DOMKE help - I need a new bag

[macroshot]

and I have been through the archives, websites, read reviews until my head hurts and my eyes are crossed. No one locally stocks the product I am looking at.

I have an F6 - which is perfect if I only bring a body and maybe 2 lenses. But I need/want to be able to accomplish the following mission:

Carry the 1D3 and 300 f/4, 135L, 16-35L, and 100 macro, plus 580EX II and minor accessories. This makes up the full gear list. There may be a 70-200 f/4 at some point, but not right now.

It's the 1D3 + 300 f/4 combo that has me in a quandry because it usually means I am leaving the 300 at home due to space - I don't always need to carry this much gear but it would be nice to be able to for an outing without going to a backpack.

I have looked at the F2 option and it seems big - a bit long to move in and out of crowds. F3 & F4 seem small and appear to offer little difference to the F6 interior-wise.

The messenger bag options like the F802 (cannot get my head around what fits) and the F804 (seems cavernous, but would work well as a carry-on option too) intrigue me, but I usually don't cross the strap over to the opposite shoulder.

Since I really like my Domke, I am pretty set on finding another one that will work for me. And I don't like the size of the inserts that come with the F6 very much because they are too small for lens/hood combos - how I wish they would offer some degree of stretch...:confused:

I know there are plenty of you out there who can help!! Thanks in advance for all assistance. Insert info would be good too since the Tiffen website is seriously lacking.. They need to look at ThinkTank's site on bag configurations. My only thing is I want CANVAS so the ballistic nylon is not a consideration.

Hank

[RDKirk]

The only thing I can offer is that the F2 bag is much easier to maneuver through crowds than you might think, mostly because in actual use it somewhat conforms to the side of you body, kind of like a big fanny pack.

[Todd Lambert]

Also, the F2 can be much smaller or bigger depending on your needs and what you put in it.

If you don't use the side pockets it is much less wide - but if you need to carry a bunch more stuff, the side pockets allow for it. The F2 is a great all-around bag and as I said, can seem much smaller if you need it to be.

[Familiaphoto]

I also would recommend the F2. It is as big or small as you need and dependent on how much you load it up.

[ed rader]

i've owned the F6, F2, F1-X and F-802. for use in crowds i prefer the f-802 (or domke vest). the F6 isn't tall enough for the 300L or even a 70-200L f4 so i'd bypass this bag in favor of the f2.

i agree that the Domke inserts suck. what i've done is remove one divider from a 3-pocket insert for my F-802 which allows me to easily carry a bigger lens like the 100-400L or a 1d body.

ed rader

[ed rader]

I also would recommend the F2. It is as big or small as you need and dependent on how much you load it up.


are you guys removing the "board" from the bottom of your F2?

ed rader

[Familiaphoto]

are you guys removing the "board" from the bottom of your F2?

ed rader

Nope, not removing the board, but I have found that the rest of the bag will conform to my body dependent on how loaded I have it.

[Hangbot]

i agree that the Domke inserts suck.

I don't think the inserts suck...I think they suck considering the price for new ones! I paid $35 for the FA-233 3-Compartment Insert for my F2. When I told her I wanted the FA-226 2-Compartment Short Insert for $34, she made me one in an hour:)

[Todd Lambert]

I've left the board in place most of the time. Taking it out doesn't seem to affect me too much and I like having the extra padding when I set the bag down on the ground.

I have removed half of the padding on the inserts though, they're in essence just sheets of matrerial to keep the gear from rubbing against each other.

With the inserts like this, I can put my 70-200 2.8 IS mounted to a gripped 5D2 with no problem - just collapse one of the inserts. Still leaving room to hold both my 16-35 and my 24-105 and a 50. I keep my strobes in the outside pocket.

Very quick to get my equipment and for lens changes - and very adaptable to have all 4 of my lenses with me, with hoods and any of them can be mounted without having to sacrifice a lens choice.

It's by far the best, most flexible setup I've ever used and not to mention with an Olive colored bag, it doesn't scream "CAMERA" inside.

