Gadgets and just Gadgets

New Crumpler bags for photo lovers

Meet the Crumpler bags. They are often better known for their fun “dig-in” looks, silly names and playfully obtuse catalogue descriptions; than they are for their pure functionality to photographers. While that doesn’t change a lot with their latest offerings from PMA 2008, they’re still fun bags (hee-hee) nonetheless and that’s important too, ya know?

On the one hand, there’s The Rufous Whistler ($90), a “Limited Edition” bag designed for bird and nature photographers. We don’t know if “designed” is the right word, though. This bag seems more “drawn” for bird lovers, with a bright red and yellow color scheme, and cute pictures of birds throughout including a stitched red “birder” with a pair of binocs on the side. Looks like, at most, you could fit a digital SLR and lens into this cute little bag. Maybe some small binoculars as well.

Then there’s The Period Charmer ($550), which is two photo bags in one. First it’s a photo trolley bag, complete with wheels and a collapsible handle, making it a great piece of luggage for dragging through airports and stowing away as a carry-on item. Inside The Period Charmer is the Cork & Fork removable insert, which can be pulled from the trolley bag and used as a photo backpack. The Cork & Fork — yes, we know this is all kind of confusing — has padded shoulder straps, an adjustable waist, and a soft tricot-lined adjustable “snake” wall to cradle your cameras and lenses.

Tags: bag, period charmer, photo bag, trolley bag, rufous whistler , crumpler, crumpler bag