Seeking Advice for Domke Bags

[alant]

Hi dear all, think I must have caught the Domke bag craze...I see people using them and swear by them but I didn't get close to them until lately. I went to check out some of the models. They really caught my attention! Domke gives me a different feel and I pretty much fell in love with them.

Now the tough part is choosing which model that will suit my needs. Hope to seek some good advice from you all as I see there are many Domke lovers over here too.

Basically, the bag should be able to contain the following:
- Digital SLR camera body + vertical grip.
- 80-200mm f/2.8 lens.
- 17-55mm f/2.8 lens.
- Macro lens + another 1-2 prime lenses (specific to needs may not carry all).
- External flash.
- External flash battery pack (will carry it if shooting events).
- Third party flash diffuser.
- Plus other accessories like blower, cleaning cloth, memory cards etc.
- Non photography items will include like a water bottle, notepad, mp3 player, a book or magazine whereby I could catch up on some reading while travelling or waiting.
- It will be good to have a hand carrying strap model as times I may not sling it on my shoulder, I can just grab the hand strap and go.

Current scenario:
- I went to check and see some Domke models like the F2, F6, F3X, F4AF, J2, F804 etc. But of course some models don't have or out of stock.
- Find the F3X a bit small. F4AF is slightly bigger.
- Think the F2 and J2 will be just nice, not sure about F6 as out of stocks & F804 like not available.

So any comments or inputs to share on the F2 and J2 bags? Or are there other models that you all will recommend as I may have missed it out? I also realised some bags come in ballistic nylon material or those classic canvas material. Any reasons for choosing one material over the other or just mainly personal fashion taste? And if between the F2 and J2 models, which is a better choice?

Thanks in advance! And have a nice day ahead! Looking forward to your inputs.

[tanjonhan]

f6 cathay never bring them in anymore rite...unless they decided to again...wadeva it is f6 is out...definitely cant fit wad u wan....f3 and 4 also out....too small....so j3 is also out...the rest i cant help u...haha...but i would think f1,2 &7 shouldnt be a prob...

[flipfreak]

i am using J1. Big enough for 4 lens 2 bodies 4 speedlites, etc etc. But my normal load is 2 speedlites, 3 pocketwizards, 1 body with grip, 1 zoom lens, batteries, cards, cables.

And there's still space at the sides which i normally leave empty.

[alant]

Thanks tanjonhan, oh yes as told by CP, they didn't bring in the F6 for quite some time already. As for why no one knows. I was reading through some reviews and realised F6 is slightly smaller than F2 but still quite roomy, only thing no padded bottom, must purchase separately. So I didn't get to see the actual F6, not sure how big is it compared to F2.

Thanks flipfreak. I'm curious, any reasons why you chose the J1 over the F1? Reason is that I'm choosing between these two series too. Is the J1 very big compared to F2 and F1? If casual shoot, I would most prob bring 1 camera body with vertical grip + 80-200mm zoom lens + wide angle zoom lens + flash, so not sure if the J1 is too big or not? And does the J1 has any compartments for me to put in a book or magazine?

[flipfreak]

Originally Posted by alant Thanks tanjonhan, oh yes as told by CP, they didn't bring in the F6 for quite some time already. As for why no one knows. I was reading through some reviews and realised F6 is slightly smaller than F2 but still quite roomy, only thing no padded bottom, must purchase separately. So I didn't get to see the actual F6, not sure how big is it compared to F2. Thanks flipfreak. I'm curious, any reasons why you chose the J1 over the F1? Reason is that I'm choosing between these two series too. Is the J1 very big compared to F2 and F1? If casual shoot, I would most prob bring 1 camera body with vertical grip + 80-200mm zoom lens + wide angle zoom lens + flash, so not sure if the J1 is too big or not? And does the J1 has any compartments for me to put in a book or magazine?

i picked the J1 because of the material. i think the nylon would resist dirt better than canvas. it is abt the same size as the F1 but there are minor design differences btw the 2. there is a open pocket at the back that i usually slot in newspaper or magazine.

[FilterFunk]

F6 is like a baby F2.. dimensions are: 12"L x 6"W x 7"D
what you are going to bring seems like alot of equipment, think a F6 might be able to fit all, with little or no extra allowance for extra stuff..

check out this link for what a F6 can hold.. http://www.cambags.com/nikon/d70/sho...ke_f6_desc.htm
Ballistic is slightly more waterproof and stiff compared to Canvas, it is down to individual preference i guess.

[zshui]

judging from your equip u have and may possibly carry,
personallyi feel a lowepro will better suit your needs, and will be kinder to your wallet =p
thos lowepro bags in the ____300 range wld be good, be it slingshot 300,fastpack,etc..

that being said, domke really does win hands down in terms of its design( asthetic)
i own a f2b and a f4af,
the f2 is big enough to house 5 lenses, but u may have problems carrying your 80-200 as the lens compartments are rather short, may have to improvise on that
the f4af is "taller" in that sense, but u'd only be able to carry 3 lenses in the main compartment (1 mounted, and 2 others)

in addition, like what filter funk has pointed out, the ballistic version is water proof,but comes only in black..the J series using that ballistic material, as well as f2-ballistic(b)

Hope this helps,
Eugene

Originally Posted by FilterFunk F6 is like a baby F2.. dimensions are: 12"L x 6"W x 7"D what you are going to bring seems like alot of equipment, think a F6 might be able to fit all, with little or no extra allowance for extra stuff.. check out this link for what a F6 can hold.. http://www.cambags.com/nikon/d70/sho...ke_f6_desc.htm Ballistic is slightly more waterproof and stiff compared to Canvas, it is down to individual preference i guess.

