Photo Bag News

With the exception of a birthday cake or sand castle, few Americans have the opportunity to own something that is handmade. The new Bannoch photo messenger bag from Glasgow-based Trakke Ltd combines style, functionality and handcraftsmanship to create a true luxury experience. Keep this on your radar for Mother’s Day (13-May this year), Father’s Day and June Grads. If you want to present a gift that will last a lifetime, think stinging nettles.

Things were tough during the Stone Age. No camera bags; no photo backpacks, either. Some citizens were so starved for visual stimulation that they resorted to painting stick figures on the walls inside their caves. Others just bided their time, waiting to evolve.

What can you buy for $29? A quick Google search suggested charcoal-based tooth whitener, a pair of crappy slippers and a few other bits of future garage sale fodder. I already have slippers, so I checked out a few major camera retailers to see what sort of camera bags are available for less than 30 smackers. 

Perfect for holiday giving or for the camera gear you receive as a gift, here are five photo backpacks priced at $35, $79, $99, $149 and $199. 

If you’re serious about climbing or hiking you’re familiar with Mountainsmith. They’ve been a player in the outdoor equipment industry for nearly 40 years. The Mountainsmith TAN series, designed with help from world renowned photographer Chris Burkard, is their latest entry in the world of photo backpack carry solutions. What do they bring to the party? Innovative design, superior durability and products crafted from real-world experience. 

You know the brand Gitzo for their world renowned tripods. The company is 100 years old this year and they’re celebrating their first century by now offering camera bags worthy of their reputation for innovative design and meticulous craftsmanship

Outdoor and travel photographers take note. The compact and rugged Pentax KP DSLR is a lot of camera in a tough, portable package, making it an ideal traveling companion. The 24-megapixel KP features a dustproof and weatherproof camera body with 67 points of sealing yet it weighs only 1.4 pounds and is small enough to fit into a laptop bag. This APS-C-sensor-based DSLR also features five-axis in-camera shake reduction, a top sensitivity of ISO 819,200, and high-speed continuous shooting at up to 7 frames per second. Best of all, if you like shooting outdoors even when the weather outside is less than optimal, the Pentax KP is designed to shoot in temperatures as low as 14 degrees F. You may freeze but your camera won’t.