Domke F-2 insert review: Domke 720-250K & Ciesta flexible partition (large)

[sabesh]

A quick pictorial review of my new inserts:

The standard insert that comes with the F-2 just doesn't work for me. I was improvising using optional Domke inserts as seen HERE (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=665248&page=4).

These two inserts provide me with elegant solutions to carry different sets of gear with my F-2 and F1X: Domke 720-250K (http://harley-style.com/zboard/view.php?id=guest_gallery&page=1&sn1=on&divpage=1&sn=on&ss=off&sc=off&keyword=%C7%CF%B8%AE%7E&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=280) & Ciesta flexible partition (large) (http://ciesta.co.kr/inc/Flexible_Partition.inc).

As can be seen in the links above, both can be customized in many variations, making the F-2 even more versatile than it is with the standard insert. These links and my pictures (below) speak for themselves. These are both available from Korean dealers and are of high quality. This 720-250K is different from the 720-250D version, as can be seen.

Domke 720-250K insert:

135L, 85L-II, 100L, 16-35L II, 5D-II + 35L. Hood reversed on all the lenses.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4390972358_ce5f2cf20b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390972358/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4390976066_7338660dd3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390976066/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4390984582_7b3e3c3a77_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390984582/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4390211563_43ebc72a94_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390211563/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4390200459_2a79e93a83_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390200459/)



Ciesta flexible partition (large):

16-35L II, 24-105L, 100L, 5D-II + 70-200/2.8 IS. Hood reversed on all the lenses.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4390989932_f7afba0258_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390989932/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4390994488_94169d7873_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390994488/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4390998902_b904114f33_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390998902/)

[sabesh]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4391002986_1f64112eee_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4391002986/)

[Jason Kim]

Ooh... I like it. Who did you order it from?

[sabesh]

Ooh... I like it. Who did you order it from?
Yep, both are very cool. I got the Domke 720-250K from a seller in Gmarket (http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=167401587), and the Ciesta flexible partition from a seller in eBay: "pricejin". He doesn't list it, but you can ask him to setup an auction for you (large size). Hope that helps. Cheers.

[Jason Kim]

Yep, both are very cool. I got the Domke 720-250K from a seller in Gmarket (http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=167401587), and the Ciesta flexible partition from a seller in eBay: "pricejin". He doesn't list it, but you can ask him to setup an auction for you (large size). Hope that helps. Cheers.

Domke insert is very expensive with overseas shipping charge. US$50.33 including shipping. Is this about right to you?

[jcothron]

It's not surprising.. their normal inserts go for 25-30. This one has quite a bit with it.

[Jason Kim]

It's not surprising.. their normal inserts go for 25-30. This one has quite a bit with it.

Listed price is under $24 but shipping cost is a killer. :(

[mufutau55]

Is this Insert Domke 720-250K the same as this Domke 720-250D linked below? Thanks.

http://www.amazon.com/Domke-720-250D-Camera-Insert-Green/dp/B001TOD4OK/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1267234970&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Mufutau

[sabesh]

Domke insert is very expensive with overseas shipping charge. US$50.33 including shipping. Is this about right to you?
Hey Jason,

Yep, it was expensive. Initially, I was charged USD $42.93 inc. shipping. Then, the seller requested USD $5.08 more for shipping. So, USD $48.01 to Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

The Ciesta cost me USD $42 including shipping. There's another seller listing the insert, however, he has zero feedback & only has the medium version (you need the large one for F-2). The seller is "ciesta0".

However, I'm quite happy with these two inserts and am OK with what I paid for them. The F-2 & F1x are more convenient to use now :)

Sammy.

[sabesh]

Is this Insert Domke 720-250K the same as this Domke 720-250D linked below? Thanks.

http://www.amazon.com/Domke-720-250D-Camera-Insert-Green/dp/B001TOD4OK/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1267234970&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Mufutau
No, they are configured differently. See this thread for a discussion of it:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/768763/0

Hope that helps. Cheers.

