Revisiting Crumpler and Domke for two body w/grip.

Ok, I have been out of the loop a bit but obviously, I'm a thinktank person and I do have a Domke F3x and basically just look at my signature and it will explain it all there.

The thing is, even with all my bags and gear, I am going to feed my craving for another bag.

This time around, a one shot bag that allows me to carry two bodies (w/grip), a couple of lenses/accessories but the bag cannot be H U G E, like the brazillian dollar home (although I like it and seems to be the only one that can do what I want it to do--of course also the Domke F series).

How am I going to use the bag?
Basically, overseas travelling. Preferably one bag to carry my gear and when I get to the location, I have the ability to remove "stuff" or bring "stuff" along without it being to clunky.

In the past, I would have an airport series TT bag with my Rotation 360 and Bazooka for my tripod (three bags) to carry my gear. When I get to the location, I pick and choose what I want or need to bring on a walk-around shoot with my Rotation 360 or F3x. My point in this is that I'm carrying wayyyy too many bags.

So...

I was hell bent on getting the Daily XXL which seems to be between a 7MDH and BDH but obviously not available here. Now I'm seeing there is an 8MDH (is this the Daily XXL, U.S. version?).

Lastly, I'm looking specifically at Domke and Crumpler.

The reason for this post is just to revisit what "new" stuff may have came out for those two brands that "may" fit my current needs.

Thanks in advance. Aravena/Jon I'm back.

Either the F-1x or the F-7AF will handle 2 gripped bodies and 5-6 lenses; if you want to keep long lenses (70-200 or bigger) on both bodies, the F7 is the way to go. In either case, go with the 720-230 3-compartment insert along the back and you'll be able to rest a long lens/gripped body combo along the front. If you have fewer or shorter lenses, the F-2 will also handle that (use a 2-compartment insert along the back edge; there's room for one body/lens combo on its side lying along the front and the other body can overhang it while upright in the bag).

The thing isthe following:

The reason for the two bodies it to slap on one short lens and the other body a 70-200 f/2.8 lens. I need a bag that I can pull in and out those two bodies w/grip and lens attached at a whim without having to struggle and manuever things around to just get to one body over another.

Of course, during transit overseas, I would be removing the lens from the body but once I'm at the location and moving around, I attach the lens in ready position and just pull the camera in and out depending on which I need. Yes, I can bust out both camera's and wrap it around my neck but I don't usually do this unless I know I'm going to be taking shots of the location for awhile.Otherwise, the bag will "hide" my camera. I would carry a few batteries and a couple other lenses but that really is it.

F-7 will take both upright with no problem. With the F-1 if you have the "upright" body at the opposite end of the bag from the other body, which is on its side, there'll be no difficulty getting either. I've used both as carry-ons with no problems; as long as you don't let them look heavy, they seem to go by (although I haven't yet flown any of the carriers that use your luggage as a profit center).

Jon wrote in post #7452504
F-7 will take both upright with no problem. With the F-1 if you have the "upright" body at the opposite end of the bag from the other body, which is on its side, there'll be no difficulty getting either. I've used both as carry-ons with no problems; as long as you don't let them look heavy, they seem to go by (although I haven't yet flown any of the carriers that use your luggage as a profit center).

Ironically I have gotten away with carrying a TT airport security, a bazooka (which I attached to my rotation 360) making it look like it's part of the Rotation360 as one bag which makes it to the allowable two bag when it's technically 3.

I don't know what the rules are now but I don't want to take this chance so I rather carry a bazooka with me and a domke/crumpler bag and be done with it.

Jon wrote in post #7452504
F-7 will take both upright with no problem. With the F-1 if you have the "upright" body at the opposite end of the bag from the other body, which is on its side, there'll be no difficulty getting either. I've used both as carry-ons with no problems; as long as you don't let them look heavy, they seem to go by (although I haven't yet flown any of the carriers that use your luggage as a profit center).

