DOMKE camera bag: cotton vs balistic ?

[sprokitt]

I still have my first Domke, and F2 that my then girlfriend / now wife bought for me back in 1990. I also have an F3x i bought myself in 93 or 94. Both have been everywhere and are still fantastic bags. The F2 got so grungy that a while back I tossed it in the washer - came out fine except it didn't hold its shape as well. Quick solution, I starched the hell out of it and that solved the problem. The gripper rubber dried out a bit in one of the straps, but that's to be expected from a 20+ year old bag. I ripped the F3x once (long story). Took it to a cobbler who stitched it up good as new. In fact, I think it even cooler with the stitching.

I carry cameras in my Domke's - that's what they're for. When I need to store or transport (a-la airline) I pack in a large old heavily padded Tamrac. The Domke goes along for the ride and goes on duty when I arrive.

I've not used a ballistic Domke. The closest I've come was an old Tamrac Correspondent bag which was effectively a ballistic nylon F2. I got it used for a job in some very wet weather. I would have to agree with an earlier comment that the ballistic didn't hold up as well. In fact, that old ballistic bag wore out 5+ years ago while the canvas Domke's are still going strong.

Can't go wrong with the Domke's in my opinion. I've tried a bunch of bags. I've even used some Billinghams, but always go back to my Domke's.

Best-

 

[Harry Lime]

I've had an navy F6 for about 12 years now. Heavy use and it's still going strong.
I don't use all of the foam plates it came with, so it's not as rigid. It looks more like an old beat up gym bag, than something holding cameras.

I also have the nylon J803. Very tough bag. I've had that for about 6-7 years and it's held up perfectly. Really nice for 2 X M plus a Rolleiflex or SLR and goodies.

Obviously the nylon is more water resistant, but the F6 has a nylon lining, which offers some protection. I carried my F6 all over London and Vancouver for 4 years and they saw plenty of showers. Cameras were fine.

IMO the only bags I have used that are in the same class as Domke are from Billingham. I have an L2 that I've carried almost daily since around 1998 and it's still going strong. It took me years to wear the 'new' off that bag.

 

[Rob-F]

I have two cotton f6s and consider them ideal for two M bodies and four (or even five) lenses. From an aesthetic and tactile standpoint I prefer cotton. If necessity dictates, then I would go with ballistic cloth, but that would be my second choice. I understand that the wax or oiled cloth is also a necessity-only choice because the coating wears off on clothes; and there is a tendency to develop holes.

 

[shadowfox]

Adding to the vote for the cotton F2. They are more comfortable around my waist.
I've lugged mine everywhere, lots of dirt, some snow and rain.
Doesn't look new anymore but nicely worn.

The metal clips are strong, but once or twice I was in a hurry and flapped the bag lid shut, those clips knocked on the glass (of the filter, thank heavens) on an upturned lens. I am now very careful about always putting cameras facing down or to the side in the bag.

 

[icebear]

Thanks for all your input, guys.

I guess I will have to go to a store where I can touch the actual bags to make a final decision. The oil/wax wearing off on clothes and rubbing holes in it does not evoke much confidence.

I agree that most likely the cotton/heavy denim version has a nicer touch but a surprise shower should not make me want to wrap a plastic bag over the camera bag. Here my current Lowe has a hidden fold in rain cover for a downpour kind of rain but I used it maybe twice during all these years.

 

[umcelinho]

it can carry A LOT of stuff.


Inside the F6 by Marcelo Colmenero, on Flickr

but wait.... it can carry even more. I've already had inside my F6:
- M4 with v1 35mm cron
- Hexar RF with 1.5 Nokton
- Fuji X100
- Epson R-D1 with 12/5.6
- Biogon 21/2.8
- Summicron 35 v4
- Nokton 35/1.2
- Canon 50/0.95
- Canon 50/1.8
- Canon 35/2
- Ultron 35/1.7

and the front pocked was still empty.
it's a MAGIC bag really. I had a green cotton one.
i found it too thick to use sometimes, also the sides wouldnt be so well covered from rain.
you can always spray some weatherproof product on the canvas, i guess...
what i like about the f6 is that everything is there ready for you. i got a billingham hadley pro and it's MUCH more well made, and slimmer, but you gotta work in two "floors" to access things... i think i prefer the f6 in that sense. for daily use though i have a billingham hadley small, can take a lot of stuff and i really like it.

