I feel like an old man

[gubbs]

At the moment I use a Crumpler "Geek Star" slung over one shoulder and have my tripod slung over the other on a Manfrotto quick release strap. Problem is, my bag is heavy and seems to get heavier on a fairly regular basis :D. After clambering around the rocks with Luben on Sunday my neck and shoulder are killing me :uhoh. I also find that the bag slips around while climbing and I'm always getting tied up in all the straps.

Sooo, I want to get a back pack. I really like the Crumpler gear and I know andy raves about his "brians hot tub" so this is high on my list although I'm not sure what I'd do with my tripod. Can you get straps to attach it to the backpack? :dunno
Any others worth considering.

Thanks!!

PS I'll be selling my "Geek star" shortly but I suspect that due to the dollar rates it would only be worthwhile for a UK buyerl

[Andy]

At the moment I use a Crumpler "Geek Star" slung over one shoulder and have my tripod slung over the other on a Manfrotto quick release strap. Problem is, my bag is heavy and seems to get heavier on a fairly regular basis :D. After clambering around the rocks with Luben on Sunday my neck and shoulder are killing me :uhoh. I also find that the bag slips around while climbing and I'm always getting tied up in all the straps.

Sooo, I want to get a back pack. I really like the Crumpler gear and I know andy raves about his "brians hot tub" so this is high on my list although I'm not sure what I'd do with my tripod. Can you get straps to attach it to the backpack? :dunno
Any others worth considering.

Thanks!!

PS I'll be selling my "Geek star" shortly but I suspect that due to the dollar rates it would only be worthwhile for a UK buyerl

i recommend the shrinkle, and the farmer's double, both by crumpler. these are the most comfortable bags i've ever worn on my back. i'm going back to the shrinkle i think, and soon....

good luck gubbs, finding the right bag is hard.

if you want details on either, they're here on dgrin, do a search on crumpler you should find plenty.

[gubbs]

i recommend the shrinkle, and the farmer's double, both by crumpler. these are the most comfortable bags i've ever worn on my back. i'm going back to the shrinkle i think, and soon....

good luck gubbs, finding the right bag is hard.

if you want details on either, they're here on dgrin, do a search on crumpler you should find plenty.
Thanks Andy, what did you do with your tripod before you got the small cf job?

[Andy]

Thanks Andy, what did you do with your tripod before you got the small cf job?

bungee cord it on, or carry it, or give it to my sherpa....

[patch29]

Andy is there a shop (or two) in NYC where you can look at a full line of Crumpler Bags?

[gubbs]

Andy is there a shop (or two) in NYC where you can look at a full line of Crumpler Bags?
It's difficult finding anywhere that stocks the range, I'd like to be able to see/try before I buy. The UK importer is located about 3 miles from me but they don't deal with the general public, HOW frustrating :wxwax

[patch29]

It's difficult finding anywhere that stocks the range, I'd like to be able to see/try before I buy. The UK importer is located about 3 miles from me but they don't deal with the general public, HOW frustrating :wxwax

There are no Crumpler dealers in Atlanta, only a city of almost 4 million, maybe I should become a distributor and sell them out of a van. I could probably make a mint going to UGA, Emory and the other universities. :scratch :deal

I did see them last year in Las Vegas at their booth at PMA. I almost went to PMA in Orlando this year but did not go since it would have cost me more to travel down and back then to buy a Crumpler bag or two.

[pathfinder]

Gubbs,

I don't know how much gear you take with you on a shoot, but some of the larger packs can approach 40 pounds pretty quickly which is a lot more than I want to bring unless it is on wheels.

I use a Lowe Pro ( www.lowepro.com ) MiniTrekker AW - for me it is a useful size, it has a pocket and straps to carry a tripod on it, and it is made of GoreTex for improved water resistance.

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/Mini_Trekker_AW.aspx

It is not obvious that it is a camera bag, which I prefer also. Mine is British green and black. I manage to carry a 1DMkll, a 24-70 on the 1DMkll, a 70-200f2.8 and a 17-40 L and a 580 strobe, as well as polarizers Neutral density filters. If I need more, I can carry the camera outside the pack and use that space for one more lens.

If I need to carry longer glass I go to www.kinesisgear.com for their cases for long telephotos, with a harness to carry as a backpack and a waist belt to share the weight. Call the people at Kinesisgear if you need this kind of gear- they are very easy to work with and their stuff is well made.

