bag recommendation?

[back alley]

to comfortably fit...

r4m and 15/finder, 21, 28, 35 and maybe a 40/2.

so far, i think all would actually squeeze into a domke 5xb, but very tight and i can see lenses slipping out of my hand when trying to change them on the camera.

not the 803 ;)

joe

[ClaremontPhoto]

The senior moderator is trolling (perhaps)!

[back alley]

what the hell is that supposed to mean?
joe

[ClaremontPhoto]

If I was having a coffee with you Joe you would have smiled and laughed with me.

Bag wise I'd look at a Billingham M Bag for you in black. But it depends on your taste.

[ElrodCod]

what the hell is that supposed to mean?
joe

I think he was pulling your chain because you should have posted this in the Micl Photo Accessories - Bags etc forum.

[back alley]

moved it.
forgot we had that section...

maybe i should stay away from people for awhile, feel like crap today.

joe

[dcsang]

Man.. I've been out of it.. Domke F-802 or F-803.

That said.. when did the R4M start shipping???

Davey

[ClaremontPhoto]

Joe:


Go down Whyte Road and leave this crazy place alone for a good few hours. I'm certain you can lunch down there, and come back to to enjoy us again.

[FrankS]

Stressed out over travelling? I recall that flying is not your favourite activity.

[back alley]

i think my blood pressure is whacked today.
i am dizzy and walking around like a drunk man.
i'm gonna head home soon.

dontcha just love driving while dizzy?
joe

[dcsang]

Take it easy Joe.. honestly...

Dave

[migtex]

Joe

Get a massage.... seriously!

[Sparrow]

Joe

Get a massage.... seriously!

I think he needs to get his BP down…..not up

Take care Joe
;)

[rover]

Not something to mess with Joe, take it easy this afternoon.

[Rob Skeoch]

to get back to your question what about the domke F3-x or F-6 bags.
If you want better quality you could get a Billingham 255.

Hope you feel better.
-Rob

[vrgard]

Hey Joe,

Take it easy and hope you feel better soon.

And to answer your question, yeah, I would stay with the Domke F-5xb and just use those double-ended Leica lens caps that let you connect two lenses together end-to-end. That way you could easily carry the camera with the camera and one lens in the middle section and use each end section to hold two lenses attached to each other. Nice and secure, nothing banging around, very compact, and you already have that bag so it's easy to try.

-Randy

[Don Parsons]

Hey Joe,
when you feel better, this is a cheaper alternative and it doesn't look like a camera bag.

Do you have Target stores up there? If you do, go to one, go to the BABY section and get an Eddie Bauer diaper bag. Then put a domke 4-lens insert in it and you'll be set.

I have two of these I use all the time.

don

[amateriat]

IMO, Randy's advice is the most sound. Minimal investment, maximum versatility. And, sometimes, you can have too many bags. (Blasphemy, I know...)


- Barrett

[back alley]

re, the bags, i have set up a 5xb bag with dividers and it looks like it would work but be cramped.
i have the m classic but seem to use it less and less. the strap is shorter these days - or my belly is bigger, not sure ;)
diaper bags? not too sure but i'm guessing if it takes a domke 4 insert that it might be a bit too square shaped for me.

re. my health, i am on meds that keep my bp low so the heart has less work to do but sometimes the bp goes a touch too low and i get a bit dizzy.
which is different from when my blood sugar gets too low and i get wuzzy and dizzy.
i could open my own drug store...;)

[ray_g]

Again, I would vote for the F6. It really is smaller, and hugs the body better, than you think, Joe. Would be perfect for this setup. The M classic too.

[rover]

i am on meds that keep my bp low so the heart has less work to do but sometimes the bp goes a touch too low

Low is as bad as too high, keep track of it and discuss with your physician about adjustments in your Rx if necessary.

My doctor was all bent out of shape when he thought my BP was falling too low. I wanted to remind him that it was his fault, but I didn't think he would have been able to take that criticism at the time.

Regardless, relax this afternoon, take advantage of the unexpected time off.

