Bag Advice

I need Jon's help.

I would have carried this type of gear to shoot weddings (years ago) in a LowePro Magnum It was hard to carry--very heavy. That doesn't answer your question.

I don't know Domke's inserts. My F-2 carries my gripped d300s, 18-200, A longer zoom, 50/1.4, a flash plus my Sony nex with 2zooms (Zoom Zoom!--no, that's my Miata!) but it's awkward. I am considering getting another insert, but need help too. The Domke pad (called a postal pad) is essential!

Will you carry both bodies with lenses mounted?

(Howard has a beautiful arrangement of a Think Tank Retro20 shown elsewhere with 2 bodies, and an assortment of lenses. Simple and nice!) but I suspect quite a bit heavier.

aquaticson wrote in post #13373728
Not to thread Jack or anything but I dont want to make a new thread when I need the same advice, from what I"m reading on here Domke bags are kinda the way to go. This may be beneficial for the OP as well, I'm looking into this bag:

http://www.tiffen.com …ame=domke&itemn​um=700-02A

It says it fits 2 pro dslr's and 4 to 6 lenses, does anyone have any actual experience with this bag and how much it can truly take because my gear list is going to be as follows:

Canon 550d
Canon 7d (potentially Gripped)
70-200 F2.8L IS II
24-70 F2.8L
Rokinon 8mm F3.5 Fisheye
Tokina 11-16 F2.8
50mm f1.8
Speedlight 580exii
Rode shotgun microphone
L.E.D Light
MISC. a/v cables and accessories (battery chargers, usb cables, etc.)

Will it fit?

I think I'd move up to the F1x for that. The F2 is Domke's original design, 30 years or so ago when cameras were all MF, so the lens barrels weren't as big as they are today, and primes rather than zooms were the norm. Using the F1x would let you put the Rode in a separate compartment in the main bag - if you got the 720-230 3-compartment insert along the back of the bag and the 720-211 small single-compartment insert at one end on the front you could fit whichever body the 70-200's on horizontal in the bottom of the main compartment (with a grip, the 7D by preference), the other body with 24-70 vertically in one end of the 3-compartment insert, the other lenses in the 2 remaining compartments, and the Rode in the single-compartment insert. The flash and LED light could go in the end compartments and the other stuff either under the horizontally-positioned camera holding the lens up ore in the two front compartments and (cables especially) in the back compartment or under the lid. The 70-200, off the camera, will fit in the closed bag vertically in the 720-230.

Jon wrote in post #13375259
I think I'd move up to the F1x for that....

Thanks Jon. I'm new with purchasing bags, my current bag is an ebay joint. so the numbers like 720/230 and what not are those inserts that I need to request when purchasing the bag? or do they come with them and I just need to pick and choose which ones go where?

Someone recommended the Domke F-811 or 812 Photo Satchel. Any thoughts on them?

Those are the Tiffen/Domke model numbers for the inserts. The F1x comes with a 4-compartment (square) 720-240 insert (which I find next to worthless for my purposes); the others you'd have to order separately. And don't forget to order the Post Office Pad (FA-031/720-310) - makes a world of difference on any bag strap.

Jon wrote in post #13378531
Those are the Tiffen/Domke model numbers for the inserts. The F1x comes with a 4-compartment (square) 720-240 insert (which I find next to worthless for my purposes); the others you'd have to order separately. And don't forget to order the Post Office Pad (FA-031/720-310) - makes a world of difference on any bag strap.

Jon, thank you. This is the name from the Domke site: DOMKE F-811 PHOTO/LAPTOP SATCHEL/BLACK CANVAS
http://www.tiffen.com …ame=domke&itemn​um=701-11B

I need some bag advice here. Now i have Kata 3N1-33, but now it's way too big for my stuff.
I got:
Canon 40D
Canon 28-135mm
Canon 70-200mm F4
Canon 50mm 1.8
Sigma 10-20mm
MISC, cables and accessories - (2 extra battery, sometimes charger, usb cables, 2 memory cards.
And sometimes 1 or 2 YN 460 flashes. If i dont carry the YN's it's way too big for my use.

