NEED travel bag: 12" powerbook + Rebel XT

DoctorIt

I'm doing a lot more traveling to conferences and so forth these days, and more in the future. One of the reasons I bought the XT was to be more portable, which has held true, except for when I'm traveling mainly for business. Currently, I have a Crumpler Schrinkle - backpack, great bag, but too camera focused. It doesn't lend itself to being loaded with my laptop (which is actually too small for that pocket anyway), a few folders with files in them, and a magazine and/or book. Not to mention it's a PITA to get stuff in out in the airport, nevermind on the plane.

I want a shoulder bag.

My current solution is a messenger bag. But this is just one big pocket, so the laptop goes in a sleeve, tossed in. The XT goes in a small camera case, tossed in. But it's a big black hole in there, no organization.

I recall Crumpler used to make a shoulder bag that would accomodate an SLR, lens or two, and had a laptop pocket? But their website is like a bad acid trip these days, with weird chickens running around! The best I could find is the 7-million dollar home.



I wonder if anyone has, or has seen this bag. Could a laptop be weaseled in the back there? I wouldn't have a grip on my camera, so the width would be there.

I really don't want a huge bag. A 12" powerbook and Rebel XT are not that big of a load. I just need something with a slim vertical pocket for laptop and files, and a camera shaped pocket in front.

Am I dreaming? Does anyone have something that accomplishes my needs?

Help!

DavidTO

Hey, Doc.

I don't have any info to help, but I do want to chime in and agree that although the Crumpler site is humorous, it is mostly annoying and difficult to browse. Frustration ensues.

DoctorIt

DavidTO wrote:

Hey, Doc.

I don't have any info to help, but I do want to chime in and agree that although the Crumpler site is humorous, it is mostly annoying and difficult to browse. Frustration ensues.

I downloaded their PDF catalog, this helped, a little. Good luck finding the link to the catalog though!


Actually, it seems like the Sinking Barge is the backpack I actually want, but I'm still curious to see if a shoulder bag like the one of my dreams exist.

Still listening

Andy

didn't you have a shrinkle?

DoctorIt

andy wrote:

didn't you have a shrinkle?

here he comes
here comes speed reader!

Doctorit wrote:

Currently, I have a Crumpler Schrinkle - backpack, great bag, but too camera focused. It doesn't lend itself to being loaded with my laptop (which is actually too small for that pocket anyway), a few folders with files in them, and a magazine and/or book. Not to mention it's a PITA to get stuff in out in the airport, nevermind on the plane.

I do like my Shrinkle, but only withOUT the laptop. Its great for hiking and bringing the big lens and monopod, etc. but since the only place to basically put work stuff (files, books) is in the laptop sleeve, it gets crammed real quick. When I was packing for my last trip, I pulled all the guts out and made a makeshift holder for just the XT out of some of the dividers, but this left the rest of the bag so unorganized (and less stiff, btw), that when I opened it, it all fell out. Again, too camera focused, not a good business bag.
:cry

patch29

Too bad nobody reads my posts or uses the search feature..

The messenger bag is listed, here, for $90 at Adorama, but they are not in stock yet. It would also have a little extra room for chargers, cords, reader, new lenses, etc.

patch29

or try the Tenba PD 12C that is made for the 12" and camera gear.

DoctorIt

Aw, Patch, you know you're my hero.

thanks buddy!





(but please tell me, what would I have searched for "laptop camera bag" = 4 billion results! )

patch29

patch29 wrote:

or try the Tenba PD 12C that is made for the 12" and camera gear.

B+H lists two versions of this case the 2.0 not yet being available, plus they have some used ones of version 1.

patch29

DoctorIt wrote:

(but please tell me, what would I have searched for "laptop camera bag" = 4 billion results! )[/size]

sure, but just laptop in equipment mine was number four. :cry

Andy

patch29 wrote:

sure, but just laptop in equipment mine was number four. :cry

patch: burn the doc, burn him!

