Capsule summary: I was looking for a large shoulder bag, something that could hold a full kit of camera and up to five lenses, other necessary things, and would not be a pain to carry and work out of. My search had narrowed the field down to the Lowepro Stealth Reporter series and the Crumpler "Million Dollar Home" series. I requested users of these two bags let me know how they felt about them, particularly bags in the size range of the 6-7 Million Dollar Home and the Stealth Reporter D200-D300. Many excellent comments were offered, thank you all for your assistance.
I called B&H and asked if they would mind if I placed an order for several bags so that could actually test them at home, myself, with my equipment, then return the ones I didn't want. They said sure, it would be no problem. So I placed an order for both the Crumpler 6 and 7 Million Dollar Home bags and the Lowepro SR D200 and D300. They arrived a couple of days ago. It was immediately apparent that I needed the size of the 7Mil and D300, the other two were not big enough. I took out the 7Mil and configured its internals, loaded it up with the most I would ever want to carry in one shot, then tossed a couple other things in on top. It handled all of it very nicely. The strap and pad arrangement worked well, the bag hung nicely without feeling in the way. It's a very big bag, for me, but I immediately felt comfortable with it. Finish and stitching are very nice, the fact that the interior is all Velcro loop material makes it easy to configure any which way at all for different gear. Even large and loaded up, it remains reasonably good looking and not "a big bag full of expensive camera gear". It impressed me quite a lot. The velcro closures on this bag are the only negative thing I have to say about it. They're WAY too strong and too noisy to be happy with as it comes. I do wish it had an externally accessible back pocket for the occasional magazine or whatever, but that's a minor thing. Then I took out the Stealth Reporter D300. By comparison it's a very "technical" bag: many nicely designed and arranged pockets and features that immediately fit all the little bits and pieces that photographers cart about. It's flatter and tighter on the gear compared to the 7Mil, but with a little rearranging of dividers everything fit nicely. The top access is limited but useful, the use of velcro is restrained, the fit and finish are excellent. There's not as much space for extra junk as there is in the 7Mil, but it has the external pocket I miss on that bag, it has the waist belt to keep it from flopping about, and the whole camera compartment is removable as well so it's quite a flexible piece. However, I found it just wasn't quite as comfortable to wear and walk with, carrying a full load, and the handle provided for hoisting it in and out of a car tended to make it spill over when I lifted it with the top overflap unsecured by zipper or front buckle. After suitable thought, I made my decision: I went for the Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home in Black/Oatmeal. It's a good bag, I'm pleased with my choice. Thanks for everyone who contributed. And now it's time for the great "Bag Cleanout Sale" ... I'm pulling together all the bags I no longer want so I can get back a good bit of storage space in my office. I'll post a list later today once I get things organized. best, Godfrey -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
