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I ordered a Crumpler Formal Lounge (medium-sized backpack) ealier this week from an Ebay seller, and received it today. It confirms to me that retail therapy works for men too.

I chose this bag because I wanted a backpack that took a small SLR camera system and a laptop in one, so I don't have to carry my laptop and camera separately when flying. It had to fit airline carry-on dimensions, and include some space for sundry items, eg. a change of clothes in case my checked baggage goes missing; and when I get back home, it'll be put to use as my hiking bag. Laptop space would be reserved for my Camelbak bladder.

The USPS box:


The bag:

Bigger

Opened up to show the insides, bottom compartment taken out to show that it can:

Bigger


Edit update: Crumpler's claims of fitting laptops upto 17" screens is a little optimistic I think. My lappy is a 15 incher, and its a snug fit. Bit of room to move, but 17" might be a tight squeeze.

I almost bought this same bag.. Then I decided on the Tallee.

I don't have a laptop (yet) so thought it was overkill for what I needed at this time, great bag though.

I am really impressed with Crumpler bags.

W00DY

I second that, the design and quality swayed me to the Crumpler Formal Lounge, did not appreciate it in full until after a full days hiking through a national park, just as important was the fit and comfort.

Well worth the extra $60 or so when compared to the Lowepro equivilant.

And its airline cabin friendly to.

Andyt

I also have the formal lounge for the same reasons. Laptop to work during the week and camera on the weekend. My only problem with this bag is that there is not way to attach a tripod to the outside.

I have more bags than my wife and get constant grief for it. However she has more shoes so we're even.

You're right about the tripod carry. There are those two "connector bits" at the sides, I don't know what their proper function is. I had tried to squeeze one leg of the tripod through it, but that doesn't work...

And the bag's top compartment is too small to fit a tripod inside, other than a tabletop one.

I had this same prob with my Lowerpro.
So what I did is put two small tie downs, purchased from a hardware store” & threaded them though the straps on the side then just tied my monopod, tripod to the side

Problem solved

Works well!!

Cheers
Ray

I was looking at the Crumpler "Brian's Hot Tub" backpack. It looks to be a little big bigger than the 'Formal Lounge'.

Onyx, Do you happen to know off hand the dimensions for on-board luggage?

Apart from the 17" being a tight fit, any other comments on the build quality?

I think the build quality is excellent. The back padding and shoulder straps make it a very comfortable bag.

The Formal Lounge is a good size for D70 + 2-3 lenses. I imagine Brian's Hottub must be huge.

Cheers
Dean

I really love Crumpler's naming regime.

Hey PW, found the place didja?

There's no specifics for carry on bag sizes, I think it varies by airlines. Some measure linear dimensions (l+w+h of bag as 1 measurement), some have "must fix thru this box" type things, and yet others have other different criteria. Just as you'll find some airline/airport staff strictly enforce the 1 carry on item per person and others are more relaxed. I did find that the fat section of the Formal Lounge bag needed massaging to fit in the overhead bin on a smaller plane (I think it was a 767). I just didn't want the mini-suitcase on wheels that I see some others take onboard planes their hand luggage.

If I recall correctly from when I did my research into Crumplers, Brain's Hot Tub shares the same external dimensions as the Farmer's Double - one size up from the Formal Lounge. The exception is Brain's is fully padded dividers inside the bag for camera equipment; whereas the F Double is two compartments - regular stuff and camera stuff.

As Deano said, the build quality is excellent. The ergonomics seems to be well thought out too. They are a tad pricey - I had reservations about spending that much money on just a backpack, but it really isn't "just a backpack".

Thanks all.

The "Brian's Hot Tub" I was looking at was available for about $270 which is a fair bit for a backpack, but probably not much to protect $5000+ worth of Camera & Laptop equipment.

Now I get to demonstrate what an ijit I am...

It's the Farmers Double I have not the Formal Lounge. This is the bag which nicely fits the D70 and 2 or 3 lenses.

Doh!!!
Dean

Farmer's double and formal lounge are like siblings - one slightly bigger than the other. Same features, same looks, the FD merely adds 2cm here and there in size... I noted most website selling Crumplers use the same images to illustrate both models. Ijit or not Deano, we love you and accept you as you are.

Hi All

I have just ordered a Shrinkle and Tallee bag from 'Photo & Video International' in New Zealand (no sheep jokes please). I live in Perth and the crazy thing is that it was cheaper for me to get them sent from NZ than it was to buy them here in Oz (even worse in WA).

Here is their price list if anyone is interested: http://www.photo.co.nz/newprods/newcrumpler.htm

I am working offshore at present, so when I get home I will give a summary of what I think of the Shrinkle and Tallee bags for anyone's interest.

Cheers
John

John, I would love to hear what you think of both of them. I was looking at those two too! When do you get home?

Marvin

I don't get home until late next Friday and then should be able to have a look at the bags.

I’m not sure if my laptop will fit in the Shrinkle (I’ve a 15” laptop, but heard the Crumpler bags are always a tight fit), but thought the Brian’s Hot Tub would just be too big if my wife also wanted to use.

I was looking at either the Budgie Smuggler or 15 Love, but then saw the Tallee and thought this would be a good compromise (hopefully not to big and not to small, but just right).

Yes, I know some may have thought I should have bought the bags here in Oz, but it seems that in the last 6 months ‘Crumpler’ have been selling the bags at near RRP, which has really bumped up the prices from what they used to be. A lot of places that used to have the full selection can now only get part supply, with mostly only camera shops now being able to supply camera bags, and these shops are now seeling at close to RRP (funny how the other shops could previously sell well below RRP, but still make a profit).

When I’ve had a chance to have a good look at the bags I will post a review.

Cheers
John

I've got a "Brian's HotTub" and its very nice. Big enough to put My D70, FTn (each with normal lenses attached), SB800 and a zoom lens or two along with all the cables and bits in the zip-case bit. I also got a LowePro D-Res 6 case to carry batteries and spare CF cards which I put on my belt when I'm busy or slots into a pocket in the bag when I'm not.

The bag is very configurable and would definitely fit a 17" notebook, my 14.1" Dell D600 rolls about with plenty of room to spare.

The only significant 'gotchas' are that it’s not easy to get in into (but has excellent security) and that there’s no spare room for stuff like my lunch- the outside pockets are barely big enough for a book or my iPod.

I bought it from the Brisbane City Crumpler store (near Ted's) for $280.

I'll post some photos if anyone is interested

Cheers,

Luke

On the topic of bags: Has anyone with a Lowepro Mini Trekker found that it's not that great a bag to have on their back for a long time? My back starts to get sore after carrying it for a few hours, and that's with not that much in it (two lenses and a few other light bits, eg caps, rocket blower etc - cam and other lens in hand).

I don't get a sore back carrying a fair heft in my normal Carribee backpack.

Onyx, those two conector bits that you mention..

You're right about the tripod carry. There are those two "connector bits" at the sides, I don't know what their proper function is. I had tried to squeeze one leg of the tripod through it, but that doesn't work...

are for expandability. A lot of other crumpler products link to those bands using velco to add extra pockets or tube in order to carry lenses and the like. I havent seen one thats designed to carry a tripod, but maybe with a few modifications something could be rigged up (i'm seeing zip-ties and a big curtain ring as the ultra low cost option ).