jimbobuk
Established
Hey folks, I grabbed a F-5XA for my M8, and a few lenses and was initially happy with what i got, in olive its fairly inconspicuous, and generally i like the way its built and padded. After a bit of use i discovered a few things
i) i hate pulling out and putting the camera into it, i feel like the zip teeth are gnashing away at my M8 as it tries to fit through. The opening is simply not wide enough to take the camera and a lens on its side without getting closer than i'd like to that zipper!
ii) Its not quite big enough, i'm going on a trip of hopefully a week or more to Italy in a month or two and i don't think this would let me take enough things.
iii) I don't like the velcro noise, or the zipper that you then may have to then unzip.. A bit more security if it is zipped, but its hardly discreet when you have to open it
iv) The extra pockets are not secure at all. I'd be very paranoid about putting batteries and memory cards into there, not only for easy access by meddling fingers, but to worry about things potentially falling out of them if the bag was tilted enough. The velcro flap comes loosely down but the pockets are completely exposed from the sides of the flap... There is no alternative to these flaps elsewhere on the bag so i wonder where i'd be able to put all my digital guff if needed.
Given that i do LOVE the styling and am in big need of a bag that is equally inconspicuous what could folks recommend given the problems that i've outlined above. Does anyone else feel these issues at all, it's a great little bag but beyond that, i just feel its got too many issues of security, yet easy quiet access for the bag owner... Are there other models similarly designed and styled.. i'm guessing a bigger bag may let you get the camera out without dragging it over the zips, but to be honest some buttons or something else would appeal over a zipper.
A bag located in the EU would be helpful for speedy, import duty free arrival.
Cheers
Jim
i) i hate pulling out and putting the camera into it, i feel like the zip teeth are gnashing away at my M8 as it tries to fit through. The opening is simply not wide enough to take the camera and a lens on its side without getting closer than i'd like to that zipper!
ii) Its not quite big enough, i'm going on a trip of hopefully a week or more to Italy in a month or two and i don't think this would let me take enough things.
iii) I don't like the velcro noise, or the zipper that you then may have to then unzip.. A bit more security if it is zipped, but its hardly discreet when you have to open it
iv) The extra pockets are not secure at all. I'd be very paranoid about putting batteries and memory cards into there, not only for easy access by meddling fingers, but to worry about things potentially falling out of them if the bag was tilted enough. The velcro flap comes loosely down but the pockets are completely exposed from the sides of the flap... There is no alternative to these flaps elsewhere on the bag so i wonder where i'd be able to put all my digital guff if needed.
Given that i do LOVE the styling and am in big need of a bag that is equally inconspicuous what could folks recommend given the problems that i've outlined above. Does anyone else feel these issues at all, it's a great little bag but beyond that, i just feel its got too many issues of security, yet easy quiet access for the bag owner... Are there other models similarly designed and styled.. i'm guessing a bigger bag may let you get the camera out without dragging it over the zips, but to be honest some buttons or something else would appeal over a zipper.
A bag located in the EU would be helpful for speedy, import duty free arrival.
Cheers
Jim
nightfly
Well-known
How about a Domke f8?
lewis44
Well-known
I use the F-5XB and really like it. It takse a camera w/lens and hood attached, at least 2 lenses, film and usually put a Sekonic L-408 in the side pocket if I'm carrying my M3. Not as Big as a sachel, but bigger than what you have now
mas
Member
If you can put a camera and several lenses in the bag, it sounds big enough. You should never be in a position to have to pull your camera out so quickly that the zipper should damage anything, and if the camera is in you hand or around your neck, what difference does the velcro make?
How much stuff do you want to carry during a day's shooting?
That said, I use the reporter satchel or a patagonia half-mass or a Barbour thornproof.
Good luck.
How much stuff do you want to carry during a day's shooting?
That said, I use the reporter satchel or a patagonia half-mass or a Barbour thornproof.
Good luck.
