Crumpler Zoomiverse Field Reviews - Huge Photo Backpack but with Poor Design

A while ago I purchased a Crumplier Zoomiverse to replace my ageing  camera bag. For various reasons I never made the switch and having  finally come to do so I've found that the interior of the Crumpler  Zoomiverse is totally configurable with many different layouts possible.
However the bag does unfortunately suffer from some poor design flaws that limit its usefulness.

Crumpler Zoomiverse inside space

Although the bag is huge externally the actual usable space is not as great as you would expect. Almost like a TARDIS in reverse! There is an inner bag that stores the camera gear which helps protect it but as a result cuts down the volume available for storage. It is quite a squeeze to get 2 bodies with lenses attached into the bag along with a flash gun. The net pocket at the top of the Crumpler Zoomiverse can store small items but again it reduces the space available within the bag.

There is a front pocket which gives a lot of flexible space but unfortunately the bag needs to be laid on its front to access the camera in main compartment so needs to be zipped up again to reach the front pocket - itself a slow process due to the 2 layer zip on the main compartment.

Crumpler Zoomiverse review

This shows the main compartment net covering being zipped into place. The Zoomiverse has a unique design in that the backpack opens from the rear by folding the carry straps out of the way and removing the rear of the bag. This works quite well expect for limiting access to the front of the bag. The main compartment also features a laptop carry case but this limits the space available inside for camera gear even more.

Crumpler Zoomiverse backpack review - good but could be better

The dividers can be positioned as required. Unfortunately that does mean that starting from scratch is tricky as  you need to find a layout to begin with using the available velcro  dividers! There are more dividers than can be used inside the bag which is confusing to begin with!

Inside the Crumpler Zoomiverse layout

Standing bag upright showing the rear opening to access the main compartment.

Crumpler Zoomiverse review - large photo backpack

The photo below shows the Tamrac Adventure 9 side by side with the Crumpler Zoomiverse. Although they are similar heights the space inside the Tamrac is much more usable than in the Zoomiverse. The primary problem with the Tamrac is that the top pocket is not padded so needs to be used carefully to avoid damaging kit.

Crumpler Zoomiverse compared to Tamrac Adventure 9

Tamrac Adventure 9 Backpack/Bag Full review

I took the Tamrac Adventure 9 backpack to New Zealand for my recent trip.

It was a difficult choice to decided what kit to take with me when I needed to keep weight and bulk to a minimum but also to be able to make the most of the photography opportunities with travel to such a beautiful place along with some wedding photography during the trip.

Tamrac Adventure 9 compared to Crumpler Zoomiverse (right)

In the end I decided to take the following items:

Canon 5D Mark2 camera body (rather than the Mark 1 which meant I could also shoot video)
Canon 24-105mm f4 L IS lens
Canon 70-200 f2.8 L IS lens
Canon 50mm f1.4 lens
Canon 15mm f2.8 fisheye (to get shots such as the one below at Louise and Brendan's wedding on the beach)
Canon 430EX flashgun (lighter than my normal 580EX)

This combination along with my Acer netbook fitted perfectly in the main space of Tamrac Adventure 9 with the netbook to the rear pocket. This still left the top bag of the Tamrac to store day kit such as money, cards and sunglasses. Water bottles could be stored in the side pockets of the backpack. The total weight of the bag with the full kit listed was almost 10kg which was over the limit for carry on baggage but out of 8 flights we only had a query on one which involved removing the laptop into another bag.

Tamrac Adventure 9 field test review

The rear zip pocket for the laptop is sealed with rubber thus preventing sand or other dirt working its way into the pocket. The bag has many clips to secure the contents when being carried and even with the full 10kg weight it was comfortable to carry during the day.

The Tamrac adventure 9 performed perfectly for the trip and I would recommend it for anyone who is travelling and looking to transport their cameras and other photography gear for overseas trips. The Tamrac would be equally useful for day trips in the UK given the quantity of kit that can be carried.

 

 

Tamrac Adventure 9 field test review

 The photo above shows the main compartment on left and the top pocket on right with another body stored in it. This is not padded so needs to be used with care.

Tamrac Adventure 9 Backpack/Bag review

I'm shortly off on holiday to New Zealand and need a new bag to carry my camera gear. I've just bought a Tamrac Adventure 9 backpack which should be able to take my camera, a couple of lenses along with my netbook and still fit into the hand luggage. Once I get back I will update the review with how the bag performed.