Domke "Next Generation" camera bags-discontinued?

[jalLee2001]

I was going to order a Domke Next Generation camera bag. Half of the next generation bags on their web site are listed as not available. In contacting Domke, I received a response that they are being discontinued.

What happened?

 

[Dogman]

They probably did not sell as well as expected.

 

[Archlich]

They really should just update some of the old models. They gave the J-5XB a rear pocket and side cushioning, but the poplular F-5XB remains unchanged...

 

[ChrisPlatt]

They probably did not sell as well as expected.

Perfectly good classic Domke models sell for half the price.

They really should just update some of the old models.

Why?

Chris

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Taste is different. On my recent attempt to replace my hobbo bag on past black Friday I saw those Domke bags.
"What they were thinking" was my reaction🙂

 

[benmacphoto]

They were too expensive, sub par materials, and I believe not made in the US unlike the classic bags.
I liked their design, but the classics cannot be beat.

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I own one of the classic bags and one of the new ones. Both are great. They are constructed differently with the newer bags having more padding than the classic bags, but both serve their purposes and I use them both frequently depending on what I am shooting. The only drawback to the newer bags was the price. I found mine used on ebay for a reasonable price.

 

[JeffS7444]

I owned one briefly and hated the prominent brand logo stitched across the front. There must have been other reasons, but I didn't keep the thing long enough to remember.

The beauty of the "classic" Domke satchels is that they're pretty low-profile, and despite the lack of frills like pen holders (or perhaps because of it) they're versatile and hold a lot.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

There were some nice things about the bags but they were priced like luxury goods, not like working photographers tools. I didn't like the heavy metal clips, which i could see hitting gear in the bag and causing damage

 

[Dogman]

Domke has an identity based on the simple canvas shoulder bags like the ones Jim Domke hand made in the beginning. I suspect anything else the company puts the Domke name upon will be measured against those bags.

 

[Rob-F]

They really should just update some of the old models. They gave the J-5XB a rear pocket and side cushioning, but the poplular F-5XB remains unchanged...

I would have them put a rear pocket on the f-5XB, in place of the belt loop. That's all I can think of to change on the F-5XB.

However! I'd like to see a "little bit bigger' F-5XB added to the catalog. When Boeing makes a stretch model of an aircraft, they add a "dash number" to the original model number. So A stretch 737 might be a "737-400." The F-5XB-400 model Domke would be longer by one velcro divider compartment, to hold one more lens or body, or light meter.

I'd buy one.

 

[Archlich]

Why?

Chris

I'd like the F-5XB to have a bit more padding on the side. A rear pocket. An usable front pocket - no idea why they'd make it only half deep. And a more carefully placed (at least partially overlapping, please), preferably silent velcro patch...

The point is, they've already applied some of the improvements (side padding & the rear pocket) to the nylon J-5XB. So it's not like they'd religiously hold onto old design decisions that didn't make sense. Why not revamp the canvas line for perfection then instead of churning out some luxury models few seem to want?

 

[jalLee2001]

As one poster noted, I would like to have some simple improvements to the existing bags. But I thought they were a okay price point for compared to Billingham, etc. To bad it did not work out.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I'm willing to bet Domke has sold more F-5XB bags than any other model.
Why mess with success? They have already brought out A and C variants.

Little tweaks you can do yourself.
I had the zipper and some Velcro removed from one of my F-5XB bags.

If you want something with more pockets other brands excel at that.
IMO they are of questionable value and utility.

Simplicity (along with durability and value) is what makes Domke bags special.
IMO the "Next Generation" line was not true to that tradition, and so failed.

Chris

 

[Dogman]

Just because the failed in the marketplace doesn't mean they're bad bags. If you can find one you like with a close-out price, why not go ahead and jump in. Domke bags have always been good quality.

As an example, Think Tank used to have a great line of lightweight bags called "City Walker" that they discontinued. They were light duty but pretty well made. I had one of the largest models and loved it. When they were discontinued I bought both a small and a medium sized bag on close-out. Keep your eyes open for bargain prices on the discontinued Domke models.

 

[Archlich]

I'm willing to bet Domke has sold more F-5XB bags than any other model.
Why mess with success? They have already brought out A and C variants.

Little tweaks you can do yourself.
I had the zipper and some Velcro removed from one of my F-5XB bags.

If you want something with more pockets other brands excel at that.
IMO they are of questionable value and utility.

Simplicity (along with durability and value) is what makes Domke bags special.
IMO the "Next Generation" line was not true to that tradition, and so failed.

Chris

Me too had replaced the zipper with pullers and masked 3/4 of the velcro up on my J-5XB. That's as much little tweaks I could do. Comfortable bag in use, but still. Should a manufacturer expect customers to always perform this sort of mod to its product? I don't think it's normal business practice.

"Don't mess with success" - sounds like typical excuse of businesses blinded by glory and refusing innovation. Being successful doesn't mean a product cannot, or should not be improved. How come adding a rear pocket (which they had already done for the J variant) or making the front pocket deeper, as simple as these improvements are, impact the bag's simplicity negatively anyway? The belt loop in my personal opinion is just redundant...

Surf around and you could find some reviewers, although impressed by the Domke quality, turned away from the F-5XB because of its almost unreasonable lack of storage space. They could have kept their bags...and the F-5XB could have been even more popular than it currently is.

 

[joe bosak]

I find the fx5b perfect for my x100t with bamboo grip, wacl, tcl and ef-x20 flash. Front pocket is useful for batteries.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ChrisPlatt]

"Don't mess with success" - sounds like typical excuse of businesses blinded by glory and refusing innovation.

They didn't say that; I did. I am simply a satisfied customer.

"Blinded by glory and refusing innovation"? That's rich! 😛

Indeed they are successful, despite not making a product tailor-made to your specification.
FWIW I don't like lots of pockets. I suspect many other Domke buyers don't either.

Most website reviews for the F-5XB are full of praise yet there are some mostly minor complaints.
I always ignore the top 10-20% of positive reviews from the fanboys and the bottom 10-20% from cranks like you.

Merry Christmas,
Chris

 

[creenus]

I use the Domke F-3X. Carries two M-bodies, three lenses, film, notebook, water bottle. Have both medium and large Messenger bags - those things can carry scads of gear.

The beauty of Domke bags is that one can add padding or keep it without.

I met Jim Domke once at the camera store where I worked. Nice man. I still use an original Domke Small in blue - indestructible.