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Summary. The camera bag that is perfect for every occasion does not
exist but the Crumpler Sinking Barge bag is near perfect when it comes to
carrying a camera along with a laptop and other everyday "stuff".
Introduction
Bags are annoying for almost every serious photographer. One reason is that
finding the right bag for every situation is virtually impossible. One bag I
could never find was the one that would let me carry my day-to-day stuff
and my camera. In school, "day-to-day stuff" would have been homework,
laptop and lunch. On a car trip it is books and a snack. Most days, it's the
stuff I take to work: a magazine, my laptop, a mouse, papers, etc. Often, I want
to have that stuff with me and my camera as well -- not my full kit, but a body
and a lens or two. I have tried putting a small camera case inside a standard
backpack, but they were always too space-consuming and hard to get at.
Photo-specific backpacks are not even remotely designed to easily carry books or
a sweatshirt. And photo-specific backpacks are bulky.
A few years back, Lowepro came out with the Street & Field Rover Light
backpack. This was a hybrid design that attempted to be the pack that I wanted.
The bottom half was a padded and divided camera bag and the top half had a
standard backpack space. It didn't really work as a day-to-day backpack. The top
half was not big enough for papers, and the divider between top and bottom was
not strong enough to keep anything heavy like a laptop in the top. Good for
taking a camera, a change of socks, and lunch on a hiking trip, maybe, but not
the everyday hybrid bag I was looking for.
Enter the Crumpler Sinking Barge backpack...
Crumpler is a company that started in Australia in 1995 making bike messenger
bags. As their popularity grew, they branched out into laptop bags and cases,
gadget pouches, and backpacks. The company has developed a reputation for
well-designed and well-made bags in funny colors, and an offbeat marketing and
corporate image. Most of the bags are made of tough waterproof nylon in color
choices ranging from subdued to garish, with names like the Barney Rustle
Blanket, the Skivvy, the Quarfie, and the Moderate/Considerable/Dreadful
Embarrassment.
At some point the Crumpler people noticed that people were stuffing dividers
and padding into their messenger bags to use them as stealth camera bags. So they
designed a series of camera shoulder bags and backpacks as well.
The Details
The Sinking Barge is Crumpler's hybrid bag. Instead of just splitting the pack
in half (like the Lowepro Street & Field), they designed a clever system that
creates a wedge shaped pocket at the front/bottom area of the pack (by front, I
am referring to the area of the backpack that does not have the shoulder straps).
This pocket hinges at the bottom to open outwards, but unlike a normal backpack
front pocket, it has a set of gussets that prevent it from flipping all the way
down and dumping it's contents. The result of this is that you can open the
pocket and get at the camera without having to reach in with a hand to prevent
the camera from falling out. And while it's a little awkward, you can get the
camera out while the bag is still hanging from one shoulder. You don't have to
take the bag all the way off your back to get at the camera.
Because the camera pocket is located at the front of the bag, there is space
for a full-length pocket against the back of the bag. Making good use of this
space, there is a padded pocket for a 12-15 inch laptop. Just in front of that is
a pocket for paper, magazines, etc. The pack keeps these papers flat and the
laptop protected. Even with a laptop and papers in this pocket there is enough
room left for a lunch, book, or sweatshirt. It isn't huge, and probably wouldn't
fit a full load of college textbooks. But it is plenty of space for normal
use.
The laptop/papers pocket has a padded flap that velcros over the top,
presumably to give a second layer of protection to the laptop. This flap is too
large. And it is hard to open and close when there are other items in the pocket.
I just folded it back into the laptop pocket. My laptop and papers don't seem to
suffer for the lack of it. The flap is a good idea; it's just a bit too big. You
could shorten it if you have a sewing machine and it bothers you enough.
The camera pocket is padded with the standard fabric over foam. There are two
dividers that create three sections. I was able to fit in my Canon EOS 20D, a
50/1.4, a 28-70/2.8, and a small flash unit. Other times, I split one section
with an additional divider and carry a Epson R-D1 Rangefinder, 28/1.9, 40/2,
15/4.5 (w/the external VF), and the same flash unit. Overall, it is not a perfect
fit for either kit, but it works fine.
