I've recently bought the cinelux 21 backpack and all I can say is that it's awesome. I’ve owned dozens of backpacks and cases, starting from Kata Bumblebee, Dakine Mission, all kinds of Lowepro, Cinebags, a range of Nanuk Cases, several Pelicans (foam, trackpad, custom), even some rack cases. Over the years I started to hate breaking down rigs - regular backpacks aren't tall enough to accommodate a cine camera with top handle attached (usually with a monitor on the end of it), so I started digging into cases. Cases are awesome for a set, while they definitely limit you on how much one can move away from a car. Usually I have something like 110kg of cases and gear on a cart (cases alone weigh something like 35kg of that weight), and that's where something like doctor-style bag will come handy. It easily packs my b-cam Red Epic with a fixed lens (say Laowa 12mm, all smaller recent DZO/NISI or Arri UP) with a 4x5,65 mattebox on it, with top handle and two monitors attached, a WC C-BOX + a V-Mount, and there's plenty of space left to carry a couple more lenses, or batteries, or you name it. I wasn't sure about the exact model of the 21 - it seemed that I will need a hightop, because my rig was something like 23cm tall, while the regular cinelux 21 was stated 22cm interior height - but I was lucky to try prior purchasing, and it did fit easily. The bag is really comfortable, comparably light, easy to use and is well-thought-out. Despite owning some bigger hardbags from Tenba already (I have some for Ronin in a ring grip), I was pleasantly stoked by the quality of the bag - zippers, dr-style opening, cushions - everything is top-notch.
The Shoulder Bag 16 and 21, the Backpack 21 and the Roller 21 are all carry-on compatible. The bags that are NOT carry-on are the Shoulder Bag 21 Hightop and 24, the Backpack 24, the Roller 24, and the Pro Gimbal Backpack.
Ok, I just purchased Cineluxe Backpack 21, few toolboxes and realized there is not way to attach a monopod to the backpack. :( Any plans on adding such option to the backpack? I use very small Manfrotto Xpro 5 section monopod, but don't want to carry it in my hands.
The side pockets on the backpack were designed to hold a monopod. In particular, the right side pocket does not have any other smaller pockets inside so that it can be used for larger items. If you put in a monopod and then close the zipper most of the way, gravity should do the rest of the work of keeping the monopod in the pocket.
In testing, we determined that the handle needed an extra bit of grip underneath, and it needed to be something super durable, so we went with waterproof, full-gran leather. But your comment is noted.
Same here. I was just about to pull the trigger on the 24 model until I heard there is leather on there. Such a great design, too bad it can't be vegan-friendly. Surely there's some synthetic material that could suffice - Lorica comes to mind.
As I wrote above, we take very seriously the comments about leather. We continue to look for serious alternatives that do not prove to be worthless garbage under real world use. We often use Hypalon when we need something durable, tear-resistant and indestructible, but it frankly doesn't have a very good or comfortable long-term hand-feel. That is why we opted for leather on the underside of the Cineluxe handles. We honestly never stop researching the latest potential leather alternatives, as we have all internally agreed to switch once there is a real one.
Awesome, thank you for the quick reply, and as I am in the process of launching my own startup (also here in NYC - check out fathomcamera.com), I definitely have a sense of how difficult manufacturing and bringing high quality products to market can be - so I applaud your proactive approach in looking for the best quality and durability - and in continuing to do research for further refinements. I really dig your designs and feel like some of the other camera bag manufacturers could take a lesson from you on how to design bags that work in real production scenarios :) Keep up the good work!
I've recently bought the cinelux 21 backpack and all I can say is that it's awesome. I’ve owned dozens of backpacks and cases, starting from Kata Bumblebee, Dakine Mission, all kinds of Lowepro, Cinebags, a range of Nanuk Cases, several Pelicans (foam, trackpad, custom), even some rack cases. Over the years I started to hate breaking down rigs - regular backpacks aren't tall enough to accommodate a cine camera with top handle attached (usually with a monitor on the end of it), so I started digging into cases. Cases are awesome for a set, while they definitely limit you on how much one can move away from a car. Usually I have something like 110kg of cases and gear on a cart (cases alone weigh something like 35kg of that weight), and that's where something like doctor-style bag will come handy. It easily packs my b-cam Red Epic with a fixed lens (say Laowa 12mm, all smaller recent DZO/NISI or Arri UP) with a 4x5,65 mattebox on it, with top handle and two monitors attached, a WC C-BOX + a V-Mount, and there's plenty of space left to carry a couple more lenses, or batteries, or you name it. I wasn't sure about the exact model of the 21 - it seemed that I will need a hightop, because my rig was something like 23cm tall, while the regular cinelux 21 was stated 22cm interior height - but I was lucky to try prior purchasing, and it did fit easily. The bag is really comfortable, comparably light, easy to use and is well-thought-out. Despite owning some bigger hardbags from Tenba already (I have some for Ronin in a ring grip), I was pleasantly stoked by the quality of the bag - zippers, dr-style opening, cushions - everything is top-notch.
We appreciate your kind words and recommendation!
Best bag Ive ever owned (21 roller) perfect for flying with my gear
Very happy to hear it. Thanks for sharing.
These look great. Would love to try one out.
So which bags are the airline compatible ones!?
The Shoulder Bag 16 and 21, the Backpack 21 and the Roller 21 are all carry-on compatible. The bags that are NOT carry-on are the Shoulder Bag 21 Hightop and 24, the Backpack 24, the Roller 24, and the Pro Gimbal Backpack.
Ok, I just purchased Cineluxe Backpack 21, few toolboxes and realized there is not way to attach a monopod to the backpack. :(
Any plans on adding such option to the backpack?
I use very small Manfrotto Xpro 5 section monopod, but don't want to carry it in my hands.
The side pockets on the backpack were designed to hold a monopod. In particular, the right side pocket does not have any other smaller pockets inside so that it can be used for larger items. If you put in a monopod and then close the zipper most of the way, gravity should do the rest of the work of keeping the monopod in the pocket.
Ok, I’ll give it a try. Thanks.
Link does not work..
How tall of a rig can the 21 Back-Pack carry?
cool
Wonderful bag. But you lost me at the leather.
In testing, we determined that the handle needed an extra bit of grip underneath, and it needed to be something super durable, so we went with waterproof, full-gran leather. But your comment is noted.
Same here. I was just about to pull the trigger on the 24 model until I heard there is leather on there. Such a great design, too bad it can't be vegan-friendly. Surely there's some synthetic material that could suffice - Lorica comes to mind.
As I wrote above, we take very seriously the comments about leather. We continue to look for serious alternatives that do not prove to be worthless garbage under real world use. We often use Hypalon when we need something durable, tear-resistant and indestructible, but it frankly doesn't have a very good or comfortable long-term hand-feel. That is why we opted for leather on the underside of the Cineluxe handles. We honestly never stop researching the latest potential leather alternatives, as we have all internally agreed to switch once there is a real one.
Awesome, thank you for the quick reply, and as I am in the process of launching my own startup (also here in NYC - check out fathomcamera.com), I definitely have a sense of how difficult manufacturing and bringing high quality products to market can be - so I applaud your proactive approach in looking for the best quality and durability - and in continuing to do research for further refinements. I really dig your designs and feel like some of the other camera bag manufacturers could take a lesson from you on how to design bags that work in real production scenarios :) Keep up the good work!