So I did it.

Went to B&H and bought the brazillion. I think I may have purchased the last one. Also picked up a diffuser, canon handstrap and a manfrotto monopod.

The other bags in contention were the billingham at $249, and NG at $100 and the journalist.

The NG was the flimsiest of the bunch, and the billingham the one that looked the least like a camera bag. Then they brought out the brazillion and I loved the way it looked and impressed with the sturdiness so I bought it.

During the cab ride home, I customized it (strap adjustment, tinkering with pockets, etc) and I scraped the hell out of my hands from the velcro! There's way too much velcro on this thing, and it's super super strong. Got back to the office and fit my laptop, charger, psp, ipod and umbrella and I swear this thing is humungous!

Will take pics tonight and will post more impressions.


On a side note. I cant believe how much money I've spent in the past week at B&H! Besides the camera, everything else I've purchased has been from there. Tallying up my receipts, I'm at $1500 after 2 visits.

 

From your previous thread..


Welcome to the club!

 

 

I've dropped over $6,000 with them since February 7th - gonna get a big 'old Canon rebate

And I'm extremely ecstatic with my purchases, so forget the - I'm sure you are too.

 

Impressions:
Big and bulky, but it fits everything I would ever need for work + a photo session all in the same trip.

Build quality - top notch. Very sturdy and very strong. Even without anything in the bag, it holds its shape which is not necessarily a good thing. For whenever I just want to carry a laptop and no camera gear, the bag still holds its bulky shape.

With all my gear in it, I feel that it's very well protected. Liking the rainbag too, but dont like where its stored. They tucked it into the back pocket (the pocket with the killer velcro), and it's a bit bulky around the hip area. Crumpler also includes about 10 extra compartment pieces with the bag. I actually had to remove some that they had installed directly from the factory. I think I may be able to make a nice sized fort for my daughter with the extras. It's very 'tight'. The build quality on this is so great that theres barely any play in any of the compartments. I'm sure with time the fabric will stretch, but right now it's so tight that it's painful.

Velcro - too much imo, and doesnt need the industrial stuff that totally cut my hand up.

Weight - empty it's like 5lbs. With all my gear + laptop, charger, psp, ipod, blackberry, wallet, shades, keys, gum, etc. it's like 25lbs. The strap makes it bearable, but with the initial weight, it definitely feels heavier than it needs to be. The price for protection I guess.

Conclusion:
Well.. I left my receipt at work, and since B&H is closed tomorrow, I'll see if I can live with it for one more day. It's definitely too much bag for me, and if I cant do it, I think I'll be returning it for the Billingham.

 

i like the idea of a shoulder bag since it gives you easy access to your camera and still allow for a laptop (sling bags don't have that) but I have a bad back to carrying that much weight on one shoulder would kill me.

 

Myself, I am using a "Jack Bauer" messenger bag and retrofitted it with padding from old laptop sleeves. Total cost has been less than $20. I noticed that Domke sells padded compartments and may eventually buy/use their internal system.

 

 

Returned the brazillion today. Christ that was a pain in the ass trekking the monster onto the crowded E train!

Looked at the other bags but couldnt find anything that I liked. So the search continues.. I think I may just give up and buy the 7 million from photocous.com for $100.

 

I just bought the Lowepro Slingshot 300... very happy with it considering it can hold a XTi with an 70-200 2.8is mounted. the ability to swing it forward and have quick access to the camera is nice.