domke j803

[ampguy]

got one of these from amazon/adorama. First impressions are that it's got a lot of room and good camera inserts. More padding all around and on the bottom, maybe a bit more than the 5xb (about 1/8" total - could probably use more).

One side, the inner side I guess is smooth, but has a nice pouch for a magazine or some papers. The flap on the other side is the thick ballistic nylon, but doesn't attach with velcro, it uses a rudimentary clip, which is more secure than velcro, but also takes a couple more seconds to secure.

The strap is longer and heavier than the one that comes with the 5xb, but same material and design, grip on the striped side, smooth black on the other, heavier duty clips.

I think this may be a great large camera bag with some additional inserts, but could be very tight for a notebook pc, phones, etc. in it.

I'm going to try it out with just the M6/cron 35asph in the center, film, hood, 40/2 rokkor and 50 hex (back to back heavystar adapter) in one third, and misc. electronics in the other third.

For just rf camera gear, with enough inserts, you could probably squeeze about 3 bodies, and 5-10 lenses in this bag, yet with a notebook PC in it, a backpack might be a more practical solution.

Not sure if I'll get used to the manual clip to close the flap. Could be a great carry on flight bag and can probably find a tiny lock for minimally securing the insides while traveling.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I have one, and while its not perfect, i like it. I keep an Olympus OM-4T with 40mm f2 Zuiko attached, and Zuiko 85mm f2 and 28mm f2.8 lenses in it at all times. That leaves a lot of room for film. I carry this EVERYWHERE in case I see a photo that needs taking. When I know I'm going to take pictures, I may add additional lenses or second body if I think I'll need them for the thing i'm gonna shoot. I have fit in it two OM-4T bodies, 24, 28, 40, and 85mm Zuiko lenses all at once. and that combo is still not heavy at all, very easy to carry.

 

[cmogi10]

That's my bag of choice...it's a little small for my laptop 15in mac, but it's my camera bag and my day to day bag. I typically carry 2 bodies with lens attached (35 and 50) and carry a longer lens in the middle, (was a 90, will soon by a 75 🙂 )
The front pockets are perfect for film, an external hard drive, light meter etc. And I carry caps and memory cards in the pocket on the flap.

I also pop the inserts out and use it for laptop/textbook/notebook and can typically fit an M body in one of the front pockets and a lens in the other.

In my opinion, it's the perfect size for a day to day bag. I can squeeze a lot more in it if I have too, and using a couple pads that I cut, I can comfortably stack lenses in the inserts.

 

[ampguy]

So do you guys bother closing the flap with the clip, or just leave the flap loose?

I just realized I can fit an M body, or ext. 2.5" usb drive in those front pockets, I guess at some point it just gets heavy!

 

[cmogi10]

It really depends where I am...if it's a reasonably crowded area it's usually buckled facing inward but if It's a low key environment I just keep it unbuckled. While it does take a little longer then Velcro to open and close it sure is a lot quieter and less annoying then Velcro.

I spent the day shooting with a DSLR and a couple longer lenses in a bigger domke bag (Domke F-7) and it really made me miss the 803 with a pair of rangefinders and a couple lenses. It can always get heavier!
But yeah, if your not careful the bag starts to get really heavy and the strap digs into your shoulder. That's my only problem with the Gripper strap, not so padded.

 

[kaptain pip]

Also, a fan of the 803. If I go on a serious travel shoot, it handles two M bodies, with 35 and 50 attached, a Rolleiflex, a 21 and thin 90, hoods, film etc. Gets a bit heavy, but the postman pad helps with this.... for normal walkaround, the rolleiflex stays home, more than enough room. One other important thing for me, is that it is flat like a briefcase and hugs the body better than most wide bags. In a crowd, this is much more comfortable and secure.