[macroshot]

Thanks for the replies folks. Ed - I do actually own the F6 and plan to keep it. I just need the next best size for the 300mm and ability to carry all of it on those trips where it's easier to bring everything rather than miss what I didn't bring because it wouldn't fit.

The F2 was my initial choice and it's interesting that every one of you suggested it. I asked my wife to "fix" the inserts one time and she blew me off. What I was asking for her to do was open one corner seam, top to bottom, and sew in some extra material - either enlarge it or give it some stretch The idea of a cut-down of an insert wall was something I hadn't thought of. I may try that.

Thanks again for the info. I am open to any other ideas on the Domke line from other owners.

Hank

[ed rader]

Thanks for the replies folks. Ed - I do actually own the F6 and plan to keep it. I just need the next best size for the 300mm and ability to carry all of it on those trips where it's easier to bring everything rather than miss what I didn't bring because it wouldn't fit.

The F2 was my initial choice and it's interesting that every one of you suggested it. I asked my wife to "fix" the inserts one time and she blew me off. What I was asking for her to do was open one corner seam, top to bottom, and sew in some extra material - either enlarge it or give it some stretch The idea of a cut-down of an insert wall was something I hadn't thought of. I may try that.

Thanks again for the info. I am open to any other ideas on the Domke line from other owners.

Hank

i'd say get a bigger bag than you currently need. i went from f6 to f2 to F-1x which i own today. i can get most of my stuff in the F-1x and the rest goes into my f-802. these are my carry-ons (i also will be using the think tank antidote in lieu of the f-1x).

when i get to my destination and want to travel lighter i use the f-802....the insert folds flat inside and takes up very little room.

good luck :D.

ed rader

[Hangbot]

The Crumpler folks have one - Why isn't there a Domke Thread already??
:D

[krb]

F3 & F4 seem small and appear to offer little difference to the F6 interior-wise.


300 f/4 in F4AF. That's the old non-IS version, I think the IS version is slightly longer. It fits okay and the lid still closes but since the camera body isn't being supported it can wobble around when the lid is open and feels unstable/awkward. I normally carry the 100-400 in there and it fits perfectly if the hood is reversed.
http://home.comcast.net/~kennethberry/300in4AF.jpg

[dehoff]

i'd say get a bigger bag than you currently need. i went from f6 to f2 to F-1x which i own today. i can get most of my stuff in the F-1x and the rest goes into my f-802. these are my carry-ons (i also will be using the think tank antidote in lieu of the f-1x).

when i get to my destination and want to travel lighter i use the f-802....the insert folds flat inside and takes up very little room.

good luck :D.

ed rader

My F-1X is better carrying around in a crowd than my Tamrac 603, which is barely half the size of the Domke. I also can stuff a 1DmIII + 300 f/2.8 in the Domke if needed.

[fireplug]

F2 is great. It's big enough to lug around a Camera with a good size lens attached as well as 4 additional lenses. 2 big compartments on the side for a flash and extra things... Then you have the zippered flap compartment for smaller things(mem cards and things)...also the front 2 pockets.

Not only that, if you are a guy you can get away with wearing it because it doesn't look girlie. Also people have commented on it, my girlfriend has a little one and people always tell me they thought the bag I was carrying was for his stuff, not my stuff. lol

[J Rabin]

I own three Domke bags. F-1x, J-2, & J-1. While hands down favorite is F-1x for canvas, better velcro pockets in lid, zipper closing pocket on carry side of bag, and its long narrow length... only J-1 has HEIGHT to hold 1-D MkIII with 300mm f/4L vertically. I put that combo in standing vertical, with camera body back LCD panel facing down, so I keep a protector on LCD. Take side pocket and base padding out, and these bags coform well.
You can easily use F-2 or J-2 with the camera/lens horizontal, but then carrry less. Jack

[macroshot]

Hey all. I decided to buy the F2 and placed my order this morning based on the feedback posted here. Thanks to everyone who chimed in - it helped make the decision much easier.

Hank

[Todd Lambert]

What color did you get?

[macroshot]

What color did you get?

Black.