So you really drove a good bar?gain in buying your camera bag, did you? It looks like an expensive bag, and on cursory examination it seems well made. Won't you be surprised the first time you get it wet?and find that your camera gear needs swimming lessons! (Evidently you didn't notice the minuscule rain flaps, and you weren't aware that your bag lacked waterproofing.) At least the bag has enough padding to protect your equipment, right? Just wait'in a few months that padding could be as flat and protective as a pancake.

If you'd known what to look for you wouldn't have settled for this bag. To prevent you from making such mis?takes, we offer the following advice on what to look for'in features, materials, and the latest bag innovations.

First, let's briefly talk about bag size. Most bags manufacturers are only too willing to send you full catalogs of their lines in all forms, shapes, and sizes. From these it's fairly easy to narrow your choice to a few select examples depending on what you intend to carry. (Hint: Less is often best and certainly lighter.)

Now you're ready to tackle the big job of deciding what features that bag should have. The first thing to consider is the material the bag is made out of, which determines how tough it will be. The amount of protection required by the bag varies. If you're a weekend photographer who treats an equipment bag with tender, loving care, you don't need a bag as tough as one used by a rough-and-tumble photojournalist or mountaineer. Many of us fall some?where in the middle of those two extremes. We travel with our cameras, and our bags do get thumps and bangs. We don't require a metal suit?case, but a flimsy bag won't do, either.

Bags are best bought in person. Make sure you closely examine the workmanship and seam strength, even to the point of discreetly trying to separate the seams. You may get frowns from the sales staff, but if you can separate stitching with just a little pres?sure, avoid the bag. Remember that a bag may take a great deal of abuse as it gets older and taken for granted. Poor seams will even?tually separate and allow dirt or water into a once-ship?shape bag? and they may allow contents to spill out. No matter how well designed or padded a bag may be, it's all for naught if a strap lets loose while you're running up the stairs, leaning out over the water, or changing lenses. That's when the bag's hardware?buckles, zippers, Velcro?becomes important. Vibrant colors seem to be big this year, especially in bags designed for hiking or outdoor activity. The question you'll need to ask yourself is, will the colors be in fashion next year?

Is there really such a thing as the perfect camera bag? Not really. What one photographer wants in a bag may be just what another photographer doesn't want or need. Some people prefer an unpadded bag, into which equipment fits loosely, over well padded bags, in which equipment fits snuggly. There are loyal canvas bag fans and those who crave Cordura. Don't try to find a bag that does dou?ble-duty?there aren't any that do two jobs well. It's simply impossible to design a good chest or half-moon hip bag that converts to a suitable full-sized shoulder bag. Likewise, if you include a rear-extension pocket, there's no way to provide for a hip-support belt or a back-zippered pocket. So choose the important features you want and need?and then find a well-made bag that has most of them.