Which Domke bag?

[Markok765]

I'm looking for a Domke bag.

I need to carry:
3 small lenses[50mm size]
Camera[with lens attached]
Flash, with flash bracket.
Spotmeter
Macro tubes
Filters
Film

What one do you recommend?

 

[eddym]

Depending on how big your camera is and how big the lens you want to keep attached, you might like the F6 "Little bit smaller" bag. I use one to carry 3 Leica M bodies, three lenses, spotmeter, and film; or in another configuration, a Nikon F100 body, FE2 body, three lenses, meter, and film. It's much lighter and handier than the original Domke bag (which I also have). I do not carry any of the lenses attached, though.
Anyway, I recommend it.

 

[Markok765]

Thanks Eddy! Would I be able to carry the lenses attached?

It's a SLR body, Nikon F3 size, with a 55mm lens.

 

[eddym]

Thanks Eddy! Would I be able to carry the lenses attached?

It's a SLR body, Nikon F3 size, with a 55mm lens.

I doubt it. The bag has a 4-partitioned insert which is (re)moveable and is smaller than the insde of the bag, which leaves space for the body. You can move it to one side and see if there is space for the camera with lens between the insert and the side of the bag. But judging from mine, I doubt the F3 with 55 would fit in that space. If you HAVE to carry it with a lens attached, you should check the other bags.
I will say, though, that the Domke is a great bag! Very rugged, and the strap really grips your shoulder.

 

[Arvee]

This might help:

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?camerabags.html~mainFrame

Fred

 

[firecracker]

Sounds like F3 perfectly fits for your needs. I use one for my Canon New F-1 with three prime leneses, one attached to the body and other two in small inside pockets. And the items such film, light meter, etc go into the side pockets.

 

[benjiboy]

I would take my equipment to my local friendly photo dealer and test drive a few with it to see how easy they are to work with, because there's a big difference between theory and practice. I find it's better to buy a bag that's big enough to take one more lens than you think you need.

 

[Markok765]

Ben, I have to specialty order the bags, as they don't carry them in stock.

 

[BobbyR]

Check out some of the shooting bags from Bagmaster.
They are cheaper than camera bags, but hold just as much and have removable padded inserts for custom fitting, plus depending on the one chosen also have external compartments for things.

I carry apprx. fifty pounds of ammo and firearms in mine and have used them for years.
They also come with removable adjustable shoulder straps.

 

[TimH]

Take a look at the Domke F2. The main compartment is about the same size as the F6, but it has two very useful side pockets (for quick access to your filters/film/meter).
Look for one of the smaller inserts if you need to carry the body with a long lens attached (http://www.tiffen.com/products.html?tablename=domke). Or just place it next to the standard (4 compartment) insert with the lens pointing upward.

 

[Joe Brugger]

The F2 will fit your needs better. I use an F6 to carry an F100 w/ 24-85 2.8/4 attached, plus a 20, 50 and 180/2.8, meter, filters, film and miscellaneous stuff, and it's just a little on the snug side. Fine when you're shooting but a little small when you're carrying.

The end pockets are great for splitting between exposed and unexposed film. As someone suggested, the 4-section divider gets velcroed off to one side.

 

[Larry.Manuel]

Domke F-803 Camera Satchel:

Does not look like a camera bag, which is a good thing, to me, if I'm carrying a lot of valuable stuff in it. Plus it lies flat against the body, more so than a typical cubical camera case. A friend has one. I don't [yet]. It holds 2 Leica bodies and at least 2 extra lenses, not cramped.

The materials are first grade. This would last 20+ years.

for your convenience: http://tinyurl.com/5tny24

 

[Vilk]

Does not look like a camera bag, which is a good thing, to me, if I'm carrying a lot of valuable stuff in it. Plus it lies flat against the body, more so than a typical cubical camera case. A friend has one. I don't [yet]. It holds 2 Leica bodies and at least 2 extra lenses, not cramped.

The materials are first grade. This would last 20+ years.

for your convenience: http://tinyurl.com/5tny24

I second the satchel. Only I use the ballistic nylon J-803 version. Excellent. What I carry is almost exactly what the original poster describes.

A caveat though: Domke uses rubber-lined shoulder straps; walking around with their bags is equivalent to running a pencil eraser down your shoulder with every step--I had two pretty leather jackets last fall, they ain't so pretty anymore.

 

[bjorke]

I have a lot of bags. Big, small, tiny, huge.

The F2 is home base. I can pack lighter, and on v rare occasional heavier (I can pack cameras, laptop AND CLOTHES in my big "Stealth Reporter." But the tan canvas F2 keeps kicking year after year.

Important consideration: if a bag is too big, it's full of air. It's bigger, but not much heavier.

I go for the "one more lens" theory too -- that extra space can always be consumed by celphones, ipods, GPS, film, batteries, strobes, hats, girlfriend's random stuff, diffusers, backdrops, lunch..... or another lens!