Camera bag questions!

[kchoquette]

Right now I'm rolling with a Think Tank Photo Retrospective 5 bag, and while it's perfect for some every day use, it's definitely not big enough for my purposes, now that I've accumulated the setup I think I'm going to be working with for a while.

So I'll basically list what it is I'm going to want to carry every day and see if you all know any bags that'll fit it all!

Leica M3 with an extra lens, Nikon FM with an extra lens and a Yashica D TLR. There'll be some extra stuff in there including film and probably your standard little notebook and some pens.

I was thinking a Domke F-3X or even an F-2 might do the trick, but I'm not entirely sure because checking the measurements and it actually doesn't seem much bigger than the Retrospective 5, excluding the fact that they have outside compartments.

Help!

 

[back alley]

retro 7 or 10 might work...

 

[kchoquette]

That's true, the 7 or 10 would possibly work, but it's much harder to find a Retro bag used, whereas the Domke bags are generally not too hard to find.

 

[back alley]

That's true, the 7 or 10 would possibly work, but it's much harder to find a Retro bag used, whereas the Domke bags are generally not too hard to find.

might be a reason for that...
in domke i always liked the f6...holds a ton of gear and not too bulky to carry...

 

[kxl]

Retro 10 should do.

 

[wilonstott]

I'll tell you right now that a Domke F-3x won't do it.

I used to use that as my primary, and carried 2 M bodies with lenses mounted, and sometimes 3 extra lenses (mostly 2). I could carry all that in main compartment, but it was kinda cramped. I used the side pockets for a small flash, film, and other odds and ends. I like a little give in the bag (not completely full), because I feel like if it's too tight, it sort of compromises the bag's ability to take impact.

F2 might be the way to go. However, it's big. Perhaps try an F6. It's essentially an F2 without the side pockets. I find that it takes up only slightly less room than the F-3x, but remarkably feels less bulky.

I've carried a YashicaMat in an F6 before, with all my other stuff (sans flash), and everything fit fine. I think it's a great bag.

The more I've used Domke bags, the less I like the side compartments. I just don't feel like I get tremendous use out of them. Plus, I always feel like they're kind of 'out in the open' in terms of opportunistic hands (pet fear of mine) and in terms of knocks because they aren't padded at all. They tend to add to the bulkiness of the bag as well, because the strap doesn't surround them; therefore, they don't get compressed like the rest of the bag when it's on your shoulder.

Long story short--if you can get by with an F6, do it. I think it's their best bag. If simply can't get by without more room--go with the F2, but I just don't think it's as mobile.

 

[kchoquette]

@wilonstott
Awesome! This is exactly the kinda clarification I need. The Tiffen site kind of makes it hard to sort through which might be the best for my uses. How do you have your bag setup to fit all of those things--curious if you even possibly have a picture of the thing loaded up. The little graphic they have on the website makes it seem like all that gear you've mentioned wouldn't fit!

 

[wilonstott]

Don't have a picture, but I'll tell you what I do.

F-3x:
I put the cameras with lenses mounted in the two larger compartments at the front and rear of the bag. I slide them in sideways and in opposite directions, and with the tops of the cameras facing one another.
On the two smaller sections on the sides, I put the lenses. I put my lenses in small neoprene can cozies, and I stack them on top of one another--two to each side. I generally have an accessory viewfinder in a small bag that I will set on top of whichever lens side has the most room. I'll throw a microfiber cloth over the whole thing, and put my digisix on top of that. Top goes down. On the side compartments I keep a flash and cord in one, and filters/hoods and film in the other. In the front slip pocket I keep a notebook, and maybe another roll or two of film.

F6: I have an extra insert in addition to the 4-compartment insert--it's just oblong and takes up the majority of the extra space. I generally throw which ever camera has the bigger lens in that compartment. In the 4-compartment cell, I wedge the other body in sideways if the lens is a little big, and the the other lenses are stacked in two other compartments. The fourth is for the flash and cords. If I have a yashicamat, then I leave the flash out (on second though, I could probably fit the flash if pressed). The big pocked on the front holds film, filters, hoods, and I can slide a notebook in the side--between the side of the bag and the padding. Also, there's a fair amount of room in the big compartment in addition to the M with the bigger lens. Like I said, I don't really like it filled to brim.