[mufutau55]

Thanks. I don't mind paying $48 for that 720-250K, but I can even navigate anything on their website.. How do I purchase this?

Mufutau

Hey Jason,

Yep, it was expensive. Initially, I was charged USD $42.93 inc. shipping. Then, the seller requested USD $5.08 more for shipping. So, USD $48.01 to Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

The Ciesta cost me USD $42 including shipping. There's another seller listing the insert, however, he has zero feedback & only has the medium version (you need the large one for F-2). The seller is "ciesta0".

However, I'm quite happy with these two inserts and am OK with what I paid for them. The F-2 & F1x are more convenient to use now :)

Sammy.

[mufutau55]

Thanks for the link. Wonder why this 720-250K is not available in USA?
Shame in Tiffen, USA.

Mufutau

No, they are configured differently. See this thread for a discussion of it:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/768763/0

Hope that helps. Cheers.

[sabesh]

Thanks. I don't mind paying $48 for that 720-250K, but I can even navigate anything on their website.. How do I purchase this?

Mufutau
You need to register first:

http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_member/fmember_registration.asp

Somehow, I could not register using Chrome, Firefox or Safari on my Mac. I then used Internet Explorer on Vista to register properly. After that, I clicked "add to cart" in the link I provided before and followed along. Sometimes I flew "blind" as it's not totally in English ;) I just had the confidence of using Paypal, so wasn't too worried about my Credit Card. I can now assure you that they are legit, as I have the product in my hand now :)

[Jason Kim]

Alright, I see Canada shipping is bit cheaper than US. Before I order one, one more question to Sam, will I be able to fit 70-200/2.8 IS hood reversed, 100-400 hood reversed, 16-35 II and 135L (that's 2 fat lenes and 2 normal) plus 5D+24-70 mounted inside the insert? My bag in question is F2.

Jason

[sabesh]

Alright, I see Canada shipping is bit cheaper than US. Before I order one, one more question to Sam, will I be able to fit 70-200/2.8 IS hood reversed, 100-400 hood reversed, 16-35 II and 135L (that's 2 fat lenes and 2 normal) plus 5D+24-70 mounted inside the insert? My bag in question is F2.
Jason, I don't have a 100-400 or 24-70. However, I took a couple of pics with this setup: 70-200/2.8IS (hood reversed), 85L-II (one fat lens with hood), 135L (no hood), 16-35L II (no hood), 7D + 17-55, hood reversed (17-55 is thicker than my 24-105L and the 7D is the same size as my 5D-II). It's a tight fit once packed. However, it becomes loose once the 7D is removed (easy to take out lenses). If you want pics of any other combo, let me know. My gear list is in my signature. Hope this helps. Sam.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4390689405_a07ef2abdc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390689405/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4391462058_365688cfec_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4391462058/)

[mufutau55]

Thank you Sabesh. I registered with them "GMarket" and after going thru all the required info, when it gets to option to select Paypal payment area I could not not continue because the site will not let me continue, so I got fed-up and logged out of the site.. Very frustrating going thru that Korean site.. But thanks anyway for your informations and help.

Mufutau

[sabesh]

Thank you Sabesh. I registered with them "GMarket" and after going thru all the required info, when it gets to option to select Paypal payment area I could not not continue because the site will not let me continue, so I got fed-up and logged out of the site.. Very frustrating going thru that Korean site.. But thanks anyway for your informations and help.
Sorry to hear that it didn't work out for you!

[Jason Kim]

Just placed an order. There goes my New Year's solution. This site is bad for the bag-a-holics. Anyhow, ordering from Korean site is frustrating experience even if you can read Korean. I did get through with paypal option. Thanks.

[mufutau55]

Thanks. May be I will give them another try.. the insert is not really a doe-or-die for me anyway.. like you said "we are just bag-a-holics".

Mufutau

Just placed an order. There goes my New Year's solution. This site is bad for the bag-a-holics. Anyhow, ordering from Korean site is frustrating experience even if you can read Korean. I did get through with paypal option. Thanks.