Crumpler is very popular and colorfu l( not an assett to my mind ), but I found it difficult to find a vendor within 500 miles, and I thought their website was too cute by half. I didn't want a puzzle, I wanted information. LowePro provided that for me. YMMV

[gubbs]

Thanks, I've managed to find someone who stocks the crumpler & lowepro ranges who's reasonably local to me, so I'm going to pop over on Saturday morning and get myself sorted out...they have an excellent catalogue (http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/html/prodframe.html), I'd better go alone :rofl

[Andy]

Andy is there a shop (or two) in NYC where you can look at a full line of Crumpler Bags?

yes, b&h have them, as does adorama.

[DoctorIt]

Hey gubbs, I'm rockin a schrinkle. Love it. Not big enough for tons of gear, but it holds one body, big sigma lens, and 2 smaller lens VERY comfortably. Andy isn't kidding, as far as toting comfort, this bag is par none.

I can take a bunch of photos of it you'd like? I know stores usually only stock the smaller crumpler bags.

me wearing it:
http://doctorit.smugmug.com/photos/17025676-M.jpg

you can see how well its contoured. and looks unassuming, unlike Lowepro.

[DoctorIt]

oops, almost forgot, the schrinkle does have loops for a tripod, on the other side of the bag. Again, lemme know, I can snap some photos.

[pathfinder]

Hey gubbs, I'm rockin a schrinkle. Love it. Not big enough for tons of gear, but it holds one body, big sigma lens, and 2 smaller lens VERY comfortably. Andy isn't kidding, as far as toting comfort, this bag is par none.

I can take a bunch of photos of it you'd like? I know stores usually only stock the smaller crumpler bags.

me wearing it:
http://doctorit.smugmug.com/photos/17025676-M.jpg

you can see how well its contoured. and looks unassuming, unlike Lowepro.
Nice looking bag. I thought they only came in day-glo orange and lime green.....

[DoctorIt]

Nice looking bag. I thought they only came in day-glo orange and lime green.....The inside is day-glo orange :D

My friend has the other color, navy blue where mine is black, and gray where mine is green. And red piping instead of grey piping. I actually like his better as black bags are boring, but I didn't want us to look like total nerds together.

[gubbs]

oops, almost forgot, the schrinkle does have loops for a tripod, on the other side of the bag. Again, lemme know, I can snap some photos.
Thanks Doc, that's really kind, see how I get on Saturday and then I'll let you know :thumb:thumb

[Andy]

gubbsie

here's a full review, loads of piccies (http://photo.rahhali.com/tools/shrinkle/) and here's a mini-review i did (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=10807662)

[gubbs]

gubbsie

here's a full review, loads of piccies (http://photo.rahhali.com/tools/shrinkle/) and here's a mini-review i did (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=10807662)
Thanks andy:thumb

[ginger_55]

Nice looking bag. I thought they only came in day-glo orange and lime green.....
Pathfinder, where do you put the lens that is on the camera on the tripod?

Does it fit in the bag?

ginger

[fish]

Problem is, my bag is heavy and seems to get heavier on a fairly regular basis :D. After clambering around the rocks with Luben on Sunday my neck and shoulder are killing me :uhoh. I also find that the bag slips around while climbing and I'm always getting tied up in all the straps.

Gubbsy, I'm also feeling my age. I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't really matter which bag you get...if you cram it full of all yer worldly belongings, it's gonna be heavy.

I'm on a minimal kick right now. When I go out, I take my Domke F4AF with body, two lenses (one mounted), spare battery, and tripod. That's it. Everytime I tote a bunch of crap with me, I never use all of it. If I take two lenses (maybe 3), it makes the decision-making process really simple and it's not painful.

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17645547-L.jpg

[Andy]

I'm also feeling my age.
http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17645547-S.jpg

and so you sleep with your camera and lenses? :huh

[luckyrwe]

Yea, I'm looking for a bagdeep enough for my lenses too!

[patch29]

Yea, I'm looking for a bagdeep enough for my lenses too!

Are you looking for a shoulder bag or backpack?

[DoctorIt]

gubbsie

here's a full review, loads of piccies (http://photo.rahhali.com/tools/shrinkle/) and here's a mini-review i did (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=10807662)there is absolutely NO WAY he closed that schrinkle with that huge laptop in the sleeve. That's way more gear than I keep in mine. I'm impressed, but I feel deceived. I'd wager money that the closed shot is without the laptop. I could load up mine that much gear and the 12" powerbook, but when I had my 15" toshiba, no way in heck.

