Toronto Photography Meetup Group

With Crumpler their logo screams expensive bag with expensive stuff in it:
http://www.dhub.org/blog/wp-content/dhub/00x03027.jpg

Don't know how many times when I've been in touristy areas and people are walking around with their Crumpler bags...if it's a larger size bag odds are there's a decent camera in there. Or on my way to a photographic outing I see someone with a largish Crumpler bag, I figure that person is also on their way to the outing.

But that also goes for Lowepro bags, and other common branded camera bags that scream camera bag.

It's like certain types of cars scream "unmarked police car". You know if you see a car like the one in the link with the cheap minimal hubcaps and the cow catcher on the front it's a police car:
http://www.loganfamily.ws/matt/cmass/images/9_28_2001/scaled/still001.jpg




Of course I do...and if I was travelling by plane I would use one...but walking around the city or taking my equipment to a shoot it's NOT needed!




My camera is in a semi-hard case (Olympus CS3-SH) with a lens on it, my lenses are in lightly padded lens pouches, just enough padding to prevent scratches, but not diaper sized bloated padding you find in camera bags.

My camera and lenses are more than five years old now, and haven't suffered for the experience.

Crumpler sucks. Everything sucks. Damn everything to hell. Conversation over.

Just leave all your camera gear at home cause people will rob you when they see you take it out.

Actually the best way to not get mugged is stay home and not go out, yet even hang yourself, so that nothing bad happens to you while sitting inside...you might get killed by burglars!

computer stores and even places like futureshop are good places to check out bags offline

I think that this post was made by the OP to try and get info on what types of bags out there. There have been many opinions thrown out there but also way too much arguing about nonsense. they are looking for different types of camera bags. give your two cents and leave it at that. let them choose what they prefer. I have said I prefer Crumpler. I also use a Thinktank roller for storage and carrying more gear when needed. I find both brands to be great for my uses. I can carry lots of gear or a little bit of gear depending on which bag I choose. I like to have padding for the simple reason that life has it's little falls and I have a lot of them . If you want something discrete I would say certain lowepro, thinktank, domke, tenba, and others. If you want flashy you can go for crumpler with their crazy colours and styles, or kata with it's unique designs and bright interior.

There is no use being paranoid about being mugged. the paranoia will only lead to you having other issues I am sure...

Just get a bag and have fun taking it out shooting to protect your new investment.

I use a Versa bag most of the time around town. It is a Crumpler knock off, not as good, but no logo and looks like any of the hundreds of messenger bags over shoulders on our streets.

I liked it so much I bought a second one to hold in case the first falls apart (not yet). I bought both at the DV Shop on Dundas in the Junction when they had them on sale for $25. Not sure if they still have any left. You might want to give them a call before going there to see if they have any.

DG

Wow, the discussion results is impressive

I'm basically sampling the range of bags that are available on the market. I wasn't concerned about the theft issue, if someone is out to steal, chances are they'll likely take it... The flashy versus stealthy component was more of a fashion statement I suppose.

At the time of posting, I was esctatic about my D90 and thinking about sunny days roaming the streets like a tourist, so I wanted something that would blend into this summer feel. Now, its the end of the day, practicality has set in and I just want a camera bag that does its job at a reasonable price and not look too shabby. I previously had a Roots DV30, it did the job well but it was a little brick on my back, ergonomics could have improved and the colour scheme was a little dull.

From what I've read and searched, the Crumpler bags do have the flashy appeal but the functionality seems to be lacking...

Just took a look at the Pacsafe camera bags, seems decent and the little turtle is a huge selling factor!!! Anyone with Pacsafe camera bag experience?

To be honest other than the dissenters here I haven't read much about the Crumplers being poor in functionality. In fact they're very good at what they're designed to do and almost always rated very highly. Like I said above, I find mine quite functional and I'm really not the sort to take affectation over pragmatism. Overpriced? Yeah, but name a bag that isn't and isn't a knockoff. Go to a store and poke around a few bags - or even better, a meet, and see what you think.