Crumpler bag dimensions for anyone who owns one?

[thomasrhee]

I'm looking to buy a couple of Crumpler bags and I need to know the interior dimensions and your thoughts on inside arrangement to fit my gear. I know the Crumpler site has dimensions listed but user reviews seem to conflict with those dimensions saying the interior dimensions are pretty optimistic.

First my gear: 20d body, Canon 17-40/4L, Tamron 28-75/2.8, Canon 50/1.4, Canon 85/1.8, Canon 70-200/4L, Canon 580EX flash, various memory cards, filters, extra battery, charger, cables, and an iPod Photo.

The bags I'm looking at are the Tall-E, 15 Love, Next Venue and Budgie Smuggler.

The Budgie Smuggler, I'm looking at for my wife's 350d XT with either a Canon 18-55 kit lens or the Tamron 28-75/2.8 and her personal effects (wallet, makeup, organizer, etc..) and judging by the dimensions listed on Crumpler's website, it looks like it should fit her well.

As for me, I'm up in the air about the Tall-E, 15 Love, Next Venue because I want a bag that's not too bulky but will fit most of the gear listed above. My main bag is a Domke F-2 which is great but sometimes a bit too bulky for some situations plus the fact that the Crumpler bags look like regular messenger bags is a big plus. Unfortunately the closest Crumpler dealer is about 3-4 hours away. I'm leaning towards the Next Venue but am worried that it may be too bulky.

Anyone have any of the bags listed above who can give me more insight? Will the 70-200/4L fit in the Secret Chamber compartment, preferably with the lens hood on? 90% of the time, I plan on having the 17-40 or the 28-75 lens on my camera and would like to store it in the bag with the lens on.

Thanks in advance,
tyr

[wintoid]

My Budgie Smuggler regularly carries my 20d, 85mm f/1.8, Tamron 28-75, Canon 550ex plus 4 AA battery spares, loads of chewing gum, some tissues, a lens cloth, and my keys! If I ditch one of the lenses, I can get my wallets (one for notes, one for coins) in there too.

I didn't get on with the bag that well until I removed the huge velcro thing on the strap. Now it's MUCH more comfortable.

[Citizensmith]

Having discovered the budgie smuggler was crap at doing just that (they escape to easily, and it was hard to get more than 15 in) I decided to use it as a camera bag.

Mine carries a 300D, 17-40 (with original hood) and 85 1.8 (with hood) as well as batteries, cards, my PDA, and a bit of room to spare. For shoulder bags its my absolute favorite.

[RockSlut]

Here is a thread with some photos of the crumpler lineup with gear in it, it may be of assistance. I'm sorry, but I don't have the exact dimensions of the bags, maybe try the crumpler website.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=63970

I hope this is of assistance.

[blackviolet]

i'm not sure what happened to my other thread where i had examples, but here:
http://www.pbase.com/iagrafx/image/39999499
http://www.pbase.com/iagrafx/image/39999500
http://www.pbase.com/iagrafx/image/39999501
http://www.pbase.com/iagrafx/image/39999502
http://www.pbase.com/iagrafx/image/39999504
http://www.pbase.com/iagrafx/image/39999503
http://www.pbase.com/iagrafx/image/39999505
http://www.pbase.com/iagrafx/image/39999506

[Reminisce]

I own the Budgie Smuggler and have for a while, it comfortably fits my 20D with 2 short lenses stacked or 2 long lenses with one on the camera, plus the flash, my lenspen, filters, and other stuff. One thign to note about Crumpler bags is you can buy an extra lens case that will snuggly fit on any of their bags. They have them on BH's site. I ordered mine from www.cravedweasel.com

[gastroboy]

I own the Budgie Smuggler and have for a while, it comfortably fits my 20D with 2 short lenses stacked or 2 long lenses with one on the camera, plus the flash, my lenspen, filters, and other stuff. One thign to note about Crumpler bags is you can buy an extra lens case that will snuggly fit on any of their bags. They have them on BH's site. I ordered mine from www.cravedweasel.com

can you post a pic with the stuff in the bag?

I am really interested in the budgie smuggler too.

[thomasrhee]

I've decided to hold off on my purchase because I just found out Crumpler is coming out with their new 2005 line of photo bags later this month. The new designs are supposed to be less rigid and bulky but with the same amount of protection.

tyr

[blackviolet]

hmm - that's a little different than what they told me about their new april bags. i'll go by the crumpler store today or tomorrow and find out.

[gastroboy]

http://www.intro2020.co.uk/pages/crumpler9.htm

is this what you are talking about...I can't find squat about it on their Aus website (i'm from oz so I might visit their main store to find out more)....ohh...press the red button on the bottom right for a laugh.

[blackviolet]

i went to the crumpler store today... i found out the crumpler in the uk is a separate company from the original oz company. they carry some of the same models, but they also have some of their own. ben's pizza is one example which is not a crumpler, australia model. most of the items on the link below are uk only models.

they got in some of their new stock and they had the catalog which lists their other new items. they have a few new backpacks - both the split compartment ones and the full backpacks (sorry i can't remember the names). they are still pretty bulky, but what do ya expect... you can carry a truckload in them
there are also a few new over the shoulder items, including the million dollar home range. they are numbered 1 through 7 - numbers 6 & 7 hold a 1 series body with big L lenses easily. i'll go back after my trip to africa to see if they're in.

[PhotosGuy]

Having discovered the budgie smuggler was crap at doing just that (they escape to easily, and it was hard to get more than 15 in) I decided to use it as a camera bag. :D

[thomasrhee]

OK, I just received a further update on the new line of Crumpler photo bags. The new line will be a series called "Million Dollar Home" ranging from 1 to 7 with the $7 Million Home being the largest size. The $7 Million Home (15"Wx11"Hx7"D) is the replacement for the current Next Venue although the new designs is a bit wider. The $6 Million Home (13"Wx9"Hx7"D) is the replacement for the current Tall-E and the $4 Million Home (10"Wx8"Hx6"D) is the replacement for the current Budgie Smuggler.

They've also done away with the "Secret Hidden Chamber" design which IMO is a good thing since now you can now store the camera in a vertical position with longish lenses attached in the larger designs. The new design is less rigid and therefore a bit less bulky although supposed to be equally protective. Theres also 2 side pockets which will be able to hold additional lenses or accessories in addition to the front pocket as in the current line (minus the Secret Hidden Chamber). Also, the colors have changed with each bag receiving a 3 color coordination scheme.

Only bad news is that prices have gone up. The Budgie Smuggler replacement is expected to sell for $80-90. Ouch! Quite a bit of price jump.

Thought this news might be of some interest to others who are interested in the Crumpler line of bags.

Anyways, I'm in line to buy 3 of the bags which are due to be available in about 2 weeks. :mrgreen:

[thomasrhee]

Here's a pic of the new replacement for the Tall-E... now called the $6 Million Home.