Domke f-3x and M system-Too much case?

[Stu W]

I need a new bag. I ordered a Domke f-3x. Now I'm starting to have my doubts, although it's already bought, paid for and shipped. Looking at Domke's home page it seems like my M3, a couple or three lenses, film and a meter won't make a dent in the case. I do intend to use a padded insert however. Still, the bag looks big for an M system. Opinions? Thanks. Stu

 

[waileong]

Put two bodies, 4 lenses, film, flash, meter, some accessories (eg ultrapod II, 35 mm external viewfinder, 1.25x magnifier, etc) and you'll be fine.

 

[Stu W]

Hmm, sounds big. How about 1 body, 3 lenses, meter, film and a change of clothes?😀

 

[like2fiddle]

I've got the f3-xb and use it for 2 M's with lenses mounted plus at least two other lenses. It's not excessively padded, only the bottom has padding, so if you are adding an insert or two you will have somewhat less space to work with. Plenty of room for film or whatever on each side. It's a little large if you just want to have one body and two or three lenses. I have an old Velocity 6 over-the-shoulder sling bag that works very well for a camera with a couple of spare lenses and film.

 

[dcsang]

Domke F-803 is what you're looking for Stu
http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=domke&itemnum=701-83B

F-802 if you want to carry a laptop.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Stu W]

Once again, another impulse buy that may have gone bad. Why do I keep on doing these things!

 

[borismach]

Once again, another impulse buy that may have gone bad. Why do I keep on doing these things!

Obviously because you drink too much beer.😀 😀
Cheerz
Boris

 

[Stu W]

Nah, that's a pic of Shane Macgowan from the Pogues. I myself have become a tea totaler. Can't say I don't miss the brew though. Stu

 

[Graham Line]

Hmm, sounds big. How about 1 body, 3 lenses, meter, film and a change of clothes?😀

The F3X is kind of 'scaled' for SLR gear. Adding a short 4-hole insert to it would reduce the problem of losing smaller RF lenses down in the bottom of the bag.

 

[eric]

Once again, another impulse buy that may have gone bad. Why do I keep on doing these things!

Dang man, just came back from Brooklyn visiting (Park Slope and Bay Ridge). Let me know if it is too big for you and make me an offer. I can use it for my SLR's. For something smaller, I will probably get a Domke 5x bag as well.

 

[back alley]

take a look at the f6, perfect for 1 body and 4 lenses but you can squeeze comfortably 2 bodies and a few more lenses (stacked) if you want.
the f6 has turned out to be my camera bag nervana for a full kit.

joe

 

[Photon42]

the f3x is really great and probably the most versatile bag I've seen so far. The strap is much better than the F6 strap, which is too narrow for my taste. The f3x swallows a lot of gear if needed, but somewhat doesn't look too big if only half loaded.

The bag comes with one separator dividing the big compartment in two. One short domke insert for two lenses fits very well in one of those, so you can easily have one body / lens attached plus four more lenses (not stacked) in the main compartment, as the main comp already got two lens pockets.

The only downside I found is, that the main flap is not really protecting the interior against weather inconveniences, as it leaves a smaller opening on both sides, if not careful. In heavy rain or very dusty environment I'd chose something else, probably.

 

[sam_m]

I made the same mistake a few months ago stu. the main problem with the f3x is the depth and size of compartments (too big for an rf, and waaay too big for rf lenses). it sits on a shelf now most of the time (actually i have used it to hold my pentax 6x7 and 2 spare lenses, so that should give you some idea of its capacity!). i bought the f5xb, perfect bag for an rf with lens attached plus 1-2 lenses and a days worth of film (no room for a change of clothes though i don't think). i'll post a comparison picture tonight if i remember.

 

[Graham Line]

Worth a read if you are still shopping:

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Nvg8

 

[BillBingham2]

I am one to over protect everything, so what I say might be worth three grains of salt at best.

I think you are fine. Once you add padding for the bottom and all sides I think you will be perfect with a F3X. You might think of carrying a table top tripod and cable release for those long exposures. I have an F3 and the only reason I never used it with my Ms was I did not have good padding. Now that I have found a source I would not hesitate switching. But I have another future three lens system targeted for the F3.

I found an old Leica hard case made for an M with a lens mounted, a 90ish lens in a compartment below and you can squeeze a third in too. I know hard cases are not cool, but good ones are very small and very secure.

Get some good close cell foam (or cut up some thick beer/soda can holders) and you will be fine. Perhaps think about adding a great old flash like a Vivitar 253?

B2 (;->

 

[amateriat]

Ouch...

As a fellow Brooklynite, I'll have to show you my well-worn-but-great F-803. As Dave says, it's about as close to perfect for M-camera use as I think you can get without spending super-crazy money (unless you buy a Chinese knock-off of it, which I've heard isn't too bad itself). Small enough to be mostly out-of-the-way and inconspicuous ('specially in black), durable, reasonably water-resistant, and, yes, just big enough for your stuff (in my case, a pair of HRF bodies with 28 & 50 lenses mounted, 90 and small flash in center compartment, bigger flash with padded cover under one nested Hexar, pouches for film and assorted photo sundries. If I ever kill it, I'll get another (and in the five years I've had it, it's gotten more mileage than my SLR-toting F2 bag ever got).

- Barrett

 

[Stu W]

Thanks guys. Guess I'll just have to wait till it gets here to make my decision. I'm a lot like Bill in as I think that you can't have enough padding-especially for 50 year old M3's. I like the beer can foam idea for the lenses. The case I'm using now was a garage sale $1 item that you would swear was made for the Leica. It fits 1 body with lens, 2 more lenses, a meter, film and filters. The case has built in dividers and everything fits exact. It isn't any bigger than a shoebox. The reason for the new case is that I just got a spot meter for Christmas. Thanks again. Stu