I'm off the plane, time to trim down to a Domke...

[jklewer]

...but which one? (Hope you're here Jon!)

I have an insatiable appetite for traveling to dusty, musty, impoverished regions of the world and taking photographs. I have just recently acquired my 1D2N and 24-70 and have an upcoming trip to Haiti and the Dominican Republic working with a couple Christian NGOs covering what they are doing there.

I have a TT Antidote for transporting all my gear including my HV30 with Rode mic and wide angle conversion and hood, and MBP. Once I'm situated and it's time to go out, there's no way I'm carrying that big pack. I have a Domke f-5x that I absolutely LOVE which will work well for only bringing my video equipment out but I need a bag (Domke) that I can throw my 1D2N with 24-70 attached along with the 70-200 2.8 and either 30 1.4 and/or 580EX. I love Domkes and they will pack somewhat flat in my checked bag for use upon arrival. I have a f-3 (i believe) that fits my 1D2N and 24-70 with a flash but it is just too small for the 70-200 to fit in safely at the same time.

What do you guys have for me out there?

[ed rader]

...but which one? (Hope you're here Jon!)

I have an insatiable appetite for traveling to dusty, musty, impoverished regions of the world and taking photographs. I have just recently acquired my 1D2N and 24-70 and have an upcoming trip to Haiti and the Dominican Republic working with a couple Christian NGOs covering what they are doing there.

I have a TT Antidote for transporting all my gear including my HV30 with Rode mic and wide angle conversion and hood, and MBP. Once I'm situated and it's time to go out, there's no way I'm carrying that big pack. I have a Domke f-5x that I absolutely LOVE which will work well for only bringing my video equipment out but I need a bag (Domke) that I can throw my 1D2N with 24-70 attached along with the 70-200 2.8 and either 30 1.4 and/or 580EX. I love Domkes and they will pack somewhat flat in my checked bag for use upon arrival. I have a f-3 (i believe) that fits my 1D2N and 24-70 with a flash but it is just too small for the 70-200 to fit in safely at the same time.

What do you guys have for me out there?

i also have the antidote and when i get to my destination i'll of course need a smaller bag too. usually in addition to my big camera bag i also carry-on my domke f-802 with laptop inside as well as a modified, collapsed three section domke insert (i've removed a divider). the f-802 becomes my lightweight bag when i get there.

but.....now i'm thinking for the next trip i can actually get by with just the antidote and one checked duffle. i now have a netbook so most of the laptop pocket can be used to carry a lightweight bag like the think tank change up, and i could also add another TT module or two that can be packed with lenses or what have you and be stored inside the antidote.

i love my domke bags too but the thought of carrying only two pieces of luggage is quite appealing to me :D.

ed rader

[Jon]

I'm thinking maybe the F-4AF. The F-802 would be my suggestion if you didn't have a 1-series body, but it's just too narrow for a gripped body unless you're willing to live with the bulge.

[Haribo]

F-4AF gets my vote...it's what I use ;)
Make sure you pick up the postal shoulder pad too if you don't already have one

[jklewer]

Jon, do you have any slick ideas on using any of Domkes inserts to utilize my f-3? My 70-200 fits in one of the inside sleeves and my flash/30mm fit in the outside pockets. My 1D with 24-70 with backwards hood will sit lens down but with tons of wiggle room. I would love to utilize the velcro on the inside sleeves with some extra inserts i have from my TT bag if it's possible... Any thoughts?

[jklewer]

i also have the antidote and when i get to my destination i'll of course need a smaller bag too. usually in addition to my big camera bag i also carry-on my domke f-802 with laptop inside as well as a modified, collapsed three section domke insert (i've removed a divider). the f-802 becomes my lightweight bag when i get there.

but.....now i'm thinking for the next trip i can actually get by with just the antidote and one checked duffle. i now have a netbook so most of the laptop pocket can be used to carry a lightweight bag like the think tank change up, and i could also add another TT module or two that can be packed with lenses or what have you and be stored inside the antidote.

i love my domke bags too but the thought of carrying only two pieces of luggage is quite appealing to me :D.

ed rader

I hear ya but what if you were to smash your Domke flat and put it inside your checked duffel? (forgive me if I'm missing something in your post!)

[Jon]

I don'r use inserts on my F3 - I don't even use the end sleeves. I put the divider that came with the bag between the 24-70 and 70-200 (2.8 both), if that.

[ed rader]

I hear ya but what if you were to smash your Domke flat and put it inside your checked duffel? (forgive me if I'm missing something in your post!)


i could do that but it would take up more space than the think tank stuff. i need to carry clothes for about 10 days as well as 30 lbs of camera gear. also, the thought of wearing my gear is appealing to me and i could cover everything with my rain shell.

ed rader

[jklewer]

i could do that but it would take up more space than the think tank stuff. i need to carry clothes for about 10 days as well as 30 lbs of camera gear. also, the thought of wearing my gear is appealing to me and i could cover everything with my rain shell.

ed rader

This is true. I guess for me I'm trying to minimize how much a take out with me each day for security reasons. Two small beat-up Domkes (wife wearing one with video stuff) looks a lot less attractive to people than a big shiny TT. Plus I would like my stuff to be available right at my side.

[ed rader]

This is true. I guess for me I'm trying to minimize how much a take out with me each day for security reasons. Two small beat-up Domkes (wife wearing one with video stuff) looks a lot less attractive to people than a big shiny TT. Plus I would like my stuff to be available right at my side.


i'm trying to minimize what i carry in case i get chased by grizzly bears ;).

ed rader

[condyk]

My view has always been the Domkes don't always provide enough dust protection, but depends where you go of course and whether you just use them for walk around or also transport gear from place to place in one. On balance you have very easy access and the flat pack thing. Depends what time you year you travel. If you're going off-road in open vehicles and it's dusty I'd use a Billingham just so you have less hassle with cleaning. If you're in well sealed vehicles and/or main routes and mainly towns then you should be fine.