One cool thing about the padded section is that it has a mesh flap that
zippers closed over the camera, and you can remove the whole padded section as a
unit. I'm not sure why you would want to do this. But I'm sure that I'll end up
taking advantage of it at some point. At the very least, it means that you aren't
locked into using the pack just as a camera backpack.
There are 3 other small pockets in the pack, two in the camera section and one
on the outside of the front of the pack. One of the two in the camera section is
made of mesh, and could probably be used for a few rolls of film. I use it as a
pen/pencil/key pocket since, oddly, there are none of the usual organizational
pockets or loops that you see on most backpacks these days. Not a big issue, but
could be improved upon.
Crumpler aims for a very clean design style with most of it's bags. No
obnoxious patterns, no straps or loops hanging off the side, and none of the
silly cosmetic straps and whatnot that bag companies are fond of sticking on to
make it look like your book bag will be with you on your next Everest
assault.
The clean design looks nice, but creates a few minor annoyances. The bag
always has a slight overstuffed look to it. Now, there is the possibility that I
am overstuffing it. And maybe the larger version of the Sinking Barge (the
Customary Barge, fits 17" laptops) would make a difference. In other little
nitpicking, I wish the grab/hang loop was a bit larger and easier to use. I've
also gotten used to having a mesh pocket on the side of my backpacks for a water
or soda bottle. The Sinking Barge that I have is made of a couple of shades of
blue. Shades of brown/tan and black/grey are options as well. The backpack straps
are comfortable even with a full load. There is a nylon webbing hip belt. While
I'm not sure how much this helps with load-carrying, it does help steady the pack
if you are jogging or on a bike.
Finally, I wish that there was a cell phone pocket on one of the backpack
straps. But guess what? Crumpler makes those as well. And I'm sure they would be
happy to sell you (and me) one to add onto the Sinking Barge.
Things I like:
A hybrid camera/stuff backpack that works well
Padded laptop pocket
Full length pocket for papers and magazines
Carries a useful amount of camera gear
Padded camera section is removable
Very well designed access to the camera section
Comfortable to wear/carry
Things I don't like:
Flap for laptop/papers pocket is way too large
No pen/etc pockets
No water bottle holder
No cellphone pocket
Grab/hang loop is hard to use
Conclusion
I am very pleased with this bag. It is a great camera backpack for the way I
use it. For me, this means: carrying a small camera kit along with my daily
stuff, airplane carry-on when I don't bring my full load of gear, car trips,
adventures in the city, and maybe even light hiking. It gets daily use -- which
is something that I cannot say about just about any other bag that I have owned.
There is very little I dislike about the Sinking Barge. Even the items I listed
above are just little nitpicking that could be fixed with 2 hours with a sewing
machine if I really cared enough.
If you are looking for a bag to carry a Canon 1D with a 70-200/2.8, the
Sinking Barge isn't going to help you. But if you are looking for a tough,
well-designed, good-looking backpack to help encourage you to carry a camera more
often in your day-to-day life, then this is a great option.
Josh Root is Digital and Rangefinder editor on photo.net. He lives in
Washington state. He writes: "I'm 30 and have spent the last 10 years making my
living as a photographer/filmer for the extreme-sports/wedding/medical industries
(though not usually all at once). I have been a photographer for close to 20
years now and have been shooting 98% digitally for over 5 years. I currently
shoot with various Canon digital cameras, an Epson R-D1, and a Barbie Polaroid
iZone camera."
I spent many hours at various camera-super-stores looking for that 'perfect bag'... It does not exist!
There are some great backpacks out there, and some great shoulder bags. But I have not been able to locate an easy access backpack, or a part-time backpack part time shoulder bag yet. Lowepro makes a 'sling' type backpack which you can swing to your side from your back and have semi-easy access to your gear, but not even an XT/350D will fit if you try to place it in the bag attached to a medium size tele (EF 70-200/4L, EF 200/2.8L, etc.)
