Can somebody help me a little on the bag selection ?

Thanks a lot dafiryde for your feedback.
Previous week I was on a short trip to Germany and I had the opportunity to see actually some Domke bags colors/materials on a German shop (however they had only the F-803, F5-XB & F5-XC), and I liked better the olive.

So finally I purchased from USA the F-3x in olive, I’m very impatient to receiveit it but I guess it will take I till it's delivered here in Europe.
I purchased it from the States since the cost of the most Domke’s here in Europe is approximately 200%-250% higher than in the States (excluding F5 series and some very small bags which are available at more reasonable prices). I guess this is the reason why even if I travel a lot and I’m often in places with photographers, up to now I show only two times in my live a photographer in Europe using a Domke bag,…this is also a plus point if you want that you bag is not recognized as a photo equipment bag.
Anyhow, as soon as I receive my F-3x and try it a little out , I will come back here, just to write my impressions.
Dimitris :)

I received my new Domke F-3x and I had also the change to try it out: It’s really a great bag and I’m very happy with it !!!
I must admit that I had some doubts up to receiving it , since I purchased it from an on-line store (it was not available at any local shop) …
My experience so far:
I had it often all day long with me in various occasions and I really love it: It is very flexible, it has great gear accessibility it is extremely practical to use.
It is so practical to use and to carry around that it became a standard procedure of me that even on occasions when I go out of my home without expecting to take any pictures, I take the bag loaded just with my camera and 1-2 lenses with me, and sometimes I get some opportunities for a nice shoot
So it totally meets my expectations!

As I was totally aware before purchasing ,it lacks on the gear protection part, but this is not really a negative, since you cannot except to have at the same time a light and so flexible and practical bag which over’s simultaneous a full padded gear protection ( I had the Lowepro Stealth reporter 100, with great protection but it is was way too bulky and with a shape like a box)

In order to feel a little more secure I just added on the F-3x a folded protective wrap on the bottom as little extra bottom protection, since the bottom is always the most sensitive part of a photo bag (this is also very practical as a space divider, since I put under it driving license Id card) and I put also one of the small dividers I had from older camera bags on the each of the side pockets as also one on the open front pocket. These additions are increasing actually the gear protection with almost zero extra weight, and with absolute no impact on the great flexibility of the F-3x.

Many Thanks for your very helpful feedbacks here, which helped me a lot to choose the correct for my needs, camera bag :D :):)

PS ….during my 20+ years of shooting, the F-3x is actually my first Domke bag and it’s also the first time that I’m totally satisfied with a camera shoulder bag (these doesn’t mean that the F-3x is perfect, it’s just means that the F-3x is totally covering my priorities on my photo bag requirements)

Glad to hear your enjoying it.
as for the lack of gear protection, seriously the average Joe does not need it.
at times like this , one has to think outside the box.
take out all your gear you would normally carry with you. place all the camera gear on one side of the bed, you would be supprised at how much more extras we carry around, like cleaning cloths, rocket blower, handkercheif, wallet, camera strap, bottle water, etc. all these things would serve as impact barriers, you just need to spread them around the outer sides of the bag :D

i recently tried out my Domke vest which has no protection, and on the bussiest time of the year, Carnival tuesday, a day when you are dealing with thousands and thousands of people, pushing, jumping, wining, and seroiusly my gear was banging against people and thats not hard on your gear. :cool:

Dave
T&T

[Jon]

I agree completely with Dave. The loose bits and pieces in the outside pockets provide all the protection you really need. Between card wallets, filter wallets, notebooks and the like, there's plenty to absorb or dissipate any impacts.

Absolutely.
As far as the bodies and lenses aren't in contact inside the main compartment, all gears are safe inside with all the pockets - and youy body - around the bag.

gree dafiryde; F3X is an excellent choice to take what you are looking for. F6 really is not much different than the capacity of the F3, just a different geometry. F2, leave your gear rattling around without a more appropriate choice, and leave a lot more space. If the camera does not stand up, you might consider the F-803 so there is an alternative.
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sent me a link for the new forum, i will take a look at the graphics... see where i can help out .... what kind of feel u want for it?


i got some free time... i might be able to come up with a kick ass splash page...

I see you went with the F-3x instead of the F-6. I agree that that was a good choice. I have two F-2 bags and one F-6. The F-6 is GREAT for a rangefinder kit. Mine was filled with two Leica M cameras, a 90mm f/2, 50mm f/2, 15mm f/3.2, 35mm f2, a small flash and various cleaning cloths, filters, sync cables and other accessories. It was a perfect fit. However, I've found that it does not handle larger SLRs as well (Nikon D700). On the other hand, my brother uses an identical F-6 for his Canon Rebel kit and is delighted with it.

All this rambling is to say that I like the configuration of the F-3x better than the F-6 for a smallish bag for larger SLRs. I'm considering a F-3x purchase for that purpose, myself. Glad to hear you're liking it.

i buy and still find only the F3X gives comfort with convenience and most important - accessability.
It may sound big but with your gear listed, a few pats here and there an it will get small.

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