Thank you Domke :)

After a lifetime of buying bags, and getting hacked off with them, I've finally found one I like, the olive Domke F2 waxed canvas ruggedwear bag.

Soft, adjustable, stiff base but it can be removed to hug your hip, not too big but big enough, not obviously a camera bag, storage space but the design isn't dominated by slots, pouches, wallets zippers and sections and gadgets. It's a basic bag, but with enough extras to be all I need, I've replaced 5 bags with this one bag, it's just 'right' from every angle, so chuffed

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=JdsGKTDRItM

welshwizard1971 wrote in post #18446840
After a lifetime of buying bags, and getting hacked off with them, I've finally found one I like, the olive Domke F2 waxed canvas ruggedwear bag.

Soft, adjustable, stiff base but it can be removed to hug your hip, not too big but big enough, not obviously a camera bag, storage space but the design isn't dominated by slots, pouches, wallets zippers and sections and gadgets. It's a basic bag, but with enough extras to be all I need, I've replaced 5 bags with this one bag, it's just 'right' from every angle, so chuffed

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=JdsGKTDRItM

I've had three F2 bags over the last 30 years, and one replacement was because one "disappeared" during a house move. They are hard to beat as an all-around bag, and have always been.

I have three Donke bags. I use my F1-X the most... the little bit bigger bag. I got an F-7 for a song, but only use it when I'm taking more than one camera body to a shoot, something I'm starting to do more and more. Sometimes, I end up taking both of my bigger bags with me. I use a gear cart to haul stuff around so I don't have to be a beast of burden myself.

I haven't found the F-2 as useful. I picked it up used and though it is my first Domke bag, I'm using carrying more lenses so it is less useful. I store a few things in it at the moment.

My only issue was their website, I gave up trying to use it in the end, so it's possible there's an even better Domke out there for me, but I have no idea lol

Domke makes great products. My first was a waxwear F2, loved it and still do. I carry a F1-x olive canvas these days just due to needing more room.

That does look like a good bag. Very nice video review too.

I've used an F-2 for 26+ years and I also have an F1-X. The F-2 is the best bag to work out of on the street, although I had to replace the strap on mine two years ago as the rubber weave gave out.

welshwizard1971 wrote in post #18447097
it's possible there's an even better Domke out there for me...

There was and I have more than one of them. Safrotto made Domke clones, some of which were much better made products than the Domke originals which Tiffen effectively ruined. Safrotto are now making gussied-up versions of the bags that don't look like the Domke bags any more.

I have the regular canvas Domke bags and use Nikwax TX.Direct for rain proofing. You get the rain resistance along with the still soft canvas so the bag can mold to your body. TX.Direct can be bought from outdoor retailers and is used for waterproofing canvas tents.

peter_n wrote in post #18460000
I've used an F-2 for 26+ years and I also have an F1-X. The F-2 is the best bag to work out of on the street, .

I just want to emphasize this as the raison d'être of the Domke F-2. Other bags are better for transport, but for a PJ operating literally on the run, the F-2 is superb.

Very nice bag, especially the F2. Don't the shoulder strap slip off your shoulder? I did have that problem with various other shoulder bags.

i got my first F-2 when the camera shop owner (and Nikon guy) i worked for, gave me the one that came with a new F3 (promotion) in 1984...

it has been from michigan to texas to colorado to michigan to california to oklahoma to california to washington to california to hawaii to alaska to california to michigan to denmark to germany to the states to the netherlands to ohio to canada to michigan blah blah blah blah blah...

not all of these trips have been by comfortable passenger seat car rides. lots of stuffed under seat in front, overhead compartments, trunks, in military transports and dragged across the concrete as i moved on hands and knees shooting shtuff...

its got some fraying going on and the non-slip stuff on the strap is long gone but it is as comfortable as a nice broken in pair of Levis 501 jeans (the originals)...

i bought an F7 (?) little bit bigger (? same girth, just longer) and an F1 (? same length just deeper) to use when traveling now since ive added a tablet and assorted chargers and more accessories that i dont want to have to dig around in my other (carry-on) bag while traveling someplace between an airport and hotel...

absolutely the best bags ive ever used...

MarcoEos wrote in post #18460020
Very nice bag, especially the F2. Don't the shoulder strap slip off your shoulder? I did have that problem with various other shoulder bags.

I use one of these: https://www.amazon.com​/gp/product/B00009R86L​/

They really work. They save your shoulder, plus keep the strap on your shoulder. It won't slip off.

My Safrotto clone bags came with a very nice shoulder strap cushion for free, thicker canvas, better stitching, a wider strap, an unbelievably high quality insert that was also free, and quality metal hardware that had better detail design than the Domke plastic hardware. In addition, the Domke F-803 and F-802 satchel clones didn't have that seriously annoying plastic bone under the handle that stops the bag from lying snugly against your hip. They improved the designs in little ways that showed they thought about trying to make a better bag. The Safrotto clones are no longer available unfortunately. The composite pic below is the shoulder strap cushion from their small CF-700 satchel.

I have 2 Domke bags. When I examined the plastic hardware on the bags, each bag had a broken fitting

I purchased metal carabiners the next day.

My bags are an olive F2 and a ruggedwear F3X

I miss Jon's help here. He was the Domke expert.

I miss the Domke forum too. I regularly talked to Mr Domke and Jon there

Dave

The FX 1 just had a significant price decrease on all the photo gear sites: $149. I picked up another one with the FA-230 insert. I haven't had all that many bags. I started with a small Tamrac for my G12, then a backpack. I met Jon and started using Domke bags. I love them. They are simple: not overly padded. The U.S Post Office shoulder pads work great.

I miss Jon's input as well.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #18483594
The FX 1 just had a significant price decrease on all the photo gear sites: $149. I picked up another one with the FA-230 insert. I haven't had all that many bags. I started with a small Tamrac for my G12, then a backpack. I met Jon and started using Domke bags. I love them. They are simple: not overly padded. The U.S Post Office shoulder pads work great.

I miss Jon's input as well.

Thanks for the notice.

For others:

Check your delrin hardware on your Domke bags. Each of mine had broken plastic hardware on the strap.