DOMKE camera bag: cotton vs balistic ?

[semi-ambivalent]

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.

The quality of Domke products has never appeared suspect to me, a user for nearly thirty years. Their design has certainly changed and some things about their design might not please you. Fine. Their bags will protect your gear but they're made to work out of, not to serve as a museum display case for delicate things. If that was the case then PJs would never have taken to them as they have.

The padding in the inserts has become denser in recent times, probably in response to user input. I add padding to the bottom of each insert compartment rather than a single rectangle on the whole bottom of the bag. That way the lenses get more protection if you drop the bag onto a hard surface but the bag, as a whole, can still mold to your hip.

In addition to a couple F2s, an F3x (and a little F-5XB I took to Italy for three weeks), I have an 803 and the 802 and the padding on the bottom *is* soft but it's a satchel for crying out loud. I could never work out of it as a real bag. (I would also not compare a brand's old product to another brand's new product. Fallacious logic.) The 80s are fine for carrying a laptop or the Herald Tribune or even a small camera like a Leica or an F with a 45mm f/2.8; not so fine for a working bag. Bad choice on my part but the execution was top notch.

Good bags are expensive. The OP needs to do the touchy feely to make a good personal choice, whatever that choice is. I'll check out the Safrottos, they sound pretty nice.

 

[Godfrey]

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.

Cotton. Scotchguard spray will make it very water-resistant.

- I gave my 17 year old F803 to a friend in 2008. He's still using it.

- The F5XB that's two years older is still in use, although looking a little worn.

- The F3X and F6 that are a hair younger still look new and are in use.

- An original Domke Compact that I acquired used with a Rolleiflex I bought in 1982 is still in good shape and in use.

Good bags.

I was unhappy with the changes to materials and design I saw in the latest F5XB, that's why I went to Billingham, A&A and Lowepro in recent years' purchases.

 

[Calzone]

Klaus,

I have a F-801 (or 803) a F-1 and and F-2, all of ballistic nylon. The F-801 or F-803 is a sachel/book bag that is just the right size for carrying two Leicas and enough film to shoot extensively. Also know that in the past I used this bag to carry both a collapsed Mamaya 6 and a Rollie 3.5F, or a Rollieflex and a Tele Rollieflex. I like that it is low profile and lays flat against my body. Other bags seem to counterlever that do not lay flat against my body. I use the padded inserts for the side pockets from the J-1 which are available separately.

My only complaint is that the ballistic nylon is a tough material that wore a hole through a $500.00 Patagonia Goretex shell. Also I have seen very old Domke's made of ballistic nylon that had been hammered and they get really ugly when they eventually show their wear. They seem to turn into ratty fuzzy balls.

I would not recommend the F-1 or F-2 because they are too big. I'm talking 30-40 pounds of gear. If you want I could bring to the December NYC Meet-Up the F-801 for you to check out.

BTW my current camera bag for one camera is a Louie Vittion leather book bag.

Cal

 

[rovnguy]

I use the F-2 in cotton canvas that I've had for about 12 years. I always jam it full with 2 OM bodies and 6 lenses. Oh yeah, a couple of XA's too. It has worn well and had seen the world about three times. I had to replace the strap last year, but now I'm ready to go another 12 years.

 

[Ryan Karr]

I've had my F-2 "Ruggedwear" (wax finish) for about 5 years. No rubbing off on clothes, looks great, repels water, and looks the same as the day I bought it. Love that bag.

 

[icebear]

Thanks guys for the continued input,
I'm leaning towards the orig. cotton. I don't mind a little wax care now and then - every 5 years after a going in the washing machine 😀.

 

[peter_n]

I had to replace the strap last year, but now I'm ready to go another 12 years.

Same here, ready to go for another 25. Great bag, I think it was the first one Jim Domke designed.

 

[Ronald M]

My Lowe Pro are better than any Domke bag. I have a Large Field & Stream which is no longer available and a old rectangular magnum pro which i built like a tank.

I have a Domke F5 XB which i nice for a RF set, 3.5 wide, maybe 8" long and 6/7 high.
Hold Leica with lens +2 more or a small DSLR like a D40 and a zoom

 

[icebear]

Update : F-6 black, cotton it is.
I took it for a first shootout yesterday.
I have gotten the additional shoulderpad and I might not have found the perfect position but it started hurt after a couple of hours.
I take it that the thicker side of the pad is supposed to be outside on your shoulder?
Anyway, apart from that I think I can not put two M bodies with lenses attached next to the 4 compartment insert. One body with lens, the compartment shifted a bit to the other side and a body only will fit in the leftover space.
I am not sure I like the flap compartment and the large single front pocket. It gets kind of messy in there. SD card, spare battery and small stuff all shifting around freely. Other than that I do like the slightly smaller size than my Lowe bag but you can't have everything. With just one body and 3 lenses there is plenty of space.

 

[semi-ambivalent]

...I take it that the thicker side of the pad is supposed to be outside on your shoulder?

Icebear,

That's the way I used it but it never felt right so I got rid of it. Otherwise, with a loaded F2 my shoulder only hurt after a long day; these days I don't carry anywhere near "a lot" and I never have problems. It might take some getting used to. Are your shoulders/back weak? I'm paranoid about back problems in my middle age and I've always done back exercises because it helps my cycling, you might look into that. Admittedly, shoulder bags *do* load your spine in a less than ideal fashion.

good luck,

s-a

 

[icebear]

Icebear,

... It might take some getting used to. Are your shoulders/back weak? ...
s-a

Knocking on wood quickly .. so far I've been spared any particular problems. The strap on my Lowe bag with an anatomical padding was more comfy and I loaded it with the same equipment.