bag recommendation?

[rover]

i am on meds that keep my bp low so the heart has less work to do but sometimes the bp goes a touch too low

Low is as bad as too high, keep track of it and discuss with your physician about adjustments in your Rx if necessary.

My doctor was all bent out of shape when he thought my BP was falling too low. I wanted to remind him that it was his fault, but I didn't think he would have been able to take that criticism at the time.

Regardless, relax this afternoon, take advantage of the unexpected time off.

 

[back alley]

ray, i agree that f6 looks good.
it has a 4 insert that would hold the lenses and enough extra space outside of the insert for the camera with lens attached.
and what looks like plenty of room in the outside pouch for film.
i might look for a used one with a wtb ad.

and rover, i'm not sure exactly why they keep mine low other than for less exertion on the heart. i was off the bp meds for 2 weeks when they were making changes in my med routine and that was the only time i felt like the 'old' me with some extra energy.

 

[Rob-F]

As the owner/user of two 5XB's, an 803, an F6, and a lot of other stuff, I think the F6 sounds like a good suggestion. The roomy main compartment is a lot easier and quicker to drop a camera and lens into--especially with aux finder attached--than a 5XB. And with four lens compartments, it will enough room for what you said you want to carry.

Of course, you could carry a 5XB on each shoulder. Not.

 

[vrgard]

Intentionally or not, Rob-F has raised a good point. That is, what's the intended use case? Here's what he said last year on photo.net and I think it makes a lot of sense (amazing how easy it is to find these things via a simple Google search - hope you don't mind that I quoted you Rob):

"Really, it depends on your purpose. I use the F-6, or the 803, or the F5XB, depending on what I'm doing. The F6 is a 'working' bag more so than a compact storage bag. I can drop an M6 with a large lens into the main compartment, another M6 with a small lens into one of the four padded cells, and several other lenses into the three remaining cells. The compartments are large enough so as not to be fiddly. You don't have to waste time carefully slipping lenses and cameras into place. You just drop them in.

For a compact bag to take into a museum, restaurant, etc. or on a hike or onto an airplane, the 803 or F5XB are better."

So, in addition to the basic question of "will everything fit?" there's also the question of how and where you intend to use the bag.

Hope this helps.

-Randy

 

[Trius]

F6. I have one, along with the F5-XB (or whatever the heck it is; that's just too complicated a model #), and the F6, IMO, would be perfect. I can carry 3-4 fixed lens RFs in it comfortably (I bought the 2-compartment insert to make it a more roomy bag), or an OM-1 kit plus a 35SP, etc.

It molds to the body really well, at least the canvas version. I've had mine for well over a year and have yet to wash it, but it is soft enough having worn in a bit. Maybe I'll wash it soon and see how good it can get.

I found Helix had the best online price, shipping was reasonable to the US at least.

 

[rover]

F6 is a really nice bag to go out shooting with. Small, but with 4 nice compartments for lenses and stuff, and a larger area for some more stuff. Well organized and comfortable to carry.

I just loaded up my F3x for a trip out Friday. Camera, digi p&s, two extra lenses film and stuff. It is like you M Classic in use. More of a big bag to dump stuff which will mill around inside. I don't mind it when carrying a small kit, gives me extra room for other things if I find any to take home with me.

 

[back alley]

trius, helix has them at a good price but shipping is 26 bucks.
a bit much when photocan ships for 10, too bad they are out of them for now.
but i am in no great hurry.
besides i prefer to buy used, already broken in bags.

joe

 

[sepiareverb]

My main usual bag is the old standby F2-used to have 2 1-cpmt inserts and a 2 compt insert w/o foam in the middle- 2 bodies w/small lenses, extra lens and a 'drop box' for exposed films. lots of space in the pockets for everything- I carry a lot of extra film, filters, and etc. Now (thanks Joe) I have 3 1 cmpt inserts and can carry 3 bodies w/lenses easily. I dislike changing lenses in the field for just that reason you mention- dropped a Nikon 105/2.5 once- thankfully I was in the woods and it has a cushy landing- nearly had a heart attack tho as it left my hand. The F2 is a nice size for me- I carry the 803 when travelling light, and have the 'little bit bigger' bag (the one that can hold 4 inserts whatever the # is) for those rare days I want a lot. That big bag was the main one in the SLR stock shooting days- and acts as my 'storage closet' most of the time now.

