Fed up with conventional gadget bags giving you a pain in the neck and sliding off your shoulder at the most inconvenient moments? Load your kit into a photo backpack and the weight is distributed much more evenly.

Both of your shoulders, your upper back and your pelvis all play a part in taking the strain. You get much more freedom of movement, with the pack staying firmly fixed in place.

For added stability, especially on tricky terrain, an adjustable waist strap is usually fitted, as well as a chest strap that helps to stop the shoulder straps from sliding around.

If you’ve got several lenses, a flashgun and other accessories, you’re best off with a ‘full photo’ backpack, where the whole of the main compartment is given over to photography kit.

The other option is a split photo/daypack but, as you’ll see from the likes of the Hama, Think Tank and Vanguard backpacks in our test group, some new designs go all-out for versatility.

Best photo backpacks: Hama Daytour 230

Price: £100, $150
Buy it: www.hama.com
Can’t decide between a full photo and split daypack? The innovative Hama Daytour offers both options in one bag.

It’s split into two sections but both are decked out with adjustable dividers for cosseting plenty of camera kit.

Alternatively, you can remove the dividers from either or both sections to use the bag as a split photo daypack, or even just as a regular backpack.

Full-length zips offer unrestricted access to the compartments, and both also feature quick-access openings for grabbing a camera with attached lens when you’re in a hurry to capture a scene.

Organiser sections are on hand for memory cards and batteries (separated between fresh and wasted) and filters.

Extra external pockets are plentiful but there’s no dedicated laptop compartment.

Our Verdict
Pros… Quick access to cameras, strong build, excellent value
Cons… Not suitable for really long, super-telephoto lenses
WE say… Well thought out, beautifully made, a top bargain

Score: 4/5

Best photo backpacks: Hama Daytour 230
Best photo backpacks: Manfrotto Veloce VII
Best photo backpacks: Lowepro Flipside 400 AW
Best photo backpacks: Tamrac Expedition 6x
Best photo backpacks: Think Tank Photo Glass Limo
Best photo backpacks: Vanguard Quovio 44
Five things to look for in a photo backpack

READ MORE

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Tripod

With image stabilisers in lenses and camera bodies, tripods aren’t quite as essential as they used to be. But if you’re shooting night scenes, working at extreme magnifications, or you just want to frame your shot with more care, you’ll still need one. A good, sturdy budget model will cost around £150. Select one that extends to your eye level without the need to extend the centre column – otherwise you’re essentially turning it into a less stable monopod. Look for multi-angle legs – useful for shooting in rough terrain – and make sure you top it with a good quality, sturdy tripod head.

Remote release

This enables you to fire the shutter without touching the camera, so you can get sharp results when using slow shutter speeds. Ensure the remote has a lock function, so you can take long exposures at night without having to keep the button pressed. Remotes are camera-specific, so be sure to buy one that’s compatible.

Flashgun

For good flash photography with an SLR, invest in a decent flashgun. Third-party models are available, but to make full use of your camera’s advanced features it’s best to buy a flashgun from the same manufacturer. Look for a head that you can tilt and swivel, as this will enable you to bounce the light off ceilings and walls.

Camera bag

A protective bag keeps your camera and other accessories safe. Backpacks are ideal when you’re travelling long distances, although shoulder bags give you quicker access to your gear. Try to find a bag with more compartments than you’ll need, so that your gear can expand into it as your collection grows.

Vertical grip

Vertical grips enable you to fit two batteries into your camera, providing extra shooting capacity. And with an extra shutter-release button and other key camera controls, they can make it easier and more comfortable to use the camera vertically. Some models also increase the camera’s continuous drive rate.

Microphone

Anyone that’s serious about recording high-quality video using an SLR will have a camera with a microphone input socket. This allows you to get much higher quality audio than relying on the camera’s built-in mic. There are many third-party hotshoe-mounted mics to choose from, although Rode mics are popular.

Filters

To protect your lens from scratches, fit a UV or Skylight filter – Hoya specialise in these. There are also three creative filters that you might like to consider:

• A circular polariser, used to minimise reflections on water and glass, and make clouds stand out in blue skies
• ND grads, used to balance exposures in landscapes when the sky is much brighter than the foreground
• NDs (or ‘straight NDs’), used to achieve long exposure times and motion-blur, especially in running water

Memory cards

Memory cards with large storage capacities, such as 32Gb, enable you to capture masses of photos and video clips. However, do consider multiple, medium-capacity cards for important events such as weddings and holidays. That way, if a card develops a fault (rare, but it does happen), you won’t lose everything you’ve shot.

Back to: Image editing, printing & storing

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