Crumpler Company Embarrassment Review
orisky
Registered Users Posts: 39 Big grins
I posted the same thing in another forum, but maybe it'll help someone in this one too.
***
My new/used Crumpler bag is in!!!! Woohooo...excited!
Here's my informal not well-written review. Take it for what it's worth.
Background: I used to own a Lowepro MicroTrekker for 2 years which I sold. I also have a Tamrac top loader which fits ONLY the 5D and the 24-105L (or smaller) without hood, for those very light trips. I also have a MiniTrekker which I ordered, but decided not to keep. I'll be comparing the Crumpler to these bags.
I won the CCE (Crumpler Company Embarrassment) from an eBay auction. It was advertised as like new...and it's pretty close. No stains or smells. The color is a bit dingy..but I think that's the normal olive/light blue color. I wanted a messenger style bag instead of a backpack so I can keep the bag on and pull the camera out, change lenses, etc. without taking off the bag. The CCE allows me to do this. It's made of Chickentex hyper Performance Accessory Fabric. The card actually says "Uncle Tom's chainsaw teeth would rot on em. Hard bags. But fair. And they're not weak wetlings, they dry up quick. They've got big zippies. And the straps and buckles are airline strength - we tested them on a space shuttle. With a few hundred Crumpler bags we dragged one of those bits of white trash all over Cape Canavrel. Then sang a Prince song to it.
The velcro used throughout the bag is industrial strength. This stuff really sticks. As mentioned in other posts, good and bad. Good cuz it keeps stuff in. Bad cuz it's LOUD. I've attached several pics (sorry if it's not allowed) so people get an idea of what it looks like in several angles. (it really bothers me when people put up reviews with one dinky picture). It fits my gear perfectly with room to grow. I put in the following things:
5D with 24-105L hood reversed
85 1.8
Sigma 15-30 (not a small lens)
420EX flash
70-200 F2.8 IS with hood reversed and tripod collar (in the secret compartment)
With all of these things loaded, it was about 15lbs. I have a 100mm macro and a 50 1.4 coming. I'll also be replacing the 7-2F2.8IS with the 7-2F4IS, so the weight should even out. One of those can fit next to the flash. The other can fit in the secret compartment next to the 7-2.
The secret compartment is awesome. That was the main reason i bought this bag. Wanted a top loader but also able to put in a large lens sideways.
The straps are a bit hard, but that was intentional since they wanted it "airline strength". There's a strap that goes from the bag to the main strap. Not really sure what it's for. Maybe someone can tell me?
The internal compartments are mostly adjustable like the Lowepro bags. The dividers are a bit more solid than the Lowepros.
It's a bit wider than the MiniTrekker, but shorter. Depth is about the same. Weight is about the same. Both bags are alot bigger than the Microtrekker which I outgrew.
There are a few more pics here: http://orisky.smugmug.com/gallery/2404829
This is a rare bag. I think it's no longer in production and it's hard to find much about it at all on the internet. Also, IMO, the Crumpler web site is terrible, and I couldn't find anything about it on there either. This looks like it's the same bag as the Geekstar, but that in itself is not an easy bag to find. Who knows, maybe one day I'll decide to go back to a backpack, but for now, this will be my gear bag.
Here are MY pros and cons:
Pros:
Messenger bag, looks cooler and doesn't say "rob me I'm a tourist" all over it...of course that's until you pull the camera out
Topload most of my gear and put a large lens sideways
Cons:
The weight of a fully loaded messenger style is not as easy on the shoulders as a backpack with more even distribution.
Velcro is loud
Isn't AW like the Lowepro
Maybe I'll keep both?
Hope this helps someone make a decision on a bag.
***
My new/used Crumpler bag is in!!!! Woohooo...excited!
Here's my informal not well-written review. Take it for what it's worth.
Background: I used to own a Lowepro MicroTrekker for 2 years which I sold. I also have a Tamrac top loader which fits ONLY the 5D and the 24-105L (or smaller) without hood, for those very light trips. I also have a MiniTrekker which I ordered, but decided not to keep. I'll be comparing the Crumpler to these bags.
I won the CCE (Crumpler Company Embarrassment) from an eBay auction. It was advertised as like new...and it's pretty close. No stains or smells. The color is a bit dingy..but I think that's the normal olive/light blue color. I wanted a messenger style bag instead of a backpack so I can keep the bag on and pull the camera out, change lenses, etc. without taking off the bag. The CCE allows me to do this. It's made of Chickentex hyper Performance Accessory Fabric. The card actually says "Uncle Tom's chainsaw teeth would rot on em. Hard bags. But fair. And they're not weak wetlings, they dry up quick. They've got big zippies. And the straps and buckles are airline strength - we tested them on a space shuttle. With a few hundred Crumpler bags we dragged one of those bits of white trash all over Cape Canavrel. Then sang a Prince song to it.
