Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi I'm new on the board. I posted this same question on FM but found this Toronto site after.

just wondering if anybody have heard of the brand CHIMP bags? A friend referred it to me and they seemed to have made a bag that can carry most stuff I need for wedding shoots. And they seem to be HQ'd in Toronto, I would not mind supporting a local company which is a big PLUS for me!

Not sure if I'm allowed to provide links...

Seems promising...their website is http://www.chimpbags.com/collection

Looks like they sell online only shipped from Toronto and non of the retailers out there.

Here are the specs in case somebody is lazy to go on the link...

Fred
www.icontactphoto.com

Main Objective: backpack needs to carry

Look no further : www.fstopgear.com

If your camera is a full body pro model make sure the manufacturer supports that. The term "pro" could mean anything.

It's a good idea to bring a few key pieces of your gear with you to the store and fit it yourself. Then you will not only confirm the fit but you will better understand the features and build quality.

Thanks Ken. I checked out your link and found nothing to fit 2 SLRs. I checked their Mountain Series and their biggest Expedition bag only fits 1 body attached.

Thanks Magic, I checked further on the Chimp site and in feature they posted.. "This bag is so amazing that it holds everything including 2 Pro-Series D-SLR cameras (with grip) with Lenses attached."

So I assume it will have the height to fit up to a grip sized body, like my 1D MKIV and 5D MKII (gripped). I will emailed them to make sure.

I like the clean body of the Chimp bag and love that it has no wheelies for the un-needed added weight.

Although it is not a famous brand like Lowe-pro but I am pretty done with Lowe-Pro. I have 6 of their bags and want something different.

Will see how it goes..

The F-stop Large and Extra-Large ICU's can be configured to hold two dSLRs with lenses attached.

I'm not affiliated with fstop in any way - just a happy customer.

Can you say the same about yourself and Chimp?

"You can even carry it up the mountains if you like" with 2 Pro gripped DSLR's, 16" wide, weighted high, with those straps? hummm...doubt it!

agree with Ken, this post looks to me like a sales pitch.

Of course it's an ad.

I think a couple of the Crumpler backpacks will do this too. I can fit two bodies with lenses mounted in my 8MDH. The Brazillian Dollar Home would be able to as well. Not back packs of course, just saying. Champ or Chimp or whatever tf it's called isn't the only pony that does this trick. These guys look as overpriced as Crumpler too.

Thanks guys. I've settled it with Ken privately and decided that this is not an ad.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. I've looked at crumpler as well, even the 8md one won't fit the stuff that I have.
Yes, these things are costly and that's why I want the best advice from others to see before I invest into it.

The chimp bag can hold my lighting stands too.

Price wise, the fstop that Ken recommended would cost 350+75 icu+ shipping and maybe customs fees.
Crumpler is just way over priced, I have their backpack, one of the larger ones and only fit a body with standard 18-55mm. And some other accessories. Maybe I didn't get a big enough one.

As Ken suspected, he claimed this was an ad because I shot down ideas very quickly. It is because I've done my research mostly, and I personally have 6 lowepros, their belts, lens carrier, 1 crumpler, 1 swiss sling from costco
And have even consider Thinktank. Then got referred to the chinp bag, so that's why wanted to see if anybody had any experience with them. That's all. Did not know it
Would be such a big commotion. I just want a good bag that I can buy and forget about getting another, cause simply saying, I don't have so much spaces to keep so many diff bags anymore. My wife is on my case.

I guess ppl are used to newbies not replying after they ask a question? And therefore, with me replying so quickly, think that I'm promoting?
I may be new to tmpg but certainly not to forums on the net. I'm active on all car sites though.

Doth thou protest too much? Yes. Yes thou do. Ad.

We did not settle it privately.

I made it pretty clear that if you're not affiliated with Chimp that you should say so explicitly. If you don't then eventually you will be found out.

You mentioned others who's provided reviews on other products - the difference is that they were long time members before doing so. You did it in your first post - which I why it causes suspicion.

Please clear things up and explicitly confirm that you are not affiliated with Chimp.

Ok. I was told by Ken to say in advance that I am not affiliated with them,. Now that I do, I still get shot at. Haha. Ok, can somebody from chimp just hire me ?

Have you already purchased the Chimp bag or are you looking for alternatives?

Thanks Ken. I'm not affiliated with chimp.

Can we get back to bags or is this like an initiation on a newbie?

Have not purchased and looking for other suggestions.

Have you considered Tenba IMHO they are better designed and just as well built as crumpler products at a much better price point. (waits for the crumpler fan wagon outcry)

As for the Chimp bag a bunch of photographer get together and design their ideal backpack I would wait for the third addition and at least a few unbiased reviews before I would even considering buying one

Thanks Matrix, good idea. exactly my thoughts and hence my hesitation on going for it. Will continue to search

Best to try the bags in person IMHO- have you had a chance to do so with the Chimp bags? No retailers but they are based locally?

Vistek sells Tenba at around the same cost as landed from B&H I brought the Large Messenger bag from them.

Lots of gear inside a Photo Bag for weddings:

I found out that carrying too much gear during an event is crazy, for both your back and your sanity (keeping and eye on your gear all the time).
But, having the ability to transport what you need is great !
I choose A lowepro bag, and configure it to carry up to 3 bodies and 2 even 2 long zooms.
What features I love the most about this bag are:
- weatherproof ( completely fully sealed !!!)
- storage & carrying capability (laptop, cables and lots of media and usb storage, pens, business cards, car keys, cellphone and wallet)

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Vertex-300-AW,2074,16.htm

check it out, I can even hang my tripod to it and a bottle of water when I go hiking or camping.

Thanks Gerardo, that's great insight. I currently have similar set up for my wedding sessions haha. body and 4 lenses, 2 flashes and light stand, and 1 more body around my neck! LOL

Holy cow, the chimp bag weights in at 5.4 pds!!! Terribly heavy for a camera pack!

Wonder if the wedding photographers who designed it actually carry their own camera bags. Would lend a lot of credibility to the bags if the pro shooters who designed it identified themselves.

Ken, 5.4lbs is considered light probably since this is not an average bag for carrying equipment. Not sure what type of photography you do. A normal bag to carry a single body and a couple of lenses already is 2-3lbs.

A bag this size is about this weight.

Just as an example, the Tamrac Expedition 6 carrying less is 5lbs. So the proportion is right for the chimp bag

http://www.cambags.com/reviews/showprod ... 590/cat/22

also, while going on cambags, found the Chimp bag on their database update..
http://www.cambags.com/reviews/showprod ... roduct/842

Lowepro Weight: 8.16lbs/3.7kg

For local wedding/event work, I use a Pelican 1514case. If I get tired I can sit on it. If I need more gear, I have a Pelican 1614. Not lightweight but rollers sure help.

Pelican GOOD! Sitting on it Even better! Price..no dough!

i think I'm gonna bite the bullet on the Chimp bag and see. Will update