Domke J-3 vs Urban Disguise 40

[darosk]

Hi!

I'm looking for a shoulder bag that's light and durable. Currently considering these two because of reported good build quality, and also, they're both fairly nondescript in design, which really appeals to me.

Current kit is 40D, 100 macro, and nifty.

Soon to be added are 580exII + diffuser + bracket, and an EF-S 17-55 IS.

I believe both will hold the kit listed above + miscellaneous other things (batteries, CF cards, cards etc), and both are of a similar price (give or take a tenner).

Are there any reasons why I should get one over the other? Or will it just be a toss-up? Furthermore, are there better alternatives for the budget? (about $130++ ish).

[efroten]

Don't know much about the Think Tank bags, but I have a Domke J-3 and love it. I typically carry my 5D w/grip and 24 1.4L attached. Plus 70-200 2.8L, 17-40L, 50 1.4 and 85 1.8 in the main compartment. I have my 550EX plus Stofen diffuser and sync cable in a side compartment, and odds and ends of other things in the other side and front compartments.

With all this gear in the main compartment, the body and 24L fit a little strangely in the bag, but I don't typically carry the camera in the bag. I will put some photos up soon, I've been meaning to for a while.

[Jon]

My Domke F-3x (I don't do the nylon bags) is my favorite single-camera bag. Holds up to 1D3 with 70-200 and 24-70, plus flash and other stuff.

[TheHoff]

My J3 is my default bag as well. It only holds a bit less than the J1 if you pack it well and all of your lenses aren't huge. I can't compare it to Think Tank since I only have Domkes.

[davewolfs]

I ordered both the J3 and F3x. They are both great, what I like about the F3x is how small it is. I can easily carry a D700 with 24-70, SB-800, 17-35 and 105VR + a set of Lee Filters.

What some folks may not like about the F3x is the lack of padding, I consider this to be a bonus since it makes the bag small and allows it to conform to your body.

J3 is great and comfortable, has more padding but it is also significantly larger then the F3x.

Unfortunately I can't comment on UD40. But they appear to look like laptop bags so I'm not sure where the disguise is.

[darosk]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

I went ahead and got the J-3. Should be coming in tomorrow.

[eelnoraa]

I haven't owned or use any Domke bag yet, and I am not putting it doww. I just want to know why people like it so much. I checked out many Domke, what I found is 1)lack of padding or nearly no padding at all. 2)very thin should strap, which I know it will NOT be comfortable just by looking at it. 3)most of them are NOT fully enclose, much like Crumpler *MDH, just close by flap. 4)definitely not water resistant and no rain cover of any kind. 5)They are NOT cheap, more than compatible size Lowepro, about the same as ThinkTank but seem with less features.

So now, I want to know why!! People had told me that I need to own one to know, but I cannot convince myself trying one with my finding.

[Jon]

Padding is unnecessary, and in fact a nuisance in a working bag, which these are designed to be. And the lack of padding makes it easier to fit odd-shaped pieces of gear in, and allows the bag to conform more readily to your body, thus making it easier to move through crowds. If you're worried about protection, remember that the main compartment is surrounded by pockets which will do just fine in adding layers of protection to that main compartment.
The strap is no worse than any other stock strap out there, but most of us use the super-comfortable Domke Post Office pad, the same one the USPS letter carriers use on their mailbags
Again, they're designed so you can work out of them, not just carry your gear around sealed tightly up. The flap is plenty secure, provides lots of protection, ands yet is easy to get past when you need a lens change.
Canvas does a very nice job of swelling up to prevent water coming through. Unless I'm out in a torrential downpour, the Domke bag needs no extra protection; if it's really that bad, I use a plastic garbage bag.
They may not be cheap, but they last forever, so the cost isn't as bad as it would be on a coated nylon bag you needed to replace in a year or two because it wore through or the lining peeled.

Remember - the Domke bag is a bag designed by a working press photographer, for, and with continual feedback from, working press photographers. And it fills that bill admirably.

[toyguru]

I haven't owned or use any Domke bag yet, and I am not putting it doww. I just want to know why people like it so much. I checked out many Domke, what I found is 1)lack of padding or nearly no padding at all. 2)very thin should strap, which I know it will NOT be comfortable just by looking at it. 3)most of them are NOT fully enclose, much like Crumpler *MDH, just close by flap. 4)definitely not water resistant and no rain cover of any kind. 5)They are NOT cheap, more than compatible size Lowepro, about the same as ThinkTank but seem with less features.

So now, I want to know why!! People had told me that I need to own one to know, but I cannot convince myself trying one with my finding.

The Domke bags are great! If you want to fit a lot of things into it without hassle then that is the bag to get. Here are some answers to your questions:

1) They are made to hold the camera and if you want to put padding in then you can add it. I really don't think that any camera bag (besides a Pelican hard case) really gives 100% protection, but the Domke's will provide enough protection for everyday bumps and scrapes.

2) There is an option to buy a strap pad, but I just have the strap of the bag across my my body from the shoulder to the opposite hip to distribute the weight and have had no more discomfort than any other bag

3)The flap is large enough to cover the entire opening full of gear without a problem. I think the fact that it has no zippers to close the lid may be a concern for some, but some people prefer not to unzipper something to get to the camera/gear. I like to be able to open a flap, get what I need and not worry about if I zippered it back up.

4) You'd be surprised on how water resistant the canvas is. I was at an outdoor wedding last month shooting and just after the ceremony ended the sky opened up and waterfall!! I was running around trying to get my gear that wasn't protected and didn't get to my Domke until later! Was worried that I had a bag full of water, but not a drop inside! The outside was still beading water off the sides and after I wiped the top down it was still acceptably dry! I think the bags are treated with a water repellant (similar to 3M, but I may be wrong).

5) You get what you pay for! As the difference with this and any other bag I think Domke bags are more customizable for just about any situation as long as you get the right size/style. I've had other bags (Lowepro, Tamrac, etc) and felt like I had to fight with the bag's padding and arrangement in order to get what I needed into the bag. Most of the Domke's are really just a big hole where all your gear can be swallowed into. This also makes it easier to arrange in real life when you need to take a laptop, extra clothes, food or whatever along with the camera gear. I also like the fact they are not trendy with pretty colors, wild designs and do not require an instruction manuel in order to load/put on the bag (i.e. Slingshot series and yes I own one!).

These are just my own opinion based on my personal experiences! I hope this answers some of your questions :)

[toyguru]

and +1 Jon said!

[René Damkot]

+2 what Jon said.
Domke is almost as good as Billingham :p

[In2Photos]

+2 what Jon said.
Domke is almost as good as Billingham :p
Or better depending on whether or not you have taste (which Rene clearly does not :lol: ).

[TheHoff]

I hope to get a nice Billingham when I'm an old man, too.

[Jon]

+2 what Jon said.
Domke is almost as good as Billingham :p

Or better depending on whether or not you have taste (which Rene clearly does not :lol: ).Saville Row vs. Hart, Schaffner & Marx . . .