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I am almost ready to pull the trigger on the F-804 Satchel, but have just one more question; Can the 50D with the 100 - 400mm mounted fit inside?

LuLuTheMonk wrote in post #13358647
F-Stop Loka with a Large ICU?

Seconded. I have the 5D Mark II Gripped - 70-200 2.8 - 17-40 and 24-105 all with hoods - I also carry the 580EXII and a whole bunch of filters. Its a tight fit but work OK. With the large ICU I have room in there for a large hoody/sweatshirt plus all my other accessories in the top pockets.

Diamond Lil wrote in post #13385879
I am almost ready to pull the trigger on the F-804 Satchel, but have just one more question; Can the 50D with the 100 - 400mm mounted fit inside?

It should. I can carry my 7D and 100-400 in my F-802 or F-805 (same nominal dimensions, except the F-802 is narrower) vertically with no problems. It'll, of course, go horizontally in the F804 or F-805 nicely as well. I think the Domke site has the wrong internal dimensions for the F-804 since they lose about 3" on it.

Jon wrote in post #13387602
It should. I can carry my 7D and 100-400 in my F-802 or F-805 (same nominal dimensions, except the F-802 is narrower) vertically with no problems. It'll, of course, go horizontally in the F804 or F-805 nicely as well. I think the Domke site has the wrong internal dimensions for the F-804 since they lose about 3" on it.

That is such good news! Thank you.
Jon, do you think the F-804 is better than the F-7 Double AF Bag?

I use the F7 for photo gear because it includes the end pockets (you can add the F-901 or F-902 pouches to the F804, but they're not quite as big) and more photo-friendly flap pockets. The F-805 is an ideal multi-purpose bag - cameras, computer and then some) because of the "folder pockets" in front and back of the main compartment and the pen and other small bits pockets on the inside of the lid. Haven't used the F-804 because the F-805 had just a little bit more (flap pockets mainly) for what I needed at the time, but I'd say that they're both good, but for somewhat different purposes. The F7 comes with inserts (but not the ones I use); I don't think the F-804 does.

Jon wrote in post #13387851
I use the F7 for photo gear because it includes the end pockets (you can add the F-901 or F-902 pouches to the F804, but they're not quite as big) and more photo-friendly flap pockets. The F-805 is an ideal multi-purpose bag - cameras, computer and then some) because of the "folder pockets" in front and back of the main compartment and the pen and other small bits pockets on the inside of the lid. Haven't used the F-804 because the F-805 had just a little bit more (flap pockets mainly) for what I needed at the time, but I'd say that they're both good, but for somewhat different purposes. The F7 comes with inserts (but not the ones I use); I don't think the F-804 does.

Thank you again for your patience with me Jon. It must be obvious that I'm torn between the two bags. I'm thinking maybe the MacBook Air should not go into the equation.
Without having a place to go see the bags it is difficult to tell what "feels the best", from pictures. My feeling is that the F7 might be the way to go, especially if I consider appearance. I like the way it looks. The F7 also looks as if it is easier to use and it looks like it will be more flexible for adding more stuff. The F-804 goes for $149 and the F7 for $209. Over the anticipated lifetime of a Domke bag the cost differential doesn't matter. Right now, well, it does if there is no real reason to go with the F7.

PS
I'm not asking you or anyone else to make the decision for me. I'm just thinking out loud on the Forum.

A good return policy is all you need. Buy both bags, fill them up and test them in house; like trying on shoes after getting them before you commit to taking them outdoors on pavement. The cost to return one bag is worth it. Then you will know you have exactly what you need.

Savas K wrote in post #13389040
A good return policy is all you need. Buy both bags, fill them up and test them in house; like trying on shoes after getting them before you commit to taking them outdoors on pavement. The cost to return one bag is worth it. Then you will know you have exactly what you need.

Good thinking. I tend not to want to be bothered with returns, but this may just be what it takes in this situation. Thank you