DoctorIt

patch29 wrote:

sure, but just laptop in equipment mine was number four. :cry

oh fine, you're right, I should be caned. I'll take it like a man.




Now, as a real question (probably Andy can answer this): Is the new Crumpler "Sinking Barge" a new version of what used to be the Farmer's Double (or something like that? I know Andy had a backpack like this - 2 front compartments vs the rear entry Shrinkle.

Those Tenba's seem to fit the bill, but are lacking in the coolness department. I'm a hip dude, a fashionista, and out-of-the-box. With a black briefcase bag, I'll look like every other nerd at the conferences!

Andy

DoctorIt wrote:

Now, as a real question (probably Andy can answer this): Is the new Crumpler "Sinking Barge" a new version of what used to be the Farmer's Double (or something like that? I know Andy had a backpack like this - 2 front compartments vs the rear entry Shrinkle.

yeah, i have the farmer's double. i don't like rear-entry.

DoctorIt

andy wrote:

i don't like rear-entry.

good for nature shooting though, when I hike with mine, its great to be able to throw it down on the ground and flop it open to expose all the gear, and have a dry/clean place to put down lenses while changing.

Definitely not for on-the-go.

So do you know... have they rebadged the Farmers Double / Formal Lounge to the Customary Barge / Sinking Barge? (anyone)

patch29

DoctorIt wrote:

Those Tenba's seem to fit the bill, but are lacking in the coolness department. I'm a hip dude, a fashionista, and out-of-the-box. With a black briefcase bag, I'll look like every other nerd at the conferences!

I always like to carry my equipment in something cool so any crooks out there will be sure to want it. Just make sure to leave you ipod headphones hanging out of it in case they could not tell it is a cool bag.

DoctorIt

patch29 wrote:

Just make sure to leave you ipod headphones hanging out of it

always do


For the interest of the next person who actually has brains enough to search for this, I actually found another so far unmentioned bag:

Lightware Laptop Digital Messenger

patch29

DoctorIt wrote:

always do


For the interest of the next person who actually has brains enough to search for this, I actually found another so far unmentioned bag:

Lightware Laptop Digital Messenger

I was trying to find info on that bag, but their website is currently down and B+H does not have any good photos of it. I could not tell if it had lens dividers or not. Thanks for the photos.

DoctorIt

patch29 wrote:

I was trying to find info on that bag, but their website is currently down and B+H does not have any good photos of it. I could not tell if it had lens dividers or not. Thanks for the photos.

you're welcome. found 'em on sports shooter

patch29

Their site is back up.

http://www.lightwareinc.com/Wcd17a48a6a60d.htm

devbobo

Erik,

I know your looking for a bag that takes a notebook, but I recently purchased a Crumpler Next Venue bag and really love it.

In the top section, I can fit 3 lens 10-22,17-40,50 f1.4 (one mounted on my 20D), along with my Sony F717 (which could be replaced with two lens).

The hidden compartment has plenty of room for filters, shutter releases, lens hoods,etc. The bag can also be modded (ie..hole cut been top section and hidden compartment, to hold extra long lens, like 70-200).

I like additional padding of this series of Crumpler bags to the Million Dollar home series.

Cheers,

David

LeDude

looking for the "same" thing, except my laptop is about 13.5" wide

Doc, did you get what you wanted? And, for my sake, is it big enough to accomodate my slightly larger laptop?

-Rich

DoctorIt

LeDude wrote:

Doc, did you get what you wanted? And, for my sake, is it big enough to accomodate my slightly larger laptop?

-Rich

Nope, still haven't found what I really want. Of everything mentioned, I like the Crumpler Sinking Barge photo/laptop backpack. It will hold up to a 15" laptop. The only reason I don't have it yet is the cost, and I already have a Crumpler backpack that I like.

All the other options (save maybe the Lightware, also very $$$, hard to find) scream: "laptop breifcase" or "camera case". I really dig the plain backpack or sling bag lood of the crumplers. Although I guess by now, most thieves probably know there's more goodies hidden in the Crumpler bags than all the specialized cases anyway.

