Domke Bag Help

[Mark Passmore]

Hi Guys,

I am a professional press photographer and am on the lookout for a new camera bag and have narrowed my selection down to either the F-802 OR F-803 Domke bags.

I have the following gear to fit in the bag and am hoping to hear of any photographers who use the same bags and their experiences.

Gear List: Canon 5d & Grip
16-35mm F2.8 Mk2
70-200mm F2.8
580 Ex Flash
2 Pocket Wizards

I might add a 50mm lens in the future and maybe a small laptop (Eee PC or the new Dell Mini Inspiron) for wiring.

I also have a 300mm F4 IS but would use a Domke pouch on a belt to save space in the camera bag.

At present I use a Newswear Chestvest and Lowepro Computreker but want to lighten the load, if possible.

Cheers

Mark P.:)

[TheHoff]

5D + Grip fits well in the 804; not sure if the others are wide enough. Hopefully an owner of the smaller bags will respond if not. I have a similar gear list and you can see my 804 review here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=483512

edit: welcome to POTN!

[Mark Passmore]

Thanks for the welcome to the forum.

Nice review of the F-804.

Would prefer a smaller bag, I don't mind if the 5d is in the bag without a lens attached.

Cheers

Mark P.

[toyguru]

I have both the F-802 and the F-804. If your are looking to put a laptop (even a small one) I would go with the F-804 (thanks for the recommendation Jon!). I thought that the F-802 was going to fit all the gear that I usually take plus my 12" iBook and was sadly mistaken! The gear that I usually take with me is the 40D and 20D with grip, 16-35L, 24-70L and the 70-200L IS with charger and 580EX.

I don't regret getting the F-802 as I carry it every day with my, but if I need that little extra for a laptop and charger I take the F-804. I was fortunate that one of the members on this board was selling his F-804 (thanks qwalls!) so I got a good deal on the bag.

[Jon]

I really like the F-802, but I have to say the only way you'll get a gripped 5D in there without it bulging out is with no lens on it. With ungripped bodies, like I prefer anyhow, it's almost perfect. I use the 720-230 3-compartment insert; that fits my 70-200 2.8 IS with hood, 24-70 and Sigma 15-30. Other people have had diffrent experiences with that particular insert, and have found alternatives that fit their lenses better; I think they vary a bit more than would be ideal, but I have several that work well for me. I have a body on each of the 24-70 and 70-200 (usually 5D and 20D respectively). In the space at the end my 580 EX fits nicely. An Eee or other UMPC will fit nicely in one of the front pockets and I slip a wireless IR mouse in the front papers pocket. That leaves the other front pocket for cards, filters, and the like. It is set up to fasten the F-901 or F-902 pouches at either end; I use those for other stuff. Maybe another lens. So, even without the pouches, it'd do just great for you, if you don't mind the grip bulging stuff out.

[GSansoucie]

Don't rule out the J-3. . .

I really like mine. I have a 40D (RRS L-Bracket, no grip).
I leave the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS on the body (pretty much all the time) - With Hood
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro
EF 70 - 200 F4L - With Hood
580EX-2 & Rocket Blower in one side pouch (with padding installed)
A bunch of ND filters, batteries, an eBay Triggers kit, and a CPL filter in the other side pouch (no padding).
CF Card case, better bounce cards, pens, junk, and lots of extra room in the front pouch.

I like that I know where everything is and can easily grab what I need with the camera in one hand and the bag on my shoulder. I regularly grab the correct lens and can switch it out rather fast with little effort.

[TheHoff]

I like the J-series better than the messenger styles as it takes a bit longer to get in the larger top of the messengers. The J3 would be a good idea for the original poster except that it isn't likely to hold a laptop... the back pocket is small.