The velcro used throughout the bag is industrial strength. This stuff really sticks. As mentioned in other posts, good and bad. Good cuz it keeps stuff in. Bad cuz it's LOUD. I've attached several pics (sorry if it's not allowed) so people get an idea of what it looks like in several angles. (it really bothers me when people put up reviews with one dinky picture). It fits my gear perfectly with room to grow. I put in the following things:
5D with 24-105L hood reversed
85 1.8
Sigma 15-30 (not a small lens)
420EX flash
70-200 F2.8 IS with hood reversed and tripod collar (in the secret compartment)
With all of these things loaded, it was about 15lbs. I have a 100mm macro and a 50 1.4 coming. I'll also be replacing the 7-2F2.8IS with the 7-2F4IS, so the weight should even out. One of those can fit next to the flash. The other can fit in the secret compartment next to the 7-2.
The secret compartment is awesome. That was the main reason i bought this bag. Wanted a top loader but also able to put in a large lens sideways.
The straps are a bit hard, but that was intentional since they wanted it "airline strength". There's a strap that goes from the bag to the main strap. Not really sure what it's for. Maybe someone can tell me?
The internal compartments are mostly adjustable like the Lowepro bags. The dividers are a bit more solid than the Lowepros.
It's a bit wider than the MiniTrekker, but shorter. Depth is about the same. Weight is about the same. Both bags are alot bigger than the Microtrekker which I outgrew.
There are a few more pics here: http://orisky.smugmug.com/gallery/2404829
This is a rare bag. I think it's no longer in production and it's hard to find much about it at all on the internet. Also, IMO, the Crumpler web site is terrible, and I couldn't find anything about it on there either. This looks like it's the same bag as the Geekstar, but that in itself is not an easy bag to find. Who knows, maybe one day I'll decide to go back to a backpack, but for now, this will be my gear bag.
Here are MY pros and cons:
Pros:
Messenger bag, looks cooler and doesn't say "rob me I'm a tourist" all over it...of course that's until you pull the camera out
Topload most of my gear and put a large lens sideways
Cons:
The weight of a fully loaded messenger style is not as easy on the shoulders as a backpack with more even distribution.
Velcro is loud
Isn't AW like the Lowepro
Maybe I'll keep both?
Hope this helps someone make a decision on a bag.
0
Comments
For the cost of the Crumplers you'd think they'd use water proofing on the fabric or (like LowePro) add an AW cover....one reason I have stayed away from them.
I'm actually not too concerned unless i'm stuck in a downpour for an extended period of time. The fabric is fairly thick with a layer of padding in most places. Also, the amount of moisture that gets through likely won't affect the camera and lenses (right?
Ian
I rode my motorcycle for 100 miles at xmas time in rain so heavy i couldnt see the flamin' road 50 yards in front of me. Before i left i opened my 'Brians Hot Tub' & carefully put each lens & both cameras in plastic bags. I got home & honestly could not find one single drop of water that had got into that bag....not one.
That will do me fine for water resistant.
Congratulations on a great bag. I picked up our familys 5th crumpler yesterday (the complete seed)...we are bits of crumpler whores.
That strap is to go around your leg. Crumpler is owned by a pair of aussie push bike couriers thus a lot of their stuff is aimed at that market still.
Go here & select History' (top right to learn how & why they started)
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Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Aroung the leg? I've got a shoulder bag from Timbuk 2 (Bags made by/for bike messengers, here in San francisco) and its got a similar strap. I use it to go under my arm and attach to the main strap across my chest, it helps stabilize the bag (especially when its heavily loaded) when I'm on the motorcycle. Keeps my luggage from landing in my lap everytime I get on the brakes.
Canon 40d | Canon 17-40 f/4L | Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 | Canon 50mm f/1.8 | Canon 70-200mm f/4 L
That extra strap being a leg strap doesn't seem right. Every messenger bag I have seen uses a strap like that as a cross-your-chest or around-the-waist strap to stabilize it when it is slung across your body, bike messenger style.
My photos
"The future is an illusion, but a damned handy one." - David Allen
As for the strap...I'm not believing anyone else unless they show me a pic of themself wearing it!