The F-7 is sounding good. I'm trying to look for photos with it on a person to see how large it is or small it is. I'm presuming I can use this bag to tote the rest of my gear without any problems while in transit (in other words, it's big enough). What I don't want is a long bag. I rather have both bodies in holster like position in the bag so I can pull it in and out easily.

Ok found a link with good pics. (FYI to anyone else)

Review by Akula

Jon,

Do you happen to have a picture with the specific inserts you are talking about? I'm presuming the one (link above) are standard inserts that came with it.

"Big enough"? As long as you can still lift it. Mine carries 1D3/70-200 2.8 IS, 5D/24-70 2.8, Sigma 15-30, 100-400, 300 f/4, a couple of teleconverters, a coupe of Speedlites, a netbook, and the usual filters, cards and batteries.

Jon wrote in post #7452682
"Big enough"? As long as you can still lift it. Mine carries 1D3/70-200 2.8 IS, 5D/24-70 2.8, Sigma 15-30, 100-400, 300 f/4, a couple of teleconverters, a coupe of Speedlites, a netbook, and the usual filters, cards and batteries.

LoL, ok it's big enough!

Yes, those are the "stock" dividers. This is my F-1x with the divider set I use (separate purchase): the 720-230 in back and the 720-200 in the front for another long lens. The bag footprints are the same; the F-7 is a couple of inches deeper.

Domke all the way. First of all, overseas the Dailys are gone and they have a new line so no more of that anyways. The 8MDH is suppose to be a cross between the 7MDH and Brazillion, most comparably to what you said, but reading a description I'm afraid it'll be more of a taller 7MDH but somewhat smaller and won't hold gear like the Brazillion and laptop. More like my 7MDH converted to hold a laptop like I did. I almost wonder if they saw my conversion because the description makes it sound that way.

Now, with that said I will fight for Crumpler. This is my latest setup and it's two bodies as you described with room for extra lenses. The 40D has the 70-200 and the 20D has the 18-50/11-16. Whichever I want. That's 2/3 of the bag while the other 1/3 is where my other lenses and flash go. If you don't want two flashes, where my one flash goes two small primes or any smaller lenses can go there next to each other.

By the way, welcome back! You've been gone awhile.

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_aravena wrote in post #7454729
Domke all the way. First of all, overseas the Dailys are gone and they have a new line so no more of that anyways. The 8MDH is suppose to be a cross between the 7MDH and Brazillion, most comparably to what you said, but reading a description I'm afraid it'll be more of a taller 7MDH but somewhat smaller and won't hold gear like the Brazillion and laptop. More like my 7MDH converted to hold a laptop like I did. I almost wonder if they saw my conversion because the description makes it sound that way.

Now, with that said I will fight for Crumpler. This is my latest setup and it's two bodies as you described with room for extra lenses. The 40D has the 70-200 and the 20D has the 18-50/11-16. Whichever I want. That's 2/3 of the bag while the other 1/3 is where my other lenses and flash go. If you don't want two flashes, where my one flash goes two small primes or any smaller lenses can go there next to each other.

By the way, welcome back! You've been gone awhile.

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I was willing to try a Crumpler but I guess the F7 will be it. I will try to visit B&H just for a final look over and go from there. I guess the good thing is I can reuse my Domke Postal shoulder pad and Domke backpack strap.

It's good to be back.

My F-7AF arrived yesterday. It's freaking perfect!! I am selling the F-1x and the main reason is the feel of the F-7AF on my shoulder and how it carries at my waist line.

All of the gear in my signature fits with room to spare.

mhthomps wrote in post #7458916
My F-7AF arrived yesterday. It's freaking perfect!! I am selling the F-1x and the main reason is the feel of the F-7AF on my shoulder and how it carries at my waist line.

All of the gear in my signature fits with room to spare.

AWESOME!

Can you provide pictures and tell us how much you got it for...from my research so far, I see that the average prices for these are around $199. The cheapest that I have seen people bought it for is around $150. I just can't seem to find a place that is selling it for that price.

How much did you get it for? Pictures pictures pictures!