Customer Reviews

Crumpler THE BRAZILLION DOLLAR HOME Photo Laptop Backpack Shoulder Bag (Gun Metal/Black/Orange)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was tired of using a backback since I would have to put it down to access the insides. Backpacks are great since they give you access to everything at once.

I wanted a location bag that would swallow two camera bodies, a 24-70 2.8L, 50mm 1.4, 3 pocket wizards, 2 Canon 580ex flashes, a Sekonic 558 light meter, my 15" Macbook Pro, and accessories. You'll want a shoulder bag if you want to have access to your gear on the go. I looked this up on google and saw a video of how much this thing packed and that is what convinced me.

This bag is very deep, so you might want your lesser used items towards the bottom.

The material is of high quality, and the bright orange in the inside makes it easy to find your gear in the dark. I would highly recommend this bag.

This bag is huge. it's perfect. but it's huge. totally customizable. i got it because i've got the 17" MBP that i need to haul around. but it totally houses my Sony A1U, Nikon D70s, 17"MBP and lots of accessories. good for carry-on size. just watch out that you don't whack someone with it as you're walking down the aisle of the plane!

I've been using this bag for about 6 weeks now, both walking around the city and taking it on a photo trip. I bought it as it seemed to be the only bag that met carry-on restrictions, would fit most of my equipment, and make it easy to access 2 cameras with different lenses on them instead of swapping lenses all of the time.

The only problem with that is the bag is incredibly small on the inside when compared to what it looks like from the outside. There are several areas where the designers got it almost right, but no cigar.

The main camera compartment will not take my 2 bodies with lenses attached. For one thing the viewfinders stick either into the laptop compartment or out towards the outside of the bag, which in turn does not let the top of the camera compartment close properly, which means the main outside flap does not close well. You can even see in the product pictures that one of the cameras has its viewfinder bulging out. This area measures 13"W X 5"D X 11"H, about 715 sq. in. I took off for the rounded corners which only make the curved space unusable. In comparison, my Lowepro Slingshot 200 has 624 sq. in. in its main compartment, and its all accessible, as well as the bag being $200 cheaper. My Pacsafe duffel with the photographic insert, which I would not carry around but it's good for transport, is less imposing than the Crumpler, but has a whopping 1760 sq.in. of space, all of it usable as it loads from the top.

If you `stack' your equipment as they suggest, you'll find yourself taking everything out of the bag, and removing all of the dividers to get at the bottom. Then of course you need to put everything back, and the dividers are a pain as they stick like glue to anything. I bought a new lens and that with the body attached is 13" long, the bag is 11" deep, doesn't fit. Speaking of dividers, they are a puzzle to figure out, I never have. The bag comes with a complete extra set, I assume for a second camera. This would all be easier if Crumpler supplied some diagrams for different configurations.

So, what I do is put the tripod (Gitzo traveler fits without the head on) on the bottom of the inside, put a layer of dividers in, then put the camera in across instead of vertically. I can at least carry my tripod and camera with long lens somewhat stealthily but nothing else will fit in the bag. Not even a tiny lens.

Putting anything in the top area (shown with the mesh) causes the flap to not fit square, and the handle will no longer be at the top but at an angle. Nothing will fit in the back pocket, I had to force an Elastolite reflector in there with the rain cover. The tripod holder is on the bottom, which might be OK for a backpack, but whenever you set this thing down it falls over. I tried putting my tripod on the front, but then when you open the case it falls to the grund if you're not careful. Supposedly it holds 18 CF cards, I could get only 4 in, the pockets are too small for any more unless you take them out of their cases, no thanks. The bright safety orange interior is great - except that when you close the bag, the side flaps stick out, acting like a beacon to potential thieves that something good is inside.

I don't know how they made that video, although I save seen a magician pull rabbits out of his hat. I do know that their pictures are all of an open bag, as it would be miracle if you could close it, and if you did it would look bloated like a pig.

The quality is great, hence the 2 stars, but I'm really disappointed that I had to carry an extra camera bag on the plane because my equipment wouldn't fit in this bag, not even close. I'm even more disappointed that I can't walk around with 2 cameras ready to go like it shows in all of the pictures.

i should have returned it when I had a chance, but I was on a deadline and frankly tired of shopping for a bag. Do yourself a favor and go to a store and look at this bag, take your equipment along and see if it fits before you buy it.