Andrew Sowerby
Well-known
I had similar problems with my F-5XA. I'm much happier with my F-803. No velcro or zippers. Just a clip on the front. Perfect size for a camera, extra lens, accessories and maps/sunglasses/book/etc.
jimbobuk
Established
Thanks guys.. The F-5XB sounds better for being bigger. Don't get me wrong if it was just for an afternoons shooting then the size of the F-5XA would be fine, it's just i've got a longer trip and i don't want to take 2 bags, one for travelling there with, another for actually using when out and using the camera. I also potentially have a 75lux, and Noctilux. Though i doubt i'd ever go out with both together.
I'm not sure about the F8, i'll look into the other ones of theirs, i just kind of want something with a bit of protection for the accessories that you take, accessed more rarely i don't mind these being behind zips.
mas, you're right about not wanting too big a bag, though i'd have to say versus either my dSLR, medium format, of large format kit bags I doubt it's even possible to have too big a rangefinder bag
My issue with the zip is genuine, its not like i'm yanking it out, seriously every time i try to extract or put in my camera vertically on its side (to have more room for a lens, or two small ones next to it) i find it too tight a fit and i can feel the zip teeth touching the M8 as i push it through, i'd just rather not have to do that at all, its an afront to how i baby it any other time i'm holding it.
Mas are those bags you describe domke as well?
Thanks as well, i'll look into the F-803.
Cheers
I'm not sure about the F8, i'll look into the other ones of theirs, i just kind of want something with a bit of protection for the accessories that you take, accessed more rarely i don't mind these being behind zips.
mas, you're right about not wanting too big a bag, though i'd have to say versus either my dSLR, medium format, of large format kit bags I doubt it's even possible to have too big a rangefinder bag
My issue with the zip is genuine, its not like i'm yanking it out, seriously every time i try to extract or put in my camera vertically on its side (to have more room for a lens, or two small ones next to it) i find it too tight a fit and i can feel the zip teeth touching the M8 as i push it through, i'd just rather not have to do that at all, its an afront to how i baby it any other time i'm holding it.Mas are those bags you describe domke as well?
Thanks as well, i'll look into the F-803.
Cheers
ww2photog
Established
I hate velcro, I have a Domke that has the single snap. That works well, when I want to dress up my kit, I use my Billingham Hadley Pro in Black, I think that would work well with your M8.
http://www.adorama.com/BIPHK.html
http://www.adorama.com/BIPHK.html
vrgard
Well-known
I don't disagree with the complaints about the noisy "riiiiipppp" of velcro. However, I actually like the velcro on my Domke 5XB bag for security reasons. When I'm actively shooting the zipper is open and the top flap is flipped back to hang down the backside of the bag thus making my camera readily accessible for shooting (and my camera does slide out easily from the middle compartment). But when I'm not actively shooting it's nice to be able to quickly flip the flap back over the front of the bag to cover up the goods inside. If anyone were to try and open the bag to get my camera then that velcro noise would immediately alert me to the situation. Zipping up the zipper is a further security measure. So, in total, I find the zipper and velcro of this bag to be a real benefit.
-Randy
-Randy
back alley
IMAGES
vrgard said:
i totally agree.
plus, i have no scratches on my cameras from the zipper. i think the zippers are plastic and so scratch less.
joe
back alley
IMAGES
f2 is too big for my kit.
i like the f6 and use it but it too is on the large size for my needs.
i like the f6 and use it but it too is on the large size for my needs.
fbf
Well-known
I have f802, f803,f5xb and f6 and I love all of them...
one quesion though, I hate the insert of f6 (four section is just a waste of space IMO). Anyone has any solution for it?
one quesion though, I hate the insert of f6 (four section is just a waste of space IMO). Anyone has any solution for it?
szekiat
Well-known
try and find one of the lowepro stealth reporter series from about 3-4yrs ago. Dirt cheap and does the job real well. I hate domkes (not from want of trying to get used to it) and would take my lowepro anyday.