Domke Bags

agentlossing

agentlossing

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I've briefly owned a couple of Domke bags, the little F5XA and the Heritage bag (which I'm pretty sure is the F5XB or similar) and ended up returning both of those, one with the tags still on, as they were just a little too cramped feeling getting things in and out. I like small bags and I typically use small cameras (only my Pentax KP when the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 is mounted feels anything but fairly small), but the cover and zipper opening was awkward for me.

How's the F2, for those of you who've used one? It might be about the right size for me, I'd like to carry a film camera and a digital, and maybe an extra lens. Do you like Domke bags in general? Even though I haven't found the right fit, I keep being drawn back to their styling and solid construction, and the strap sits so well without sliding. Bags get a lot fancier than Domke, and a lot more expensive, but I keep thinking if I find the right one it'll be a winner for me.
 
I've used a Domke FX-5B since 2014 and love it. At first I carried two Fuji FX-100 models, one for color/general and one infrared modified.

Now I'm carrying two Barnacks, a Leica IIIf and a Canon IV usually with room for film and a small meter. It has always been a wonderful size and I can't imagine parting with it. The Velcro has been a bit of a nuisance but I have lived with it.

In 2019, I bought a F-803 camera satchel. I have used it very little so I can't really comment on it.
 
I'm a fan of the Domke's and have had quite a few. I have 2 of the 803 Messenger bags and my favourite which may not be made any more.....is a roughly 2/3 size of the messenger that holds a leica and a few lenses (F10 maybe). I had and gave away an F2 and an F8 because i just don't carry that much stuff. I've never worn one out. Some of mine are 20 years old and faded and a little ragged but not remotely worn out. I've got a virtually new 5xb but they're a pain, because once you move the flap, you have to fight your way through the zipped part. I've had a Billingham but gave that away too since it just screamed 'expensive cameras'.... a worn Domke is much more discreet. An F2 might work for you....but the messenger style like the 803 is thinner under your arm
 
I used an F2 for years as a work bag. Gear was transported in cases and then some onto an F2. Great bag (the original) but, it needed padding. I used closed cell foam. one layer on the bottom, one in front of the partitions and smaller pieces inside the lens partitions when stacking primes.

Packed with gear, it can be quite heavy. I typically packed two F3's with MD4's and a bunch of primes. Nothing longer than a 180.

If doing the same today, i would have split the load between 2 F2's. I didn't walk around with these bags. They, along with a lot of other gear, were moved from picture site to picture site during a work day.

When moving to digital, i began using a small photo backpack. Again, I didn't pack this around, i simply transported hardware in it. I often worked out of it like the Domkey once I was set up.
 
The F2 is several times larger than the wee Domkes you tried.
Many Domke models fall in between those extremes.

I suggest you also take a look at their F3X and F6 bags.

Chris
 
Domke f10 is the perfect size

Domke f10 is the perfect size

I have a domke f10 and and f803. I also own a Pentax kp with some da limited and a Bessa t with voigtlaender 40 f1.4.
I prefer the f10 over the f803. Everything fits in the f10 . The f803 has slightly more space, but it is too deep for my taste.
 
Not sure if this suits your styling preferences, but may I recommend the J-3? I've got one, in ballistic nylon. It's over 20 years old and beat to hell, but it just looks....distinguished. And it works as good as the day it was made.

It's not too big, but pretty generous with what it fits. Mine currently contains my Nikon FE with motor drive, six prime lenses (24/2.8, 28/2.0, 35/2.0, 50/1.8, 105/2.5 and 200/4.0) a small flash, an SC-17 remote cord, and several other small bits.

A friend of mine in London had the tan canvas version of the same bag, and used to carry around a two-lens Hasselblad kit with a Vivitar 283. He abused the hell out of his, too, and it kept on going into battle.

The bag exemplifies the Domke philosophy of being able to grab stuff out of it quickly, without even having to look. And no zippers (except the accessory compartment in the lid) to deal with.
 
I have only one Domke bag. It was -100 or more USD sale on BH. It replaced my one week travel, one day on-site bag. It has computer compartment and large padded compartment. Also tipycal Domke primitive pockets. Shoulder belt metal triangles keep on coming out from bag straps. It is under 200 usd after -100 usd discount bag and it holds ok for decade or so.

To me thier camera only bags are primitive and nothing special, overpriced brand.
But it would be my second choice after Tamac Rally camera bags. Those are best, durable, functional, not priced for tasteless snobs bags.

If I would spend money on something special and pricy it would be Porta Brace bag. I don't think typical Leica buy it all knows what it is about. And it feels good :) .
 
Have had my F4-AF for 12years now.

