Does anyone use a Domke F2?

xtolsniffer · May 11, 2014

Hi all,
at the moment I have my 'going for a walk and might take some pictures' equipment in an Lowepro Orion backpack. It's small enough that I can go out without the family moaning that it's turned into a photographic expedition, but big enough to take all my stuff - a Nikon Fm3a with HP5, an F3 loaded with Delta 3200, a 35mm F2, 90 mm macro, 200mm and 20mm Voigtlander. If I'm taking pictures of the family I might also take an F100 with 28-70mm loaded with Portra 160 (plus a few filters and extra film). The trouble is that to get anything out I have to put the pack down, unzip, fiddle and so on which takes time and annoys everyone. I've been looking at a Domke F2 that may or may not take all my stuff (3 bodies, 5 lenses) so that I can just keep it on my shoulder to get things out. It doesn't seem too big to be cumbersome, but it may be just too small for my needs. Does anyone use one of have comments on it's useability, weatherproofness, general built, capacity and so on?

Ta!

Vilk · May 11, 2014

i have lived out of the F2 for years--including daily city roaming and long travel, on the road for half a year at a time. it's a bag you simply forget about after a while, no part of it ever stands in the way of your work; i was never tempted nor do i have plans to replace it with anything else. while i did carry the amount of junk you list on occasion and yes, it will fit (hint: there are more inserts for it than the default), do remember that the usability of any bag is inversely proportional to this amount--ultimately, a ball on a chain is a ball on a chain, no other "use" than slowing you down. it's a very comfortable 2 + 4 bag, for 3 + 5 you will want to take one lens off for transport. it is not "waterproof" the way most modern glorified lunch bags are, but i have never carried an umbrella in my life and if i could take it, the F2 could take it. the shell will last a few years of daily use; the strap will need to be replaced every 1000 shoulder hours or so, replacement is easy and cheap

get it and let it guide you; do things the F2 way--carry what it will carry, never close the buckles, throw out all padding, don't worry about rain and dust--and you'll live a long and happy life together

BradleyK · May 11, 2014

I have had my Domke F2 for going on three decades. Comments: 1). It was designed by a working photojournalist, so the bag works well in terms of accessibility: liberal use of velcro, pockets are plentiful and where you need them (on the front and on the ends - quick access to film, filters and light meter); 2). Material is canvas (also a "waxed" version) - I have had no issues with equipment getting wet; 3). The bag is well-constructed (mine is over thirty years old!) - durable canvas, well-stitched seams, bottom padding and an inner foam-padded four-section compartment for lenses; 4). My F2 holds: an F6 body w/drive on one end, an F3P on the other, four lenses (24,35,85,180), notepad and pens on the back-pocket, a cleaning kit on the inside flap pocket, 12 rolls of film on the end pockets (I am sure more could fit in, however...), several filters (52mm and a 72mm polarizer) in the front two pockets); 5). Summing up: I would recommend the bag to anyone looking for a bag to carry 35mm SLR equipment (it's a little large for 35mm rangefinder equipment - hence why I opted for a baby Billingham for my rangefinder stuff).

xtolsniffer · May 11, 2014

Very helpful comments, thanks for those!

xtolsniffer · May 11, 2014

I just need to make sure I can fit in:
FM3a
F3
F100 (occasional extra)
20mm
35mm
90mm
200mm
28-70 (occasional extra)
Few filters + film

BrianShaw · May 11, 2014

I've been wearing a F2 since the early 1980's. As others have said it is a great bag. Even though it is canvas I've had it in underground mines and trudging through the Yorkshire rains without a worry of gear getting wet. For three bodies I'd suggest you think bigger... especially if they have motors attached or you insist on carrying with a lens attached. For two bodies with motors and 4 or 5 lenses I can fit quite nicely but both bodies need the lens removed for packing. The lenses go into the "four-pack" padded compartment with the smaller lenses stacked one on the other. The bodies go on each end, on their side. There is still room for filters and the occasional strobe. It is a great bag but you may find it a bit tight for all of your gear.

BrianShaw · May 11, 2014

Oh... the end pockets are my favorite part. I keep unexposed film in one side and exposed on the other. Never have to worry about getting them mixed up and having to fumble around when reloading.

BrianShaw · May 11, 2014

... a thousand words goes here.

xtolsniffer · May 11, 2014

Fantastic! Thanks Brian!

Mainecoonmaniac · May 11, 2014

I've had mine for over 30 years. It's very versatile. I switched to a smaller Crumpler because I can't fill it up and it's too big for me. When I was shooting as a pro, it served me well. As an older hobbyist, it's a little too big.

