Crumpler THE KARACHI OUTPOST Camera Backpack (Oatmeal/Dark Brown) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just brought the black version of this bad boy home after literally 45 minutes in the store trying to decide between this one and a couple of Lowepro backpacks (CompuRover AW and CompuTrekker AW), and I am excited. It comes with an orange interior instead of the blue one I have seen in online reviews. Having brought my laptop, a body and two lenses as a 'test kit,' I tried the bags out walking and jumping around the store and loading and unloading the bags. This is the bag I immediately became attached to and wanted to buy but I did stay and try out all the other ones to be fair (and because they were cheaper and easier to access).

I was forced into the market for a bag able to transport most of my shooting gear internationally as I now live in Hong Kong for much of the year and my sister-in-law asked me to help shoot part of her wedding in Maine. I don't want to check any of the glass, flash or bodies (chargers, bracket, etc I don't mind checking) for fear of losing or breaking it. I intend to use this bag mainly as point to point transport and don't intend to shoot out of it on the big day - the difficulty in accessing the main compartment would seem to preclude this for me.

I settled on the Karachi Outpost for three reasons - one, appearance - it is the same color scheme as my Crumpler "Dreadful Embarassment" bag (shallow, I know) and looks less like a camera bag, two because this felt like it was going to be the most comfortable to carry around fully loaded and third because it was so much more configurable than the Lowepro models (laptop sleeve removable, for instance).

It was a tough choice, however. I almost settled on the CompuRover AW for its lower cost (where I was) and easy access but once I explained how much kit I was going to carry, the saleswoman looked at me and said simply, "it won't fit in there." The CompuTrekker, while able to fit all the gear, didn't feel like it would have enough space when fully loaded, for the rest of the stuff I'd want to bring while traveling on long-haul flights (jacket, travel docs, change of clothes, neck pillow, etc).

I immediately brought it home and loaded it up with:

15 in macbook pro
Fuji Finepix S3 Pro
Nikon D200 w/ grip
SB800
SB80
Nikon 80-200/2.8 (old push-pull one)
Nikon 17-35/2.8
Nikon 28-70/2.8
Nikon 85mm/1.4 prime
Nikon 50mm/1.4 prime

It all fits snug as a bug even with the lens hoods reversed and attached to all the lenses. I doubt I'll have any trouble slipping my passport and travel documents in one of the side pockets, an extra t-shirt and boxers in the main compartment and a travel neck pillow cinched into the tripod strap so I am very happy indeed with my purchase so far.

I've worn it around the house, got the straps adjusted and am feeling pretty good. The straps make the bag really adjustable and it feels stable on my back especially with the sternum strap clipped in. I've been assured that its legal as a carry on and just hope that the people at the airport don't weight it because all that equipment is most assuredly over the allowable weight limit for a hand carried bag. However, even if forced to check it, the bag feels so well built and padded that I wouldn't be as worried about my stuff getting damaged, as stolen since 9/11 made luggage locks a thing of the past.

I've read someone in a review describe putting on this bag as getting into a well made bed. I would describe it more as feeling like sitting in the seat of a good european car. It's got that firm but well padded feeling of the seats on a German automobile which bodes well for my gear (when was the last time your bottom was hurt by sitting in an Audi or BMW?).

The main thing I like about this bag, however, is its configurability. With the ability to remove both the laptop sleeve and the camera equipment compartment (which neither Lowepro bag I tried could do), I can use this bag as a sole and truly capacious shooting bag if forced to by taking out the laptop sleeve and have room for even more equipment. I can also use it purely as a backpack for travel and always have the option to carry my laptop in a protected compartment.

A bonus is that it looks nice (IMHO) and to the uninitiated, at least, doesn't scream, "CAMERA BAG! STEAL ME!"

I REALLY like this bag. While I haven't had extended time using it, everything so far has been good with the possible exception of maybe wishing that there was just a bit more space for odds and ends, a few more organizer pockets and maybe external compression straps. But that's really nitpicking since there are pockets on the laptop sleeve itself appropriate for memory cards, etc and for a long time, I used a North Face climbing/rope bag with Domke inserts and towels as my transport bag - talk about no organizer pockets.

Another reviewer dislikes that the curved sides.I am annoyed somewhat by that as well, but don't think that will be a major issue for me.I could have gotten around this by putting the lenses on the sides (where the lens barrels would follow the the curve) but decided to load the bodies on the sides instead.I load my two bodies (without lenses) with the lens mounts facing out and the grips facing up so that they follow the countour of the bag and everything fits.

If the quality of my and my wife's other Crumpler bags is any indication, I'm expecting a long and satisfying experience with this bag. I'll come back and update if this isn't so.

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Product Description:
The Karachi Outpost... You need the ultimate combination of a location photo/video pack, 17" IT case and sport-travel backpack that provides ample ergonomics, stability, protection and stealth, all in a package that is fully convertible between these three specifications.This is the large model, for D-SLR kits with one to two bodies, tele and or wide zoom lenses attached, several spare lenes an external flash or two & accessories or medium to large sized video kits and compact tripod.Weight limits not withstanding, this fits all but the very smallest overhead airline lockers. Full photobackpack, professional photo gigsters, The Karachi Outpost is the bag for u...Holds:Location photo/laptop backpack, fully convertible. Rearward opening convertible photo/compact 17" laptop backpack is low profile - for great stability, good security - access to main compartment only if bag is off-shoulders, and good durability - the main zip works with, not against the bag. On location the bag is placed 'front' down - the harness and back pad stay cleaner so you do too!The main photo compartment is fully configurable, has plastic sheet cored foam inserts that prevent hot spots on equipment and is full removable, allowing the back pack to be used solely for cargo.The removable insert for compact 17" laptops can be used to insulate your lap whilst working, from a hot laptop. For extra support deploy the adjustable chest strap. Use the shoulder s

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