[cmr164]

At the moment I use a Crumpler "Geek Star" slung over one shoulder and have my tripod slung over the other on a Manfrotto quick release strap. Problem is, my bag is heavy and seems to get heavier on a fairly regular basis :D. After clambering around the rocks with Luben on Sunday my neck and shoulder are killing me :uhoh. I also find that the bag slips around while climbing and I'm always getting tied up in all the straps....
I do a divide and conquer. One strap is a small shoulder bag holding 1 or 2 lenses (17-35 2.8L and/or 24-70 2.8L) plus 1.4x extender, spare microdrive, hotel showercaps other odds and ends. Another strap is the bag the 70-200 2.8L IS came in, and the 3rd strap is the 500mm f/4.0L IS. I have but don't carry tripod and flash. So far I am finding the 11K (22 lbs) works well spread across both shoulders and every lens is ready for use at a second's notice with the rear caps up and when possible the lens hoods in operating position. Can't vouch for rock climbing but a week of 10-20k a day walking in Tokyo fully loaded worked fine.

[gubbs]

There's a shrinkle come up on FM (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/197088) if anyone's interested, it's not worthwile to get it over to the UK otherwise I'd go for it.

[fish]

and so you sleep with your camera and lenses? :huh

doesn't everybody? :dunno

[fish]

Yea, I'm looking for a bagdeep ...

hey...bagdeep was the name of the last Dell tech support guy I talked to in Bangalore...I'm sure of it! :lol

[cmr164]

There's a shrinkle come up on FM (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/197088) if anyone's interested, it's not worthwile to get it over to the UK otherwise I'd go for it.
Gubbs... while not the best self portrait in the world.... this at least shows what I look like with multiple bags & lenses all ready to use.

[Andy]

There's a shrinkle come up on FM (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/197088) if anyone's interested, it's not worthwile to get it over to the UK otherwise I'd go for it.

gubbs i saw that
if you want it,i can buy it for you and have it to london next week, via diplomatic pouch, if the seller will fedex tomorrow.

hurry. pm me if int.

[DavidTO]

Andy,

I got the Farmer's Double on your recommendation, mostly because there's no place close and convenient enough for me to see it in person.

Now there's all this talk about the Shrinkle, and you're thinking about going back now that you have the 20D (which is what I have).

Can you describe what the differences are between the two? I can't seem to figure it out.

[wxwax]

via diplomatic pouch
:huh

[Andy]

Andy,

I got the Farmer's Double on your recommendation, mostly because there's no place close and convenient enough for me to see it in person.

Now there's all this talk about the Shrinkle, and you're thinking about going back now that you have the 20D (which is what I have).

Can you describe what the differences are between the two? I can't seem to figure it out.

:nono i'm not switching (and sorry to ginger, i'm afraid)

the schrinkle is quite nice - but if i got it, it wouldn't be my main daily bag for in/out of nyc. it'd be for when i travel. erik's right - with 20d, flash, a few lenses etc, the bag wouldn't fit the 15" pbook comfortably.

for now, i'm sticking with the farmer's double, i really like the roominess of this bag. and the 20d fits in the lower pouch so easily!

[devbobo]

:huh
lol Sid.....who does he work for again ? http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/headscratch.gif

[Andy]

lol Sid.....who does he work for again ? http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/headscratch.gif

keepin' y'all on yer toes. i'm everywhere!

[DoctorIt]

Andy,

I got the Farmer's Double on your recommendation, mostly because there's no place close and convenient enough for me to see it in person.

Now there's all this talk about the Shrinkle, and you're thinking about going back now that you have the 20D (which is what I have).

Can you describe what the differences are between the two? I can't seem to figure it out.I've never seen a f-double, but I think I know what its like, I'll give it a go.

The schrinkle has one big main compartment which you access from the back panel. Take the bag off, lay it on the ground, and the whole back unzips to reveal the goodies. the front pockets are very slim and will hold maybe a spare battery or two and your ipod.

The farmers double has 2 very large pockets that access from the front. the lower pocket seems almost like a kangaroo pouch in that, when you unzip it, it flops out a bit and all your big gear goes in there. the top pocket I believe has a laptop pouch that slides all the way down, but also has room for another lens or two. Altogether the bag is bigger, but also arranged differently.

andy, how'd I do?

