long exposure photography, as well every bit photography from a altitude.

With a remote release, you can trigger your camera's shutter push without actually touching the camera. This is essential if you wish to avoid photographic camera shake.

Even so, if you shoot whatever blazon of photos that don't require a tripod, then a remote release is going to exist pretty pointless.

And fifty-fifty if you exercise shoot long exposure, tripod-based photos, there is a workaround:

The self-timer role.

Instead of carrying around a remote release, yous tin can only utilize a two-second or x-second cocky-timer.

That way, when you lot printing your photographic camera'due south shutter button, the camera has several moments to stabilize before really firing off the shot.

Personally, I far prefer a remote release; I hate waiting for the shutter to really fire.

Plus, this can negatively bear upon your photos. If you're photographing long exposures of automobile trails, and you employ a ten second timer (which is sometimes required if your tripod isn't ultra-stsable or is positioned on difficult terrain)…

…and then by the time your camera has started firing, the machine might take driven out of the frame!

That's why I recommend remote releases for whatsoever long exposure photographer.

By the way, remote releases besides have another purpose:

They allow you to capture self-portraits!

Simply hide your remote release backside you lot, stand up in front of the camera, and trigger information technology from a distance.

Absurd, right?

Optional: Flashes

Flashes are useful in all sorts of photography, which is why y'all'll want to make sure yous don't leave them behind.

Of course, if you're a natural light photographer, carrying flashes is a waste of time.

But if you're a portrait photographer or an event lensman, your flashes are essential. So brand sure you add a flash or ii to your photographic camera handbag.

You'll also want to include extra batteries, in example the flashes run out of juice partway through your photoshoot.

Oh, and yous may need a couple of calorie-free stands and a wink trigger, depending on your style of flash photography.

Optional: Ii Fill-in Hard Drives

For short trips (eastward.g., an evening outing), I never deport difficult drives.

Just if I'm going to be gone for more a few days, I want daily access to my hard drives.

Why?

Because things happen. Memory cards go lost. They fail.

And when that time comes, you desire to make absolutely certain that you take a backup.

Fortunately, external difficult drives aren't expensive, and they're not big, either. You tin fit two hard drives into the front pocket of a haversack, no trouble.

(If you're the type of lensman that takes your camera gear on long flights or hikes, I'd recommend grabbing rugged difficult drives, by the way.)

Now, you can become away with but using ane hard drive.

Only my philosophy is that you should consistently dorsum up your images, and when traveling you should always take two copies of every epitome.

Then if yous plan on transferring photos to your backup hard drive and then deleting the files off your memory carte, I recommend putting the images on a 2d hard drive, as well.

In other words:

When you're done for the twenty-four hours, put your images on the two difficult drives, so wipe the memory cards.

Ultimately, information technology's upwardly to you lot and your comfort level.

But more backups are inexpensive and tin can salve you a lot of pain after on.

Optional: A Laptop

A laptop is useful for overnight trips.

You lot can use information technology to upload images to social media, check the quality of your photos, and transfer images to your external hard drives.

Merely if y'all're going on a twenty-four hour period trip, I don't recommend bringing one. Even though laptops aren't especially heavy, a little weight tin can make a big deviation. And why carry more equipment than you accept to?

Optional: A Tripod

Here's the concluding piece of equipment I recommend you include in (or on) your photographic camera bag:

A tripod.

Tripods are essential if y'all're after abrupt photos while using long exposure techniques.

You're non going to be able to go a beautiful image of the Milky Way while casually handholding your photographic camera.

Instead, you need a tripod (and you need it to be sturdy!).

In terms of packing a tripod in your bag, you have a few options.

Some minor tripods may fit directly into a pocketbook. For example, a tabletop tripod tin can slide into a side pocket.

Other tripods will strap onto the side of your purse, so that you can comport all your gear in a single bundle.

Though if your tripod is very big, you may adopt to get a split tripod bag, which generally goes over one shoulder and allows you to comfortably bear a tripod in the field.

Of form, not all photographers need a tripod, and if yous're after increased stability yous should consider monopods every bit an easier-to-behave alternative.

Flight With Camera Gear: Dos and Don'ts

Flying with camera gear tin be an absolute nightmare.

I know this from experience–which is why I've put together a listing of helpful tips for taking your camera on planes.

Use a Checklist

You may recollect that yous'll think all of your equipment.

And maybe you volition.

But there's always a chance that you'll forget something.

For instance, what if you lot leave without your photographic camera bombardment? Your memory cards? Your almost important lens?

That'south why I highly recommend that yous employ a checklist.

Camera gear checklists are piece of cake to put together (and you tin can use the items I've listed in the previous department for inspiration, though y'all should of class tailor the list to your own fix of gear).

I'd recommend yous print it off, because this forces yous to have information technology more than seriously. And then, the night earlier you go out, just go down the list. Carefully check off every item.

That way, when you arrive at your destination, you aren't missing whatsoever critical equipment!

Batteries Go on the Plane

This is a quick one, but information technology'due south always expert to keep in mind:

Don't pack any lithium-ion batteries in luggage that yous plan to check. Information technology is airline policy to keep such batteries out of checked baggage–then simply keep any batteries in your camera bag.

Plus, I don't recommend assuasive any of your camera equipment to travel separate from your person, which brings me to my next tip:

Go along Your Camera Equipment With You lot at All Times

When you fly with your camera equipment, don't let information technology out of your sight unless you have a really, really skilful reason.

So take your photographic camera purse every bit carry-on luggage. And definitely don't become it checked for the concord.

Why?

Because you lot always run the risk of your purse getting lost.

