Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag: Stylish multi-functional bag from taz + tez

Where taz + tez stands out is in their unique, stylish camera bags that you can use just as easily at an evening event to a day of travel photography. I’m checking out the latest addition to the range in this Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag review, and it is no exception, delivering on being a practical, functional, extremely good looking camera bag.

Since getting my hands on the taz + tez Archy backpack, I have been incredibly impressed with the quality of the bags that this Australian company is making. Although they prioritise style and bags that can double as, well, just an everyday bag, that doesn’t mean that they have forgone functionality. There’s everything you need in the Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag to carry your photography kit, whether you’re working an event, a family photoshoot or personal branding for a small business. Let’s check out all the features of this unique bag.

Note: I received the Archy Modular Camera Backpack V2 in exchange for honest review. All opinions are my own.

Pros

• Stylish, practical bag which doesn’t scream “I’m a camera bag”
• Plenty of pockets inside for internal organization
• Removable camera cad with customisable dividers
• Padded tablet sleeve
• Functional everyday work bag with the camera caddy removed
• Ergonomic crossbody strap for comfort
• Grab handles for quick carry
• Durable and quality build that will last and last
• Comes in two cruelty-free, high quality, PETA-approved Vegan Leather colors: Tan and black
• Each purchase contributes to the brand’s sponsorship of endangered Australian animals

Cons

• Front pockets have no closure so may lose contents if the bag is tipped upside-down
• Fits a small water bottle only inside the bag
• Check the physical dimensions of your laptop rather than screen size, to make sure it fits in the sleeve

Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag: Technical specifications

All technical specifications for the Archy Modular Camera Backpack V2 are from the taz + tez website. The Pippa comes in black or tan, and the features are the same for both variations.

Materials

• Crafted from PETA approved Premium Vegan Leather
• Features customised hardware
• Wipeable, polyester lining in a light colour for visibility

Exterior features

• 2x large front slip pockets
• Deep zippered back pocket with key clip
• Small d-ring for attaching accessories
• Adjustable shoulder strap with padding
• 2x grab handles
• Wide flat bottom (stands on its own)
• Full length zip to protect against the elements
• Wide gusset opening for easy access

Interior features

• Zippered front pocket
• Slip pocket for tablets/small laptops (13”)
• 4x elastic pockets
• Light coloured lining for visibility

Camera caddy

• Padded for gear protection
• Comes with 3x dividers so you can configure it for you
• Fits a DSLR or mirrorless body with 1-2 lenses
• Has lid so that it can be stacked inside the bag
• 2x Velcro tab closures
• Fits perfectly in bag
• Dimensions: 24L 16H 9W (cm)

Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag: Ergonomics and build quality

The Pippa bag is the latest in the taz + tez range, joining the Bobbi Modular Shoulder Camera Bag, the Archy Modular Camera Backpack V2, and the Tildy Carryall Camera Backpack. All the bags come in black and tan (the Tildy recently having opened pre-orders for tan!) and match the range of accessories, including camera straps, organizers and lens cap keepers (review here).

The bag is made from PETA-approved premium vegan leather, with a quality feel that still stand the test of time. Tight stitching and durable hardware make this a neat, stylish bag that will serve across a range of functions.

The detachable cross-body strap has a sliding shoulder pad to distribute weight and make for more comfortable long-day wear. Having two grab handles makes the bag easy to sling on an arm for quick carries. The flat bottom means you can pop the bag down without worrying about it tipping over.

Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag review: In the field

I’ve used the Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag for evening events and outdoor sessions so far. The stylish classic black means it blends in no matter where you need to take it. I found it easy to access my gear inside. The shoulder strap attaches to the inside edge, so the bag hangs open when unzipped, giving plenty of room for changing lenses or attaching a flash, but without any risk of things falling out.