Smaller than a F2 but holds 2x 35mm SLRs with small primes + a heavy zoom. Fit a ton of other junk in a slew of exterior pouches. Fits more than you’ll want to carry in weight. Always thought I would try a smaller bag. Especially for RF or Mirrorless
 
I recently bought an F2. I use one of the messenger bags as a brief case. It's about 15 years old, gets hard use, has been through the washing machine a number of times and holds up great. I was really happy with that bag so bought the F2 when I needed something bigger than a one camera Tenba bag I had.

I have a good size MF SLR, 35mm rangefinder and Instax mini in the F2 with some accessories. It all fits well and is pretty comfortable to carry. Their straps are great and I have bought their Grubber strap for one of my cameras.
 
I never liked camera bags, until I bought a Dome F2 in 1993. A sand color with which I traveled a lot in SE Asia. I really like the style and the ease of carrying it. I replaced it with a black F2 a few years ago because it was a bit worn out , but still usable. Only complaint is that it 's not very waterproof. I'd prefer to buy another sand color F2 for travel in the tropics, because of the heat.

I never had a Billingham , but I am thinking about a Hadley small pro for carrying 2 Leicas M6. But it's a bit fancy and expensive.
 
I've used a Domke J-803 for years. I really dislike their metal clips and replaced mine with a plastic snap clip. Much better. I find their padding pretty lame as well and replaced the insert from ebay. I also replaced the strap with an Upstrap. A frankenbag now but about perfect.

John
 
My wife and I both use F-5XA and F-5XB Domke bags. She dislikes the zipper so we cut it out of one of the F-5XB's she uses. I'm not crazy about Velcro so I cut it out of one of the F-5XA's I use. But my everyday bag is a Small Filson Field Bag given to me by a friend when he gave up trap shooting. He used it for both live and spent shells. It still has a faint smell of cordite.
 
I use an F2 on outings and trips when I want to carry multiple bodies and lenses in addition to the other stuff that goes in the bag like rolls of film, a little meter, my phone and wallet, and a little bottle of water. It’s a great bag if you set it up right. I recommend getting rid of the insert and bottom thick layer that come with it, leave the thin hard plastic layer in, and put an insert from Ciesta in it. They are out of Korea and the insert they make for the F2 is great. I also removed the metal clips from the top flap on my bag. They are obnoxious and unnecessary. The Velcro is enough.
 
I have the Domke FX5B, the F3, and the F4, as well as a couple of the satchels (model I cannot remember). I've had all of them for over 20 years, the FX5B for likely nearer to thirty, and they've always provided excellent service ... and they're obviously very durable since after all this time and use, they still look near to new. The satchel I gave to a friend 15 years ago and he's still using it.

The F2 has always been a bit larger than I needed, since I tend to carry a smallish kit most of the time, and I've not had one for that reason.

The F3 was originally my Nikon F3 plus motor plus three to four lens bag. The F4 has variously been my two bodies/three lenses bag, or my Hasselblad 500CM body/two backs/two lenses bag, or my portable lighting kit bag (flash units, folded reflectors, strapped on light stands, etc). The FX5B has carried a modest kit of many different kinds over the years, it's been my go-to bag whenever I needed something small/light/easily packable and usable as an easy walk around. I think it held a body/three lens kit for both Nikon FM and Leica M6 on several trips, never mind scads of various digital camera kits.

Good, serviceable bags, all of them. Buy once, keep using forever...

G
 
Doug A said:
My wife and I both use F-5XA and F-5XB Domke bags. She dislikes the zipper so we cut it out of one of the F-5XB's she uses. I'm not crazy about Velcro so I cut it out of one of the F-5XA's I use. But my everyday bag is a Small Filson Field Bag given to me by a friend when he gave up trap shooting. He used it for both live and spent shells. It still has a faint smell of cordite.
Click to expand...

That Filson bag is a good idea! I'm familiar with shell bags, haven't thought of using them for camera gear, but they're typically spacious and wear well.
 
WJJ3 said:
I use an F2 on outings and trips when I want to carry multiple bodies and lenses in addition to the other stuff that goes in the bag like rolls of film, a little meter, my phone and wallet, and a little bottle of water. It’s a great bag if you set it up right. I recommend getting rid of the insert and bottom thick layer that come with it, leave the thin hard plastic layer in, and put an insert from Ciesta in it. They are out of Korea and the insert they make for the F2 is great. I also removed the metal clips from the top flap on my bag. They are obnoxious and unnecessary. The Velcro is enough.
Click to expand...

There's a good idea. Do you know the model name for the insert you have? The one thing putting me off from the F2 is the relatively small amount of space in the padded insert.
 
ChrisPlatt said:
The Filson bag should be nice - for $275! :eek:
Chris
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I prefer this bag i found in Japan, made by an Osaka Company called Slow Tools. I find the Filson bag the right size, but heavy, and stiff with the saddle leather strap also too stiff. But my daughter uses one as a purse. :cool:

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