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September 18, 2005
crumpler seven million dollar home
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a short review about the Crumpler Seven Million Dollar Home camera bag. At the time I liked just about everything about the bag except the strap. I already had a Tallee bag and had become rather accustomed to the Quick Flick Buckle. I was really bummed that the new bags had a more traditional camera bag strap so I got a hold of the Crumpler Custom shop in Melbourne and they were more than happy to fit a Quick Flick Buckle to a Seven Million Dollar Home. (UPDATE March 2007 - Crumpler in Melbourne does not currently do this modification.) The result is pictured above. It's the closest thing to 'the perfect camera bag' I've been able to find. There's really only a couple of things I would change if I could.
The Tallee on the left is about the same height and depth as the 7 Million Dollar Home on the right. The big difference is that the new bag makes much more effective use of the depth (well that and it's heaps wider.) The Tallee has a bottom compartment ('the darkroom') that is only accessible from the front flap - this means that you can't take full advantage of the height of the Tallee - long lenses only fit in the bottom.
The deep Million Dollar Home easily fits an 80-200 f2.8 zoom lens (that's it on the left.) In the center compartment is an EOS1 face down with room for a medium sized lens mounted. Pleanty of room on the right for a lens and flash, or maybe a second camera body. The whole of the interior is 'loop' fabric so you can velcro the dividers anywhere you like.
You can even fit an 80-200 zoom (hood reversed) with a camera attached in the center compartment. The bag still closes easily like this and there is heaps of room for a couple more zooms and a flash. The blue flap on the front opens up to a good size pocket for battaries, CF cards or even
Everything else I love about Crumpler bags is unchanged. Heavy duty construction, styling that is more consistant with messenger bags than camera bags, heavy padding and lots of dividers making it easy to customise the interior.
I did say there are a couple things that I would change if I could:
First: replace the front quick release buckle. It's redundant. There is a large Velcro patch there. However, a secure clip closure is needed (particularly when you have a handle on the top.) For a bag this wide I would have preferred two clips, one on each corner of the front flap.
Second: it would be purple.
My original plan was to use the Seven Million Dollar Home when I needed to carry a lot of gear, and keep the Tallee for when I just needed a few things, but with the softer, less boxy construction of the Seven it collapses a bit when it's not fully loaded (reminds me of a Domke F2 bag I had years ago) so I really don't see myself using the Tallee much any more (watch for it on Ebay.) I'll replace it with a smaller Three or Four Million Dollar Home - if only Crumpler would make one in purple.
Posted by yankinoz at September 18, 2005 06:41 PM
Comments
Hey mate
I cant find your email anywhere so i thought this would be the best way to contact you.
I am the guy in this awsome photo you took: http://circusoc.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=79
(firebreathing photo from the harry potter train)
Can you please email me a higher quality version of this photo to alex_atm@hotmail.com (less than 10meg please)Its so cool, i would like to keep a copy.
Thanks so much!
Alex D.
Posted by: Alex D at September 21, 2005 10:18 AM
Alex, I just emailed the original jpg to you (it's a bit over 2meg, so let me know when you get it.)
Anyone else, the picture that Alex is talking about is this one: fire breather
Posted by: Rob at September 21, 2005 08:58 PM
Mate! Sarah is sorting me out a custom 7 Milion Dollar Home just like yours.
thanks for the review,
Clayton
Posted by: Clayton Jacobsen at October 23, 2005 10:53 PM
Cool - glad to help. You will love the bag - it has proved so useful that I've sold off my Tallee.
Posted by: yankinoz at October 25, 2005 07:46 AM
Hello Rob,
I am in the midst of searching for my "perfect" camera bag, your review of the Crumpler was quite helpful except how would you rate the "water-resistant" fabric?
In your opinion could it withstand a signifigant rain shower? I must say Lowe Pro's "All Weather Cover" is a huge selling point and is the only obstacle in my purchasing of a Crumpler.
Thanks for your time, and the firebreather photo is quite dramatic, nice capture.
Exit
Posted by: Exitium2000 at November 6, 2005 03:25 PM
Hi Rob,
Could you please point me in the right direction to get the same customised bag as Clayton and yourself? Can't seem to find the customised buckle anywhere...
Posted by: Jeremy at November 7, 2005 01:35 AM
OK - waterproof - the fabric, yes - but the way the top closes it would be possible, if you are not careful to close it properly for rain to get in the bag. If you take care when you close it, the flap will keep water out. The LowPro's zip shut and the all weather cover is pretty serious. The Crumpler isn't as well sealed, but is always easy to get in and out of.
Custom buckle - You've got to contact a Crumpler Custom Shop - There's one in New York and one in Melbourne.
Posted by: yankinoz at November 10, 2005 08:20 PM
Rob, Thanks for the help!
Exit
Posted by: Thank-You at November 15, 2005 05:51 PM
I live at 77453 Commonwealth in Seattle. Been up here before?
Posted by: Mike Flacklestein at August 3, 2006 03:58 AM
Hi,
Thanks for the great review, made me really interested in this bag.
Have a question for you regarding the following quote:
"but with the softer, less boxy construction of the Seven it collapses a bit when it's not fully loaded (reminds me of a Domke F2 bag I had years ago)"
I'm curious as to how much it "collapses" when it's not fully loaded, is it possible for you to take a shot of the bag empty lying on it's back open, without the divider paddings in place?
Because I want to use this bag as a photo bag, but also as an messanger bag taking out all the padding when I don't carry photo gear, and I don't want the bag to be stiff like a box even only with minimal things in it.
I may have to order this bag online as no shop close to me has crumpler bags..
Thanks heaps!
Mike
Posted by: Mike at December 12, 2006 12:44 AM
