Looking for bag guidance

[Dunn]

So, I'll be doing some long-term traveling and looking for a good but not too big bag to handle my gear. Basically, I will be carrying a Fuji X-T1 w/23mm 1.4, maybe 18mm too, Fuji GF670, Ricoh GR, accessories, batteries, film, etc.
I love Domke bags and right now use an F6 and it carries all the mentioned gear fine, but I was wondering if there was maybe a slightly smaller Domke bag that could still fit all this or maybe has side pockets instead of the F6 only having the front pocket where everything mixes together.
I may stick with the F6 but was wondering if anything might fit the bill a little better. Definitely prefer Domke bags, but open to other brands as well just nothing fancy like Billingham.
Thanks in advance!

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Domke bags are my favorite.

I too would like something more compact than my "big bag", also a Domke F-6.
I tried an F-3, but I didn't like the unpadded exterior pockets and sold it.
I like the F-10, but it seems a little too small for my needs.

The F-803 is the smallest Domke satchel if you like that style bag.

Chris

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

I've got the F10, but I suspect it will be too small (and has a similar configuration to the F6 without side pockets...). The F3x might fit the bill, but as mentioned above, it's not to everyone's liking regarding internal layout and padding.

How bout sticking with the F6 but using some kind of insert in the front pocket to stop stuff floating about? For the kit you've got it seems like an almost perfect travel bag...

 

[back alley]

have you looked at the domke 4af?

 

[fireblade]

Domke are good and has served me well, but if you want padded and some compartments with zips etc, go Lowepro, i use the Passport series.

 

[BillBingham2]

Tenba is another name in good bags, but it depends upon who own them at the time. They have had some folk who were IMHO way too focused on ROI in the short term.

A lot depends upon the style/look you want. Timbuk2 makes a great bag that you can customize with their and other folks inserts (e.g. Domke).

B2

 

[ChrisPlatt]

have you looked at the domke 4af?

Comparing specs the Domke F4AF seems to be larger than the F-6.
I see the F4AF has large unpadded end pouches, like the F-3.

IIRC you own both, so please elaborate...

Chris

 

[back alley]

it is a bit larger…but it has the end pouches the op was asking about…it's deeper which can feel more secure with gear sitting lower in the bag…and it holds the same amount of gear.

 

[Godfrey]

it is a bit larger…but it has the end pouches the op was asking about…it's deeper which can feel more secure with gear sitting lower in the bag…and it holds the same amount of gear.

The F4af also has the removable, padded inner divider bits, which are different from the F3x's interior.

I was looking at the F4af on the B&H website. The olive drab rugged-wear version is the most appealing to me ... and of course, it costs more than the black or sand versions. Sigh.

G

 

[back alley]

i was comparing the 4af to the f6…i like both and depending on what i'm taking and my mood would be the decision maker on which i take out for the day. the f6 comes with the domke 4 pocket insert and the 4af has 2 inserts on a bit wider than the other.

 

[Dunn]

I'm leaning towards the F-3X but can't tell if the inner compartment would work for me. I think it might, but I'm not sure. Hmm.

The F-4af seems a little too big since I'm counting ounces, but otherwise a good looking bag.

 

[NY_Dan]

I like bags to have exterior stretch pockets for a water bottle. I use one for a water bottle and the other for sunglasses. Most of all, I want a bag that is lightweight. And gray is preferable because it looks less camera bag like, and doesn't absorb hot sun as much as black. I also want a cross body shoulder strap. Padding's not necessary on strap if the strap is somewhat thick. I like some of the Domke bags. Not a fan of the clip closures. I like some of the bags in the LowePro line -- their inexpensive, light, and have built-in rain covers. For beauty and durability, Billingham is hard to beat.

 

[Godfrey]

I like bags to have exterior stretch pockets for a water bottle. I use one for a water bottle and the other for sunglasses. Most of all, I want a bag that is lightweight. And gray is preferable because it looks less camera bag like, and doesn't absorb hot sun as much as black. I also want a cross body shoulder strap. Padding's not necessary on strap if the strap is somewhat thick. I like some of the Domke bags. Not a fan of the clip closures. I like some of the bags in the LowePro line -- their inexpensive, light, and have built-in rain covers. For beauty and durability, Billingham is hard to beat.

An idea I've had for a long time with the Domkes is to eliminate the clip closure and use a magnetic latching mechanism for the over flaps.

I like some of the Billinghams too, have an L2 "Alice" that I really like a lot.

G

 

[Rob-F]

You might check the Tamrac bag line. Their bags seem to hold more gear per cubic foot than most others.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

A serious question - are the people critical of Domke's clip closure actual users of Domke bags?

It's a comment I see a lot, but after using various Domke's for five or six years I don't understand the issue? It quickly becomes simple muscle memory to operate, it's durable, and it's secure - why the dislike?

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I like the Domke clips because I can operate them with one hand, they're noiseless and completely secure.

 

[Godfrey]

A serious question - are the people critical of Domke's clip closure actual users of Domke bags?

It's a comment I see a lot, but after using various Domke's for five or six years I don't understand the issue? It quickly becomes simple muscle memory to operate, it's durable, and it's secure - why the dislike?

Yes, I own and use several Domke bags with the clips.

I dislike the clips because, in the rush of the moment when shooting, they can drop heavily onto unprotected equipment in the bag and cause damage. I see this risk particularly with the F6 bag, which has two clips on the end of short straps that can flap about when opening and closing the top of the bag.

Example: I was at a sporting event with the Nikon F3, covering the event for a local newsletter publication. I needed to swap from my short lens to a longer tele quickly, I opened the bag and dropped the short lens into its cubbyhole, dropped a rear cap onto it off the tele, and pulled out the tele to fit to the camera. As I did so, the top of the bag flapped in the wind and dropped into the bag. the clip struck the back of my short lens. Lucky I'd fitted a back cap because the cap shattered, rather than the rear element of the lens.

That was an eye-opener to me. Similar close calls with the F3x had happened, but none so bad as that. That's when I discontinued using these two bags for fast-paced field work and switched to other bags without small, heavy, metal bits that can swing and land on things with destructive force. There are better, safer closure latches that can be used instead of the metal clips.

G

 

[Keith]

At first glance I thought it said 'bad' guidance .... and of course my answer would had to have been ... "try photo.net"

But no it's a bag thread of course .... and my eyes and brain don't always work in unison! 😛

 

[Range-rover]

I use the Lowe pro Reporter series, nice sizes with adjustable inserts

 

[al1966]

A serious question - are the people critical of Domke's clip closure actual users of Domke bags?

It's a comment I see a lot, but after using various Domke's for five or six years I don't understand the issue? It quickly becomes simple muscle memory to operate, it's durable, and it's secure - why the dislike?

I liked the Domke clip like you say its quiet unlike bags with velcro I hate velcro on a flap 😱 every time I pull it open. I have a quite nice Think Tank bag that is ruined by that velcro nonsense, I would have a Domke still if I did not pick up a Hadley Pro for £20.