Domke F5XB questions

Hello all!

I got a buyer for the cheap lowepro exchange messenger that I reviewed some time ago and so I'll need a new small bag.

I love my Domke F5XB and 5XC. They are very good bags for just the essentials and you won't regret getting them. They are sturdy and will be useful for a long time.

Headshotzx wrote in post #11666106
Hello all!

I got a buyer for the cheap lowepro exchange messenger that I reviewed some time ago and so I'll need a new small bag.

I'm kinda partial to the Domke F5XB now. I did have a recent thread asking about small bags in general, but then the thread's a little cluttered for me to ask specific info about the domke f5xb. So here are my few questions:

What can you put in the front compartment of the bag? Is it possible to put a 2.5cm x 12 cm x 17cm thick bible / notepad inside?

Put something that big (thick) in the front compartment and you'll eat into the space in the main compartment. It's not a bellows pocket. I wouldn't go much beyond 12 mm thick if you want to be able to keep a 24-70 with hood and a 5D2 in the main compartment.

I know it can fit just a 5D2 + 24-70 inside. But if the elements were to be separated (lens not mounted) and placed side by side, would I be able to put a 16oz small bottle inside about say about 15cm tall?

Just. But I wouldn't want to keep a water bottle in the main compartment if I were going to be getting it in and out very much. Too much risk of spilling. I'd suggest keeping your water separate (say, in an F901 or F902 pouch also on the belt). Or clip the bottle to the outside of the bag.

A think tank skin belt can slot through the belt compartment yeah?

The belt Domke sells for use with it is about 2.5-3" wide, so the ThinkTank belt certainly should fit.

And lastly, should I be getting the J5XB or the F5XB? What are the pros and cons to either, assuming price diff isn't an issue.

Hope to hear from you!

Zexun

J5 is ballistic nylon. F5's canvas. IMO canvas wears better than ballistic nylon, but if you're often out for long periods of time in the rain you might prefer the nylon for extended water-repellency. Although the zipper will still be a possible weak point. Aside from that, there's really not much difference.

SuzyView wrote in post #11666603
I love my Domke F5XB and 5XC. They are very good bags for just the essentials and you won't regret getting them. They are sturdy and will be useful for a long time.

Thanks Suzy. You already convinced me in my other small bag thread

Jon wrote in post #11666794
J5 is ballistic nylon. F5's canvas. IMO canvas wears better than ballistic nylon, but if you're often out for long periods of time in the rain you might prefer the nylon for extended water-repellency. Although the zipper will still be a possible weak point. Aside from that, there's really not much difference.

Thanks for answering the questions. Indeed I probably should carabiner the bottle to the outside or something to increase space. I guess if I have to cram stuff in the front, I'd just go without the hood for the 24-70.

I was thinking that the F5 would allow more "stretching" (?) because it's a lighter material. Ballistic nylon just sounds like it's going to keep the shape as best as possible, so I can't cram stuff easily like a notepad and a one-lens-mounted kit.

Zexun

I have the F5XB "Rugged Wear" version which basically means it's waxed and therefore water resistant along with having a darker brown 'Indiana Jones' kind of look.

Anyway, it's an excellent bag with a few caveats...


First take a pair of tin snips and cut off the annoyingly loud metal zipper pull tab, then either use your favorite shoe string or keeping with the Indiana Jones theme - leather string to make some new pull tabs.

Second, Domke insists on using much much much to much friggin' much Velcro. In order to open the flap you must either pull down on the bag then tear up or keep jerking on the lid until it fully releases. Maybe it wouldn't be a problem if you filled it full of rocks, otherwise - it's a joke.

My solution is to cover approximately half of the Velcro on the pouch side of the bag. Do this on the up most part of the Velcro so that when you pull the flap down tight it will stick to the remaining Velcro towards the bottom. This fixes a few things... it makes it much more discreet, and more importantly it makes for a one hand operation.

My only complaints is the non-removable lining of the bag is much too thick (the dividers are nice and thin). If it was thinner the bag would loose bulk and allow 90% of lens hoods to actually slide - not forcefully shove - into the bag due to the small dimensions. (I'm the goof for trying to use a rangerfinder/small SLR bag with a trinity of primes I know)

Otherwise a fantastic bag, and to finally answer your questions;

Yes, that size book should fit.
Yes, Lens + Waterbottle + Camera should fit (same as 2 lenses + Camera)
Yes, a skin belt will slide through it.

And canvas vs nylon is personal preference but I would absolutely without a doubt choose canvas.

Thanks for the tips Nick! Much appreciated.

Just got my Domke F5XB in black today! SG$18 bucks off a six day old bag, and the seller was nice to even add in 3 additional cheap padded dividers and an unused Leica strap (the cheaper version perhaps? Don't know what it's worth - there's the red leica logo on it + the word leica). Like the bag!

But does anyone know how to get rid of the irritating zipper clang problem, other than just cutting them off and replacing them with my own mods like the above post?

Cover them in duct tape

I would not feel comfortable w/ a water bottle sharing that small space. I'm also pretty sure there's no room left. I put my 5D and sig 50 in that bag, separated. And barely had room for my rocket blower mini.

Instead, I did this (18oz): http://sourcedbycell.t​umblr.com/post/6663141​93/creativity-ftw

I'm trying to figure out a way to do this w/ my timbuk2 as well, but the strap on that is thicker (can't use the S carabiner thing)

randomlinh wrote in post #11689078
I would not feel comfortable w/ a water bottle sharing that small space. I'm also pretty sure there's no room left. I put my 5D and sig 50 in that bag, separated. And barely had room for my rocket blower mini.

Instead, I did this (18oz): http://sourcedbycell.t​umblr.com/post/6663141​93/creativity-ftw

I'm trying to figure out a way to do this w/ my timbuk2 as well, but the strap on that is thicker (can't use the S carabiner thing)

Good idea!

Kind of ironic that I have a 20liters.org wristband that I could use to hold a water bottle with.

Headshotz- Have no fear, cut those zipper pull tabs off! In fact I think I even cut them off before I cut the tag off.

redjamesg wrote in post #11686086
Cover them in duct tape

Yap. Gaffer them.

NickSimcheck wrote in post #11689106
Good idea!

Kind of ironic that I have a 20liters.org wristband that I could use to hold a water bottle with.

Headshotz- Have no fear, cut those zipper pull tabs off! In fact I think I even cut them off before I cut the tag off.

the one problem I have is it's not quick to take out/put back. I have a bit of 3/8" nylon webbing. I'm going to try and make something from it.

I took a couple pictures of my F5XB with my 5DII, 50/1.4, 35/1.4 and 85/1.8. It's a perfect walk-around bag when I don't want or need to carry more.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/ronssmith/53788​88628/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/ronssmith/53782​93189/

Hey Ron, wouldn't happen to have been shooting a senior session in Kensington this spring were you?

If so, I was the guy doing the engagement shoot on the same bridge.

Small world...

NickSimcheck wrote in post #11693382
Hey Ron, wouldn't happen to have been shooting a senior session in Kensington this spring were you?

If so, I was the guy doing the engagement shoot on the same bridge.

Small world...

Hi Nick. No, that wasn't me. It took me a moment to realize you were referring to high school seniors. Thought you meant old photographers.

I was out at Kensington a few times this fall shooting birds from the board walk in the nature center.