Oh no! Not another bag thread or best Domke for 2 cam kit

OurManInTangier

OurManInTangier

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I'm seeking some advice and opinions from any bag afficionados out there.

I'm looking at replacing my very worn old Bare Bones Bag and have been thinking of going with a Domke jobbie. It will need to adequately hold two X-Pro1 bodies, three lenses, the usual spare batteries and cards etc whilst being pretty small and not too rigid - I prefer bags that mould to the body somewhat.

Can anyone recommend one and suggest why that works for them or perhaps suggest some worth avoiding?

Thanks
 
The Domke J3 Ballastic is a fantastic 'shooting' bag personally for me. The insert of the main compartment is fully customizable. This allows varied layouts, and it's really good if u shoot wide base cameras (DSLR) as well. When empty, this bag hugs.
 
I think the smaller F-803 Domke satchel won't fit your kit, and it would be a very tight fit in the F-6 too. It may be slightly too big but the F-2 would definitely suit and it's a fantastic bag to work out of. Domke have some new designs out but they don't look good to me.

Stay with straight canvas (not the waxed bags) and use Nikwax TX.Direct to weatherproof the bag. If you can find them in the UK Safrotto makes canvas Domke clones that are better made than the current Domkes which are nowhere near the quality of their older bags.
 
peter_n said:
I think the smaller F-803 Domke satchel won't fit your kit, and it would be a very tight fit in the F-6 too. It may be slightly too big but the F-2 would definitely suit and it's a fantastic bag to work out of. Domke have some new designs out but they don't look good to me.

Stay with straight canvas (not the waxed bags) and use Nikwax TX.Direct to weatherproof the bag. If you can find them in the UK Safrotto makes canvas Domke clones that are better made than the current Domkes which are nowhere near the quality of their older bags.
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Do you know if they're prone to certain types of failures Peter or are the materials just not as good as they once were? I'll have a look for the Safrotto bags you mentioned too, perhaps there's an outlet of some kind here in the UK?!

The adjustable interior layout is of interest but I would like the bag itself to be flexible - this part rarely seems to be an issue as you can fit inserts into many bags, its just finding one thats just the right size and made with decent materials.

P.S. Thanks for the weatherproofing tip - I'll check out the NikWax
 
I thought you wanted a bag for a 2 cam Leicaflex outfit 🙂 Domke F2 would be nice for that, but I find to big for Leica M outfits, and I believe the X Pro 1 is roughly the same size. I like a compact bag for the M and use old Lowepros (Nova 1 and Mini), but they are definitely not shape to your body bags.

Have you looked at the Billingham, Brady, and other fishing bag inspired lines that are popular with M shooters? They are very well made. My Domke's are all very, very old, so I can't comment on the quality of the new ones, but hear it is not what it was.
 
I used to swear by Domkes but I've bought them 3x in the last ten years and had to return or sell them because they are so poorly sewn. The loosely woven cotton canvas fabric gets dirty and holds dirt/dust/sand better than most... if you do get a Domke, get the Ballistic Nylon or waxed cotton at least.

Funny, in the olden days this wasn't a problem but I think they used a finer fabric too.

I don't even try using a shoulder bag anymore so I never bothered to find an alternative but if I were shooting two Leicas then there are a lot of nice bags, the Black Label and A&A bags seem well made, as do the upscale fishing tackle ~ Camelia Bowes looking ones.
 
I own five or six of the original brown F2 Domke bags and that's enough for me. If I don't completely fill it with camera stuff then it just lightens the load. I think I paid about $30 for each of them. Even bought one for my wife, and one each for my two boys.
 
I carry two DSLR's D700 and D7000 (with vertical grips) with three zooms in an F3X along with a flash, extra batteries, a recorder a few pens and a notebook. Two X-Pro's along with three lenses should fit with no issue. The bag also hugs your body. I'd recommend the waxed cotton bag.
 
Mark C said:
I thought you wanted a bag for a 2 cam Leicaflex outfit 🙂 Domke F2 would be nice for that, but I find to big for Leica M outfits, and I believe the X Pro 1 is roughly the same size. I like a compact bag for the M and use old Lowepros (Nova 1 and Mini), but they are definitely not shape to your body bags.

Have you looked at the Billingham, Brady, and other fishing bag inspired lines that are popular with M shooters? They are very well made. My Domke's are all very, very old, so I can't comment on the quality of the new ones, but hear it is not what it was.
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The F2 is a little on the large size for my needs and is pretty much the same as a bag I already use for my 'smaller' work kit (its a no-name Ebay thing with a decent insert.) I've had various Billingham bags over the years, though oddly I've never had to buy one, but I'm never that comfortable carrying them - a little too popular with TV celebs making travel programmes perhaps...and thieves😉
 
Frank Petronio said:
I used to swear by Domkes but I've bought them 3x in the last ten years and had to return or sell them because they are so poorly sewn. The loosely woven cotton canvas fabric gets dirty and holds dirt/dust/sand better than most... if you do get a Domke, get the Ballistic Nylon or waxed cotton at least.

