crumpler 6 vs 7 MDH

[junji98]

i've been reading all i can about these two bags, and am wondering which would better suit me. i need your opinions.

my gear consists of: xti w battery grip, 18-55 IS, 55-250 IS, 85 mm 1.8, 50 mm 1.8 and a gorillapod. planning to get a 430 ex soon. if ever i add another lens, it would probably be an ultra wide. i am personally leaning toward the 7MDH, but im afraid it might be too big?

looking forward to your opinions.

thanks.

[Photo_Rebel]

My 6 MDH consists of all that you see in my signature line, filters, chargers, manuals, and other small things. Plus, I'm looking to add another lens (Sigma 17-70) and I carry around an old tripod that's about 11" folded and extends to about 46" tall -this lies long-ways on top of all my equipment. I would look into the 7 MDH if you know you'll be getting more and bigger stuff in the future.

[junji98]

thanks for the reply. by any chance, do you have a photo/s of your configuration?

thanks

[Village_Idiot]

A post from my local forums:

It arrived yesterday evening. Pics below.

I like it so far. I think I need to rearrange some things to get it to fit properly but as of now it barely closes with all my equipment in it and I wanted a bag just to carry all my equipment.

It's currently filled with:
30D gripped with the 70-200 2.8 is attached to it.
the 50mm f/1.8 in a corner slot with the 18-55 kit lens stacked on top.
The next corner slot has one of my two vivitar 285hv's in it.
On the other side of the camera, one slot has another 285hv.
Last corner has two PW's
small slot infront of the camera has a PW with a battery charger in it.
Back side has another charger.
The canon charger with business cards, wires, and other crap fit into the front pocket and the inside mesh pocket.

It's still pretty light as the only heavy thing in my kit is the camera and the big lens. It's fairly comfortable for the two minutes that I actually was carrying it. I can see it working much better if I put the camera in not attached to the 70-200. This is something I would do on days that I knew I didn't need my flashes and PW's.

Construction seems pretty durable from handling it so far. Hopefully it'll turn out to be a good bag.

The cost wasn't too bad. $128.50 before shipping and everything else.

Closed up:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2286/2232860148_c0e34784ac_o.jpg

Open side shot:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/2232070347_b5f0863556_o.jpg

Open full frontal:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/2232070265_8eaff98b77_o.jpg


-=-------------------------------------------------

I've since rearranged and I'm now using the 7mdh and a small quantaray that I had before my gear collection recently grew exponentially.

Now I have this in it and it all fits comfortably:

30D + grip
70-200 2.8 is
50mm 1.8
kit lens - attached to 30d
580ex II in oem pouch
2 x pw
usb card reader
eneloop AA recharger
canon battery charger
77mm & 52mm cp filters
misc cables and manuals and cards - etc... in pockets
3 x home depot light clamps clamped to the side.

It now closes properly and isn't over packed. I even have room for another lens with just a slight bit of rearranging.

I just ended up putting the two big vivitar flashes and two pocket wizards with cables in a seperate bag as I don't need them all the time and only take them when I know I'm going to be using them. That's worked out so far.

[Photo_Rebel]

thanks for the reply. by any chance, do you have a photo/s of your configuration?

thanks

Sorry for the P&S quality, but here you go...

Nice bag, Village! ;)

[Photo_Rebel]

Couple more...

[PwrRENJ]

With the gear you have, you're better off on a 7MHD. I have the 6MHD and you can barely fit 2 lenses on one side. Just note, that with all that gear, your shoulder might become sore after walking all day. That's what made me diss the 6MDH and go with a camera backpack instead.

[Village_Idiot]

Talk about over saturation. That's like mint green.

[Photo_Rebel]

With the gear you have, you're better off on a 7MHD. I have the 6MHD and you can barely fit 2 lenses on one side. Just note, that with all that gear, your shoulder might become sore after walking all day. That's what made me diss the 6MDH and go with a camera backpack instead.

Yea, I'll eventually upgrade especially with another lense coming in -looking at the Brazillion!;) For now, I think I'll be fine with the 6MDH, I like to look as inconspicuous as possible. My shoulder held up well after walking about 30 block all over Philly this past weekend, but I'm sure once the padding gets flat, I'll be feeling it more.

Talk about over saturation. That's like mint green.

