Yet another Domke F-5X question :)

[PeterL]

Hi,

I've just been reading up on the Domke F-5X bags and I was just wondering one thing. The F-5Xa (the smallest one) looks perfect to me as a "man's purse" (*shudder*). I'd like to use it as a camera bag for a Ricoh GX-100 with one 50mm optical viewfinder + my very small wallet, normal cell phone and A6 sized notebook (= a quarter of A4 sized paper: 105x146mm).

I know it will all fit in, but I don't understand how it works when you divide the bag up. The bag is about 20x20x10cm, are the dividers 10cm wide ? Ideally, I'd like to reduce it a bit when it's not fully loaded.

How does it feel when it's attached to a belt ? My gear isn't the heaviest (no Leica M3 + 3 lenses 😉). Is it comfortable ? I'd like to just hang it there and forget about it, which is much harder when it's over my shoulder.



Peter.

 

[jja]

The bag comes with one divider, adjustable via velcro along its edges. You can make the resulting two compartments any size you wish. I don't know that model camera, but if it's a basic slr/rangefinder, you should have no trouble fitting the mentioned gear into the bag.

As for use w/ a belt, I've never actually tried it, but the bag seems too bulky to hang off the hip that way. The included shoulder strap is very comfortable across the chest, w/ the bag hanging to the side or behind, and is quite secure for me. Btw, I can carry two rangefinders w/ 35- and 50mm lenses attached. Not much room for anything else at that point except for a couple of rolls of film in the tiny outer pockets.

 

[PeterL]

The bag comes with one divider, adjustable via velcro along its edges. You can make the resulting two compartments any size you wish. I don't know that model camera, but if it's a basic slr/rangefinder, you should have no trouble fitting the mentioned gear into the bag.

It's not an RF, it's a "small sensor camera" (aka P&S for intelligent people). I'm moving to digital but digital rangefinders are way out of my budget for the hobby that photography is. Still need to be able to afford a house and kids !

As for use w/ a belt, I've never actually tried it, but the bag seems too bulky to hang off the hip that way. The included shoulder strap is very comfortable across the chest, w/ the bag hanging to the side or behind, and is quite secure for me.

Hmm, I was afraid of that. I'm looking for an in-between bag: most belt pouches take only a small camera and most shoulder bags are too big to hang&forget. I had a Minolta TC-1 before and the aspect I loved most, was that I could just hang it off my belt until I needed it. I'd like the same now, but with a bit more space for a small wallet & notebook+pen. Say, 11x15x8cm internal size or something like that.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to do some more reading up, then. I found the Naneu Pro Delta and then there's the Domke pouches, maybe they're a bit more what I'm looking for.


Peter.

 

[jja]

For a P&S sized camera + the extras mentioned, the Domke may actually be too big. In the U.S. we have stores called REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.?) that carry all kinds of camping/travel/gear bags in all sizes. You might try a comparable store in Belgium that carries non-camera bags that will nonetheless serve your purposes.

 

[PeterL]

Hi JJA,

I'll probably go for a Domke F-945 as it's sufficiently smaller so much more easy to carry on a belt, yet it fits everything I mentioned above + sunglasses. At €25, it's about an average price, too. For all other Domke bags, I really like the sand colour, but the F-945 sand looks very ugly. But the olive one looks good !

Once, I promised myself never to spend a second on shopping for "men's purses" or camera bags, and look at me now 🙁 *burst into tears*

😛

Thanks for your help.



Peter.