[back alley]

ray, i agree that f6 looks good.
it has a 4 insert that would hold the lenses and enough extra space outside of the insert for the camera with lens attached.
and what looks like plenty of room in the outside pouch for film.
i might look for a used one with a wtb ad.

and rover, i'm not sure exactly why they keep mine low other than for less exertion on the heart. i was off the bp meds for 2 weeks when they were making changes in my med routine and that was the only time i felt like the 'old' me with some extra energy.

[Rob-F]

As the owner/user of two 5XB's, an 803, an F6, and a lot of other stuff, I think the F6 sounds like a good suggestion. The roomy main compartment is a lot easier and quicker to drop a camera and lens into--especially with aux finder attached--than a 5XB. And with four lens compartments, it will enough room for what you said you want to carry.

Of course, you could carry a 5XB on each shoulder. Not.

[vrgard]

Intentionally or not, Rob-F has raised a good point. That is, what's the intended use case? Here's what he said last year on photo.net and I think it makes a lot of sense (amazing how easy it is to find these things via a simple Google search - hope you don't mind that I quoted you Rob):

"Really, it depends on your purpose. I use the F-6, or the 803, or the F5XB, depending on what I'm doing. The F6 is a 'working' bag more so than a compact storage bag. I can drop an M6 with a large lens into the main compartment, another M6 with a small lens into one of the four padded cells, and several other lenses into the three remaining cells. The compartments are large enough so as not to be fiddly. You don't have to waste time carefully slipping lenses and cameras into place. You just drop them in.

For a compact bag to take into a museum, restaurant, etc. or on a hike or onto an airplane, the 803 or F5XB are better."

So, in addition to the basic question of "will everything fit?" there's also the question of how and where you intend to use the bag.

Hope this helps.

-Randy

[Trius]

F6. I have one, along with the F5-XB (or whatever the heck it is; that's just too complicated a model #), and the F6, IMO, would be perfect. I can carry 3-4 fixed lens RFs in it comfortably (I bought the 2-compartment insert to make it a more roomy bag), or an OM-1 kit plus a 35SP, etc.

It molds to the body really well, at least the canvas version. I've had mine for well over a year and have yet to wash it, but it is soft enough having worn in a bit. Maybe I'll wash it soon and see how good it can get.

I found Helix had the best online price, shipping was reasonable to the US at least.

[rover]

F6 is a really nice bag to go out shooting with. Small, but with 4 nice compartments for lenses and stuff, and a larger area for some more stuff. Well organized and comfortable to carry.

I just loaded up my F3x for a trip out Friday. Camera, digi p&s, two extra lenses film and stuff. It is like you M Classic in use. More of a big bag to dump stuff which will mill around inside. I don't mind it when carrying a small kit, gives me extra room for other things if I find any to take home with me.

[back alley]

trius, helix has them at a good price but shipping is 26 bucks.
a bit much when photocan ships for 10, too bad they are out of them for now.
but i am in no great hurry.
besides i prefer to buy used, already broken in bags.

joe

[sepiareverb]

My main usual bag is the old standby F2-used to have 2 1-cpmt inserts and a 2 compt insert w/o foam in the middle- 2 bodies w/small lenses, extra lens and a 'drop box' for exposed films. lots of space in the pockets for everything- I carry a lot of extra film, filters, and etc. Now (thanks Joe) I have 3 1 cmpt inserts and can carry 3 bodies w/lenses easily. I dislike changing lenses in the field for just that reason you mention- dropped a Nikon 105/2.5 once- thankfully I was in the woods and it has a cushy landing- nearly had a heart attack tho as it left my hand. The F2 is a nice size for me- I carry the 803 when travelling light, and have the 'little bit bigger' bag (the one that can hold 4 inserts whatever the # is) for those rare days I want a lot. That big bag was the main one in the SLR stock shooting days- and acts as my 'storage closet' most of the time now.

-hope you're feeling better Joe!

