Fake? Or are Domke bags just cheapo lookin'?

So my Billingham 335 is now going to be too small for the 150-500mm OS and 300mm VR 2.8 and two bodies so I went for a Domke F1-X which is 'a little bit bigger. Arrived today, was from eBay bought new from very reputable UK seller, and it just looks pretty shoddy compared to what I'm used to from Billingham and Crumpler.

My first thought is this must be a fake, but then it has the strap with rubberised weave on one side, YKK zips on the outside (tho' questionable quality), as it should have, but also the inserts, of which I got several, are not sewn at the bottom so the poly insert can come out (is this normal?) and has a really cheapo looking buckle with name tag attached to one of the plastic strap rings that hold the strap to the body (these are branded ITW Nexus). The canvas also isn't particularly tight weave, but OK. the velcro is all good quality. The sewing is Ok at best but all the seems internally are covered.

I dunno, maybe I've been spoilt. Watcha'll think? Any specific things to look for to define if fake or genuine?

can you post pix or link to the ebay auction?

The canvas Domke/Tiffen bags look somewhat cheap and uninspiring when you see them in photos, and even at first when you see them in person... probably due to the "old school" look in the canvas bags. Domkes have less padding than other bags, which some find a questionable approach, but others like the way the bag forms to your hip. People who use them swear by them. You should compare what you have to what is described on their website to make sure it's not a fake.

First post- yay!!

It sounds like my Domke f1X. The zip make and the fact that the canvas is flexible. I think they all come with the cheap looking name tag- I got 1 with my 5XB as well.

I beleive that the inserts are designed that way so they can move easily. As was said a domke bag is for working on the move. They wont by there nature and there functionality be a totally solid bag.

Ive used mine for a few years now and wouldnt be without it. The flexibility of the bag is what makes it for me. I hate a solid block hanging from my shoulder!!

TC

condyk wrote in post #8239956
So my Billingham 335 is now going to be too small for the 150-500mm OS and 300mm VR 2.8 and two bodies so I went for a Domke F1-X which is 'a little bit bigger. Arrived today, was from eBay bought new from very reputable UK seller, and it just looks pretty shoddy compared to what I'm used to from Billingham and Crumpler.

My first thought is this must be a fake, but then it has the strap with rubberised weave on one side, YKK zips on the outside (tho' questionable quality), as it should have, but also the inserts, of which I got several, are not sewn at the bottom so the poly insert can come out (is this normal?) and has a really cheapo looking buckle with name tag attached to one of the plastic strap rings that hold the strap to the body (these are branded ITW Nexus). The canvas also isn't particularly tight weave, but OK. the velcro is all good quality. The sewing is Ok at best but all the seems internally are covered.

I dunno, maybe I've been spoilt. Watcha'll think? Any specific things to look for to define if fake or genuine?

so domke is nowhere near the build finish of billingham, but of course they are much cheaper. they also don't have the over-built feel of crumpler or thinktank.

yes in simple terms it feels 'cheap' but that's just because they are uncomplicated materials and a simple design. while it is possible that it's a fake, i don't think people know domke well enough to create fake ones worthwhile

post a pic, but i bet you're just not use to the domke look and feel.

Post a picture of the bag in question.

From your description I am unsure if the bag is real or a fake.

I am an avid Domke user and I would think I could spot a fake...

We want the ebay link to this bag.

Mufutau

I think it's Connie who's the fake around here.

me

tgara wrote in post #8240753
The canvas Domke/Tiffen bags look somewhat cheap and uninspiring when you see them in photos, and even at first when you see them in person... probably due to the "old school" look in the canvas bags. Domkes have less padding than other bags, which some find a questionable approach, but others like the way the bag forms to your hip. People who use them swear by them. You should compare what you have to what is described on their website to make sure it's not a fake.

Yeah, I did a compare on their site and also did a search for other reviews and such. I think it is genuine.

jbsumo wrote in post #8240858
First post- yay!!

It sounds like my Domke f1X. The zip make and the fact that the canvas is flexible. I think they all come with the cheap looking name tag- I got 1 with my 5XB as well.

I beleive that the inserts are designed that way so they can move easily. As was said a domke bag is for working on the move. They wont by there nature and there functionality be a totally solid bag.

Ive used mine for a few years now and wouldnt be without it. The flexibility of the bag is what makes it for me. I hate a solid block hanging from my shoulder!!

TC

Good first post dude ... they could fake the zips of course too I get the functionality thing and my only concern I suppose is the price they go for v's the perceived quality. To be honest, had I picked it up for £20 on a market stall I'd probably have thought it was a decent bag But it costs around £160 in the UK, while a Lowepro and Crumpler 'equivelent' would be much cheaper and better made, while the Billingham would be around £40 more, but much, much better made.

minhi wrote in post #8240931
so domke is nowhere near the build finish of billingham, but of course they are much cheaper. they also don't have the over-built feel of crumpler or thinktank.

yes in simple terms it feels 'cheap' but that's just because they are uncomplicated materials and a simple design. while it is possible that it's a fake, i don't think people know domke well enough to create fake ones worthwhile

post a pic, but i bet you're just not use to the domke look and feel.