My final option, if I get some more time and motivation is to look into one of the crumpler "buckets". I have more than my share of messenger bags, so maybe I could modify one up to hold one of the photo buckets in place with a sleeve like pocket left open behind it for my laptop.

If I do anything, I'll update the thread.

DJ-S1

Doc - I never really followed this thread but I saw this and remembered you were looking for something similar. Thought it might be worth taking a peek at.

DoctorIt

Yo DJ - thanks for thinking of me!

I did however make a purchase a couple weeks ago when I was in Europe. I should have posted it here. It's actually a Europe only bag - you won't find it on the crumplerusa site, and if you mention to a local crumper dealer they'll look at you funny.

It's the December Quarter:







I stole these photos from google images because the crumpler sites are all done in flash. If you want to check out specs, I believe you could order from www.crumplereurope.com (look out for the flying pigs though).

The bag is definitely on the bigger side, but no bigger than a medium or large messenger bag, which I'm used to carrying anyway - been my standard fare for years now. Obviously, it is much more rigid though. Has a laptop sleeve, customizable dividable front pouch, couple hidden file pockets, big pockets on the front, and very slick closure flap design. Typical cool crumpler design and quality. It is super easy to sling and get in and out of, so its a big improvement on the Schrinkle backpack. If I get around to it, or if there is interest, I'll do a more in depth review and post some more photos.

LeDude

This thing is a monster! I think I am looking for something that doesn't exist, so something like this is probably what I'll go with... at least I know that I can haul a 12 pack in a pinch (probably a case in cans).

-thanks for the update

DoctorIt

LeDude wrote:

This thing is a monster! I think I am looking for something that doesn't exist, so something like this is probably what I'll go with... at least I know that I can haul a 12 pack in a pinch (probably a case in cans).

-thanks for the update

It is big, but it carries well. You must suffer from the "if there's space, fill it!" syndrome as well!

I've gotten good in the past week, with just my laptop and XT, couple of other small things and my lunch, it's not even that heavy. Holds it all in style.

Also, you're right, whne you want, you can fill it up. I used it to shoot a gig the other day. Laptop, XT, 3 lenses, 2 of which were BIG. Water bottle, and snack, all fit comfortably. With all the glass, it was heavy on one shoulder. But, it more than makes up for it with accessiblity. It sits up on its own, so you can set it down, flop open the top and do what you need to do.

Would I love it if it were a bit smaller? Yes. But there isn't anything out there as stylish.

the links Patch put up a bit ago to the smaller Tenba's would do it. they're like volvo's though, practical, but boxy.

dick

patch29 wrote:

Too bad nobody reads my posts or uses the search feature..

The messenger bag is listed, here, for $90 at Adorama, but they are not in stock yet. It would also have a little extra room for chargers, cords, reader, new lenses, etc.

Patch:

I did not join until after you posted that thread but it was very useful -

Thanks

patch29

dick wrote:

Patch:

I did not join until after you posted that thread but it was very useful -

Thanks

Tenba has a lot of nice camera laptop bags. I really want the messenger for its small size, but might have to go with one of the should bags instead. Glad it helped. I have been checking at B+H and some of them are not available yet, hopefully they will be soon.

patch29

DoctorIt wrote:

Those Tenba's seem to fit the bill, but are lacking in the coolness department. I'm a hip dude, a fashionista, and out-of-the-box. With a black briefcase bag, I'll look like every other nerd at the conferences!

You want cool, get kevlar, here. It is made for a laptop, but not really camera gear, but some padding and lens wraps, and you could have the kewlest bag on the beat. :

DoctorIt

patch29 wrote:

You want cool, get kevlar, here. It is made for a laptop, but not really camera gear, but some padding and lens wraps, and you could have the kewlest bag on the beat. :

oooh, that is delicious.


(but mine is still kewler)

patch29

DoctorIt wrote:

oooh, that is delicious.

This Laptop Case is delicious too. It is incognito, but you are in trouble if the crooks are hungry.