In some cases, the purse will exist delivered to y'all the next 24-hour interval. Other times, it might take a week. And other times, you'll never get the purse, no matter how much you call and complain.

As you can encounter, the best case scenario involves you getting your bag late, and potentially missing out on a whole day of shooting.

And the worst-case scenario means that you never take a single shot on your trip, even if you manage to get the cost of your equipment covered (which is far from a certainty, by the mode).

And then keep your camera purse with y'all!

(I generally take it as my personal item, and simply stick it under the plane seat; y'all'd exist surprised how large a handbag can fit under there if you really push it in!)

Pack Your Equipment With Easy Admission

When you go through the security line at airports, the level of scrutiny varies.

In some airports, you don't have to accept out pocket-size electronics, such equally cameras.

Just in other airports, everything electronic must come out of your bags and be placed into a split up bin for the x-ray car.

At present, going through the security line is stressful enough every bit it is. People are always in a hurry or impatient for any reason.

So I recommend you make this process every bit piece of cake and painless as possible.

That starts by ensuring that your cameras are ready to be taken out of your photographic camera bag as soon as you open up information technology.

Ideally, you tin can accomplish the security tables, open your camera bag, pull out your cameras, and place them in a bin. All in a few seconds.

Keep this in heed when you're packing. You lot don't want to cover your cameras with accessories, and then have to dig through your bag upon entering the security line.

Make sense?

Also, endeavour to continue an eye on your camera equipment once you've put it in a bin and sent it off through the auto. Catch it as before long as you tin can, and carefully repack it into your photographic camera bag.

If you're going on a long trip or you've got a lot of camera equipment, you may discover that your bag can't concur everything y'all demand.

So what do y'all practise?

I'd recommend yous take any durable items, such as tripods or lightstands, and stick them in a different suitcase. Ideally, this suitcase will go in an overhead compartment, especially if the suitcase equipment is an essential part of your camera setup.

And if you're worried almost something breaking, you lot can ever wrap it in dress.

In fact, years ago I couldn't get my 400mm lens to fit in my camera backpack…

…so I put information technology in a special lens bag (similar a holster) and stuck information technology in my suitcase. Everything went fine, and it still works to this day!

Go along the Bag as Light and Small as Possible

The smaller and lighter your camera purse, the amend.

This is particularly true when you're traveling through airports and on planes, and you're walking long distances with all your equipment, plus boosted suitcases.

Don't cede on equipment merely so you lot can keep things light.

Only do make certain that every piece of equipment is necessary, and never have more than you need. Go with one zoom lens rather than three prime number lenses. Don't take every camera you own. And don't take all four of your tripods, no affair how much you like each i.

Got it?

Dissever Your Lenses From Your Cameras

Hither's a final tip for flight with your camera gear:

Make sure that you pack lenses and cameras separately.

Frequently, if you're only heading out for a day trip, you might adhere a lens to your camera without worrying. And that's completely fine.

Simply if you're going to be packing a lot of gear and conveying it around airports, I'd really recommend you detach your lenses from your camera bodies and pack them separately.

You run into, if your camera-lens combination ends upwards positioned badly, information technology tin put stress on the lens and camera mountain, which is exactly what you don't desire.

Plus, it'south oft easier to snugly pack camera equipment when everything is dissever.

So it's only an all-effectually expert thought to break everything down.

How to Pack a Camera Bag: The Next Step

Now that you've finished this commodity, you should exist able to comfortably pack your camera bag.

You lot should as well know nigh the types of photographic camera numberless out there, and how you lot tin can cull the perfect camera purse for your needs.

So grab a photographic camera bag. And practice packing it!

Information technology may seem like a footling affair…

…but it'll make a huge divergence!

Can I take my camera purse on the plane?

Yes, absolutely! I recommend you always take your camera handbag on the plane with y'all; don't check information technology, and don't let information technology out of your site! One time you bring your camera handbag on the plane, yous can put it in the overhead compartment or, if information technology's small enough, you tin store it under the seat as a personal item.

Tin can you lot acquit on camera equipment?

Yes, yous can! In fact, I'd recommend that you exercise this; you lot don't want to terminate up checking your photographic camera equipment. You lot run into, checked bags can become banged around, they tin can arrive belatedly, or they can get lost forever. And so, if at all possible, keep your camera equipment by your side at all times.

Practice I need a hard example for conveying my photographic camera equipment?

No, definitely not! Almost photographers don't even own a hard instance, considering they're big, beefy, and expensive. That said, difficult cases are useful if you're oftentimes traveling with your equipment and y'all worry most it getting banged up; certain, they're inconvenient, but they can be absolutely worth information technology.

Do I need a backpack for carrying my photographic camera equipment?

No, you don't demand a backpack for conveying your equipment. Many photographers do use photographic camera backpacks, especially if they often travel or go along hikes with their gear, but other photographers prefer different solutions. Personally, I similar camera backpacks, but there are enough of other options, such as pouches and holsters, for photographers who don't need to carry lots of gear and want fast access at all times.

What'due south the best type of camera bag?

That really depends on your needs. Hard cases are good if y'all're traveling frequently and need to keep your gear equally safe as possible; pouches are good if you're a coincidental photographer who needs quick access to your camera; backpacks are good if you practise a mix of travel and walkaround photography just don't require lightning-fast access. And, of course, at that place are many other types of photographic camera bags, such equally shoulder bags, sling bags, and photographic camera holsters.

Honestly, if I had to recommend the camera bag type that tends to be the nigh useful for the most photographers, I'd become with a camera backpack. They're very versatile, and can pack lots of gear or very trivial gear, depending on what y'all're afterwards.

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