Safrotto CF700 review (domke f-803 clone)

Terence T said:
Peter! Thought I told you'd I'd have my hardly used one for cheap! Sigh, now it's going to continue sitting in my cupboard with nowhere to go. (and both Safrotto labels removed too)
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I have totally forgotten about it! :eek:
 
Terence T said:
Peter! Thought I told you'd I'd have my hardly used one for cheap! Sigh, now it's going to continue sitting in my cupboard with nowhere to go. (and both Safrotto labels removed too)
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By the way Terence. Any tips that worth mentioning on removing those pesky labels? :bang:
 
My old bag is dying, and I've been lusting for a CF-700 for quite a while now (see the above). Anyone have experiences importing one to Europe?
 
I would like to share my experience of removing the Safrotto labels on the CF-700. After removing the stitching with my trusty pocket knife, I cut away the label as close to the edges as possible with a small pair of scissors. There are still some fabric that need to be remove. Instead of using a hook to pull them out from under the edges as what felipe recommended, I used a small lighter to burn it off carefully.
 
A few questions regarding the CF700:

1. Does it have a the rigid internal plastic plate on the top flap under the carrying handle like the Domke F-803 does?

2. Does it have an open pocket on the back of the case like the Domke F-803 does?

3. Does the CF700 have sewn in padding on the two ends and bottom of the bag like the Domke F-803 or is it a bare canvas bag with the only padding being the insert itself?

4. Not that it matters much to me but in the photos I've seen of the CF700 it looks like they have the same rubberized threads sewn into the strap as the Domke's. Is this in fact the case or have they just sewn in a different colored thread to make it look like the rubberized Domke thread?
 
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OK here's some answers: :)

1) No. (The F-803 has that or the J-803?)

2) Yes.

3) The CF-700 is simply a canvas bag. The insert (comes with the bag) provides all the padding. These Safrotto inserts are much, much better than the Domke inserts.

4) The threading is rubber just like the Domke strap. My bag also came with a shoulder pad.

Hope this helps.

 
Hmm, so that would presumably stiffen the top quite a bit. Actually I am using mine (CF-700) as a briefcase. I have one camera w/lens in one of the compartments and took one of the dividers out and have wallet, mobile phone and lunch in the other. Meter and film in one front pocket, keys & pens in the other, and work folders in the back pocket. Works pretty well, but its not getting to look "used" quickly enough.

 
i wonder if a college notepad would fit between the insert and the canvas (body side)... if so it would be an interesting all day bag.
 
Terence, would you be interested in shipping your bag to Thailand? I'll send you a PM.


edit: Oh, man! That's the second time this week I didn't look at the post dates and fooled myself. Well, if it is available ...
 
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I know that this is an old thread, but I was wondering to anyone who still had this bag: does it mold to your body? I have a domke f-3x but want something a bit thinner and perhaps slightly longer to look less like a duffel bag and more like a messenger bag. The F-3x fits well to my body, would the saffrotto also mold to my body or would it be flat like so many other thickly padded camera bags?

Thanks.
 
Can't help much yet, only had mine about 3 weeks. Finally got one as the price was too good to miss. I've only used without the insert so far as my day bag. The insert actually makes it feel stiffer. Maybe someone else has the answer.
 
Let's put it this way. It shapes to your body better than the original Domke F-803 because it doesn't have a stiffener under the top handle.
 
For me it doesn't really mold to the body, mainly because there's a stiff padded board which goes under the insert to provide more drop protection. Taking out the board might help some but the insert which fits very snugly also stiffens the bag.
 
Thanks so much. It sounds not like what I'm looking for then. Too bad Domke doesn't make an F-3x that is just a tad thinner and longer. A slightly odd request: does anyone have a good camera shot of them wearing the safrotto cf700 with a little bit of equipment in it to see how it fits the body?
 
Hmm, is there a pocket in the back (like the domke original), so that one can put in a newspaper or a magazine?


edit
sorry, just read this was already asked. good answer, though. =)
 
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one of the smaller Domke bags. I have just bought a F6 for a three body M kit and it is perfect, so something smaller would be just the ticket. Padded enough, but far more spacious than the over padded bags that are so ubiquitous. Low key (the olive ones look like army surplus bags). Got the F2 as well for when carying my mamiya 7 outfit. V happy.

Personally, with a body and two lenses, I normally sling the camera under my coat with a smooth leather strap and put the spare lenses in pockets or canvas military belt pouches (v small ones). I sometimes use one of the small Leica Billinghams. The Billingham has a much 'posher' build than the Domkes, but the latter seem more than solid enough. The only issue is with the plastic strap sliders, although one must remember that such things are used on backpacks for military use and they don't generally break unless tensioned in the wrong way (or trodden on/driven over). I think they will be fine. The canvas feels very tough and I can confirm that they are waterproof enough after having mine covered in rain and sleet a couple of times. The internal compartment inserts are OK and just fit a M body with modest or slim lens attached (such as M with 28 biogon).
 
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