Crumpler Camera Backpack - Tell me about them

anonymouscuban

So I'm shopping for a larger backpack to fit all my gear. I checked out the Crumpler C-List Celebrity pack at the store. It's the medium size. It will fit all my gear with room to spare in case (when) I buy more stuff. It's comfortable. Looks to be made really well. I also like that the interior can be completely customized and that I can take the out the interior compartment, without removing my gear from it, and I can then use the pack as a regular backpack.

Before I shell out $450 for one, does anyone have one or have experience with Crumpler? What do you think? Are there better packs out there for the same or less?

Thanks all.

run_kmc

I've loved every crumpler bag I've ever owned. That said, I think other brands give you the same quality and storage space for less money. Only Crumpler has the style, however.

kdog

Personally, I've hated every Crumpler I've ever owned. Although in truth, that's only one, the 7 Million Dollar Home. I've already reported at length in a different thread all my complaints with it. Subsequently they released a new version which I see addressed some of my complaints. But that does little to appease me. I do not appreciate them learning on my dime. Companies like LowePro and ThinkTank for example are more worried about functionality over form and you know when you buy one they got it right the first time. I love my three LowePro bags. Crumpler makes all kinds of packs for different purposes, and their camera packs per se appear to be a sideline. In the future, I'll be sticking with companies that specialize in packs for photographers.

schmoo

I have loved every piece of Crumpler I've owned... including an iPhone case and money clip.

That said, it's not for everyone and there is some trial-and-error there. I have heard several people say they can't stand the X Million Dollar Home bags, but messenger-style camera bags aren't for all.

You get attitude, style and durability for the price of Crumpler. I ain't never had baggage that holds up halfway as well as Crumpler's fabrics and their design is awesome. Mostly. $400 is a lot to shell out for a backpack, so realistically would you be OK toting around something of that size and weight when you're trekking on your crazy balut adventures?

Andy

I've loved every Crumpler I've ever owned. (sound familiar?).

Well built, style, attitude (just like Schmoo said).

I own a Crumpler Farmer's Double (they don't make it anymore) and it's so comfortable. It's not my only bag, but it's one I go to and use plenty. The C-List looks great. For a bag that big though, you might want to consider some alternatives, I did. Lowepro Pro Trekker 600.

I also love the Crumpler Thirsty Al for my P&Ss.

kdog

schmoo wrote: »

I have heard several people say they can't stand the X Million Dollar Home bags, but messenger-style camera bags aren't for all.

Just to clarify, that's not my issue. I also have a LowePro Stealth Reporter which is a messenger style bag that absolutely runs circles around the Crumpler one.

Kinkajou

I'm actually in the market for the Karachi Outpost Crumpler backpack. I have a million dollar home and it does me good. I love it, but it just not built for pro work in my opinion. It is a great bag to carry a couple things around town in, but I really think that the Karachi Outpost backpack is where I'm headed. My only concern is that I am a tiny person and there are no vendors nearby that sell Crumpler bags, so I'm nervous about ordering one only to discover that it's A) holds everything but is built for a normal-sized human, or the small version doesn't hold everything that the standard version does.but it actually fits me. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and give it a try... you can always send it back, right?

anonymouscuban

Thanks all.

@ Kdog... can you be more specific about what you did not like about your Crumpler?

Schmoo, Andy and Run KMC... thanks for chiming in. Glad to hear from actual owners of Crumpler stuff. The first thing I noticed when I held the pack I'm interested in is how plush it felt. Very well made. Stylish too. It's a plus to look cool, right? I don't mind paying this much for a bag that is going to last me for a long time and is going to fit all the gear I have now and the stuff I have planned to buy over the next year or so. The C-List I know will fit everything.

Sounds like I'm probably going to pull the trigger on this puppy, although I will probably buy from Adorama since I won't have to pay tax or shipping.

@ Kinkajou... I saw and tried the Karachi... I think it was the medium size. It's a good sized pack. It fit well on me and didn't feel too big but I'm 6'1'' so I don't know if I'm a good gauge. We're gonna stop by the mall tonight. If we do, I will have my wife try it on and I will take a picture of her. She's 5'3 so hopefully that will give you a good idea of scale. I'll post the photo so keep an I on this thread.

kdog

anonymouscuban wrote: »

@ Kdog... can you be more specific about what you did not like about your Crumpler?

It's a poor design. For starters, this is a half-loaded bag. See what happens when you pick it up by the top handle.



