You’re a photographer, and the last thing you want to do — other than risk damaging your equipment — is to show up to a shoot looking like image doesn’t matter. Of course, not all of us have time to shine our shoes, tame our manes, or tighten our ties, but we can, at the very least, reach for one of these stylish yet very functional camera bags.
ONA Bowery
No camera bag brand is as synonymous with style as ONA. The Bowery is one of their smaller options, a messenger bag that holds a camera and a couple of lenses. ONA offers it in various finishes, and has made multiple special editions over the years. The bowery’s front buckle can be easily released with a hidden clasp, providing the best of form and function, and the shoulder strap can be completely removed if you’d rather use the bag as an insert.
The Bowery lives at the starting point of the ONA line. If you’re looking for something larger, you may want to try the Brixton.
Domke F-5XB
Domke is to camera bags what Levi’s is to jeans. For decades, photographers turned to Domke to keep their gear secure, and the brand is still used by photojournalists the world over. The F-5XB shoulder bag presents an affordable entry point into the Domke family, complete with that retro styling taken straight from the 1970s. Perfect for small, mirrorless systems, the F-5XB comfortably fits a camera body and two lenses, and is available in a variety of colors and editions (including the Fujifilm X Series collaboration shown above). Of course, it’s far from the only option in Domke’s catalog; check out the original F-2 shoulder bag if you require more capacity.
Wandrd Prvke 21
When we reviewed the Wandrd Prvke (pronounced “provoke”), we found it to be one of the most versatile camera backpacks we had ever tested. With its weatherproof tarpaulin exterior and expandable roll top, it can carry all manner of gear and personal items in just about any weather conditions. It’s also quite stylish and is available in black, green, or blue (pictured above).
MindShift Rotation180 Horizon 34L
If your notion of style is less Coach and more Columbia, the MindShift Gear Rotation180 Horizon may be just for you. Of all the backpacks on this list, this is by far the most unique. MindShift Gear is a division of Think Tank Photo, so the brand has a lot of experience behind it. The Rotation180 Horizon combines a quick-access belt system into a camera backpack. Packed inside the bottom of the bag is a dedicated compartment that can house a DSLR and up to three lenses. This compartment locks into place inside the backpack, but with the quick lift of a magnetic connector, you can swing the compartment around from your back, granting instant access to your gear without needing to take off the pack. Above the rotating belt pack, you’re given a generous amount of storage space for clothing, food, chargers, tablets, and more. For photographers who enjoy back-country hikes, it doesn’t get any better than this.
Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag
Peak Design was quite literally “Kickstarted” into existence in May 2011, with the launch of the Capture Camera Clip. Since then, the company has continually introduced new products, with one of the latest being its record-breaking Everyday Messenger Bag. Designed alongside noted photographer Trey Ratcliff, the Everyday Messenger Bag is truly a camera bag designed by photographers, for photographers. It features solid build quality, a unique origami-inspired divider system, and more bells and whistles than you could ever ask for in a messenger bag. It comes in 13- and 15-inch variations, each of which can carry a DSLR, up to four lenses, a handful of accessories, a tripod, and a laptop of the respective size.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack
Yes, it’s a second option from Peak Design, but we couldn’t resist. The Everyday Backpack features the same styling language as the Messenger, but for your back. Available in both 20- and 30-liter capacities, the Everyday Backpack uses unique internal dividers that can be rearranged in myriad ways to accommodate diversified gear loadouts. What impressed us most about this pack in our review is just how comfortably it fit, which is obviously important if you need to wear it for any length of time. With full-length side access from either side of the bag and Peak Design’s clever expandable top flap, it also makes getting to your gear as easy as possible.