This 'Barge' thing - a camera bag that does not look like a camera bag, now that is something. But the lack of a tripod-attaching mechanism rules this one out for me.
I am using a Lowepro Mini-Trekker AW these days. The fact that I can attach my Manfrotto 055CL to this back pack is a huge plus. Otherwise it is pretty mediocre.
Well this looks like a very nice bag... fact is, I normally just put my laptop and/or camera (a 300d) inside my normal backpack with nothing else as protection and never had any problem. If I got other lenses, sometimes they go in the luggage and sometimes they go in the bag inside their own pouches. People are really too protective when it comes to their equipment ^^
Not perfect but I like it a lot and am keeping it! I got this one and then I immediately traded up to the Customary Barge because the fit in the laptop pouch was just too tight for a 15.4 inch screen IBM. I have used it in exactly the same way as the author describes, and when I travel it replaces my briefcase as primary carry-on. I carry a 20d with 3 lenses 17-85, 70-300, and 60mm without a problem. I would also comment that the zippable/removable "camera pouch" is just a very usable smidgen larger on the Customary Barge. My first attempt was with a Lowepro Stealth AWII and that was both awkward to use/access and uncomfortable on my back for very long.
it seemed okay, everything fit into it. for about 3 weeks it was fine, I wouldv'e liked it forever despite that it looks like any other cheap asian bag.
Too bad that's what it is!
The left strap popped right off my shoulder walking between classes, swung around my back and smacked my rig into a door that was opening, the next thing I know I'm pouring the glass fragments of my new SLR out into a garbage can!
I went to the shop I bought it from (Set Me Free, an accesories store) They said take it up with Crumpler!!!
I tried that, they wanted to know what I used it for, how it couldv'e broken. It's not like I asked them to pay for my rig, though they should've!
They told me to send it to them, and I did, for $17.00, now I have a tracking number that shows they recieved it but they won't answer emails and the service rep on the phone said my tracking number couldn't help him to help me???
They sold me a shoddy product and robbed me when it failed.
I guess that's what to expect from off-shore re-seller big business assholes!
I asked a messenger friend about it (Crumpler was a messenger bag company before, in Australia) and he laughed, said no messengers used their stuff since they left Australia, cheap materials and build.
FYI - Crumpler store policy in NY is "no returns, no exchanges, no exceptions." This was not posted conspiciously at the store; only on the receipt. I don't know if the website store offers a return policy, as there was no place stating one.
It is understandable that stores don't want goods spoiled in any way coming back to them. But the policy should be stated clearly and conspicuously and store personnel should caution buyers at the point of sale. To do otherwise appears being sneaky about it. Once they have your money, you have no recourse. None.
Man am I surprised to hear Josh Harnett's coments. I brought my Crumpler Brians Hottub in the UK and then a bag similar to the sinking barge for my father in law.
I have travelled extensively with this bag and use it as my primary camera bag for all my safaris, and it holds an enormous amount of gear. I also use it when riding on a motorbike for journeys around 150 - 200 miles at (Just over the limit your honor) speed.
I keep the following in it: EOS 1NRS - EOS 3 - EOS 5D - 2x 550EX flashes - 70-200f4 - 28-70f2.8 - 50mmf1.4 - 1.4X - 17-40f4 - three 77mm filters - Manfrotto G clamp - Lc2- spare batteries for everything, flash bracket and off camera cable - a beanbag support - with a tripod mounted on the side. Theres still room for the passport and all documents and an ibook.
Thats alot of weight to rely on when riding a motorbike and all international travel. I consider the bag to be indestructible and am a real proponent for a bag that doesnt look like it holds all that gear. I cannot even concieve it breaking, its that strong. Oh and to confirm it has a tripod holder.
