Crumpler--Will It Fit?--Essential Gear Only

I've come to realize that there is no possible "one bag fits all" for my needs. If I just want to leave the house and go take some pictures of my daughter at some "event" or walk around the neighborhood, I don't want to be carrying a huge bag around...but on the other hand, if I'm going on a trip, and I need all my gear, I'll need something bigger for what I plan on buying in the future.

So, I think it comes down to buying two bags, but right now, since I'm just starting out, I will get the smaller one, as I have no need for all the storage space of a larger one at this time, and may not need it for a year or three, with the cost of these lenses...

The stuff:
-----Essential Gear-----
50D
24-105 f/4 L (Hood Reversed)
70-200 f/2.8/4L or 100-400 f L (Hood Reversed)
580EXII w/ Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce OM-EY
Spare 50D Battery
4 Spare AA Batteries
Cleaning Kit (Rocket Blower/Lenspen/Cloth)
2 Spare CF Cards
2 Filters

-----Extended Gear-----
50 f/1.4
*17-40 f/4L
50D Charger
AA Charger
8 Spare AA Batteries
*Small Macbook

-----Notes-----
*May not even have these

So, I'm looking for the bag that will carry the Essential Gear. I was thinking along the lines of the 5MDH. The 6 and 7 look bigger than what I would want to carry around.

I asked myself, do I really need to carry the 50D with the 70-200L mounted, and the answer was very vague. I have no idea. I think with the 105 end of the standard lens, this will get me most of what I want to shoot, and have actually considered the 100-400L in it's (70-200L) place...but that is another topic. I think I have pretty much resolved to being able to carry a smaller bag, to having to mount the 70-200L @ location, and I think I'm fine with that.

So, will the 5MDH be a tight fit for all this equipment? Will it be just right? If it's not, could I use a Large Bundle for the flash, and make it all fit?

The 5MDH will arguably work but the 6MDH would be your best bet for that and in case you want to throw in a flash. You can check my review on the bag but to include hoods, you're screwed.

For lens hoods, do you mean they wouldn't fit in the 5 or 6, or either? If carrying them, they would be reversed, guess I should include that in my gear list...

Get the 6MDH. The 5MDH would be very tight with that. I used to carry my 70-200 occasionally but I cold have the collar or hood on with what I had in it and it kind of defeated the purpose.

Looking at your review of the 5MDH, it looks quite smaller than other pictures I've seen...Guess I'll have to revisit the 6MDH, and see if that will work for my needs. It just seems like it would be more bulky to carry, if say, I were to want to take a backpack with me, and have to carry the essentials bag... (The backpack would not be carrying photo gear.)

Okay, after much review on the Crumpler Review thread, I think I'm leaning more towards the 6MDH.

Couple questions:

1. I know people say that you can't attach the 70-200L to the body and close the bag, but what if you are out and about, at your location, and want to shoot with the 70-200. Can you stow it in the bag, just as a place to put it if you need too, or would it put the camera in danger of falling out of the bag? I'm talking, like if you just needed to stash it in there for a few minutes while doing something, not traveling a huge distance or anything.

2. How water resistant are these bags? If in a heavy rain, is it going to keep stuff dry?

It's as big as it is small. It can hold a bit, but nothing too tall. I was surprised I managed two bodies in it with lenses.

I think you'd find your needs met with a 6 MDH. If you are out shooting and want to just put your camera in with the 70-200 attached (no hood though) for a few minutes, it will be fine. A snug fit, but the clasp will close. I don't know about the 09 models with the dual clasps. As for water resistance, I have no idea. I would think a spill of a drink of bottled water would and light sprinkles of rain be just fine, but a heavy down pour would not be wise.

Thank you! Well, I have to admit, I've never had any of my other camera gear in a down pour yet... I assume it might be wise if expecting one, to bring something to put over the bag...

I'm guessing my full up bag will be one of the Crump backpacks. I really wanted a bag similar to the Kata 3N1, but Crump doesn't seem to make one. I like the idea of converting it from sling to backpack, because this thing would be loaded with stuff. Not something you want to carry on one shoulder all day. I'm probably spoiling myself with a Crump bag, and won't ever be able to get a lesser quality/stylish bag again!

Get the crumpler. I want a Kata 3N1 but I cant seem to sell my Velocity. Oh well, I need to put it on Ebay.

Once I start teaching, being single and living with the 'rents, (for a little while) I plan on getting each Crumpler bag to do a review.

You might want to look at the Think Tank Urban Disguise 35 shoulder bag. It will hold all that and your MacBook 13".

http://www.thinktankph​oto.com/ttp_product_Ur​bnDsgs.php

-howard

Ah, didn't get these last updates e-mailed to me, ha!

Ah, I thought the Urban Disguise was by someone else other than TT. I was looking for it, should have just searched for the name of the bag instead.

Well, after much debating, and looking at pictures of the 6/7MDH, I opted for the 7MDH, strangely enough. The 6MDH, with the 70-200F2.8 and similar lenses, just looked a bit tight, and bulgy...I think I can manage with the 7MDH, just not loading it to capacity, hopefully. We will see, just ordered my first DSLR a few minutes ago, along with the bag and accessories...

_aravena, that would be awesome to review all the Crumpler bags, are you going to buy each of them? What would you do with that many bags?

I loved the 'rents...never seen it put or said that way. I did that and built my first computer several years ago...

Thanks for all the assistance, and suggestions. I ended up getting the gray with red accents. I think it will look really nice.

Well the 1-3 MDH I might leave alone leaving the 4-8 an Brazillion. The 4MDH will be my g/f's initially then we will see. I have the 5MDH, the 6MDH may simply be bought to review then returned or sold. Unsure as the future has many possibilities like today I think the 6MDH would be perfect. The 8MDH is up for speculation but I might get it and resell and have someone in line knowing they're get the product after only a review. As for the Brazillion, as the collection grows so does storage and the 7MDH is getting a bit full for holding gear while it sits.

_aravena wrote in post #7804738
Well the 1-3 MDH I might leave alone leaving the 4-8 an Brazillion. The 4MDH will be my g/f's initially then we will see. I have the 5MDH, the 6MDH may simply be bought to review then returned or sold. Unsure as the future has many possibilities like today I think the 6MDH would be perfect. The 8MDH is up for speculation but I might get it and resell and have someone in line knowing they're get the product after only a review. As for the Brazillion, as the collection grows so does storage and the 7MDH is getting a bit full for holding gear while it sits.

Personally I have some serious ethical issues with buying a bag for a purpose knowing ahead of time you are just going to return it.

You could always do a giveaway on those bags you won't be using!?