[jriley]

Great setup Sabesh. What is the tripod you have there? It looks great. Do you like it?

jriley

[sabesh]

Great setup Sabesh. What is the tripod you have there? It looks great. Do you like it?

jriley
Thx! It's a Benro C-069M8 tripod (http://www.naviquan.com/page/benro/1) with a Photo Clam PC-33NS ballhead (http://www.tripodballhead.com/2009/05/photo-clam-pc-33ns-ballhead.html). IMHO, this is the smallest & lightest combination that can hold a decent load. I like it very much and never hesitate to take it with me if a situation calls for it. It can easliy fit inside a backpack with the ballhead attached to it. Cheers.

[g10005]

I am considering the Ciesta flexible insert for my Domke F-2 bag. Sabesh or anybody else, could you confirm that it is the Ciesta large? I found the seller on ebay but the dimensions of the large partition insert seems a bit big for the F-2 bag. The exterior dimensions are listed as 35cm wide x 22cm deep. The medium insert seems to me to be a closer fit at 32cm wide x 18cm deep.


Large Insert:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290417949926&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT


Medium Insert:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Ciesta-Flexible-Partition-Medium-for-Bag_W0QQitemZ280484017069QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item414e2673ad

A quick pictorial review of my new inserts:

The standard insert that comes with the F-2 just doesn't work for me. I was improvising using optional Domke inserts as seen HERE (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=665248&page=4).

These two inserts provide me with elegant solutions to carry different sets of gear with my F-2 and F1X: Domke 720-250K (http://harley-style.com/zboard/view.php?id=guest_gallery&page=1&sn1=on&divpage=1&sn=on&ss=off&sc=off&keyword=%C7%CF%B8%AE%7E&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=280) & Ciesta flexible partition (large) (http://ciesta.co.kr/inc/Flexible_Partition.inc).

As can be seen in the links above, both can be customized in many variations, making the F-2 even more versatile than it is with the standard insert. These links and my pictures (below) speak for themselves. These are both available from Korean dealers and are of high quality. This 720-250K is different from the 720-250D version, as can be seen.

Domke 720-250K insert:

135L, 85L-II, 100L, 16-35L II, 5D-II + 35L. Hood reversed on all the lenses.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4390972358_ce5f2cf20b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390972358/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4390976066_7338660dd3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390976066/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4390984582_7b3e3c3a77_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390984582/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4390211563_43ebc72a94_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390211563/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4390200459_2a79e93a83_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390200459/)



Ciesta flexible partition (large):

16-35L II, 24-105L, 100L, 5D-II + 70-200/2.8 IS. Hood reversed on all the lenses.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4390989932_f7afba0258_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390989932/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4390994488_94169d7873_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390994488/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4390998902_b904114f33_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabesh/4390998902/)

[sabesh]

I am considering the Ciesta flexible insert for my Domke F-2 bag. Sabesh or anybody else, could you confirm that it is the Ciesta large? I found the seller on ebay but the dimensions of the large partition insert seems a bit big for the F-2 bag. The exterior dimensions are listed as 35cm wide x 22cm deep. The medium insert seems to me to be a closer fit at 32cm wide x 18cm deep.


Large Insert:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290417949926&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT


Medium Insert:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Ciesta-Flexible-Partition-Medium-for-Bag_W0QQitemZ280484017069QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item414e2673ad
The large insert fits just fine inside the F-2!

[saber333]

Anybody try one of these in an F-6?

Sounds like it may be a bit big...but not sure...thoughts?

[sabesh]

Anybody try one of these in an F-6?

Sounds like it may be a bit big...but not sure...thoughts?
The large size is too big for the F-6 (I have both F-6 & F-2). The medium size *should* fit the F-6. Cheers.

[2mnycars]

Great review!
I think we're all bagaholics here! My wife doesn't understand...

DaveL
Mississauga

[John Photography]

is the ebay the only option to order the large insert? i'm in the midst of ordering a F2, but i'll need the insert prior to the 20+ days of international shipped that's required.