crumpler 5MDH or 6MDH

[Isa]

I just received my new Canon Eos 40D and the lens ( Canon17-55 f/2.8 ). I am trying to choose a bag... I found the Crumplers that I like. I like the look and the accessibility of the camera. The problem is that I don't know which one to order: the 5 million dollar or the 6MDH? Unfortunately, I can see them only on pictures... I wanted a light and small bag to carry. I don’t have other lenses for the moment. Since I don’t want to take an additional purse during my trips, so I would like a bag to carry not only my camera but also the charger (and maybe an additional battery) and few personal things (agenda, phone, wallet, a bottle of water, Ipod, sunglasses...). In a near future I would like to buy a hood, which is pretty big for this lens. In the best case I would like to attach the hood (not reversed) and carry the camera like that. I don’t want the bag to be to full and bulky...
What is your experience and what do you think I should do?

Thanks

[timnosenzo]

The 5 MDH can definitely carry the 40D w/ 17-55 & hood attached, with plenty of room left for nick-nacks. I think a 6 MDH would be overkill for you.

I don't know if you've seen this picture, but its an accurate representation of the capacity:

http://www.crumplerbags.com/Cart/Resources/CartResources/219_res/b219_o10562_ai997.jpg

[wytwolf]

I'm getting the 5MDH for my B day later this month. I can fit my XTI with my 17-55mm (with reversed hood) attached, my kit lens on one side and my flash on the other side. The 17-55 is long and IIRC with it attached to the XTI it was the full length of the bag.

[Raivyn]

So funny, there are alot of threads about these bags right now! But that's good.

I chose Crumpler bags for the very same reasons you described and just picked up the 5MDH. I tried the 40d w/28-135 kit lens in the 4MDH and it was a tight fit. The 6MDH seems huge by comparison. I had used a Lowepro TLZ1, and it was not only ugly, but too small for anything but the camera.

I don't have access to all my programs, but have attached a .pdf of the bag. Since I was taking photos with the 40d, I can't show how the camera fits, but I can fit the camera w/lens, cables, extra cards, battery charger, cell phone (Palm Treo - so its not small), and lipgloss in it with plenty of space. I have a Thirsty Al attached to one of the loops where I will likely move my phone to.

If it matters to you, I actually sprayed my bag with stain protectant because I didn't want it to get all dirty too fast. Good thing, too, because I discovered Crayon marks from my niece last night. Scrubbed right off!

[Red Dot]

^^ Nice bag. is it a new type because I haven't seen one with patterns or multi color before.

and I love that "stabilized" Guinness lens in there, very handy indeed!

[Christian M]

I originally bought a 5mdh for my 5d + 24-105 and 430ex. It fit only memory cards after those guys in there so it went back. I really needed extra space for a second lens. Still haven't *upgraded* to 6mdh which should work (crosses fingers). But Crumpler bags rule!!

Hope that helps.

[_aravena]

5MDH is fine. Check my review to see what all you can fit. Loved the bag, really awesome.

[junji98]

i'd actually suggest the 6mdh. it will fit your stuff now, and all your peripherals, plus your purse. more importantly though, it will allow for the inevitable future...your plunging into the depths of the never-ending pit-of-lens-lust :)
cheers!

[JC4]

I posted this pic a while back. A 5mdh with 1d-III 135mm mounted, hood reversed. 35mm 1.4 w/ hood along side it. 430ex in the front pouch. It still closes with the strap. It's a bit bulky, but still easy to get the camera out.

I've done a few more bags since, including the 6mdh(sorry haven't taken any snaps). The 6 is significantly larger bag. Most of the time, when I'm carrying my 1d and/or larger lenses I take the 6. For my 40d and a couple normal or short tele lenses the 5mdh is a great size, easy to shoot from, looks good and is inconspicuous.

Or, I take my Domke F-4af. I actually favor the Domke over the 6mdh. Its smaller outside but, holds more stuff. The Crumpler looks better, but I like the thinner padding(giving extra space) and side pockets on the Domke. I can easily put an extra lens or 2 in the side pockets, or a couple flashes... The Domke is also just a bit deeper, so it holds longer lenses much better. The thinner padding makes it a bit less protective, but plenty for me.

[zenkimods]

I have a 5mdh and I fit my 40d w/grip and sigma 17-70 with hood attached. I also put my tokina 12-24 with hood next to it. I havent tried fitting in a flash in the front pocket though. Its a tight fit, but good for the minimal trips.

[Raivyn]

^^ Nice bag. is it a new type because I haven't seen one with patterns or multi color before.

and I love that "stabilized" Guinness lens in there, very handy indeed!

