Domke Debate

EASmithV · Apr 14, 2014

Hello everyone. It's been a while, and I'm getting back into the swing of things. As usual, I'm falling back on the collective for some advice.

I'm thinking of getting a Domke F1x or an F7. I am trying to fit the following (with relative ease of use)

Nikon F6 w/ motor Drive and lens attached
assorted 2nd body, also with motor drive
20mm 2.8 AF
180 2.8 AI
105 2.5 AI'd
50mm 1.4 ai'd

and with room for a 2nd smallish lens for creative use, or a speedlight, film, etc. The 105 and 50 will likely be mounted on the bodies, but I'd like to have the flexibility to have any lens mount combination with the availability to fit.

It looks like the Domke F7 is set up to handle two gripped bodies nicely, but it seems centered around the use of two large zooms, with not much flexibility for using smaller primes.
However, the F1x seems smaller, and I'm also concerned that it may have a difficult time accommodating a 70-200 on a body if I choose to get one in the future.

I might add that I plan to be using this bag to carry to locations for doing portraits, or possibly even a wedding where i'm working out of the bag, so speed, flexibility and maneuverability are important.

I am also open to other bag suggestions, provided they aren't too bulky.
I really wish my thinktank retrospective 30 was just a bit bigger to accommodate a second gripped body!!!

EASmithV · Apr 14, 2014

This crude diagram attempts to illustrate what i'm trying to accomplish.

View attachment 86225

Vilk · Apr 14, 2014

which MD for the F6, there are several, y'know?

replace the F6s with F2s and i carry even more in an F2; portrait and weddings, too. tight but not overflowing; compact enough to carry while working instead of tucking it under the table and running back and forth all day

EASmithV · Apr 14, 2014

benjiboy · Apr 14, 2014

If you're carrying all that gear don't forget to get a truss for your Hermia, I can't imagine any portrait or wedding when all that stuff would be necessary.

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EASmithV · Apr 17, 2014

benjiboy said:
If you're carrying all that gear don't forget to get a truss for your Hermia, I can't imagine any portrait or wedding when all that stuff would be necessary.

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I generally put the gear in the bag, bring it to my location for outdoor portraiture, put it down, and shoot, pick it up and move it to a new location, etc.

Still, nobody has any experience with using domke bags with two gripped or full size AF bodies???

BrianShaw · Apr 17, 2014

I use a Domke F-2 for film cameras: Nikon F3 with MD4, Nikon FE with MD11 and lenses: 35, 50, 90, 200... all with metal hoods. I often throw in a filter wallet and flash too... like a Vivitar 285. The bodies are transported without lens attached. film gets carried in the side pockets.

Like you plan, I use the bag to transport and then serve as a "home base" while shooting. But the older I get the more I think Ben has a good point about a hernia truss.

benjiboy · Apr 18, 2014

BrianShaw said:
I use a Domke F-2 for film cameras: Nikon F3 with MD4, Nikon FE with MD11 and lenses: 35, 50, 90, 200... all with metal hoods. I often throw in a filter wallet and flash too... like a Vivitar 285. The bodies are transported without lens attached. film gets carried in the side pockets.

Like you plan, I use the bag to transport and then serve as a "home base" while shooting. But the older I get the more I think Ben has a good point about a hernia truss.

It's important that you don't exhaust yourself lugging everything except the kitchen sink so you are in a fit physical state to use it when you get to the venue, ie. I know my personal limit these days is about 12lb.

BrianShaw · Apr 18, 2014

I'm still good for a bit more than 12 lb, but that capacity is diminishing as we speak. Getting older isn't easy.

benjiboy · Apr 18, 2014

BrianShaw said:
I'm still good for a bit more than 12 lb, but that capacity is diminishing as we speak. Getting older isn't easy.

To quote Bette Davis Brian "old age isn't for sissies"

Woody63 · Apr 19, 2014

Hi, Have you considered a Billingham 445, i have one of these bags, they are built to last and i am sure you will be able to get all the kit you need to carry into one

benjiboy · Apr 19, 2014

Woody63 said:
Hi, Have you considered a Billingham 445, i have one of these bags, they are built to last and i am sure you will be able to get all the kit you need to carry into one

I've had one for about 25 years they are superb quality, but mine is about twice the weight empty of my Domke F2 empty to carry the same amount of equipment in. the Billingham is better padded and more waterproof, but since I've had it I use the Domke F2 much more often.

Woody63 · Apr 19, 2014

Hi Ben,
I have never seen a Domke f2, are they the same size as the Billingham 445, but much lighter ?

benjiboy · Apr 19, 2014

Woody63 said:
Hi Ben,
I have never seen a Domke f2, are they the same size as the Billingham 445, but much lighter ?

They hold about the same amount of equipment as the Billingham 445 but are not as tall to carry a Metz 45 series hammer head flash gun upright http://www.amazon.co.uk/Domke-700-0...=UTF8&qid=1397910391&sr=1-1&keywords=domke+f2 the only padding they have is in the 4 compartment insert inside the bag, but additional padded inserts can be bought for it if required. because the bag is soft it moulds to the body and because the bag was originally designed by Jim Domke a photojournalist for his own use it's very quick and convenient to work out of when over your shoulder even on the run. Unfortunately they cost about the same amount in the U.K. in £ a they do in $ U.S., and if you consider buying one don't buy it from auction sites because there are many Far Eastern fakes from China and Hong Kong, I recommend buying one from Amazon UK stocks because they buy them from Tiffen U.K. the official importer.

EASmithV · Apr 22, 2014

My current thinktank would work if I was going with lenses unmounted on a body. I am looking for something that can house both cameras with lenses mounted.

BrianShaw · Apr 22, 2014

A shopping cart?

benjiboy · Apr 22, 2014

EASmithV said:
My current thinktank would work if I was going with lenses unmounted on a body. I am looking for something that can house both cameras with lenses mounted.

Try the Lowepro Classified 200 https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=l...O8GL7AbmroHYCg&ved=0CEQQsAQ&biw=1680&bih=925# it can take 2 bodies both with zoom lenses mounted.

Domke Debate

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