Edit 6/15/11 - I finally decided I needed use this bag for something so I took an Xacto knife to the innards. I cut out the laptop pocket so I now have enough room to fit a full size dSLR with a battery grip on it. I found out that the interior pieces are lined with a hard plastic so I cut those out also. The top now closes right and there is a lot more room in the interior. I also added Velcro panels where the bag closes so I don't have to use the straps to keep it closed. I think it may require more surgery, but I'm not sure yet, I'll have to see how it breaks in.

I don't own this bag, but I know someone who does and have borrowed it a few times for my travels. It is a huge camera bag, capable of carrying enough equipment for just about any hobbyist, enthusiast or professional photographer. The versatility of the straps allow for various ways of carrying the bag and the padded straps make a heavy bag pretty easy to deal with. If you have steep pockets & lots of camera equipment to tote around, this is a great bag.

The brazilian dollar home is altogether a great bag.


Pro: It is big enough to carry lots of photography equipment including a laptop. It is a considerably light bag, compared to other similar sized bags. When one carries so much equipment the weight of the bag makes a difference. It seem strong and made from durable material. pockets can be suited to fit your needs-a GREAT feature+ many built in pockets makes the bag very comfortable.

Cons: The fold down flap is the only protection for the equipment and its not zipped. It was better if a zipped flap would seal the equipment against wind and dust particles for example. No quick access to equipment-you have to open the main flap and if you have a tripod attached below the bag, it would not be very convenient. Price is high.

Altogether, I highly recommend this bag. This definitely a quality product.

I ordered this bag, because i needed a large, shoulder strewn bag, non backpack in other words, and this was recommended by all the guys i shoot with. Upon receipt of the bag i was thoroughly impressed by the amount of options the dividers allowed. I did however wish there were two more large separators such as the one in the middle, instead there were shorter ones. I constantly carry 6-8 lenses with me, and a 40d body, and a flash. I am still trying to get everything to fit in perfectly, and its proving to be a bit of a hassle. If i had a few less lenses, it would be better, but with my load its not that great considering i have lens hoods for 3 of them (70-200L and 100macro, 10-22) and they are not small at all.


overall though i really like the bag, tons of room, just have to figure out how to store it all appropriately.

I purchased this bag a number of months ago and have used it quite a bit since then. I call this bag unbalanced, because I find it cumbersome to use. It can hold a lot of items, although like some other reviews I find its top loading a nuisance. In order to use its large capacity, you have to use dividers as flaps, and it is difficult to access bottom items. Also, the use of many dividers reduces the available volume. I also find the outer compartment to be very tight - I won't put my speedlite there because I am concerned it would be damaged. The bag is, in my opinion, a high quality construction, but not as well thought out as I would have hoped. I went with the messenger style to allow access without setting down the bag, but I think it's too large to be used in that style. When I do have everything loaded in the bag, including a 17" MacBook Pro, the bag is very heavy and uncomfortable as a shoulder bag.

In retrospect, I suppose that I could have guessed that this bag was a poor ergonomic choice. It certainly was an expensive mistake. I'm thinking of replacing it with a Kata D-3N1-22, and only breaking out the Crumpler for flights where I need to fit my camera(s) and MacBook in one carry-on item.

One of my best buys do far!!!

As is mention in other reviews and on the product description, this photo bag has the capacity to hold a lot of your photo gear, laptop plus accessories, and much more.
I have recently also added my tripod to the gear and I am still very comfortable with the bag.
The material is sturdy and durable, the design is easy to use and re-arrange the interior of the bag for your gear.
Highly advisable for someone starting their photography

I borrowed one from a friend. I got excited, put in my 17" latitude, and brought all the camera gears that can fit. After a few hours of lugging, my shoulder ached... felt tender for one week.

If you plan to take so much gear (telephoto+laptop+dslr with battery pack), better consider the backpack option. I tell you, it's awkward when you walk skewed just to favor the weight; and the bulk at your side is not ideal any more.

Crumpler shouldnt have made this model.

(It rained while Im carrying it though, and the extra cover is effective!)