Crumpler Home Stayer 002 camera bag Review

Crumpler is a new range of bags named after its maker Stu Crumpler. Each bag comes with a mini catalogue, which is full of wit and attitude, fancy design and illustrations of a range of bags for photographers, computer users, and cyclists. Stu's taken a different approach to the usual over the shoulder or backpack approach going for a cross-chest shoulder strap. I recall several years ago attempting to hoist a heavy bag over my neck so the strap ran diagonally across my chest. It was not only extremely uncomfortable, but also made me look very nerdy (only a train-spotting anorak would have carried a bag like this at that time).   The Crumpler logo - trendy or what!

How things have changed! You only have to look around to see the young and fashionable all wear their bags like this now.

I tried the Crumpler Home Stayer 002, a small bag just big enough to house an SLR with lens attached and a couple of other lens sized accessories.

Full marks for looks - the Home Stayer 002, like all other Crumplers, has a curved appearance, with soft looking material. The material is Cordura Plus, a quick drying and robust material that's tougher bags made from Nylon or polyester. All bags have heavy-duty zips that won't get stuck and the cover flap wraps across the top and down the front. It's secured by two large quick-release buckles and really powerful Velcro. The camera area is covered by a lid that houses five films in elasticised straps and this also secures with a Velcro flap.

Room for a camera, a couple of lenses and five films.

I loaded the main compartment of the bag up with an old EOS 100 camera and Tokina 24-200mm lens, a Sekonic meter, my mobile phone and a 50mm lens. There's also a lid pocket which I had planned to use for a couple of filters, but this makes it impractical as a cover, so it can only really be used for papers or really flexible items. There's also a pocket around the front, which is zipped and difficult to get stuff in and out. I also found that the five films housed in the top flap created problems, when trying to get the camera in and out. It's all a little too tight.

Five films can be held on top of the inner lid.

With the gear in place I set of on my photo excursion. After getting used to the fact that it's now fashionable to wear a bag like a trainspotter, it felt really comfortable, the Crumpler logo attracted attention. I guess they were either thinking 'what's an old git doing carrying a bag like that' or 'I've not seen that label before, wonder where he got that bag'.

After about two hours I found the bag starting to pull across my neck and it became uncomfortable. It also started to dig into my back. I tried, as an alternative, to carry it over one shoulder to relieve the pain, but it slips off too easily. I'm no muscle-bound, broad shouldered bloke so there's more chance of a bag slipping, but I have used many other bags that stay in place without a problem.

Getting the gear in and out was also troublesome. The Velcro is so strong that you have to tug to get into the bag - great as a security feature but not that practical.

Access to the camera compartment.

Verdict
A Crumpler looks good, with its great fashionable styling and is perfect for carrying on a bike or maybe for the young photographer, but it's not for me. I'll stick with a light load and continue to carry my bag over one shoulder.

Test by Peter Bargh