 

[batey_1020]

Thanks for all your input, guys.

I guess I will have to go to a store where I can touch the actual bags to make a final decision. The oil/wax wearing off on clothes and rubbing holes in it does not evoke much confidence.

I agree that most likely the cotton/heavy denim version has a nicer touch but a surprise shower should not make me want to wrap a plastic bag over the camera bag. Here my current Lowe has a hidden fold in rain cover for a downpour kind of rain but I used it maybe twice during all these years.

Ive got an F6 cotton. Only had it a few months but what you mentioned about the rain cover. My old bag had this and the only time in 5 years i ever used it was when i shooting for a mate at the snow. That was more to keep the snow out. So i hadn't even thought about it for the Domke.

I tend to think with all the padding and stuff in them a shower would be a problem (havn't tested that yet) but it would have to be a decent shower or constant rain to soak through and by that time ive normally found a coffee shop out of the rain 🙂

 

[icebear]

it can carry A LOT of stuff.


Inside the F6 by Marcelo Colmenero, on Flickr

but wait.... it can carry even more. I've already had inside my F6:
- M4 with v1 35mm cron
- Hexar RF with 1.5 Nokton
- Fuji X100
- Epson R-D1 with 12/5.6
- Biogon 21/2.8
- Summicron 35 v4
- Nokton 35/1.2
- Canon 50/0.95
- Canon 50/1.8
- Canon 35/2
- Ultron 35/1.7
...

Holy moly, do you have a professional sherpa to carry it for you or are you into body building ? 😀

2 bodies , 4 lenses max. and the usual acessories for digital, moleskin notebook, pen, black tape, pop-out map that's basically it. I don't want to break my back. I always get the message after 3 -4 hrs in case I packed the Noct. ...

 

[jimrohrer]

I have used both the cotton and ballistic Domke bags. My vote would be for the ballistic only because it sheds the rain better. My cotton F2 bags are nice but not very good in a rainstorm!
-Jim

 

[VinceC]

The denim/cotton is fine for everyday rain (I used Domke bags daily in rainy Germany for most of two decades). I usually keep a plastic trash bag rolled up in a pocket of the bag in case of a no-kidding downpour. I do this also for my work briefcase now that I'm more of an office supervisor. However, I've never needed to actually use it.

 

[sepiareverb]

The metal clips are one of the best features. Plastic clips ALWAYS seem to break.

Agreed. And I have no trouble with them one handed, despite some arthritis. They get cold when it gets cold, but they NEVER break. Plastic breaks. I replaced a Tamrac bag with a Domke a very long time ago- far longer ago than the Tamrac lasted.

I've never had trouble with a Domke bag in the rain. I used an F2 and an F1X exclusively shooting nature stock images for years in all kinds of weather with zero troubles. From downpours to sleet to blizzards, I've been caught in it all in the backcountry and I never had a camera, lens or film wet while in the bag. Preferred the Domke to a backpack as it didn't get me wet after loading or unloading it in the rain or dew.

 

[peter_n]

I've only used cotton Domke bags and have had several. Currently I have two Domkes, a 25 yr-old F-2 and an F-1X. I also have two Safrotto satchels, F-803 and F-802. The Safrotto bags are much better than the current Domkes and come with inserts, a shoulder pad etc. They can be bought on eBay. The metalwork is not an issue, and I use Nikwax TX.Direct on my my bags; one spray makes them rain resistant, two or three sprays and they're waterproof. It's for canvas tents and can be bought at places like REI.

 

[icebear]

... The Safrotto bags are much better than the current Domkes and come with inserts, a shoulder pad etc. They can be bought on eBay. The metalwork is not an issue, and I use Nikwax TX.Direct on my my bags; one spray makes them rain resistant, two or three sprays and they're waterproof. It's for canvas tents and can be bought at places like REI.