LOL! :oops: That's why we upgrade to DSLR's! ;)

[junji98]

thanks! those posts were extremely helpful. as i dont intend to purchase any large 70-200's yet, i think the 6MDH would suit me just fine :)

ed

[junji98]

btw, how are the crumplers (6 or 7) MDH's in terms of comfort? anybody ever try hiking with them?

ed

[Village_Idiot]

btw, how are the crumplers (6 or 7) MDH's in terms of comfort? anybody ever try hiking with them?

ed

Hiking? No thanks. Definitely a backpack for that unless you're just casually sauntering through trails. I hiked a short trail up to take some pics with an even smaller shoulder bag that had a camera and two lenses. Even that was no fun.

[junji98]

thanks. that's good to know.

ed

[Jon]

Hiking? No thanks. Definitely a backpack for that unless you're just casually sauntering through trails. I hiked a short trail up to take some pics with an even smaller shoulder bag that had a camera and two lenses. Even that was no fun.
100% agree. There may be a backpack strap accessory out there that'll let you carry a shoulder bag comfortably when you're on anything beyond a paved or packed bike trail, but I haven't found it yet (which isn't to say I've stopped looking). I either stow my cameras in Domke inserts in a regular backpack or use a Spider 10 or Iguana 20 (Domke-badged Katas, roughly the R-102 and maybe the HB-207) when I'm on the trail.

[_aravena]

I love my 7MDH, but for hiking I plan on getting the fastpack or flipside. I use a DIY bag for everyday things although I'd like a F802 when it comes with inserts. As for the 7MDH, it's those days I need everything like concerts, weddings, or any event that deems a nice bag to be with me. I have though carried around the gear in my review for 6hrs (at least) at a concert event at Universal so weight, IMO, is not an issue but other reasons for hiking it's not suited well is that it's large, a messenger bag, and it's just darn too pretty to get dirty! :D :p

Other than that it's my storage at home with all my stuff and I grab and go as need. But it's still the best. And when the time calls I can use my Bundle to attach to the side to hold a flash or a lens or two.

[Village_Idiot]

I love my 7MDH, but for hiking I plan on getting the fastpack or flipside. I use a DIY bag for everyday things although I'd like a F802 when it comes with inserts. As for the 7MDH, it's those days I need everything like concerts, weddings, or any event that deems a nice bag to be with me. I have though carried around the gear in my review for 6hrs (at least) at a concert event at Universal so weight, IMO, is not an issue but other reasons for hiking it's not suited well is that it's large, a messenger bag, and it's just darn too pretty to get dirty! :D :p

Other than that it's my storage at home with all my stuff and I grab and go as need. But it's still the best. And when the time calls I can use my Bundle to attach to the side to hold a flash or a lens or two.

Precisely.

I believe Canon's backpack sells for $30 on Amazon. The 200eg? Something similar to that. It stows a good amount of equipment and if probably going to be my next purchase for days when the crumpler just won't work.

[_aravena]

^Yeah, I thought about getting that, but I really think saving for the Flipside or Fastpack would be a better investment. I just know I love the style and how they work.

[LIVE4SPD]

I compared a 6MDH to a 7MDH come and I think the original poster is probably more interested in the 6MDH.

That said i have a couple comments that apply to all the MDH bags by Crumpler.

1. There are NO outside pockets. Most bags have a nice pocket in the back to hold paper or magazines etc. No such luck
2. The front pocket has no dividers or pen holders, or anything. It's just a large pocket.
3. The way the bag folds over it's not going to be 100% water proof. Little rain no problem. Driving hurricane force winds where your are standing outside all day are not going to end well. :-)

I'm new to my Crumpler 6MDH but I just wanted to share a couple comments with you.

[gandini]

i've been reading all i can about these two bags, and am wondering which would better suit me. i need your opinions.

my gear consists of: xti w battery grip, 18-55 IS, 55-250 IS, 85 mm 1.8, 50 mm 1.8 and a gorillapod. planning to get a 430 ex soon. if ever i add another lens, it would probably be an ultra wide. i am personally leaning toward the 7MDH, but im afraid it might be too big?

looking forward to your opinions.

thanks.
I have both the 6MDH and the 7MDH and your kit will fit into the 7MDH but not the 6. But the 6 is great for a day pack with limited zoom lenses or selected primes.
Very good packs indeed.

[_aravena]

3. The way the bag folds over it's not going to be 100% water proof. Little rain no problem. Driving hurricane force winds where your are standing outside all day are not going to end well. :-)


I'm not sure any bag is save those...Lowepros. I forget their name...

And like you said, you're new to it. it does fine, the flaps fold over the gear inside. Not saying walk casually, but for a bag without an AW cover it's fine.

[junji98]

thanks everybody for your help. i got me the 6MDH today. i'll try to post pics if i can :)

[eyefocus2]

This review convinced me to get the 6 million bag. Its my best bag so far.
http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/6mdh