pismo923
Established
I know there are plenty of threads about each of these bags but I am curious as to which of the two you feel is the better bag for a days shoot with a small kit. I have the Retro 5 but am considering the Domke 803 for its thinner profile.
I have a pretty simple kit - M4-P with Summicron 50, a light meter and film, filters etc. I occasionally will throw a second small camera in there but not often.
Besides a thinner profile, what will the Domke give me? What will I sacrifice if I switch from the Retro 5? I am trying to decide between the two so not really considering any other options to keep it simple. I considered the Domke 5-xb but decided the zipper and loud Velcro would drive me nuts.
I have a pretty simple kit - M4-P with Summicron 50, a light meter and film, filters etc. I occasionally will throw a second small camera in there but not often.
Besides a thinner profile, what will the Domke give me? What will I sacrifice if I switch from the Retro 5? I am trying to decide between the two so not really considering any other options to keep it simple. I considered the Domke 5-xb but decided the zipper and loud Velcro would drive me nuts.
back alley
IMAGES
check out this bag, at mcbains…an olympus messenger bag…very nice at 60 bucks!
http://www.getolympus.com/ca/en/accessories/camera/cases-straps/messenger-camera-system-bag.html
http://www.getolympus.com/ca/en/accessories/camera/cases-straps/messenger-camera-system-bag.html
Godfrey
somewhat colored
The Domke F803 seems lighter and and less bulky to me than the Retro series bags of equal capacity. It's an excellent choice for the kind of kit that you want to carry. While I also like the F5XB quite a bit ... been using one for almost 20 years now ... I see it as being a better fit for a minimal SLR kit as it is thicker front to back. The only downside to it nowadays is that it doesn't have enough space or a pocket to carry my iPad mini securely, which I almost always have with me now.
G
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Larry H-L
Well-known
I get a bunch more stuff in my 803 than in a Retro 5.
For smaller kits, I'm a big fan of the Domke F-10 JD.
For smaller kits, I'm a big fan of the Domke F-10 JD.
pismo923
Established
Thanks for the link Joe. I wish McBains had the 803 in stock so I could actually load it with my gear and get a better idea how it would work for me firsthand. One thing I definitely can say about the Retro 5 is it is a very comfortable bag to carry albeit a bit heavy,
MCTuomey
Veteran
Retro 5 - overbuilt for simple RF kit
Domke - strap too short for big(ger) folks
For RFs I'm a Bare Bones Bag person. Light, minimal padding (but sufficient for me), pleasant to carry, nondescript.
Domke - strap too short for big(ger) folks
For RFs I'm a Bare Bones Bag person. Light, minimal padding (but sufficient for me), pleasant to carry, nondescript.
Denton
Established
Have both
Have both
I have both and prefer the J-803 Domke for two reasons:
1) more useable capacity
2) doesn't look like a camera bag
3)don't like the side pockets on retro 5, can't really use them (maybe a thin table top tripod could fit)
But, the retro 5 is still a nice bag, a bit more square if that makes a difference. Maybe for times when you want a smaller bag.
Denton
Have both
I have both and prefer the J-803 Domke for two reasons:
1) more useable capacity
2) doesn't look like a camera bag
3)don't like the side pockets on retro 5, can't really use them (maybe a thin table top tripod could fit)
But, the retro 5 is still a nice bag, a bit more square if that makes a difference. Maybe for times when you want a smaller bag.
Denton
back alley
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dont forget the domke 5xa & the tenba mini messenger...vistek has the tenba in stock
sevres_babylone
Veteran
Between these two, I would go with the Domke 803. I have been using them since 1991. I also have the Retrospective. It's really nicely made, looks good, has lots of little pockets, and the velcro silencer is a great idea, which I wish others would adopt. But I prefer the thinner domke profile. That said, I've found myself using either the Bowery or BBB-E when just carrying a kit like you've mentioned.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
The Tenba Mini Messenger is HUGE by comparison, more suited IMO for a largish SLR and lenses. (It makes my R8 plus three lenses feel almost light weight!) It's a great bag nonetheless: great for both transporting gear and for working out of. Just quite a bit larger than a Domke F803, and unnecessary for a 1-2 lens Leica M outfit.
G
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
My 803 holds a lot more than a retro 5! I can get in a Hasselblad with waist level finder and lens, plus two more lenses. OK, it's a little tight, but it works. More usually I use the 803 for two Leicas and a couple of extra lenses. Lots of room left for film, lens brush, cloth, and meter. But it's too much bag for one Leica and one lens. For the size outfit you described, I use my Domke f-5xb or F-10.
Duane Pandorf
Well-known
Billingham Hadley Small.
pismo923
Established
Interesting that folks have commented that both bags are over kill for a small kit like mine. I have always considered my Retro 5 to be a small bag. How much smaller would one want unless you like stacking stuff on top of each other?
Ben Z
Veteran
Recently I went away with 2 Canon 5D bodies, 28-135 IS zoom, EF85/1.8, 20/4 Nikkor w/EOS adapter, 420ex flash, small Vivitar flash (backup) and various peripherals packed into the J803 fitted with a 3-compartment insert. The clip fastener fob was let out to the max and the bag was rather bloated, but it all fit just fine. I removed the OEM strap and replaced it with an Optech SOS (elastic) strap (the J803 has metal rings for attaching a strap) which makes it feel lighter. I always found it a little roomy for a Leica kit, the compartments are on the large size and the narrow-diameter Leica lenses tend to rattle around in it. For a rangefinder kit I prefer the F5XB myself.
pismo923
Established
Well I picked up a lightly used F-803 about three weeks ago and have been using it exclusively. Overall a very nice bag but I don't find it to be a clear winner over the Retro 5. The thin profile is nice to be sure but I find it easier to get in and out of the Retro as its a much shallower bag. I definitely like the look of the wax wear when it starts to get that weathered look. The bag seems a bit light on padding, whereas the Retro seems just right. I am going to end up selling one of them but its a tough call as to which one it will be at the moment. I don't need both of these bags as I have a very minimal amount of gear left.
Bille
Well-known
So you basically have the M4 + lens. A Domke F5 should be big enough for that and a few rolls of film.
http://www.carryology.com/reviews-2/road-test/bag-review-domke-f-5xb-camera-bag/
SimonPJ
Well-known
For the past 15 years I have found the Domke 803 to be functionally perfect for 1 x Leica M plus two lenses or 2 x Leica M plus one lens - with ample room for light meter, plenty of film, or memory cards, external viewfinders etc. And room in the pack pocket for an iPad or paper notebook.
Like many others, I've found it to be the perfect Leica M shooting bag. Except.. that after a couple of years they start to look very scruffy. Great for unobtrusively wandering around in public, but not so great for going to more formal work or social events.
I'd love to find a bag that's functionally equivalent to the 803, but remained a little smarter after long use. Any suggestions?
Like many others, I've found it to be the perfect Leica M shooting bag. Except.. that after a couple of years they start to look very scruffy. Great for unobtrusively wandering around in public, but not so great for going to more formal work or social events.
I'd love to find a bag that's functionally equivalent to the 803, but remained a little smarter after long use. Any suggestions?
back alley
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dibs on the 803 if you decide to sell....
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
+1, what he said. I am also apparently a big fan of the F-5XB, as I use mine a lot.