Crumpler Bags

Do any of you have any thoughts on the Crumpler photo bags?

 

I'm looking into the 7 million dollar home photo bag for travel.

 

Any input would be appreciated.

 

Regards,

 

Sean

They emit strong ego signals.

Edward, interesting asessment. I won't disagree. The names of the bags are a good indication of what to expect.

 

I bought a Crumpler backpack and returned it. It might serve you well in the Outback if some kangaroos decided to play football with your gear, but I found it over-engineered and so feature laden that it was impractical to use. The bag I tried held too little equipment for its size and was hard to close because of the excess padding. The computer compartment was far too big and hard to get into and out of the pack, again largely because of all the padding.

 

It's difficult for me to imagine anyone treating photo equipment so roughly as to require the exaggerated protection the Crumpler offers. But if that's what you need, give it a look.

 

The bag opens with a zipper around the back - the part that goes against your back - so that when you put the bag down on dirty ground to open it you won't get the back dirty. That's a good idea, but it leaves an angled top front that's short on space for equipment.

 

As I said, I sent it back.

I like them but maybe they just suit my ego.

It's true they are very very well padded but I think that's a good thing personally for travel and they don't scream out Camera Bag (unless of course you know what they are or in my case the tripod I'm lugging about gives the game away!). Generally you don't get as much gear into them as you would expect because of the padding so if you go for one buy bigger than you'd think you'd need. The shoulder ones are very comfortable but be warned if you do any sort of candid shooting the RRRIIIPPP! of the velcro can startle children several blocks away.

Bags are interesting items. Most of them are designed in some ivory tower, and one

wonders if the maker ever actually tried using them.

 

There are so few so called Pro bags that allow you to carry a 1D or D2x sized camera or a

5D type camera with a battery pack it's not funny. Few of them are tall enough, or are too

narrow.

 

My other pet peeve are bags with a center zipper on the top. Lots of expensive bags have

this flaw. Impossible to work quickly out of.

 

Then there's the ones with the fabric overlap which in the heat of battle ALWAYS fouls the

zipper.

 

Bad industrial design IMO.

"There are so few so called Pro bags that allow you to carry a 1D or D2x sized camera or a 5D type camera with a battery pack it's not funny. Few of them are tall enough, or are too narrow."

 

Yes. I've been trying to find a waist-belt pack that will hold a 1dMk2 and something like the 70-300mm DO while I do stupid things in the jungle. I have about given up. Either the bags are huge (i.e. LowePro Pro Mag 2 with belt) or too small and prone to zipper jams (i.e. ThinkTank Speed Demon, Freak, Racer).

 

I don't need so much padding that the gear will survive impacts that I don't.

i've got a loyal chap from crumpler and i love it. i can fit a 5d with battery pack, 50mm prime, 17-40, 70-200 and 580ex plus gadgets. i treat my kit quite roughly and love the protection that the bag gives. much better for travel than a a backpack in my opinion.

I've looked at the Crumpler's myself. But I'm with Marc on this one. I've gone through so many bags. Some taken an hour to decide apon in the store and you shell out $200 only to use it a few times and put it up for sale at the next camera swap meet.

 

The best bag, in the category you're after, that I have found is this Lowepro.

 

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Beltpacks/allWeather/Specialist_85_AW.aspx

 

 

The flap opens away from your body revealing the contents in an open case. Iﾒve never had a bag that is so easy to change gear and lenses while standing or running around as this one. Fits to the hip nicely and okay to carry all day as well.

Eric,

 

Thanks. I'll be making another pilgrimage to Samy's in the morning. [sigh]

Marc Williams wrote:

 

"Most of them are designed in some ivory tower, and one wonders if the maker ever actually tried using them."

 

Truer words have not been spoken!

 

I would like to get the designers to load up their bags with real gear, carry it for 3 days, actually shooting photographs, and then try to claim that they are "pro" bags.

 

I finally bought a Domke bag and now I wonder why I waited so long!

Very true they have a lot of padding on them. They are also not the most easiest to access, but I do like my backpack one. It is very comfortable and has a chest and belt strap. It is great when I am riding on my motor cycle cause I know it is not going anywhere.

I love my Crumpler bags. True, they are somewhat over-engineered and over padded but you're equipment is definitely safe during travel. <br><br>

The bad thing is indeed the huge velcro pad on some of their photo bags. Instead of using a zipper plus a small strip of velcro, they have large velco pads. Sometimes you'll really have to pull hard to get the bag open. But disabling some of the pad by putting on some felt is an easy and cheap remedy.

<br><br>

You could also think about buying a large messenger bag type Crumpler and put in a cardbox box and put your camera in. I do this a lot for street photography, the bag is beautiful and insuspicious and the equipment is easy to take out and when you make your own cardboard insert, you can make it all fitting perfectly.

I agree with Mel. Not a practical bag at all...just way too bulky. It's tough to beat the Domke canvas bags because they bend to your form.

I would agree with you, Jim, that Domke is the best bag if we were talking about a working bag. He wants one to travel with, and Domkes don't really have much padding to them, and when I travel, I want my equipment to have some protection. For a travel bag that's still functional as a working bag, the Lowepro Stealth Reporter series might be a better choice.

I tried the stealth reporter, but again, the flap opens towards you and you fight it while trying work out of it when it's over your shoulder. the specialist, the flap opens away.

 

the thing about the crumpler bags that i like is that they don't have the typical camera bag look to them that announces "valuables within".

"the specialist, the flap opens away."

 

*Any* bag opens away from you. Just fling it over your shoulder so it does.

Let's face it, one shooter's perfect bag is another shooter's nightmare...that's why we all have so many bags :)

No like. Try Domke.