Hi Peter,
has the quality of the Domkes changed (for worse) over the years? Or am I reading wrong between the lines?

I have experience with Fjaell Raven Greenland wax to waterproof clothing. You just rub it over the fabric and use a hair dryer to melt it afterwards. So I was already considering that in case I go with the cotton version.

 

[peter_n]

Hi Peter, has the quality of the Domkes changed (for worse) over the years? Or am I reading wrong between the lines?

Well I think the quality is nowhere near what it used to be and that's what drove me to the Safrotto bags. I had a bad fall a few years ago on pavement and was carrying my usual MP+35mm in a Safrotto bag. The camera bag really hit the ground hard and I was convinced something had been broken inside. But the thick padded insert in the bag protected everything. I was so glad I had the Safrotto instead of my old Domke F-803 with the paper-thin insert. That bag saved my camera & lens. The other thing is that the Safrottos are almost half the price of the Domkes with thicker canvas, better stitching, a thicker strap and no annoying plastic stiffener in the top cover (at least on the satchels). Same design but just an all-round better product.

 

[icebear]

Hi Peter,

I guess this is one more point to get into a brick store and inspect the bags myself.
Not only for the difference in material (cotton vs ballistic) but also the overall quality. Maybe then I'll decide to stick to my Lowe for now and not buy something that won't be used on a regular bases.
The F-6 currently is selling for around $85 at the ususal places, so if you calculate a profit for everyone involved that's not too much left for the bag itself (material and manufacturing), so your statement makes much sense - unfortunately this is right for so many product nowdays...

 

[peter_n]

Well unfortunately Klaus you may not be able to find a brick & mortar store that carries them. AFAIK they're only sold on eBay. I hope I'm wrong about that but I don't think so.

 

[newsgrunt]

I found Safrottos in the camera mall in Beijing 😉

Be mindful though that these are direct knock offs of Domke products if that in any way bothers you. Quality is equal imo and as Peter noted, the inserts are beefier. Domke really should go with thicker foam and actually sew the seams closed instead of sleeving it loose as it can slip out the bottom of the insert as mine do on occasion.

 

[VinceC]

The philosophy behind Domke bags is not to heavily pad the gear. The denim is purposefully thin and lightly padded so that 1) the bag more or less can collapse/compress around the individual items, reducing their likelihood of shaking around or knocking against each other, and 2) the bag is flexbilbe enough that it comforms to your body (hip, usually) as you walk around with it. It also can be snugged into fairly tight spaces in a car boot, closet, airline overhead, etc. The bag was originally designed for daily news shooters who use their equipment a lot and don't want to have the volume/mass/weight of extra padding get in their way. The extra pockets are perfectly sized for passports, business cards, extra pens, notebooks, rolls of film, a tape/digital recorder, maps and brochures.

For many photograhers, this kind of bag is absolutlely the wrong philosophy, and it's definitely not for everyone.

 

[peter_n]

For satchels I think the Safrottos are a good solution, I have two of them. But I admit that my F-2 and F-1X are both original Domkes partially for the reasons that Vince states above. The OP is strongly thinking of an F-6 and I don't think I've seen that bag in a Safrotto version.

 

[Harry Lime]

The philosophy behind Domke bags is not to heavily pad the gear. The denim is purposefully thin and lightly padded so that 1) the bag more or less can collapse/compress around the individual items, reducing their likelihood of shaking around or knocking against each other, and 2) the bag is flexbilbe enough that it comforms to your body (hip, usually) as you walk around with it. It also can be snugged into fairly tight spaces in a car boot, closet, airline overhead, etc. The bag was originally designed for daily news shooters who use their equipment a lot and don't want to have the volume/mass/weight of extra padding get in their way. The extra pockets are perfectly sized for passports, business cards, extra pens, notebooks, rolls of film, a tape/digital recorder, maps and brochures.

For many photographers, this kind of bag is absolutlely the wrong philosophy, and it's definitely not for everyone.

All true, but that said, out of the box with all of the foam plates in place the Domke bags do offer some serious protection.

But as you said, I pull out about half of them so the bag conforms around my body.