Surprised by Domke F-2...

Picked up a used Domke F-2 as I thought it might give me a touch more space than my current shoulder bag (Crumpler Barney Rustle with Naneu Pro insert). I also love the vintage look and character of the Domke. True to form, it arrived and was exactly what I wanted from a "look" point of view but man, it was much smaller than I thought....surprise #1.

My first thought was that it would never work for what I wanted it for and that I'd be picking up an F1X or F7 right away. Still, I took it home and figured I'd get it packed and see. I should add that the bag seems to built in a bulletproof fashion. Very pleased on the bag construction.

Enter surprise #2! While the Domke dimensions were indeed smaller than my Crumpler, I was actually able to fit much more inside. Its was like the bag was a bottomless pit or storage or something. Make no mistake, this is a relatively small bag, but it fits a ton of gear! Inside, I fit the following:

Canon 1DMkIII with 17-40 attached (hood reversed)
Canon 200 f/2.8 with hood reversed
Canon 135 f2 with hood reveresd
Canon 85 f/1.8
Canon 1.4x TC
Canon 580 EX
Pixel, corded battery pack
Spare battery for 1D
24 AA's
8-10 CF cards
Off shoe cord
3 filters in plastic boxes
Elinchrom Skyports in harddrive soft box
Ipad (in back compartment)
Spare front and rear lens caps and body cap

All that and I could still put a few more things in if I had too. One of the front pockets was actually left empty for things like car keys, Iphone, and any other personal items I might have with me. I think I may throw an extra speedlite inside (resting on top) to see if it closes okay.

My next "concern" is how easy it will be to work out of with so much inside. Since its the "original" PJ bag, I have to imagine I wont find any issues there. I'll post some additional images of the exterior if anyone wants. In the meantime, here's a quick Iphone shot of it packed up....

And it wjll last you forever. ...

My F2 has been dragged (literally) around the country and served me well for over 29 years....

Put your flash in one of those front pockets, it will stretch to fit then over time form around the contours of the flash and be perfect.

DisrupTer911 wrote in post #15466286
Put your flash in one of those front pockets, it will stretch to fit then over time form around the contours of the flash and be perfect.

thanks for the tip, will do that and then I can add more glass inside or more...whatever.

You guys must have the strongest shoulders. I got a Billingham 307, and granted it weighs about 4 pounds empty, but I can't put anything more than a 5D3 with 24-70, a flash and maybe one other small lens before the damn thing gets way too heavy.

I guess I'm just not built for a shoulder bag. What's pictured above would even be way to heavy for a sling bag for me. I could only carry that in a backpack.

MDJAK wrote in post #15471040
You guys must have the strongest shoulders. I got a Billingham 307, and granted it weighs about 4 pounds empty, but I can't put anything more than a 5D3 with 24-70, a flash and maybe one other small lens before the damn thing gets way too heavy.

I guess I'm just not built for a shoulder bag. What's pictured above would even be way to heavy for a sling bag for me. I could only carry that in a backpack.

Once you develop the proper PJ list, you'll be okay.

namasste wrote in post #15466396
thanks for the tip, will do that and then I can add more glass inside or more...whatever.

The F2 is a great bag. I'd had one for years, and when they put out the olive drab version, I snapped that up immediately (olive drab was the color for the Boomer generation Americans because the Vietnam war left so many of us in possession of olive drab Army field jackets).

On eBay there are a bunch of Chinese adjust able padded bag inserts available. Some appear to be sized for the F2. I'm not sure how suitable they really are, but they look interesting.

RDKirk wrote in post #15471061
The F2 is a great bag. I'd had one for years, and when they put out the olive drab version, I snapped that up immediately (olive drab was the color for the Boomer generation Americans because the Vietnam war left so many of us in possession of olive drab Army field jackets).

On eBay there are a bunch of Chinese adjust able padded bag inserts available. Some appear to be sized for the F2. I'm not sure how suitable they really are, but they look interesting.

I may check out the inserts just to offer some options. I also threw my shoulder pad from my Crumpler on it and while it fits, I actually like the feel better without the pad. I may look into one of those USPO carrier pads everyone swears by.

MDJAK wrote in post #15471040
You guys must have the strongest shoulders. I got a Billingham 307, and granted it weighs about 4 pounds empty, but I can't put anything more than a 5D3 with 24-70, a flash and maybe one other small lens before the damn thing gets way too heavy...

with my F1n, AE-1, 50 f1.4, 35 f2, 24 f2, 85 f1.8, 200 f2.8, sunpak 442d, quantum battery pack, 1/2 dozen rolls each of Tri-X, Plus-X, Extachrome 400 and Kodacolor 200, a Gossen Luna-Pro meter, a hand full of 52 and 72 mm filters, notepad and a couple of markers and pencils my kit tipped the scales at about 18lbs. i carried it all in my F2...

this was all before cell phones and iAnythings...

on a side note, is there anywhere i can get a new 4 pocket insert? mine has gotten sticky with age and the liner foam forms are misshapen...

RDKirk wrote in post #15471061
On eBay there are a bunch of Chinese adjust able padded bag inserts available. Some appear to be sized for the F2. I'm not sure how suitable they really are, but they look interesting.

I'll have to check it out, sometimes I want to configure the bag a bit differently.

Ltdave wrote in post #15471437
on a side note, is there anywhere i can get a new 4 pocket insert? mine has gotten sticky with age and the liner foam forms are misshapen...

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …4_Compartment_I​nsert.html

EDIT: And if you want to upgrade... (wow, look at the bright colours!)

http://www.ebay.ca …_Bags&hash=item​3f20f8a8a0

Love love love my F2.

I have it Olive as well... love that damn bag. It is the most versatile bag I've owned, and I beat the crap out of it, and it keeps coming back for more.

Try out different inserts - I use a 3pocket insert on one side, which allowed me to carry a gripped 5D2 with 70-200 2.8 IS mounted, plus two other L lenses.

I usually carry 4-5 lenses in mine.

looks like Im in good company with this one!

oh and get yourself the Domke shoulder pad
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_FA_031_Shoulde​r_Pad.html

namasste wrote in post #15471210
I may check out the inserts just to offer some options. I also threw my shoulder pad from my Crumpler on it and while it fits, I actually like the feel better without the pad. I may look into one of those USPO carrier pads everyone swears by.

It's a Domke Postal Pad, and a great addition!

Check the plastic strap attachments on the bag. I replaced mine with 2 mini carabiners. One was cracked when I checked.

DisrupTer911 wrote in post #15476580
oh and get yourself the Domke shoulder pad
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_FA_031_Shoulde​r_Pad.html

Thanks. Just read your post, after making mine.