Domke F-831 or F-5XZ?

kingbuzzie · Jul 26, 2018

I'm finally treating myself to a good camera bag. I'm a little torn between the Domke F-831 or F-5XZ. Besides a slight size difference and pocket configuration, it seems to me the big thing is the camera padding is removable in the 831. Does anyone have experience with these bags? Like A) will the removable insert in the 831 make the bag more stiff? B) Which bag has more padding? Would the 831 be more practical for travel, such as leaving the camera in the hotel / airbnb to use the bag for other things?

carlostaiwan · Jul 26, 2018

I have the F833 and is a great bag. I use it every day for my laptop/daily things. But, if one day i want to bring my camera I just add half-padding. If I go out for pictures with different lenses, I add all the padding. In my opinion is a great travel bag. Only problem I have with mine, I bought it black and after a few months the black started to look really faded and gray. Some people love that -worn out- feeling. I don't love it, so every 4/5 months I dye it with RIT.

I also have the F6 in the waxed canvas. really great camera bag, but it looks quite obvious like a camera bag, so, in my opinion a bit worse for traveling. I see you are from texas, the dry heat, will require you to re-wax the bag sometimes, no problem, it will keep looking great, just remember to add the wax in your shopping basket when you buy it

carlostaiwan · Jul 26, 2018

Something else that you might find interesting, the F-5Xz has the straps connected to the bag through metallic carabiners (not sure if is the correct word) but the F831 is plastic. I prefer the F831 because you will not hear 'clink clink' every time you go upstairs or downstairs. I know sounds weird, but I really like the F833 being more silent, plus the strap is much thicker

kingbuzzie · Jul 26, 2018

carlostaiwan said:
Something else that you might find interesting, the F-5Xz has the straps connected to the bag through metallic carabiners (not sure if is the correct word) but the F831 is plastic. I prefer the F831 because you will not hear 'clink clink' every time you go upstairs or downstairs. I know sounds weird, but I really like the F833 being more silent, plus the strap is much thicker

Thanks! I think I'm leaning more toward the courier bag now. The 5XZ looks great too, but it seems more like a photo workhorse bag, and I'm just a hobbyist. The 831 is probably more practical. The good thing about these bags (from scanning ebay), they certainly seem to hold their value should I sell.

kingbuzzie · Jul 26, 2018

I only found one (translated) review of the 831: http://forum.nikoniarze.pl/showthread.php?t=195757

carlostaiwan · Jul 26, 2018

The only complaint I have with the F833 is (other than the color fading in the black version) there is no way to carry a tripod in it. That would make it perfect!

kingbuzzie · Jul 26, 2018

carlostaiwan said:
The only complaint I have with the F833 is (other than the color fading in the black version) there is no way to carry a tripod in it. That would make it perfect!

True, but the main selling point for me is going incognito(ish) with the courier bag.

carlostaiwan · Jul 26, 2018

Then 100% the F831, if you look closely, in the top flap were the velcroes are, next to the velcroes there is a pocket. Inside there is a piece of cloth that helps you to "mute" the bag and make it completely silent. No velcro sound. The F5xz does not have that option. That's why I end up using the bigger F833 for street photography instead of the smaller but noisier F6

jeffreyg · Jul 26, 2018

I'm not familiar with either of the bags you mention but you may want to consider a camera backpack. I have a Tamrac one that has been in use for many years (19) in different weather conditions. I find the advantage of a backpack to be that it it is easy to carry especially if your equipment and/or other stuff you put in it is heavy. Walking to distant airport gates, hiking trails and around town. It also leaves your hands free and doesn't weigh down on one shoulder. It has adjustable dividers and a shoulder strap so it can also be carried over the shoulder and it fits in overhead airline compartments. Mine easily accommodates two medium format cameras, lenses and other assorted goodies.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

kingbuzzie · Jul 26, 2018

jeffreyg said:
I'm not familiar with either of the bags you mention but you may want to consider a camera backpack. I have a Tamrac one that has been in use for many years (19) in different weather conditions. I find the advantage of a backpack to be that it it is easy to carry especially if your equipment and/or other stuff you put in it is heavy. Walking to distant airport gates, hiking trails and around town. It also leaves your hands free and doesn't weigh down on one shoulder. It has adjustable dividers and a shoulder strap so it can also be carried over the shoulder and it fits in overhead airline compartments. Mine easily accommodates two medium format cameras, lenses and other assorted goodies.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

You're absolutely right, but I choose the courier type bag for purely for vanity sake.

kingbuzzie · Jul 31, 2018

I received the domke f831 today, and I couldn't be happier EXCEPT it need one more divider. This is my first domke bag, but I am a little perplexed about complaints about the padding. Mine is pretty darn stiff...

Domke F-831 or F-5XZ?

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