Which Crumpler/Domke Bag?

[rrlance]

This has probably been asked way too many times, but I need help selecting which Crumpler/Domke bag to purchase. I do not have a camera store near me that carries them so I'm relying on others' opinions. I would like to carry all the equipment listed below in it.

Equipment:
XTi with grip
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 mounted
Canon 70-200 f/4.0L (do not own yet :()
Canon 430EX
Extra batteries and CF cards


From what I have read from searching, the Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home or Domke F-3X should fit my needs. Do you think that either bag will hold all of my equipment?

[_aravena]

Hm, not sure on the 5MDH. You can check my review but it was a 20D w/o grip yet it held everything else. But the F4 is smaller than the F2.8. My review is in the link. F-3X I know would work. I just really like the 5MDH and I'm looking to get another one.

[SuzyView]

Jon's vacationing, so I'll help out. I think the F-6 or one smaller would be fine for you. The reporter bag is very nice as well. Jon has all of them and when we get together to shoot, he brings them. I've purchased the F-5X over a year ago and love it. It fits just the 5D and 24-70 attached with hood reversed. How Jon gets his 580 in there too, I don't know. But the Domke bags look like rugged "stuff" bags, not just for expensive camera gear. I like the Crumpler bags, I have the 4 M, but everything fits too tight in them for my taste. Whereas the Domke bags are easy to open to get to everything. Just my 2 cents. I use a Velocity 9X bag for my 40D with 70-200 2.8 IS, 85 1.8 and 17-40 with 1 flash. It's a sling bag, but so comfy and has a pocket for accessories so I don't have to take a purse or another bag. I'd recommend that one if you like something different.

[wyofizz]

I have similar equipment to you and I use a 7MDH.
I can't imagine using anything smaller.

Dave

[gool]

The 5MDH is probably small or you would have to fit the flash in without a case squeezed in beside your other lens.

10D with Tamron 17-50 + reversed hood, 580EX II, and a few other small things. Can't imagine fitting much more in unless you take the lens off and stack some lenses or things.
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh308/gool_77/potn/1jpgcopy.jpg?t=1201934978


Maybe a 6MDH or as stated above a 7MDH? Not sure about Domke bags.

Here is Jon's quick rundown of some of his Domke bags

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4752783&postcount=3

My F-1 and F-2 are both on display at Cambags.com.

My F-3 will hold a single body with 24-70 and 70-200 f/2.8 along with a short prime or my A620 in the main compartment and a flash in one of the outside pockets. The front pocket catches cards, batteries, etc. The other outside pocket may take a flash bracket and/or a Better Beamer or water bottle. Filters go in the back pocket.

The F-5x holds a 5D or 20D with 24-70 and a 580EX in the main pocket (flash out of case and folded 90 deg.).

The F-7 holds about the same as the F-1 (their footprints are identical) but is deeper so I can put a 300 f/4 or so in it vertically, and the end/front pockets have a tad more capacity.

The F-802 holds 2 bodies with lenses (usually 5D/24-70, 20D/70-200 2., a third lens (usually my Sigma 15-30) and a flash in case in the main compartment (Domke 720-230 insert; my favourite one). End pockets (F-901 and/or F-902 pouches attached to the basic bag) take another flash and either a third flash or a couple of short primes and TCs. Front pockets take cards, batteries, stuff, and my Toshiba Libretto computer. Card readers and stuff go in the "papers" pockets on the back and on the inside front.

F-804 and F-805 (a discontinued model) also accept the F-901 and F-902 bags on the ends. They hold the same as the F-802, but are enough deeper that they can also accept a second set of compartments, a la the F-1x, F2 or F7.

The F-801 (no longer made) gets books, etc. and piggy-backs on the F2, F-802 or F-804/5 for extra capacity. It's a little short to fit comfortably on the F1 or F7.

[SoundsGood]

Crumpler 6 or Domke F-3X. Either would work nicely in your case.

[_aravena]

You can fit more, don't let it deceive you.

http://a771.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/110/l_0d9adbbbf054d2c6b47c4a94bd713452.jpg

20D with 18-50 F2.8 or 10-20 attached goes in the space.

[gool]

I was referring to your review, but didn't want to post the picture because it is yours. :)
Gripped XTi + 17-50 and 70-200 and flash probably won't fit or would be a very very tight fit. I'd rather have a bit more room.

Right now the 10D + 17-50 and 580ex II in the case is perfect with hardly any room to spare. Doesn't bulge or look too full. :)

[Familiaphoto]

Look at the Domke F-3x it should hold everything you want just fine. I was a Crumpler user but once I got a Domke there was no going back. They are so easy to get in and out of the Crumpler just became clumsy after that. The Crumpler is a good bag don't get me wrong, but it is heavy and clumsy compared to a Domke in my opion.

I'm about to sell my 7MDH, interested?

[_aravena]

^Love mine. I thought about the F-3 as my small bag. BUt what I like about the 5MDH is it's big enough to carry a lot but still small so if I use it as a necessities bag it's small. Although i know I'd always have the 70-200 with me.

Darn I need it! Missed out on some great shots. Army Surplus store went up. Something exploded inside, can only guess what. And you could hear the bullets going off. NO one hurt though. I hate missing out.

[SoundsGood]

I'm with ya... I might sell my Crumpler too (6 MDH).

I don't really need 3 bags, and the new Domke seems to do the trick.

[_aravena]

The other thing I like about the F-3...no need for inserts. :D So Idk, it's still a toss up. I'm about to sell my OC-E3 cord though. I have no future jobs and no frame anyhow so I should have got me a small bag instead.

[b.d.bop]

The other thing I like about the F-3...no need for inserts. :D So Idk, it's still a toss up. I'm about to sell my OC-E3 cord though. I have no future jobs and no frame anyhow so I should have got me a small bag instead.Is the J-3 the same as the F-3 but in ballistic black nylon instead of canvas?

[_aravena]

No. One's a...true messneger style bag while the other is a...idk. shoulder bag. ONe's thinner than the other but longer.There's a review of the F-802 just not a good one of camera gear.

[TheHoff]

Is the J-3 the same as the F-3 but in ballistic black nylon instead of canvas?

No, but they do make an F-3XB -- the B designation means it is in ballistic.

I have the J3 and can recommend it for gripped bodies. Mine holds everything in the list below (usually the macro doesn't travel in the J3 but it can be stuffed in).

[Jon]

Yep - the F-3X is a great little bag. It'll do you proud.

[rrlance]

Thanks for the responses everybody. I think the F-3X is the winner for me.

[oaktree]

I have a 5MDH and think it would be too small for you. I can get my XTi with a zoom lens attached, the 430EX and a small prime (50/1.4, 85/1.8, 100/2.0) with no room to spare. The 430EX takes up a lot of space. My zooms are not that long in length, little over 4 inches at the most.

[Hostile]

I'm also looking for a bag that can fit my XTi w/ grip with attached lens, 1 or 2 others and some accessories. I was almost sold on a Crumpler but from the posts here it seems too small for what I want to carry. I'll check out the F-3x, thanks for the info!

EDIT: While I'm looking are there any other suggestions?