Aftermarket inserts for Domke bags?

Ken Ford

Ken Ford

Refuses to suffer fools
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I'm a long time Domke user; I think I have four or five right now. My most used ones are a F4AF which stays loaded for action shooting with a gripped DSLR and 80-200/2.8 plus a WA zoom and a F6 which is my general bag. My F2 stays loaded with my MF Nikkors. (The M6, X100s and NEX kits reside in smaller non-Domke bags.)

My problem is this: I've been picking up my holy grail AF Nikkor primes, and they're all fatter than is comfortable for the Domke inserts. I'd like to set up the F6 as a permanent home for these plus whichever body I'm using that day. Max load would be:

D700 with vertical grip (but my Df would be more usual)
24/1.4G
35/1.4G (mounted)
58/1.4G
85/1.4G
SB-800

I might do better picking up another F2, but I really like the size of the F6 for an everyday carry kit. I'd consider other brands but they would need to have the nonslip strap - I *hate* bag shoulder pads.

Are there any options for non-Domke inserts for the F6? I tried one made by Ciesta from Amazon and was unimpressed - it went back. I'm about ready to try my hand at sewing a custom insert.
 
Ken, I don't use your bag, but I have two good inserts for my J803 - one from China and another from Korea.

I looked up the bag's internal dimensions and then searched Ebay for matches. There were many to choose from. They are cheap enough that you could try multiple. I'm impressed with the quality of mine. Way better than the original Domke.

BTW, I had a luggage repair shop change the metal clasp to a plastic snap clip from an old bag. Really happy with that change, which alows one-handed operation. And I use an Upstrap on mine, rather than the Domke strap. It's a real hybrid but much improved.

John
 
As mentioned, I didn't care for the Ciesta insert I tried at all. Much, much too padded.

Thanks, John - I didn't have a lot of luck looking on eBay awhile back, I'll try again.
 
Hmmm. After looking at the inserts on eBay, I'm beginning to think the best solution is... another F2. ;) I can keep the F6 set up for minimalist shooting with only two lenses.
 
the domke inserts work fine for me...they last long, are sturdier than they look and provide 'enough' padding to work without getting too bulky or heavy.
that being said i have found some good generic ones on ebay as well...had to order a few some of which didn't work out so well.
 
I've had great luck with Domke inserts... with MF-sized lenses. The fat coffee can f1.4 Nikkor primes are too big for their standard stitched inserts or for the way the Velcro ones have to be used.

My girlfriend's mother is a sewing machine maven - I'm thinking I'll try to work up an unpadded insert design for her to make.
 
The inside of a F2 I don't use anymore.



I think the divided by four insert was original. With that many lenses I think another F2 is in order. Doesn't sound like fun though. Is this for carrying bodies and lenses all together?
 
I think you're right - my F2 is a recent one (my late 70s one turned to dust years ago) and I'm pretty sure that's the insert it came with. Stupid me didn't think to try fitting the new primes in the F2 insert this morning, I'll have to do that tonight.

Yes - one bag for a body with four lenses and Speedlight, and if I can stuff the 180/2.8 in there too all the better. I'll use the F6 as a "light day" bag - body, two lenses and a Speedlight.
 
i fit 3 bodies with lenses attached into an f6...it's tight...
i recently picked up an f1x...it's huge! i can fit everything i own in there! bigger than an f2.
 
People might also try Etsy. Prices likely won't be nearly as good as Chinese stuff, but you may come across sources that can make custom sizes, etc.
 
photomoof said:
I have never loved Domke inserts, but I have modified them with foam bottoms to make them work for me.

John do you have a link to the ones you bought?
Click to expand...

This right here. Take out the rigid bottom padding/plywood and cut squares of dense foam for the individual insert's spaces. Lenses get the padding they need and the bag will conform to the hip much better. A lot easier on the trouser leg too.

s-a
 
semi-ambivalent said:
This right here. Take out the rigid bottom padding/plywood and cut squares of dense foam for the individual insert's spaces. Lenses get the padding they need and the bag will conform to the hip much better. A lot easier on the trouser leg too.

s-a
Click to expand...

I really dislike overpadded bags - I usually remove all the closed cell foam, and if the bottom board is overly rigid I replace it with a double thickness of small bubblewrap sheet. That's why I fell in love with my original F2, it was the first bag I found back in the day that would mold to my butt like a Leica bag but had usable storage.
 
Ok, I managed to get the F6 set up for the Df, three lenses and my SB-400. I did it by putting the Velcro divider in a Y shape making two large and one smaller compartment using the original Domke insert. It's a start.
 
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