Customer Reviews

Domke F-2 Original Bag (Black)

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I used Domke bags several years ago when I worked as a news photographer. The design was/is one of the best around for a bag to work out of rather than just to carry equipment. I liked the bag for its "floppiness" and its ability to mold itself to your body when carried. The biggest problem with the bags--and I saw this in virtually every Domke bag being carried by news photographers at the time--was that they wore through due to friction. Carrying it every day meant it rubbed against your side and mine eventually wore a big hole in the back. The only other problem I had with the bag was the lack of weather proofing. Being cotton, when they got wet they stayed wet for a long time.

I switched to a waterproofed nylon bag but it had its own problems. Zippers wore out and the rough nylon rubbed against and wore spots on my jackets.

Bottom line is--there is no perfect camera bag. The best I've found has been the Billingham brand (those are 5-star bags). They are dense-weave cotton with a waterproofing applied. They don't wear as easily and they don't absorb water. They're as easy to work out of as a Domke. They cost a LOT more, however.

I like the Domke bags as a less expensive alternative to the Billinghams. I still like to transport equipment in heavily padded, waterproof nylon bags but, more often than not, I'll carry a Domke or Billingham canvas bag when I'm actually shooting photos.

This bag, which I own and work out of is well made, roomy and easy to carry. Its day-to-day load includes a 20D/grip, 85/1.8, 28-75/2.8, 70-200/2.8IS, 580EX and meter, Lightsphere, poncho, M530V and charger, extra batts, filters, blank cds, cables. The bag has plenty capacity for the weight I'm willing to carry, and my limit is pretty much where it's at right now, 20 lbs. I also carry around my laptop in a sleeve and more often than not either a 681B, or a 3021BPro/486rc2. I could find another camera bag with more room, but the tradeoff is that it will not get carried around, but left behind in the car or office. The F2 has a nice hand strap, and a very nice shoulder strap that does not chafe or rub my neck. The bag fits behind the seat of my car unobtrusively, and is easy to carry.

I've been using this model bag for over 25 years and have yet to find a bag I would considering switching to. Most bags look too much like camera bags, have too much padding (unless you tend to drop your bag a lot (I've never dropped my camera bag that I can remember). The Domke F-2 could be slightly larger, for today's larger cameras, but I prefer it to the F1 "little bit bigger bag"; it's too much bigger).

canvas shapes to your body, zippered pocket in flap is great for passport, money, etc. A great bag that really works.

I've had a Domke bag for over 40 years. These are the things I love about it. It is light weight, durable, flexible, and usable. Not using other bags I don't know how easily it is to change compartments. This one is a snap with velcro fastening and multiple pockets. One on the flap for print material, two in front for filters, microfiber cloth, batteries, memory cards, etc. One on the far side of the bag for incidental items that are exposed to the weather but still come in handy. Two, one on each end. The shoulder strap stays ON ALL THE TIME. You can pick up the bag with a removable canvass strap without opening or unbuckling the bag. Oh yes, and it doesn't look like a camera bag. It is weatherproof and an absolutely delight to use.

...but only like the inside.

I have to say the bag is terrific in how it looks and feels. Never thought I'd be concerned about the aesthetics of a camera bag, but this bag just looks so nice.

The space inside? I just came back from carrying around two bodies, three primes and a flash. One body has a dual battery pack. Everything fit very nice in that regard, the inserts were perfect for that load. About the only negative I have has to do with what I usually carry around for casual shooting or for shooting sports, which is a Nikon body and a 70-200 2.8 lens. With that lens on the body it takes up the full length of the bag, and makes the padded inserts unusable.

I'm going to take the inserts out of one of my old bags and cobble together an insert to better fit that camera/lens combo.

Back to the bag itself. The material and stitching are solid. The bag sheds rain drops very well, and with water beading on the surface there is no wetting of the material. Wipe or shake it off and it's essentially dry. That's nice.

The cover flap is large enough to provide good protection even when not snapped closed.

The shoulder strap is pretty comfortable "as is", which is without the padded version. I did not buy the backpack strap.

I'm considering cutting off or masking the DOMKE logo just to make the bag a little more nondescript when walking around.

I have always used a back-pack style of camera bag, which is good for storage but not as practical in the field. I really like the canvas Domke for its great strap that stays on your shoulder, and the softness of the bag next to your hip.

I carry a Canon 5D with 24-105mm lens attached, as well as a 70-200mm zoom, a 85mm prime, a 1.4x tele, extra batteries, filters, cables, external flash, memory cards- and I have plenty of room.

My daughter uses a Domke F-6 which is smaller, but also has a nice amount of room. If you don't have a lot of equipment, consider the F-6 as an option.

I've had a smaller Domke (F6?) for nearly 20 years and it's been a great bag and has worn like iron. Somehow along the way I lost focus and started using those over-padded monstrosities. I finally realized the error of my ways and bought a new Domke that would hold more of my gear, including (among other things) a Canon 100-400L and a 5D with battery grip. Now I remember why I bought my original Domke all those years ago! The bag conforms to your hip and with the shoulder pad it's got all-day comfort whether you carry it over the shoulder or messenger style. I highly recommend it.

I've never seen a modestly sized bag hold so much stuff, comfortably. I have a couple larger bags that -technically- hold more, but in some weird configuration so that I'm always packing and unpacking. Domke bags are designed by a photographer for photographers, and it shows. I started filling this bag, and just 'knew' where to put everything - and I don't have to remove more than one item to get to whatever I need. Comes out of the box looking a bit 'lived in', and not obviously a camera bag, which is a plus when traveling. The metal clips that back up the velcro top closure could be easier to manipulate, but -- great bag!

This bag is great. It conforms to your body, feels secure, doesn't draw attention to you, and holds a ton of lenses. I can hold my SLR and 5 lenses with relative ease, along with my charger, two flashes, and various cables/accessories. The strap is very comfortable and long. The body-side of the strap has some sort of rubber lining to keep traction on your shoulder, so it doesn't slip while moving. My only (very minor) complaint is that there is no small compartment for memory cards, they tend to get lost in the pockets. Still, this bag was worth every penny.

I originally ordered the Domke F-6 Little Bit Smaller Bag (Olive), but decided that it was a little too small for my needs, as I like to use my bag on a daily basis and need a lot of organization options. So, I returned the F-6 and ordered the F-2 (I stuck with the olive color because it rocks!) and am much happier with the outer pockets and size. I also like the fact that the F-2 has a removable padded bottom insert, a feature that is not available on the F-6.

So, this bag is a perfect size for my kit (Nikon D40 with 18-55mm lens, Sigma 10-20mm, and Nikon 10.5mm fisheye) and other everyday items (IPod, car keys, hat, etc). If you're looking for a smaller bag for travel or to serve exclusively as a camera bag, the F-6 just might meet your needs. But, if you're like me and like lots of outer pockets and storage options, I would suggest going with the F-2.