You can see straight into the contents. Plus, any dirt, rain, birdshit, etc will fall right into it. A real camera bag (ala LowePro), has an internal zipper so that the bag doesn't distort so much and it stays sealed. The single buckle in the middle was a hideous design and adds to the distortion. Maybe the cover should have had a rigid caul to distribute the weight at least. (My smaller LowePro has two buckles plus the zipper). The velcro closure makes a deafening rrrrriiiiipppp noise when you're trying to be quiet. The carrying strap is not removable! But, the padded area is and it slides on the main strap in a way that seems scientifically designed to move off your shoulder so that the bare webbing digs into your skin instead. There is no way to secure the padded area to stay put and it never does. I don't know what it is about the design of the internal dividers, but no matter how I have them set, they always grab my reversed lens hood so that I can't get my lenses out. Even the stealthiness of the bag is a joke. I took it to the Domincan Republic and had people running up to me complimenting me on the nice camera bag! That's off the top of my head. I can probably come up with a few more complaints if I think about it, but I need to calm down now. :splat

jwear

Joel is right on and if you want it to work for you really right stuff is the bag to get! if looks is what you want then Crumpler? sounds like it works

kdog

jwear wrote: »

Crumpler? sounds like it works

Good point, this one lived up to its name.

sellis

I have the $7M home and love it, plan on getting another since my second bag is wearing out.
I also have a Sinking Barge backpack that I don't use. I bought it off a dgrinner and would sell it for $140 if you're interested. Here's the original post- http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=142059&highlight=crumpler+backpack. It's well built, but I tend to carry more than it can hold (D3s, 14-24 2.8, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, SB-900s) and I don't do much backpacking. I bought it for a trip to Colorado a while back and really haven't used it since then...or even then! I can't use it for wedding work, it just looks too frumpy.

Let me know if you're interested, it's a great deal. The C-List is a different layout though and looks like it will carry much more gear.

Sam

mr peas

I have 2 backpacks and 1 messenger bag. Shrinkle (had 2 before, sold the blue, kept the green one), Brian's Hot Tub, and Considerable Embarrassment.

The BHT got me through my undergrad carrying all my biology and chemistry books, its probably going to survive through dental school too, its one mean mule.

The Shrinkle carries and stores my photo-junk, gone through countless hikes and airplane trips w/ no problem.

The messenger bag is of same quality, but I use it to carry small stuff when I'm on my bike, no zippers but it hauls my laptop and notebooks real easily and I don't see it ripping...ever.

The zippers on the 2 backpacks, I've never had a problem with...ever..and these are the old style backpacks.

The only thing I would suggest is when if you're lazy like myself and decide to put the bags inside the washer, make sure the velcro doesn't touch the soft-packing in the back so the soft stuff inside stays inside.

I think they're pretty pricey, but I've had mine forever and I don't see them ripping at all in the nearby future. I like the low-key style of my bags, no one really notices them unless they're foto-geeks and that's a good thing. The backpacks are def worth the money, as others have more exp. with the messenger bag style camera-bags, I'd listen to them about that.

I've never tried the photo bags with the 1-strap only, one reason being I carry too much too often and I'd rather carry the weight on my back than on my sides (if that makes any sense). At any case, I say go for the backpacks. You won't regret it...ever!!

mr peas

Andy wrote: »

I also love the Crumpler Thirsty Al for my P&Ss.

Ooops, got one of those too.. or 3, haha..

JustinThyme

Tried a couple, didnt like them.
Orginization of gear in the bag is a nightmare as what you need always seems to be on the bottom forcing you to take out other items to get to it.
My wife lives her 5MDH though but all she packs is a camera with 1 lens attached and extra batteries and flash media.
My take is if you have only a few times they are OK, if you have the need to pack a lot they have models that hold a lot but at the inconvenience of having to empty out half your bag to get to it.

LilleG

Crumpler Tall-E
Bought a Crumpler Tall-E a number of years ago. Didn't realize until I got it that it had a wide stiff crossbody strap that could not be changed or adjusted. Wrapped it back in the plastic it came in and it's been sitting on my closet shelf ever since. Never been used; doubt that it ever will be.

Art Scott

I have bags that are not LOWEPRO....sitting in the bottom of a closet....I buy a buy a bag for 1 reason...PROTECT my gear.....and LowePro does just that.....I like thier Slingbags also....butthe only one that I would own is the Slingshot 350...but the laptop space is a huge waste for me......I have never owned a crumpler but just looking at the specs and all they do not protect your gear.....I want to feel confident that if by some weird chance my camera bag hits the ground from 3 or 4 or 5 feet my gear will survive....and i truly feel confident that LowePro will do that for me.

Good Luck on your choice.