Great bag?

I currently have the canon backpack, it good and safe but I just cant access it on the fly without crouching down and setting it on the ground (can be a pain at football games).

What is a good bag that is safe, durable, and accessible?
I've been looking at the 5mdh for a little while now, and it seems to get good reviews.
What do you think is the best for the money? Im ALL FOR saving a few bucks if I can.

Can't go wrong with Crumpler. I have a 6MDH myself.

I have the Billingham Hadley Pro. It's a good walking around messenger style bag. Very durable and classic styling.

Since you're looking at the 5mdh, I'll assume you're going for fairly small. I really like the Tamrac Velocity series, they're sling-style bags which are easy to carry and easy to get stuff out (the smaller ones, anyway).

How much gear do you want to carry ?

I have a Lowepro ProMag2 which is very convenient when you want to change lenses and not have to put the bag down. Very well built and importantly, does not lose it's shape when been carried. Bags that flex are a real PITA to extract/insert lenses into.

For those days when less is all you need I just bought a Crumpler 6MDH although I am not all that enamored with the large flaps of this style. They get in the way. I may still exchange it for the smaller version of the ProMag 2.

I'll second Crumpler, doesn't look like a camera bag, the build quality is nearly military grade. I have an 8 Million Dollar Home and it easily fits my 70-200 and 300 2.8 on bodies at the same time. Not a whole lot else but it can be done.

Domke, F3x, F2 or F1x in increasing size. Designed by a working PJ to shoot out of, and they're outstanding at that, as well as wearing like iron.

The best in my opinion is the Think Tank Rotation 360 backpack, whose bottom section is accessible while you're wearing it. I keep the 24-105 on the camera and on the shoulder straps, and keep the 100-400, the 16-35, and a 580 Speedlite in the bottom compartment when I'm shooting. Tripod stays strapped to the back. I can make lens changes in seconds.

When I travel, the camera and 24-105 fit in the upper compartment with accessories. I have two side attaching pouches that hold the other accessories.

The bag is expensive, but everything is handy without removing the pack. You're paying for the innovation, but also for quality, as this bag, unlike some Think Tanks I've looked at, is built like a tank. it's a very sturdy, take-punishment bag. You can travel with it, throw it around and everything in it will be safe.

-Rebel Xs with mounted 70-200
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
50mm f/1.4

Then the usb cables, battery chargers, expodisc

The crumplers look really nice. I may just have to go up the camera store and try the stuff out once I buy my new toy. (the 70-200)
The only problem is that if I get the 6mdh (what I think I might need to hold all my gear), I wouldn't have enough $$ left over for a battery grip(much needed on my rebel)

Then the 6 MDH will work well for you althought my 70-200 F4IS is a bit tall for this bag. It fits but it would be tight if you decided to have it mounted on the camera and stored vertically. Horizontally would work as long as there is nothing tall in one of the slots. In your case, with the Rebel, it will work.

This is what I had /crammed/packed in my 6 MDH for an event last night.

5DII/grip
85/1.8
135/2
17-40
28-75
580 EXII

do you think I should buy a 6mdh or just gun for a 430ex ii by next month?
I have a canon backpack already, but its a horror during concerts and events.

You might consider a Think Tank Retrospective 30-GR. It looks like a messenger bag, but is shown to carry a lot of gear. I just ordered one today.

For events, a shoulder bag works MUCH better. I'm shooting a Film Festival and can't imagine having to drop my bag on the floor to change a lens during a reception etc.

The 6 MDH is what I am using for this one.

Oh, I would not be able to shoot this event without a flash. I tried a few last night, in the theatre (no stage, typical low movie theatre lighting). ISO 6400/f2, 1/100s and I managed to get a couple of shots where most of the face was lit as opposed to just the brow. It was an "ask the Director" after the movie...so flash has it's place.

I'm a shoulder bag user, and bagaholic. I wish you were closer. I have a like-new 7MDH that I don't use.
That generation? Has mil-spec velcro fiber that is extemely noisy. (A work around would be to cover most of it so that it doesn't grip.)
Otherwise it's extremely well made. I prefer all weather bags that have rain covers as features. Just me though...

DaveL

edit: when I had my d80 (sh!!) I just had to have a grip. It changed the camera a lot. I would buy the grip and try to find a used bag for sale for what I could afford, if I were you.