[haikuthief]

I read an earlier thread about buying it from Tin Cheung in HK when you're there -- I checked it, and you can order it and get it shipped here for about $45? The bag I was looking for (Domke F5X? Think i got the model right?) retails at $220 at CP, but it's $180 inclusive of shipping from Tin Cheung, so, you might consider that place. I don't think they have the same outages and model limitations as CP.

Regards, Haiku

[alant]

Thanks for sharing flipfreak, FilterFunk, Eugene & Haiku!

Now I know J1 at the back has a pocket so I can slot my magazine or book inside it! And yes when I went to check out the F2, the height of the bag seems a bit short if I were to place my 80-200mm lens vertically. Whereas the height of the F4AF seems to be higher and able to fit better. Then again F4AF is a smaller bag though it has the height.

One more thing, I realised not the whole of inside of the F2 bag is padded. It seems there is a section without any paddings so wondering if it is safe to put a camera there. So should I get extra padded compartment if getting the F2? And is the J1 and J2 fully padded inside or also similar to the F2 like one section not padded?

As for Tin Cheung, too bad don't think I'm going HK. Unless there's a mass order for Domke bags that would be great!

Thank you.

[ortega]

i like to carry as little as possible so i have a J2, it is a little taller than the F2 (i had that as well)
I used to have a J3 but sold it away as my equipment grew and it could no longer hold my stuff

[haikuthief]

Hi A,
You don't need to mass order from HK. The prices i quoted are all individual orders -- i.e. it's cheaper, inclusive of shipping, to get a single bag from TC and get them to mail it over than to get from CP. Plus, you have fuller ranges to choose from and don't have to settle for what stock they have. I'm going to get one soon when I feel rich enough... A sand F-5X. :]

Haiku

[chalib]

Originally Posted by alant Thanks for sharing flipfreak, FilterFunk, Eugene & Haiku! Now I know J1 at the back has a pocket so I can slot my magazine or book inside it! And yes when I went to check out the F2, the height of the bag seems a bit short if I were to place my 80-200mm lens vertically. Whereas the height of the F4AF seems to be higher and able to fit better. Then again F4AF is a smaller bag though it has the height. One more thing, I realised not the whole of inside of the F2 bag is padded. It seems there is a section without any paddings so wondering if it is safe to put a camera there. So should I get extra padded compartment if getting the F2? And is the J1 and J2 fully padded inside or also similar to the F2 like one section not padded? As for Tin Cheung, too bad don't think I'm going HK. Unless there's a mass order for Domke bags that would be great! Thank you.

Dont worry of your equipment, Domke is designed by a famous photographer (photojournalist)....

[alant]

Thanks for the reply pals. Realised the difference between J1 and J2 is that J1 is longer by 2" and taller by 2" compared to J2. So looks like I'm better off with J1 as not really that big.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by alant Thanks for the reply pals. Realised the difference between J1 and J2 is that J1 is longer by 2" and taller by 2" compared to J2. So looks like I'm better off with J1 as not really that big.

I have a J1. It's just nicely tall nuff for a 70-200 f/2.8 (canon). The Nikkor might be a little shorter but I think the extra height is good.

[CS TAN]

Originally Posted by haikuthief I read an earlier thread about buying it from Tin Cheung in HK when you're there -- I checked it, and you can order it and get it shipped here for about $45? The bag I was looking for (Domke F5X? Think i got the model right?) retails at $220 at CP, but it's $180 inclusive of shipping from Tin Cheung, so, you might consider that place. I don't think they have the same outages and model limitations as CP. Regards, Haiku

One word of caution when ordering from Tin Cheung. Check with them (email them, call them) to see if they have the stock before placing your order. They might have all the models listed in the website but might be out of stock. When I bought a Billingham 445 there last month, they only have a small selection of Billingham bags available as compare to the list they have on their website.

[ringoping]

Originally Posted by alant Thanks for sharing flipfreak, FilterFunk, Eugene & Haiku! And is the J1 and J2 fully padded inside or also similar to the F2 like one section not padded? Thank you.

i m also curious. Will the canvas 'scratch' the camera if its not padded?

[FilterFunk]

scratch the camera? where? lcd? body? nah. no such problems for my camera, lens (L/ef-s/3rd party) and i oftenly 'overload' my small f3x..
more often than not, its under normal usage / 'wear and tear' that you scratch/dent/etc your equipment..

if you are really afraid of 'damaging' your equipment, you might want to consider getting the extra optional dividers for more protection (at the expense of some space)

[alant]

Thanks for the feedback pals! Looks like the J1 might be a better fit for my 80-200mm lens as per advised by calebk.

Next, does anyone else here owns a J1 or J2? Just curious if the inside of the bag is fully padded or not as from the pictures on the web, it seems to be fully padded inside. Then again, it could be like the F2 or F1 whereby 1 section is not padded. Looking forward to any inputs and confirmation on this. Thanks.

[ortega]

i have taken my section padding from my old f2 (RIP) and inserted it into my J2
so now my J2 is fully padded with 8 sections in the main compartment

[lightrules]

Originally Posted by alant Thanks for the feedback pals! Looks like the J1 might be a better fit for my 80-200mm lens as per advised by calebk. Next, does anyone else here owns a J1 or J2? Just curious if the inside of the bag is fully padded or not as from the pictures on the web, it seems to be fully padded inside. Then again, it could be like the F2 or F1 whereby 1 section is not padded. Looking forward to any inputs and confirmation on this. Thanks.

I recommend the F4AF since it can take a lot of stuff and most important it takes the pro body with 70-200 attached.

However nice the canvas feels, note the the J2 ballastic nylon will not shed any particles.
I love the canvas but they do generate particles.