 

[cmogi10]

I've found most Domke bags are good in the respect that they hug your body pretty well, every Domke bag I've used sits right up on my side or back.
I'l bring my 803 with my thursday night!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I keep it unlatched when I am shooting, latched when i'm not. I want to be ableto reach in and get things fast when I am working.

 

[cmogi10]

But at the same time you don't want anyone else to reach in and get things fast when you're working 😉

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

But at the same time you don't want anyone else to reach in and get things fast when you're working 😉

Won't happen. I wear it in such a way that it sits in front of me when I am working. I've never once had someone attampt to take anything that way in many years of working in that manner in large crowds at carnivals and other large gatherings.

Besides, paranoia about theft like that can keep you from getting the shot. I'm a professional, my equipment hasn't got any sacredness, its just tools. If something's stolen, I turn it in to my insurance, they send me a check, I buy another. Never had to do that, but I am insured for full replacement value. When you are in business, you have to have insurance like that. And if you're an amatuer with very expensive cameras, like so many guys here who shoot Leicas, you'll have insurance too if you're smart.

 

[Harry Lime]

Great bag. The J803 used to be very hard to find. It took me about a year to find mine.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I have both the canvas 803 and the J803 which when placed side by side is a bit bigger then the canvas version and better padded - unless my canvas one has shrunk over the years from being washed and redyed....

 

[ampguy]

thanks all, great info.

thanks all, great info.

great ideas, and potential for this bag.

The J803 is slightly larger than the F803 (13.5 x 4.5 x 10 vs 13 x 4 x 9), but both are much smaller and lighter than the F802 which is 15.5x4x12.

Amzn/Adorama had the F802 for $59 or so a while back (but high shipping from Adorama), but this size is really in the large notebook + multi-bodies type size, something that I personally would want in a backpack form factor.

I have both the canvas 803 and the J803 which when placed side by side is a bit bigger then the canvas version and better padded - unless my canvas one has shrunk over the years from being washed and redyed....

 

[ferider]

I'm using a Safrotto clone (like this one: 300154276165). Great for business
travel with camera, laptop and some reading material. Very well done.

Best,

Roland.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

great ideas, and potential for this bag.

The J803 is slightly larger than the F803 (13.5 x 4.5 x 10 vs 13 x 4 x 9), but both are much smaller and lighter than the F802 which is 15.5x4x12.

Amzn/Adorama had the F802 for $59 or so a while back (but high shipping from Adorama), but this size is really in the large notebook + multi-bodies type size, something that I personally would want in a backpack form factor.

Ah well that confirms it then! - i've got a pair of black canvas 802's as well one from the late 80's great bags.

 

[peter_n]

I'm using a Safrotto clone (like this one: 300154276165). Great for business
travel with camera, laptop and some reading material. Very well done.

Best,

Roland.

Great bag & much better insert than the Domke.

 

[shadowfox]

One of the rarely mentioned advantage of these Domke bags is that in a pinch, it serves as a third hand or a table 😀

I rented a camera over the weekend that comes with an F2. The size of the bag is perfect for me and the shape (or lack thereof) made the bag wrap around my waist and provide a place for juggling 2 cameras or replacing the films (several times) on an MF camera.

Awesome. But I don't know how the 803 compares to an F2.

 

[peter_n]

803 is satchel-like so it is thinner than an F-2. I have four Domke/Domke clone bags and love them all. 🙂

 

[cmogi10]

so Ted, it's been a while, how are ya enjoying your bag?

 

[ampguy]

Love it

Love it

Have been carrying it almost daily. Lots of room to keep gadgets in, and separate sections for used/unused film, and room in the side pockets for papers and magazines.

I'm not using it for travel though, it's too small for my carry on stuff, and a bit big for my under the seat bag. For travel I'm going to pack an M body with a small 35mm into the little bag I found at Longs (see blog) and stuff that in my notepack/backpack with some low iso rolls of film, or my big targus roller for a longer trip which just barely fits the overhead bins.

so Ted, it's been a while, how are ya enjoying your bag?