This particular bag is actually listed as a "limited edition" bag. But I ended up only paying $5 more than the other 5MDH, and this one comes with that birdy patch that covers the massive velcro in the front. Cute investment for $5 IMO, and great for times when you don't want to make all that velcro noise getting something out of the bag. It's a large and strong piece of velcro! I believe the 7MDH comes with the velcro patch, but not the 5MDH or the 6MDH.

And yeah, the bag is pretty versatile...never know when you'll need a place to put your beer!

[franklinn]

I posted this pic a while back. A 5mdh with 1d-III 135mm mounted, hood reversed. 35mm 1.4 w/ hood along side it. 430ex in the front pouch. It still closes with the strap. It's a bit bulky, but still easy to get the camera out.

I've done a few more bags since, including the 6mdh(sorry haven't taken any snaps). The 6 is significantly larger bag. Most of the time, when I'm carrying my 1d and/or larger lenses I take the 6. For my 40d and a couple normal or short tele lenses the 5mdh is a great size, easy to shoot from, looks good and is inconspicuous.

Or, I take my Domke F-4af. I actually favor the Domke over the 6mdh. Its smaller outside but, holds more stuff. The Crumpler looks better, but I like the thinner padding(giving extra space) and side pockets on the Domke. I can easily put an extra lens or 2 in the side pockets, or a couple flashes... The Domke is also just a bit deeper, so it holds longer lenses much better. The thinner padding makes it a bit less protective, but plenty for me.

I'm very impressed at how you have stuffed that 5MDH! I have the 40D gripped + 35L, 85mm 1.8, and 580EX II, and I can't find a way to stuff it all in! I would definitely prefer to own the 6MDH over the 5MDH. But that's just me.

[_aravena]

I loved mine and seeing comparison pics of the 5MDH, 6MDH, and 7MDH the 6MDH was too too big for what I wanted. No pic, but I had the 20D with 18-50 F2.8, 70-200 F2.8 and a 430EX in it.

[Raivyn]

I'm very impressed at how you have stuffed that 5MDH! I have the 40D gripped + 35L, 85mm 1.8, and 580EX II, and I can't find a way to stuff it all in! I would definitely prefer to own the 6MDH over the 5MDH. But that's just me.

For a 40D gripped, I would go with the 6MDH. There's room in the 5MDH, but it would be tight.

I plan on keeping spare batteries in the attached Thirsty rather than inside the bag. They are neoprene and are pretty secure to the bag.

[Enjoivw]

I would suggest getting the 6mdh because even though the 5mdh will fit what you need now it wont leave you much room to expand on accesories without getting a new bag or leaving something behind.

I just picked up the 6mdh this week and with a 17-40 attached to 10d w/grip plus a 50, 70-200, and a 550ex everything fits perfect in there. There is more than enough room to fit my chargers, batteries, filters, etc but it gets pretty tight once i put in my wallet, ipod, and phone.

so figure out what you are looking to purchase for your camera within the next year or so and figure what bag would fit everything. Especially since you wrote "i dont have other lenses at the moment." 6mdh should be your best option.

[Jannie]

I have the Crumpler 5MDH for my 5D and it usually is too small, I don't like carrying much but I want it to be easy to use, if I just carry the camera with a 24-105 or 16-35 and my wallet, checkbook, personals, extension tubes then fine but if I want to put my camera with the 70-200 attached it won't fit, it's just a little short. I used it today for a while just to keep the camera out of sight part of the time and it worked well but I use my longer zoom more than any other lens and just haven't found a way to make the 5MDH bag be workable, yes I can fit a bunch of stuff in it seperately but I need loose space for putting stuff as I make lens swaps etc. it's just a bit too small. I've tried just carrying the camera with one lens on and then two spare zooms and tele-extenders etc, but didn't like it.

You say the 6MDH is much bigger, that's a concern but I'll just have to look. Of course if they are starting to decorate them then it'd be really cool if it was just the right size and looked kind of like a general purpose diaper bag LOL, surely wouldn't be taken so seriously.

[JC4]

You say the 6MDH is much bigger, that's a concern but I'll just have to look. Of course if they are starting to decorate them then it'd be really cool if it was just the right size and looked kind of like a general purpose diaper bag LOL, surely wouldn't be taken so seriously.

The 6mdh is about the diaper bag size. That's why I got Black and not light Blue :)

Like I noted above, if you can live with a camera bag looking thing, I prefer my Domke f-4af over my mdh6. Its the same size outside, but carries more. But, if you're the clumsy type the Domke has less padding/protection. The domke is also easier to shoot from w/ a 100-400 attached.