Domke F-3X or Domke F-3XB

I have narrowed down my camera bag search to 3 bags, these 2 being 2/3 of my candidates.

I know these 2 bags are similar, except for one is mostly ballistic nylon.

Can you point out any other major/minor differences to help me make a selection?

Thanks

the ballastic nylon comes floppier then the canvas that takes some time to break in.

there isn't much difference between those 2, if you step up to the J3 which is an oversized F-3X then you'll see a difference in capacity and storage layouts.

the F-3X has integrated lens holders, non-removable vs the J3 which has removable inserts in the center and pockets.

I've got an F-3X and a J3 and I much prefer the J3 to the two.

DisrupTer911 wrote in post #7748710
the ballastic nylon comes floppier then the canvas that takes some time to break in.

there isn't much difference between those 2, if you step up to the J3 which is an oversized F-3X then you'll see a difference in capacity and storage layouts.

the F-3X has integrated lens holders, non-removable vs the J3 which has removable inserts in the center and pockets.

I've got an F-3X and a J3 and I much prefer the J3 to the two.

I think the J3 might be a little too big for me at this point. I only own one small body and 3 lenses. (XSi - 70-200 f4L, 17-50 f2.8, 18-55 f3.5-5.6 )

By "floppier" do you mean it conforms more to what you put in it, and how it's positioned on the body?

by floppier i mean its more broken in right out of the box and breaks in faster IMO.

in all honestly, the J3 is only slightly slightly larger, the benefit is that you have fully removable/customizable inserts whereas in the F-3X/F-3XB has sewn in lens dividers on the sides on the main compartment and the end pockets are smaller.

I perfer the J3 just for the fact I can customize the insert configuration with ease.

I regularly carry a 1D2 + 50/1.4 and a Sigma 70-200/2.8, 100/2 or 20/2.8 in the main of my J3 and in the ends 2 space NP-E3s, rocket blower, memory wallet, cleaner cloth.
on the front pocket i carry a 580II and 2 PWs(&cables) or a ST-E2 and that all fits perfectly.

I can squeeze most of that into my F-3X but the issues becomes lense diameter in the smallish sewn in dividers. the F-3X is really meant for older film lenses that are smaller in diameter compared to newer EF mount lenses

does the J3 conform to the body and everything else like the f3-xb?

Any pics?

I've got an F3xb and its a great *small* bag.

I used to carry my gripped XT with Sigma 25-60 mounted with hood in the center (lens facing down), and my 70-200 in one lens loop with the other holding my rocket blower.

I carried a Sunpak 383 in each external pocket with my fleabay triggers in the main compartment in a box.

It holds quite a bit and wears quite nicely. It may not weather like the canvas, but it does hold up to quite a bit.

I can carry my gripped 5d with 28-80 in it, but without the attached hood in the forward position.

If you are need a discrete small bag that you can really work out of, it is a great bag.

what exactly do you mean by "weather" like canvas?

Age, fade and soften. The most I've ever seen nylon pack cloth do is abrade and lose its Urethane coating. The canvas softens and fades nicely while retaining water-resistant capabilities (the fibers can swell up, blocking water drops, something nylon won't do).

eeeksNYC wrote in post #7753884
I've got an F3xb and its a great *small* bag.

I used to carry my gripped XT with Sigma 25-60 mounted with hood in the center (lens facing down), and my 70-200 in one lens loop with the other holding my rocket blower.

I carried a Sunpak 383 in each external pocket with my fleabay triggers in the main compartment in a box.

It holds quite a bit and wears quite nicely. It may not weather like the canvas, but it does hold up to quite a bit.

I can carry my gripped 5d with 28-80 in it, but without the attached hood in the forward position.

If you are need a discrete small bag that you can really work out of, it is a great bag.

Any pics?

Well, I just pulled the trigger on a new F-3x (canvas) from B&H.

I let you know my thoughts in a couple days.