Peter Simpson · May 11, 2014

Love mine, don't trust the plastic strap attachments, so I looped some paracord between the strap and the bag as a backup, in case the plastic should ever fail.

tony lockerbie · May 11, 2014

Yeah, great bags, and I really like the wat that they seem to form around you...nice and soft. May be a bit crowded with all your gear. I use mine with a Nikon FM, F2 and lenses from 20mm to 180, and will often only carry one camera.
The only downside of my waxed canvas bag is that sand tends to stick to it...I spend a lot of time on the beach!

Vilk · May 11, 2014

the easiest way to fit two motorized bodies with lenses attached: swap the 4-cell for a 2-cell insert. i'm talking two F2 bodies with MD-2 drives, not the FM fisher price toys... and if you find you lug a bottle of wine frequently, the 3-cell insert works magic; with room for the corkscrew, too

Vilk · May 11, 2014

check...

xtolsniffer said:
I just need to make sure I can fit in:
FM3a ----> F2 with 20 on
F3 ----> F2 with 35 on
F100 (occasional extra) ----> F2
20mm ----> mounted
35mm ----> mounted
90mm ----> 85
200mm ----> 180
28-70 (occasional extra) -----> 105 (the big one, stacked on 85)
Few filters + film

done. i'm loking at it. with the 2-cell insert. still room for a chiropractor's business card

benjiboy · May 11, 2014

Peter Simpson said:
Love mine, don't trust the plastic strap attachments, so I looped some paracord between the strap and the bag as a backup, in case the plastic should ever fail.

"Plastic" is an over simplification, they are Duraflex http://www.duraflexgroup.com/default.aspx which is a special plastic material which is very stromg and almost indistructable even if you hit it with a hammer.

BrianShaw · May 11, 2014

Mainecoonmaniac said:
I've had mine for over 30 years. It's very versatile. I switched to a smaller Crumpler because I can't fill it up and it's too big for me. When I was shooting as a pro, it served me well. As an older hobbyist, it's a little too big. View attachment 87821

I forgot to weigh mine, and I refuse to call myself an older hobbyist. But the bag is a LOT heavier than it ever has been... with the same gear too.

bdial · May 11, 2014

All that stuff might be a bit of a tight fit, but it is doable. My Hasselblad kit lives in mine; a body, three lenses, two backs, film and miscellaneous other stuff makes up the typical carry kit, and it has room left over.

Like others have said, it's a great bag. It's my favorite of all the bags I have, and I have several.

canuhead · May 11, 2014

After using them for who knows how many years, I've found that the quality control is hot or miss lately. I've had the pockets on the ballistic F2 blow their seems at the bottom and the internal dividers not as durable as previous bags. Still not much else out there that feels the same and is as light.

Probably going to pick up an FX3b soon nonetheless

xtolsniffer · May 12, 2014

Vilk said:
check...

done. i'm loking at it. with the 2-cell insert. still room for a chiropractor's business card

An answer above and beyond the call of duty! I'm so impressed I've just ordered one

ChuckP · May 12, 2014

Do you use any special straps for a heavy shoulder bag? I use an old Zone VI bag for view camera stuff and after awhile I start to really feel the weight on my shoulder. These fully loaded F2 bags are probably as heavy or heavier.

benjiboy · May 12, 2014

I use the Domke U.S Postal Service shoulder pad with my Domke F2 it's the most comfortable ever to carry heavy loads, and I can use it on any of my bags

Mainecoonmaniac · May 12, 2014

As get older

BrianShaw said:
I forgot to weigh mine, and I refuse to call myself an older hobbyist. But the bag is a LOT heavier than it ever has been... with the same gear too.

I pack my gear smarter when I was young and stupid, I used to pack 4 lenses a motorized body. Now I have a bad back.

benjiboy · May 12, 2014

Mainecoonmaniac said:
I pack my gear smarter when I was young and stupid, I used to pack 4 lenses a motorized body. Now I have a bad back.

The military have known since the middle ages that there is a limit that a soldier can carry for a days march and still be fit for combat when he gets to his destination, and I too in my mid seventies nowadays try to be more sensible with what I carry I have a Canon AE motor drive FN for my F1's but only carry it if I know I'm definitely going to need it because it has 12 AA batteries in the power pack and it weighs a ton when combined with the not inconsiderable weight of an F1.

Hatchetman · May 12, 2014

I've had one for about 4 years. I like it a lot, but when fully loaded it can weigh a ton on your shoulder. I'm going to try that shoulder pad suggested above. I don't think one bag can be perfect for every occasion, but this is probably as close as you're going to get.

benjiboy · May 12, 2014

Hatchetman said:
I've had one for about 4 years. I like it a lot, but when fully loaded it can weigh a ton on your shoulder. I'm going to try that shoulder pad suggested above. I don't think one bag can be perfect for every occasion, but this is probably as close as you're going to get.

I highly recommend the U.S.P.S shoulder pad, my F2 fully loaded weighs around 12lb and it makes a big difference.

Does anyone use a Domke F2?

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