-hope you're feeling better Joe!

 

[back alley]

feeling a bit better now, thanks.

how would you compare the 803 and the f6?
joe

 

[sepiareverb]

I think the F6 is the same size as the F2- sans the side pockets and a little bit shallower- 7" deep I believe. That is a great size- the full depth bags do tend to seem a little too deep for RF gear- fine for an F5 or EOS, but deeper than needed for a M size body. If you're not needing the side pockets (mine are my fresh film pockets) that would be great- picture 3 inserts in a row and you're there- plus a touch more space- I keep my notebook in one end and can get it in & out easily even if the inserts are full. DOn't forget the pocket in the lid- I'm not sure if the F6 has that one- probably does- a huge amount of space hides in there- but you don't get the smaller front flap pockets like on the 803...

 

[peter_n]

how would you compare the 803 and the f6?
joe

F-803 has the satchel shape (thinner) and the F-6 is a bit more squarish. The F803 is deeper than the F-6 and I find both easy to work out of but the shape of the F-803 means you have to stack lenses on top of each other if you want to take 4 lenses with you. I find the F-6 the most convenient bag to work out of because it is shallow and you can get at everything very easily. The top of the F-6 has a zippered compartment utilizing about 1/2 the area of the canvas, and there is a pocket on the front that will hold light meter, film, etc. I think the F-6 is the best solution for a one or two camera kit out of my 4 Domke bags.

 

[back alley]

i like the shallow aspect of the bag, never been a big fan of the square bag.
but i want to carry the full cv kit most of the time, it's all small and light, and i want easy access to everything.
i put a wtb ad in the classified and will keep an eye on 'photocan' for new stock to appear.
joe

 

[back alley]

talk about timing!
photocan just restocked it's store and now have the f6 back in the line up.
i ordered one.
seems a good choice for the cv kit.

thanks everyone.
joe

 

[sepiareverb]

Sounds like you get both the front pockets AND the top pocket too- score.

 

[peter_n]

Top pocket on the F-6 is small compared to the F-2. Front pocket on the F-6 is excellent; it stretches across almost the whole width of the front of the bag and has zippers instead of Velcro.

 

[dostacos]

to comfortably fit...

r4m and 15/finder, 21, 28, 35 and maybe a 40/2.

so far, i think all would actually squeeze into a domke 5xb, but very tight and i can see lenses slipping out of my hand when trying to change them on the camera.

not the 803 😉

joe

try a little bit smaller F-6, add a second 4 slot pouch and you have 8 spaces for body and lenses plus [a BIG plus] a front zippered pouch that holds 10+ rolls of film in the box with room for more stuff. with the 5XB you will need to stack 2 lenses on either side of the center section with camera body and small lens and not much room for film

 

[ray_g]

add a second 4 slot pouch and you have 8 spaces for body and lenses

Which domke insert (4 slot pouch) is that? I don't think the F6 can accomodate 2 of the original 4-compartment inserts, can it?

 

[LazyHammock]

Which domke insert (4 slot pouch) is that? I don't think the F6 can accomodate 2 of the original 4-compartment inserts, can it?

Looking at mine you would only get one 4-slot insert in there. Although if you carry a TLR and one RF it is the perfect size. I really like the back pouch for notebooks, street guides, maps etc. I would highly recommend the optional shoulder pad.
Nick

 

[back alley]

i think the 4 pouch will be good. 4 lenses plus a body with lens attached in the 'extra' space, film in the big outside pocket.
i did get the shoulder pad.

 

[Trius]

The top pocket of the F6 is just fun for RF accessories, IMO. I mean, how much extra stuff can you carry with an R4 kit? And who wants the weight?

A single 4-compartment insert should work really well for Joe's kit; 2 of them might fit, but it would be tight and like Joe, I don't like cramping.

I'm sure you'll like it, Joe. Where is Photocan?