That's true ... I guess the price/quality thing is something we just swallow because of brand and functionality. If it does the job I need it to do, i.e. folds easily for carrying in my cargo bag, then holds my gear together in a safari vehicle and provide some protection, I guess it'll be OK. Trying to find a bag that folds, yet is easy access, light, good storage ... and good build ... is difficult.

MDJAK wrote in post #8242403
I think it's Connie who's the fake around here.

Nah, I'm priceless and 100% British craftmanship ... unlike the Domke

EDIT: I'll take a few shots when I get time and post, particularly of the areas of 'cheapo-ness'. Might be a day or two. Thanks for the inputs.

So what exactly makes it "shoddy" Dave. Jon has had his Domke bags for 20+ years. I don't see how they would hold up that long if they were "shoddy". My F-2 is going on 4 years old and looks and functions great. The Post Office shoulder pad is showing a little wear, but certainly nothing to be concerned about. The Domke bags are certainly more flexible than the Crumpler bags. By that I mean they are not as rigid, since they have less padding. They conform to your body better while carrying.

As a side note I would love to see how the 150-500 fits in the F-1x. Still looking for a bag for mine. I don't really want a backpack, but that seems to be the best route for carrying the Bigmos and other gear.

In2Photos wrote in post #8244940
So what exactly makes it "shoddy" Dave. Jon has had his Domke bags for 20+ years. I don't see how they would hold up that long if they were "shoddy". My F-2 is going on 4 years old and looks and functions great. The Post Office shoulder pad is showing a little wear, but certainly nothing to be concerned about. The Domke bags are certainly more flexible than the Crumpler bags. By that I mean they are not as rigid, since they have less padding. They conform to your body better while carrying.

As a side note I would love to see how the 150-500 fits in the F-1x. Still looking for a bag for mine. I don't really want a backpack, but that seems to be the best route for carrying the Bigmos and other gear.

probably just wants to brag about his overpriced billingham gucci bag that carries his nikon gear, wot ?

ed rader

They are work horses,
Domke is like a pack mule,.

Billingham is like a thoroughbred.

condyk wrote in post #8243615
I get the functionality thing and my only concern I suppose is the price they go for v's the perceived quality. To be honest, had I picked it up for £20 on a market stall I'd probably have thought it was a decent bag But it costs around £160 in the UK, while a Lowepro and Crumpler 'equivelent' would be much cheaper and better made, while the Billingham would be around £40 more, but much, much better made.

I think this is where your reservations lie. I like Domke bags but their inserts (at least the ones I got with my bags) are a joke even at 1/4 the price. Domke's are twice as much in Canada as the US and I would not buy them here, that sounds like the situation in the UK. Until very recently Billingham's have been vastly over priced in the US (if you look at the currency exchange) and they still are in Canada, they seem to have gone down about 20% in the US on the freshest stock.

I think the Domke bag itself is well made but it is not excellent. Still materials like canvas wear well and last many years. I have a prototype Billingham* bag that is about 30 years old and it is still my favourite bag. It has only been to the shoemaker once to have some leather straps replaced and a teeny bit of sewing. If I compared the two bag lines even my old prototype (and it is very much a simplified Billingham) is obviously the better bag and it folds fairly flat to boot.

* At least that is what I recall the distributer's rep tell me and it looks like it but has it also been mistaken for an old Domke at times. It was hugely expensive when I bought it but has proven to be the cheapest bag I ever bought.

You have to look at the purpose of design as well.

A modern military semi-automatic pistol is nowhere near the finish and fit of a quality revolver...but a military semi-automatic pistol is designed to be jerked out of a muddy swamp, shaken a bit, and fired without fail.

Domkes are designed to be down-and-dirty quick-acting bags for a photojournalist who has to change lenses literally on the run (and I've done that, changing lenses while trotting through crowds to keep up with a moving subject and never taking my eyes off the subject during the entire process).

Domkes are designed to be "cheap looking," unobtrusive, and not obviously photographic in appearance, yet tough, functional, and re-inforced where non-photographic bags are not.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #8245650
They are work horses,
Domke is like a pack mule,.

Billingham is like a thoroughbred.

Yeah, that's about right. But I am less bothered by that stuff, functional is what I want, but mo0re bothered by the price to construction quality.

Quad wrote in post #8245692
I think this is where your reservations lie. I like Domke bags but their inserts (at least the ones I got with my bags) are a joke even at 1/4 the price. Domke's are twice as much in Canada as the US and I would not buy them here, that sounds like the situation in the UK. Until very recently Billingham's have been vastly over priced in the US (if you look at the currency exchange) and they still are in Canada, they seem to have gone down about 20% in the US on the freshest stock.

I think the Domke bag itself is well made but it is not excellent. Still materials like canvas wear well and last many years. I have a prototype Billingham* bag that is about 30 years old and it is still my favourite bag. It has only been to the shoemaker once to have some leather straps replaced and a teeny bit of sewing. If I compared the two bag lines even my old prototype (and it is very much a simplified Billingham) is obviously the better bag and it folds fairly flat to boot.

* At least that is what I recall the distributer's rep tell me and it looks like it but has it also been mistaken for an old Domke at times. It was hugely expensive when I bought it but has proven to be the cheapest bag I ever bought.

Sounds about right. In the US and A the Domke is $139 (£86). Here it is £169 ($271). Maybe folks might understand the ... erm ... mild disbelief