domke 803 vs the 5xb

[back alley]

does anyone have both the domke f5xb and the f 803?
how would you compare the two?

i'm getting another bag and was planning (auto pilot?) on getting another 5xb but then thought i might like to have another style to add to the mix.

i just got a used 802 but find it too big for camera use tho it makes a great day bag with camera added along with my normal stuff.

the 5xb works great and i have no complaints but wonder if the larger 803 might be good also.

it would likely carry 2 cameras with lenses attached, maybe one more lens, extra film, light meter.

joe

 

[amateriat]

Joe, based on your stated needs, along with the fact that you already have a 5XB, I think you should strongly consider the 803. I've been using mine–hard–for the last four-plus years, and for carrying a pair of RFs around, lenses mounted, with a third lens and small flash in the center compartment, I think it's hard to beat, and is slender and unassuming–it doesn't get in my way while shooting, but is pretty easy to get in and out of with minimal fuss. And there's still room for a decent amount of film and the usual few necessaries.


- Barrett

 

[eon]

I have them both, but since i bought the F803 the F5XB haven't seen much use.
The extra space makes the F803 practical for everyday use carrying one camera well protected as well as some other non photographic items.
F803 looks better too, i think.
/Erik

 

[rover]

I have the 5 with me today, perfect for one camera and the rest of the stuff I throw into it. I usually carry only one body in the 803 too, but with extra lenses, meter and my stuff. The 803 has the back pocket you can slip a file folder into and carry papers around with out folding them.

 

[Ken Ford]

I use a Safrotto 803 clone for my M6 kit, and just picked up a F-5XB for the M3 kit. To me, the 803-sized bag is a better bag for everyday use - the F-5XB is a little on the small size, but acceptable for what I'm using it for.

The F-5XB makes me want to find a nice pair of black pumps - it's *very* mursey IMO. 😀

 

[peter_n]

it would likely carry 2 cameras with lenses attached, maybe one more lens, extra film, light meter.

joe

Domke F-803/Safrotto CF700 clone. I carry 2 cams/attached lenses, film. light meter. Can fit an extra small lens (like a 15mm) into a front pocket. The bag is excellent if you think out your two lens kit beforehand like 28 & 50 or 35 & 75 or 50 & 90. Then you can take a completely diffferent kind of lens like the 15mm. 🙂

 

[back alley]

thanks guys.
i love the 5xb for i i normally use it for, one camera with lens attached, maybe a second lens and film.
it even hold 2 cameras with lenses attached and film, but it's tight.
the 803 might be a nice change of pace.
i don't really need another bag but i like to keep all my gear in bags and at the ready.

 

[back alley]

been looking at safrotto bags.
better prices on the bags but all the sellers are charging very high shipping, even the u.s.sellers.
one guy is charging 35 bucks for shipping on a $35. bag!

photocan charges 10 bucks for shipping but the domke bag costs more.
but the difference is only about $20.

joe

 

[biomed]

Joe
The F-803 with the FA-230 insert allows me to carry two RFs with lenses attatched, 3 lenses and film with room left over for a light meter. I don't always pack it this full. The 803 is my daily carry bag that I take to work and just about every other place I go. I bought it from Adorama or B&H. Good bag!

Mike

 

[physiognomy]

been looking at safrotto bags. better prices on the bags but all the sellers are charging very high shipping, even the u.s.sellers. one guy is charging 35 bucks for shipping on a $35. bag! photocan charges 10 bucks for shipping but the domke bag costs more. but the difference is only about $20. joe

Joe, take a look at some of the Mekko/Safrotto bag threads here for more info on the better sellers... This (click) ebay seller has reasonable shipping rates on items listed in their store. I can't remmeber off hand what I paid for mine, but I know shipping was only $12-15... To be honest, I think that the Mekko bag is better than the Domke. I had the opportunity to compare both when I had my bag in a local photo shop recently & the difference in the material as well as the inserts is clearly evident.

Peter

 

[BillBingham2]

I always was under the impression that Domke inserts were just to subdevide the space, not protect the equipment.

B2 (;->

 

[back alley]

peter, shipping to canada is 28 bucks which brings the total to 75 u.s.

i can get the domke for 95.

i understand the knock offs are well made but they sound like they have more padding and less padding is one thing i liked about the domke bags.

 

[back alley]

b2, the domke inserts haff padding on the walls of the isert and none to little on the bottom.
i use closed cell foam on the bottom of every bag i have, no matter the make.

 

[BillBingham2]

What do I look for when searching (perhap ebay) for closed cell foam? My diaper bags could use a little help in that area. While they have something for insulation, it does not protect from bumps and grinds and such.

B2 (;->

 

[back alley]

it's used under sleeping bags, so a camping store or a good hardware store might have them.
i think i got mine at 'canadian tire', but i doubt they have them in chicago😉

it's the thin camping foam, usually blue in colour.

joe

 

[BillBingham2]

I know the stuff, cool. I'm up in Canada once a year (just was) taking the kids skiing (Horse Shoe Valley). If my company gets a big deal, I'm hoping to be one of the PMs on the deal and beable to go up more on business. I grew up in Rochester NY and used to go to Toronto every three or four months for one reason or another.

Thanks.

B2 (;->

 

[back alley]

i had a billinham s3 bag, very nice. sort of the british domke 5xb.

 

[peter_n]

I've been using Domke/Safrotto daily for over a year. For a number of reasons I like the clone bag better. #1 is that the plastic stiffener at the top of the Domke makes the bag very uncomfortable to wear. The clone has no stiffener and molds to the shape of your body easily. #2 is that about a year ago I had a very bad fall in a railway station. The bag slammed into the ground with an M7 & 35/1.4 ASPH in it. 😱 I was badly bruised, trousers torn. 😱 Camera was unharmed. 😀 If that had been the F-803 I'm convinced the camera would have been damaged. 🙁

 

[hth]

I have both. My f5xb has been used a lot, the f803 not so much. I sort of feel a bit foolish carrying the f803, maybe because it is to nice and new looking, but I sometimes use it when I want to bring more gear, to keep it arranged in the car.

These days I tend to use a proper backpack and the camera I use out of it ready for use. The reason is that my back started to complain about the way f5xb put uneven load on it.

The f5xb is good for one camera and a couple of lenses, but can be coaxed to take two bodies. The f803 easily take 2-3 bodies and extras. I sometimes brought two RF bodies and a TLR in the f803, and I guess I had a couple of extra lenses as well on top of an RF body.

The outer compartment pockets are an extra plus for the f803, but they cannot be zipped shut, so you need to think a little bit about what you put there, and/or take it easy with how you tilt your bag around.

The f803 is a nice bag, and I would be more comfortable using it for two bodies than trying to fit two bodies into the f5xb and avoid having them scratched by the zipper when I take one out. Then on the other hand, I am not so comfortable to use more than one body at a time.

A backpack works better for me, otherwise I would probably use the f803 on a longer trip and the f5xb for short outings with limited equipment.

Neither of the Domke bags work well with a Mamiya 7. I have put it into the f5xb at some occasion, but I doubt I would put it into the f803, which feels less flexible and even more narrow, but without the crammed corner openings with scratching zippers.. 😉

Did you get any wiser? 🙄

/Håkan

does anyone have both the domke f5xb and the f 803?
how would you compare the two? [....]

it would likely carry 2 cameras with lenses attached, maybe one more lens, extra film, light meter.

joe

 

[back alley]

much wiser hth, thanks.

from all i have read i think i will go for the 803 as i want it for 2 cameras plus meter, film etc.
it might be a good travel bag for the complete zi kit also.

joe