As for the no returns policy my friend left his against the side of the bike and some of the bag melted onto the exhaust!!! we took it back to the store, asking them to send it back to crumpler to repair / patch or fix, fully acknowledging that it was his fault. They sent back (3 weeks) a new bag, diddnt enclose any information. Nada So the crappy service must be a USA local store policy, It certainly hasnt been my experience
So yes I am extremely happy with my bag, (and the one my father in law has I thnk its a farmer john?) which has travelled extensively also.
I use the removeable mesh topped camera section as camera storage at home. I am plagued to live in the UK where fungus has ideal growth conditions, So by leaving the gear in this section it has full ventilation and can all be kept in one "bag" with none of these worries and can be very quickly slipped intot he bag when ready to be off.
I use a Johnston & Murphy double-zip briefcase. It has ample room to hold my 15" MacBook Pro in a padded sleeve, a Rebel XT, and 2-3 lenses. Many single-compartment messenger bags can hold that as well.
I just recently received "The Customary Barge" unexpectedly as a gift and I'll be trying it out tomorrow. I have a small one camera Crumpler bag (can't recall the name) which I picked up a couple of years ago and I keep it in a Nike Backpack that I take to work everyday.
I normally carry my Dell Laptop 15" screen, accesories, pads and binders, my Olympus 5060, flash, 2 batteries, card holder/reader and my Leica Mini Zoom.
I have found myself using an extra wide laptop case and my small Crumpler bag, or the backpack with the Crumpler stuffed in it. Both kinda cumbersome, so I hope this new bag can keep all of my stuff together safely and at my disposal.
I have the budgie smuggler which just holds my Leica M6 and three lenses in their leather cases. It also has a separate compartment for filters, two lens hoods and other small accessories. It buttons down nicely, is very well padded and so overbuilt I can't imagine anything ever coming undone. The orange/black interior always turns heads when I open it, but it doesn't look like a camera bag slung over the shoulder.
I'm puzzled by Josh's "cheap asian bag" comment. I've just bought this bag and it's up to the usual Crumpler standards. I like the fact that the zips are all hidden by a small flap; should help in the rain. Construction is really tough. I've had a Crumpler laptop bag for 4 years and it's stood up to everything. I also have a couple of smaller Crumpler camera bags (3 years old) and they are similarly tough as hell. I love the thick material they use and the quality of the stitching. Can't imagine how Josh's strap came apart; maybe around the buckle area, but I think you'd have to take it apart and reassemble incorrectly for that to happen. Anyway, I've only had the bag for a day, so we'll see :) Here in Australia, Crumpler have a reputation for replacing bags even if the damage is "user error".
I'm going to buy a Sigma APO 70-200mm f2.8 for my KM5D. I'm hoping this will sit vertically in the camera section. I've tried an experiment with my crappy Tamron 18-200mm zoom, fully extended with the lens shade on (this makes it 185mm in length, same as the Sigma. It seems to fit ok, although the camera (attached to lens) is no longer protected by the padded section. I think I can live with that.
15" Powerbook fits snugly in the back with plenty of room in the front pouch for bits of junk. The bag works nicely with just one strap, which is how I intend to use it unless I'm hiking. It swings around to the front to give slightly awkward access to the camera (the bag is at about 40 degrees to the horizontal when I swing it around. If you just unzip the side facing you, there's no chance the camera will fall out. Using a carabiner, I hang a 450g Slik tripod off the front of one of the straps. Perfect.
When I get the Sigma, I expect to carry that, KM5D, Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and a medium-sized flashgun (Minolta 3600HS). Hoping this is (finally) my perfect camera/laptop bag.
After viewing this add I’ve been searching online for the lowest price on the Crumpler Million Dollar Home and Crumpler Whickey and Cox at this website http://stores.ebay.com/Earth-Tronic. They have limited quantity so buy before it’s all gone. Good Luck
I've been using a Portare' backpack. Its totally customizable and has a raincover and laptop compartment. Its been holding up really well for the past 1.5 years.
They seem to be a small company www.portarebags.com
I got the bag from Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/2cgdynx
