Domke F-802 or F-803?

Hi folks,

Been going back and forth between these two satchels for a couple of weeks and I'd really appreciate any input to help me decide between them. Based on what I've seen in the reviews here and online, this is what I've gathered, but do correct me if I'm mistaken:

F-802 is larger, but has no inserts included. Only comes in the canvas material. Front pockets have individual velcro covers and has a long pocket in both the front and rear that could take a laptop.

F-803 is smaller, pricier, comes with an insert, but has a Rugged/Wax Wear option. I've seen some pix on cambags.com where the two front pockets don't have separate covers and other pix where they have covers like on the F-802. Also only has the rear slip pocket but not the front slip pocket between the main compartment and the two smaller front pockets.

I'd usually go out to compare them myself but unfortunately I haven't seen any local resellers in my whereabouts (Had to rely on a cousin coming home from the USA for my F-5xb and a trip to Hong Kong for my F-2).

I'm looking to use this as a travel bag to hold a 50D (no grip), Tokina 12-24, Canon 85 1.8, 580EX II, blower, batts, usual travel papers (Tickets, passport, etc), a magazine or two and possibly a 13" Macbook with charger.

The lack of inserts isn't such a problem for me as I have a Tenba Messenger insert that should fit either bag. Guess it comes down to the size factor vs. that waxwear finish that I'm loving everytime I see it. Just don't know if it's worth the $50 difference in price based on Amazon.com.

I have the Safrotto equivalent of both. You have at least one prime which says to me you want to work out of the bag, and the F-802 is a bit too deep to do that comfortably unless you fold the main flap to the back of the bag instead of over the top. OTOH you're taking a small notebook and batteries and other stuff so the bigger bag is better in that respect. Your working style should be the main decider I think. I was a Domke fan and still use two of their bags, an F-2 and F-1X but the modern Domkes are nowhere near the quality of the old bags. Also the wax versions are stiff and awkward; buy a cotton bag and spray it with Nikwax TX.Direct once to shower-proof and three times to waterproof and you'll still have a soft canvas bag.

The Domke F-803 in particular has a really annoying design feature; a plastic stiffener under the top handle that is the length of the bag and prevents it from molding to your hip shape. The Safrotto equivalent has no plastic insert, thicker canvas, better stitching, metal hardware (not plastic), a 2" wide strap with a shoulder pad, and a configurable insert. On top of all of that it's about half the price of the Domke.

I use the F802 quite often with the Domke 720-230 3-compartment insert. It holds up to 2 bodies, with 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 mounted, a third biggish zoom between them and a flash at the end of the main compartment (the 720-230 is shorter than the bag). Unless your Macbook is one of the ultra-slim ones though I don't really suggest adding that to the same bag. I can carry my Toshiba 14" tablet in there, but it makes the main compartment snug. Personally, I don't find the plastic top stiffener a problem at all, and it helps when I have to hand-carry the bag through narrow passages or crowds (as in aircraft aisles, bus aisles, etc.).

Thanks for the idea on the Nikwax, Peter. Think I'll see if I can find that around here for my existing bags.

Jon, you've helped me decide on the F-2 before and I don't regret that decision. So if you say that adding a laptop to either isn't ideal, I may have to look at other bags (with much annoyance since I'm loving my Domkes) I was actually hoping I could use one of these as a slimmer cam + laptop transport than taking the F-2 and a separate bag for the laptop while flying. Once at my destination, I'd leave my laptop at the hotel a shoot out of the satchel. I have one of the first generation late 2006 Macbooks so it's chunkier than the ones now.

I used my F-802 with a 3 compartment insert to hold my 7D, 24-105, 50 f/1.4, 135L, 430 EX, 15" Macbook Pro, all chargers, a magazine, notebook, and small physics textbook on a recent trip. It was a tight squeeze, but everything fit. I used the 3 compartment insert which held the 24-105 with 7D attached and 135L. It was all a tight fit, but work fine with the body and one lens in hand. I think the 13" MBP would make things a lot better.

With that set up, there is a Tenba messenger and Urban Disguise that would be wonderful. The Tenba being a lot cheaper. I have both. For travel, either would do, but I have a love of the UD bags as they are business looking and not in funny bright colors as the Tenba's. I love my Domke's, as you know, but for a laptop larger than a netbook, the F-802 will not be enough to cushion it. I took my 13.3 Toshiba on a long vacation in CA in my UD40. I has my 5D2 with 24-70 attached and a flash and a 70-200 2.8 IS. It was heavy, but it was great to travel with.

You might look at the F-808 Messenger Bag (haven't tried it) or the F-804 Super Satchel, which is about the size of the F-2 only deeper, so a better match for a laptop.

Thanks for the suggestions, Jon. I'll look into those as well.

Suzy, where'd you stick your laptop in the UD40? I thought the UD35, 50 and 60 were the only ones designed to take a laptop.