Contribution · Jul 2015
- User overall rating
- 10.0 out of 10
- Comfort
- 10.0 out of 10
- Features
- 10.0 out of 10
- Build
- 10.0 out of 10
- Price
- 10.0 out of 10
Flap pocket: Several memory cards Broadband card for laptop Several USB adapters, audio adapters, video adapters Filter pouch Lens cleaner and cloth Front Compartment: 160GB iPod Sony PSP in hard case Pens, markers Lens & body caps Moleskine notepad Audio/video cables (for iPod & laptop) PDA clipped to outside This bag is huge. It's gigantic. Granted, it's smaller than most backpacks but as shoulder bags go it's one of the biggest. However, the mammoth size is what makes this bag so attractive to those wishing to carry everything in one bag. I travel with my band a lot, and I got tired of lugging both a laptop/messenger bag and a separate camera bag. My Ape Case backpack holds everything that this does (and then some) but it's just too big to ride in the passenger compartment of our van. This thing fits right under my seat where I can get to it, as it does on airlines too. In typical Crumpler fashion, it's built like a tank and thoughtfully designed. It comes with a ton of padded velcro dividers (way more than anyone should need) in all shapes and sizes. The strap is heavy duty and similar to seat belt material and includes a removable shoulder pad. Since this thing can get very heavy when fully loaded, I highly recommend using the shoulder pad. There are two pockets inside the main flap made of see-through mesh. One zips closed but the other has a pair of velcro closures with a gap in the middle, which is a little odd. The gap will allow small items like memory cards or adapters to slide out of the pocket, but it's not big enough for much else. Maybe cables? The main compartment is huge, and I set mine up with the lenses and camera stuff on one side with 3 layers on the other to house larger items that get swapped out depending on where I'm going. If I were using this strictly for photo work I'd have room for 2-3 bodies and close to 10 lenses, with room for 3 strobes and triggers in the outer compartment. Speaking of the outer compartment, a pair of zippers reveal a semicircular compartment with 3 netted pockets, 2 open pouches, and a zippered pocket. This area is designed to hold strobes/flashguns, but in my bag I usually keep my iPod and PSP in there. I can say that my Sunpak 433d flashes do fit the net pockets just fine though. Another outer pocket has a dozen or so pouches to hold memory cards. It's split into red and green sections to help you keep fresh and full cards separate. A nice touch for the pro shooter. All in all, this is a bag designed for a pro shooter that needs to haul a lot of gear but it is easily customizable for other uses. I carry this bag every single day and use it as a carry-on for flight so that all of my precious toys and distractions are close-at-hand. I've included a shot with my Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home for a size comparison. I use the smaller bag when I know exactly what I need or for general street shooting, and on long trips I stow it in my suitcase for switching gear around at my destination. But for local shoots on location where I need to be prepared for anything, this bag let's me do just that.
What works
Incredibly flexible, tons of room, built to last forever
Room for improvement
Looks a little boxy when closed, expensive at $200 plus