[Andy]

The farmers double has 2 very large pockets that access from the front. the lower pocket seems almost like a kangaroo pouch in that, when you unzip it, it flops out a bit and all your big gear goes in there. the top pocket I believe has a laptop pouch that slides all the way down, but also has room for another lens or two. Altogether the bag is bigger, but also arranged differently.

andy, how'd I do?

yeah. bottom compartment - 20d, with 50, or 24L or 35L on board. two spaces either side for the other two lenses, or for that matter a 10-22 or a 16-35 or a 100mm macro, or most any lens shorter than the 70-200, 24-70 variety.

inside main compartment: 15" pbook nearest my back. next sleeve, three folders (work, photography stuff, personal papers). current issue of aperture, b&w, or american photo. this part has a flap that covers over the pbook and folders. now there's *plenty* of room inside the main compartment for: 70-200L, 580ex, and at least another lens or two.

outer top pocket: checkbook, wallet, ziploc with cleaning supplies, mrp business cards, mink brush, small blower, passport, etc.

outer lower pocket: cf card, train scheule, keys, motrin.

in my case, here's what i fit in the farmer's double *without* forcing -- the zip comfortably closes..

* 20d, 24L aboard
* 50 f/1.4
* 35L
* 70-200L i.s. (in a thin protective sleeve)
* 100mm macro
* 580ex (in its' case)
* pl filter, nd filter
* standard hardcover novel (by any author except clavell or michener :lol3 )
* cellphone in pocket on right strap (a.w. mod)
* ipod in pocket on left strap (a.w. mod)

that's what i put in it when i'm traveling. day-to-day in nyc i'm trimmed down - one to three lenses max and the laptop and not much else :D

i'll say this: the configuration is awesome. quick access to laptop and inside stuff. quick access to lower compartment. and the bag is the most comfortable bag i've ever carried on my back. :deal

[ginger_55]

:nono i'm not switching (and sorry to ginger, i'm afraid)

the schrinkle is quite nice - but if i got it, it wouldn't be my main daily bag for in/out of nyc. it'd be for when i travel. erik's right - with 20d, flash, a few lenses etc, the bag wouldn't fit the 15" pbook comfortably.

for now, i'm sticking with the farmer's double, i really like the roominess of this bag. and the 20d fits in the lower pouch so easily!

That's OK, now I know which one to get.:thumb

ginger

[gubbs]

gubbs i saw that
if you want it,i can buy it for you and have it to london next week, via diplomatic pouch, if the seller will fedex tomorrow.

hurry. pm me if int.
andy,
I was so close to saying yes, but you've got me thinking about the FD now, I suspect I might need that extra space soon, plus my lunchbox has to fit in somewhere :D. Thanks anyway, much apreciated. :thumb:thumb:thumb

If only I could find a minty 16-35L in time :rofl

[gubbs]

Gubbs... while not the best self portrait in the world.... this at least shows what I look like with multiple bags & lenses all ready to use.
Charles, how big is that lens, or have you shrunk??? :D

Thanks for the advice :thumb

[cmr164]

Charles, how big is that lens, or have you shrunk??? :D

Thanks for the advice :thumb
That is the 500 f/4.0L with the lens hood in ready position. My big criteria is that I be able to change between any of the lenses, extension tube, and extender without having to put down a bag or sit down. The 500L and the 17-35L are carried with the lens shade in ready position. If the 70-200L is on the camera then the 24-70L is in ready position in the 70-200's bag. Most lens changes are done in a few seconds. This is a walking/working carry that is also comfortable on the shoulders and back. For non-shooting transport I use a cheap, small, hard sided carry-on type case. The lenses with the walking bags fit in it.

[gubbs]

Just an update,

I ended up going for a "brian's hot tub" over the shrinkler, I'll do some pictures later but first impressions are good. It spent 4 hours on my back yesterday (fully loaded) and the only bit that ached was my shoulder which still aches from last weekend.

Thanks too everyone for all the help and comments, excellent stuff :thumb

Cheers!!

[USAIR]

Good deal hope it works for you :thumb
I will be very interested in seeing photos of it loaded with all your gear.
I have a hard time buying backpacks without trying them first


Thanks
Fred

[swilner]

Andy is there a shop (or two) in NYC where you can look at a full line of Crumpler Bags?
There is a Crumpler Company Store in NYC. It is east of Broadway (3 or 4 blocks) south of Houston St. I stumbled upon it a year ago.

Steve