Crumpler bags and RF gear

[f/stopblues]

I've been on the great search for a smaller/more convenient bag than the Domke I have, which seems fitted for SLR gear. I keep seeing the Crumpler name and checked out their site.. funny btw! It's so hard to judge what will fit my stuff and how big the thing actually will be (will it cover the extra 10lbs I gained? Will it pull me to one side while walking?)

Anybody have experience with the Crumplers? All I need to carry is a Bessa with attached Nokton 50, some film, extra lens or two, and maybe sub a lens for a small light meter (the Sekonic 308 that I ordered and is on backorder! doh!). That's about it. Suggestions? I was thinking a Budgie Smugler or Stamp Claimer.

Also, what's up with so many things being discontinued on their site? Is there a good place to get Crumpler stuff besides their official site? B&H shows out of stock too. Is the "nards" button on their site making them lose sales??

 

[simonankor]

I used to have a budgie smuggler, and I could squeeze in my 300D, 50/1.8, 85/1.8 and Bessa R with 35/2.5 without too much trouble.

I believe the discontinued stuff is all superceded... Crumpler went through a "new models" stage lately, and in a lot of the stores here their old stock was 30% off.

Crumpler is THE bag to have for bike couriers down here, they are very solid and waterproof.

 

[Tarzak]

They are well made and funky too.

Big fat shoulder strap and usually a huge amount of velcro to keep things in.

Best place to get one?
Over here.

 

[panamacolin]

Crumplers are super bags...super heavy duty a bit bulky compared to the domke. Its thicker and provides much better protection for the gear. The velcro is a bit loud if doing street photography or shooting something you have to be quite for.

 

[eric]

Also, what's up with so many things being discontinued on their site? Is there a good place to get Crumpler stuff besides their official site? B&H shows out of stock too. Is the "nards" button on their site making them lose sales??

I love my Crumpler Next Venue for my medium format stuff. I take it out and carry my SLR's in it. They discontinue the old models and they have corresponding "million" homes for it. For example, the 7 Mil is the replacement for the Next Venue. Am thinking of getting the 5Mil for smaller gear.

 

[simonankor]

The velcro on mine doesn't even work anymore 😉 That's what happens to velcro when it gets used in rain, mud, grease, etc.

A good option would be to get a non-padded courier bag, like the Complete Seed or Weenie. You can slip a padded insert from a smaller bag (available separately) into it and it won't bulk it up too much. I'm currently using the insert from a LowePro Stealth Reporter 200 in my Complete Seed and it works beautifully.

And then it just looks like a courier bag, and couriers never carry anything expensive 😉

 

[Goodyear]

I use a budgie smuggler for a pared down 300D kit (body, two lenses, flash). Plenty of room, comfortable to carry (last holiday I took that kit was 5 days in Vienna, when I had it with me all day every day walking around), really durable, nicely waterproof. My only gripe is how far out it sits rom the body - but I'm not what you'd call slim or svelte.

I found myself wanting something smaller and/or slimmer for my RF gear, which is when I gave both Safrotto and Dmoke a call. I have too many bags 🙂

 

[JoeFriday]

has anyone ever used a messenger bag for carrying camera gear? they would seem like a natural option.. easy to carry, lots of room (perhaps too much) and don't look like a camera bag at all

you can even go to www.timbuk2.com and design your own style, or check out their Metro

the drawback is that they don't come with internal dividers, but I would think an enterprising cameraholic would be able to overcome that

 

[simonankor]

Hey Joe, read up a bit 😉

I don't use the insert when I'm carry cameras that have fitted cases. And sometimes I just wrap the camera up in a towel. This works for me on a bike and I've had no problems so far with rain or water.

Courier bags are also quite comfy when heavily loaded - tonight I had the Bessa, Canon P and a Nikon FE with 135/2.8 in there, with the padded insert for them, a change of clothes, tools and spare tubes, etc. No problems with weight at all!

 

[mjm6]

Brett,

I use a Fux Delux Crumpler bag when I am out in the field with my large format gear. It works especially well because the bag sits comfortably on the back, and less so on the shoulder, so it is less tiring. I use it for the meter, lenses, film, etc., as the camera is too large to fit in a normal bag (7x17 or 10x12 camera normally).

You can get an insert for it that gives you all the normal dividers that are useful for a normal camera bag, but this bag and the dividers is too large for a nice, compact RF system.

They may make a small bag that would work a bit better for a RF camera and a lens or two. I need to look into that myself, as I have recently accumulated enough RF gear to be considered a complete system (or more, actually; what am I gong to do with all those FSU cameras, anyway?).