Your DSLR shoots luscious pictures…so why do you dread taking it with you? Blame your camera bag. Chances are, it’s bulky, boxy, and not all that comfortable to carry. That explains why the Domke F-3X won me over so completely when I recently used it to schlep my gear while shooting in the misty hills of Iceland and the rainy streets of Sweden. The bag’s waterproof coating quickly emerged as a priceless feature, but over time, what I dug most is how comfortable it is to wear for prolonged periods, even when loaded to the gills. Its stylish, super-cool looks also just smoke the boxy chunkiness of most other DSLR bags out there.

If you’ve moved beyond point-and-shoots but aren’t quite ready to make the jump to a pro-level DSLR, Nikon’s impressive new D7000 wants to be your go-to shooter. The D7000 takes over for the old D90, but it also manages to compete well with the D300S, the next model up. It’s right on the border between Nikon’s consumer and pro lines, but new video capabilities make the D7000 appealing to hobbyists and prosumers alike.

With the right lens, your DSLR can see whatever you want it to -- close-up wildlife shots, low-light pictures without a flash, family portraits in close quarters -- and that flexibility is a big part of why these cameras are so popular. As you build up a collection of lenses that takes advantage of that selling point, your first choice after the kit lens should be a general-purpose wide lens or something with a big aperture. But after that, the creative possibilities of a Lensbaby Scout make it a terrific third lens to carry in your bag -- its 11mm fisheye perspective can create fun, unique photos and its interchangeable glass can do tricks that standard lenses can’t touch.