I find the front pockets useful for shoving in my lens cap and my cell phone. There’s no closure on these pockets as I mentioned earlier, but the friction between the vegan leather means things are firmly wedged in there. There’s a bit of a risk that your items might fall out if the bag was tipped upside-down, but for the most part, it feels safe.

When I want my phone tucked out of sight, I put it instead in the longer zipped pocket on the back of the bag, or the internal zipped pocket.

What gear can the Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag hold?

The Pippa bag has the camera caddy in the middle, which is removable. You can pack it outside the bag, and it has a little grab handle of its own. This is handy for pulling it in and out of the bag or when using as a packing cube in another larger bag. It comes with a set of hook-and-loop dividers so you can customize the interior space to suit your gear.

Inside the bag with the caddy in, I can fit a small water bottle (500mL or 17 oz) in one of the interior side elasticated pockets. There’s plenty of room for personal items, batteries, remotes, spare memory cards, flash triggers, and so on. Even a small snack to keep you going.

Compared to the Archy backpack in the taz + tez range, there is a little less room on top of the camera caddy to put things like a light cardigan or a small accessories bag. Being a shoulder bag, this is a good way to remind yourself not to overload!

Using Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag with a mirrorless camera kit

The Pippa is perfect for a mirrorless camera kit. I can easily fit my Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Camera with Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens mounted. As well as that, I can fit my Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM Lens and my older Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. Plenty of options for a range of photography sessions.

Using a DSLR camera with Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag

The Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag fits a DSLR with lens attached.

My DSLR is a Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Camera, an equivalent size to the Canon 5D Mark IV and other ungripped pro-size bodies. I can fit this camera in the caddy with my Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens for Canon EF. This fits with the caddy closed, so there’s room to pop something small on top.

With Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag a flash and camera

I can fit my small Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT flash in here with the caddy closed, with my mirrorless setup. For a taller flash like the Godox V1 Flash for Canon or the Canon Speedlite EL-1 the caddy would need to be open.

The elasticated pockets are perfect for popping in a flash trigger and receiver (if your flash needs one), so this is a good bag for a compact off-camera flash setup.

Will Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag fit a tripod?

I am able to fit my compact Neewer M521 Desktop Mini Tripod with Arca-Type Ball Head into the caddy with the lid closed, alongside my mirrorless Canon EOS R8 with 50mm lens mounted, and my 28mm lens on its own. Pop a remote into one of the side pockets and you have what you need to duck out for some landscape shots before work, or document yourself at an event.

Will the Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag fit a 70-200mm lens?

With the caddy open, my 70-200mm lens (a Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens for Canon EF) and my mirrorless camera with my 50mm mounted fit with the caddy open. If using the 70-200mm with a DSLR, this fits fine with the camera body-capped.

Can I carry a laptop in the Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag?

The laptop sleeve is only for small laptops, so check that yours measures less than 13″ diagonally externally (rather than going off screen size).

The bag easily fits a 10.1” tablet in the laptop sleeve. The technical specifications show that a laptop up to 13” diagonal will fit in the sleeve, however, I did discover that my Surface Pro tablet, which has a 12.3” screen, does not fit. Externally, it measures 13.8” on the diagonal. It is worth noting that even if your screen size is under 13” your laptop may not fit in the sleeve, because the external dimensions must be under 13” to fit. If you’re not sure, measure your laptop from corner to corner first rather than relying on the screen size.

Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag review: Final thoughts

With a style that will suit photographers wanting to blend in and go about their work without advertising their gear, the Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag reviews well as a multi-functional option. For carrying all the lenses under the sun, the larger Tildy Carryall Camera Backpack is more suitable, but for those of us who are trying to get more done with less, the Pippa is a beautiful, high quality bag that will last the distance.

It’s perfect for corporate events, evening events, or a lightweight personal branding photoshoot. It’s a useful bag that will find a place in your work week even when your camera isn’t coming for the ride. Spacious and well-designed with plenty of internal pockets, the Pippa Shoulder Camera Bag is a solid, flexible choice for a stylish camera bag.