Domke F6 Bag

[aoresteen]

Anyone using a Domke F6 bag to carry an M Leica? I'm thinking about getting one for my M4-P or Contax IIa. Likes or dislikes? If it were lost would you buy another?

All the reviews on the web are for DSLR or SLR with motors. I'd like some feed back from rangefinder users. Thanks!

 

[Graham Line]

Pretty big for M gear unless you carry a lot of stuff. (Bump)

 

[Trius]

I don't have a Leica M, but have had in the past. If you're only carrying one body with lens and perhaps one extra lens, then yeah, it would be a bit overkill. But for more lenses, it would be a comfortable bag. Two bodys w/ lenses and two lenses would be comfortable with the 2-compartment insert.

I like my bag and would definitely replace it if lost. I have it in classic canvas rather than ballistic cloth, and would make the same choice again.

 

[Kyle]

To echo what they are saying, yes it is sort of big for one body/one lens, however, its not that large on the outisde. If you look at it, its not that big, it just happens to be very spatious inside. Its probably a perfect traveling bag for carrying a body with lens attatched, then two extra lenses, meter, and film, as well as filters and other things. However, if you use it as an every day bag for carrying one body with lens plus an extra lens, you have lots of extra room for all your things (note pad, film, filters, meter, sandwich if you want one, etc). Its not a large bag by any means, and I don't think you'd ever not carry because you felt it was too big. My brother has an F-5Xb which really only fits a body, lens and a couple rolls of film. I'd much rather throw the same stuff into my F-6 and have a little more room. I'll try to snap some pictures...

 

[Kyle]

OK, here's some quick and dirty shots, hopefully these illustrate the size of the bag...

Here's the bag unloaded with my ZI in front to give it some perspective...

Here's the bag loaded with my ZI with 50/2 ZM, 28/2.8 ZM, and Leica 90/2.8, as well as about 10 rolls of film in one of the spots. I keep the camera on the side just because it fits a little easier in there, in a pocket with the lens it sorta stretches the insert a bit, but the 50/2 ZM is a bit long, a shorter lens would fit in the insert no problem...

Here are a couple shots of the bag loaded up sitting on a speaker, hopefully to give it a bit of perspective...

As you can see its more room than you'd need on a typical daily outing, but IMO its not too large to use for a small kit. The bag is just a bit "loose", which is much better than being cramped with a small bag.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I use the F-6 and i've found it very adaptable and more useful than my 803 and 802's. Because mine's a mixture of canvas and ballistic nylon it crushes down easily - not being too bulky when there isn't much stuff in it. The double zip bellows pockect at the front is excellent for holding film etc.
I used it recently to carry a fuji GW690III and Leica M with two lenses. Something the 803 just can't do. The bag i did find too bulky after purchasing was the FX-3 which i never use.
That said i'm still a great fan of the 802/803 as day bags.

 

[aoresteen]

Thanks! The photos helped!

 

[JoshRoot]

The F6 rules. I have used mine for years for RF size kits.

 

[FrankS]

Is there a Domke bag sized between the 803 satchel and the F6?

 

[vrgard]

Another Domke bag to consider since it is a nice in between size is the Domke F-3XB. That's what I carry and have been very happy with it. Like all domke bags, it's sorta bigger on the inside than the outside and the 3xb is big enough to carry a couple of cameras, several lenses, etc., yet flattens down to be rather small when you don't load it up. Comes in either canvas or ballistic nylon. Here's a couple of links showing details (note the second one which is a fairly detailed review with pics, etc.):

http://www.helixcamera.com/CameraBags/Domke/ballistic/f3xb.html

http://www.rebaseonu.net/go/story/id/domke_f_3x_super_compact_bag_review/

Hope this helps!

-Randy

 

[LazyHammock]

I've used an F-6B for a few years now - it is the best camera bag I've used and I'd definitely replace it, not that it is ever likely to wear out. My walkabout kit is usually an M6 and 2-3 lenses. there is also plenty of room for film, filters etc.
I really like the pouch on the back for city guides, maps etc. I've also used it with an SLR or MF SLR in addition to the Leica kit.
It does not seem like a large bag because it is soft and contours nicely to your side. I would recommend the additional shoulder pad for increased comfort.
Cheers,
Nick

 

[Jason Sprenger]

This will make me guilty of pulling the thread off topic a bit but here goes...

I was considering an Domke F-6 for my EOS Rebel Xt system.

I have a Domke F-5XB for my rangefinder system into which I put one or two bodies and a few lenses. But this bag is way, way too small for the Rebel Xt with even one spare lens.

I also have a Domke 803 which I use when I take two rangefinders, a few lenses and a bunch of film. For the Rebel Xt, I'm not able to carry much more than the body and a couple of lenses. Unfortunately for me, the shape of the bag doesn't seem real convenient to use with longer lenses.

Besides the body, I was hoping to bring a 75-300 tele and either a 17-85 or two primes (like maybe a 24 and 50) along with a couple of memory cards, a spare battery and maybe a flash.

Any thoughts on this bag with a dSLR?

 

[Kyle]

I used to carry a 20D with the BG-E2 grip attatched (but no lens) and I would stuff it in the side the way I have the ZI in my picture earlier in the thread. Then I'd carry a 70-200/4L, 50/1.4, and my accessories. Sometimes I'd even put in my 28/1.8. I never really had any problems using this bag for that setup.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Frank the 802 satchel is probably between the two (803 and F6) although of course it's deeper and narrower than the F6 and the front bellows pockets swallow a lot - but i use them (802's) a lot.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Tony there is a F6 for sale in the UK on the Pnet site
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00GsPz&tag=

 

[Nikon Bob]

The Domke F6 will hold my M4 with 35 attached, 21mm VC & finder, 90mm F2.8 and Sekonic L398 light meter in the padded main compartment. The unpadded space at the ends can hold many rolls of film in one and a set of 8X30 binos in the other end. That still leaves plenty of room for filters etc. in the other pockets. It may be larger than really needed for the body and lenses but with the ends empty it really hangs/molds nicely for carry. I still don't know if I like the snap fasteners or not, sort of fiddly to use quickly. That aside, from my short use of the bag I really like it and would get another if need be. It is the same as Kyle's bag.

Nikon Bob

 

[Vetteran]

I use three F-6 bags as well and have taken them on travels far and wide. Having owned the F2, F1X, F3x, F5x, J2, J3, F803, and J803, I keep coming back to the F6 for the reasons cited above. For the price, you can't beat it.

 

[Steve B]

Any user input on the F-3x? It seems a little smaller than the F6. I'm looking for a shoulder bag for an M6 and a couple of lenses and just a little extra room for film, sunglasses and a compact digital maybe. I don't mind a little extra room as it just makes stuff easier to find but don't want a huge or ostentatious bag.

 

[Trius]

The current F6 has no end pockets, at least the standard issue. Perhaps they can be added, but my F6, purchased about a year ago, is sans poches de buts.

 

[Graham Line]

The F3X is similar in overall volume, but has end pockets the F6 lacks. The interior of the F3X has two vertical 'tubes' that are open at the bottom -- small lenses kind of roll around and get lost if you don't have an insert. There's also a divider supplied that Velcros into place. Both have pockets up in the flap for cable releases and things like that.