Funny, in the olden days this wasn't a problem but I think they used a finer fabric too.

I don't even try using a shoulder bag anymore so I never bothered to find an alternative but if I were shooting two Leicas then there are a lot of nice bags, the Black Label and A&A bags seem well made, as do the upscale fishing tackle ~ Camelia Bowes looking ones.
Click to expand...

This is the most concerning post so far. I'd far rather buy a 'crappy' no name bag that fits my needs and is much cheaper so that when it does come apart I can shrug my shoulders and move on, paying out up to 200 notes on a bag that probably won't last any longer is daft.

My Bare Bones Bag is great because I wear it Messenger Bag style with the strap across my body which is what I'd ideally like to do with a new bag rather than have it on one shoulder (aches and somewhat restricted movement are associated with using shoulder bags to me.) It's also weather proofed which is something I wouldn't like to go without in the future.

I've never heard of Black Label though so thats a new one to research, thanks Frank
 
faberryman said:
I am not a fan of the Domke metal buckles.
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Mark C said:
My biggest complaint about their bags. I'm surprised they still use them, but suppose if they substituted a similar plastic buckle they'd get accused of cost cutting.
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I can deal with buckles, clips and various types of fastener far better than the nasty and loud rip that comes from two velcro patches. The biggest failure for me with the BBB. Fast and convenient but so loud and it will always make that sound every time you take something from the bag, leave a buckle undone and you can dive in and out of the bag nice and quietly.

I'm making this sound like I'm banging on about the whisper of a Leica shutter ( 😛 ) but in certain situations it can mean you'd rather take a shot with the lens you have on rather than the 'right' lens because its in your bag and opening it will disturb what you want to photograph.
 
ZF1 said:
Domke F5-XC. I carry an M2 with 2 lenses, film, lightmeter, a rolleicord and fitlers.
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doomed said:
I carry two DSLR's D700 and D7000 (with vertical grips) with three zooms in an F3X along with a flash, extra batteries, a recorder a few pens and a notebook. Two X-Pro's along with three lenses should fit with no issue. The bag also hugs your body. I'd recommend the waxed cotton bag.
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The F3X looks as if it may have some promise in terms of size (certainly no larger) and flexibility/body moulding. Whilst the F5-XC is messenger bag shape which I find works for me though I'd need to check it out in person as to whether I'd get on with the different ways to reach camera and lenses. Though physically inspecting a potential new bag is a must for me anyway.

Nokton48 said:
I own five or six of the original brown F2 Domke bags and that's enough for me. If I don't completely fill it with camera stuff then it just lightens the load. I think I paid about $30 for each of them. Even bought one for my wife, and one each for my two boys.
Click to expand...

I'm glad to read that you've managed to find the, pretty much, perfect bag for you and your family. It's not a search or endeavour that I get much joy from, just something that needs to be done and done right - I've spent far too much money over the years on bags that just don't work out.

Thanks for everyone for your advice and experiences, it all helps.
 
I use a Domke F5XB waxed canvas. I can get two MPs with the 35 and 50 summiluxes mounted, or the 2 MPs with 35/50 summicrons with space for a spare lens. It's small, cheap looking, rugged looking, water resistant, has quick access by opening the velcroed lid (keeping the zip open), but offers some resistance to inquisitive hands with the two zips closed meeting in the middle of their run, if need be. The strap is broad, spredding the weight, and it has a couple of non-slip stitches running the strap's length to keep it stable on the shoulder.
Pete
 
In spite of the fact I have two new Thinktank bags (Retro 5 & Citywalker 10) sitting on a shelf I got another Bare Bones bag just last week. I already have the original and just got the BBB-e. Though it has Velcro I do find it quieter than some bags I've had and I think it does quieten after a while. I suppose you could add your own Velcro silencers.

Paul
 
OurManInTangier said:
Do you know if they're prone to certain types of failures Peter or are the materials just not as good as they once were? I'll have a look for the Safrotto bags you mentioned too, perhaps there's an outlet of some kind here in the UK?!
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Poor materials and stitching. My F-2 is from 1986 and it's still going strong, but I thought it might be just a tad to big for your needs.

The Safrotto bags also sell under the name of Mekko in Europe I think. You can find both Mekko & Safrotto bags on the US eBay.
 
I use the F803. i think it will fit your setup. The only downside is not too much padding (or no padding at all). I added some to the bottom but doesn't care about the size. I can fit two Ms and a rolleiflex into mine.
Feel free to check it out next time we meet Simon.
 
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