[back alley]

feeling a bit better now, thanks.

how would you compare the 803 and the f6?
joe

[sepiareverb]

I think the F6 is the same size as the F2- sans the side pockets and a little bit shallower- 7" deep I believe. That is a great size- the full depth bags do tend to seem a little too deep for RF gear- fine for an F5 or EOS, but deeper than needed for a M size body. If you're not needing the side pockets (mine are my fresh film pockets) that would be great- picture 3 inserts in a row and you're there- plus a touch more space- I keep my notebook in one end and can get it in & out easily even if the inserts are full. DOn't forget the pocket in the lid- I'm not sure if the F6 has that one- probably does- a huge amount of space hides in there- but you don't get the smaller front flap pockets like on the 803...

[peter_n]

how would you compare the 803 and the f6?
joeF-803 has the satchel shape (thinner) and the F-6 is a bit more squarish. The F803 is deeper than the F-6 and I find both easy to work out of but the shape of the F-803 means you have to stack lenses on top of each other if you want to take 4 lenses with you. I find the F-6 the most convenient bag to work out of because it is shallow and you can get at everything very easily. The top of the F-6 has a zippered compartment utilizing about 1/2 the area of the canvas, and there is a pocket on the front that will hold light meter, film, etc. I think the F-6 is the best solution for a one or two camera kit out of my 4 Domke bags.

[back alley]

i like the shallow aspect of the bag, never been a big fan of the square bag.
but i want to carry the full cv kit most of the time, it's all small and light, and i want easy access to everything.
i put a wtb ad in the classified and will keep an eye on 'photocan' for new stock to appear.
joe

[back alley]

talk about timing!
photocan just restocked it's store and now have the f6 back in the line up.
i ordered one.
seems a good choice for the cv kit.

thanks everyone.
joe

[sepiareverb]

Sounds like you get both the front pockets AND the top pocket too- score.

[peter_n]

Top pocket on the F-6 is small compared to the F-2. Front pocket on the F-6 is excellent; it stretches across almost the whole width of the front of the bag and has zippers instead of Velcro.

[dostacos]

to comfortably fit...

r4m and 15/finder, 21, 28, 35 and maybe a 40/2.

so far, i think all would actually squeeze into a domke 5xb, but very tight and i can see lenses slipping out of my hand when trying to change them on the camera.

not the 803 ;)

joe
try a little bit smaller F-6, add a second 4 slot pouch and you have 8 spaces for body and lenses plus [a BIG plus] a front zippered pouch that holds 10+ rolls of film in the box with room for more stuff. with the 5XB you will need to stack 2 lenses on either side of the center section with camera body and small lens and not much room for film

[ray_g]

add a second 4 slot pouch and you have 8 spaces for body and lenses

Which domke insert (4 slot pouch) is that? I don't think the F6 can accomodate 2 of the original 4-compartment inserts, can it?

[LazyHammock]

Which domke insert (4 slot pouch) is that? I don't think the F6 can accomodate 2 of the original 4-compartment inserts, can it?

Looking at mine you would only get one 4-slot insert in there. Although if you carry a TLR and one RF it is the perfect size. I really like the back pouch for notebooks, street guides, maps etc. I would highly recommend the optional shoulder pad.
Nick

[back alley]

i think the 4 pouch will be good. 4 lenses plus a body with lens attached in the 'extra' space, film in the big outside pocket.
i did get the shoulder pad.

[Trius]

The top pocket of the F6 is just fun for RF accessories, IMO. I mean, how much extra stuff can you carry with an R4 kit? And who wants the weight?

A single 4-compartment insert should work really well for Joe's kit; 2 of them might fit, but it would be tight and like Joe, I don't like cramping.

I'm sure you'll like it, Joe. Where is Photocan?

[back alley]

they are cdn but have a warehouse in vermont. if what you order is in the u.s. warehouse then they move it to the cdn warehouse and ship via canada post. it works out to be cheaper but takes a bit longer to get to me. shipping the same bag from helix in the states cost 26 bucks but with photocan shipping was 9:50 and acc. are free or discounted shipping.
they are on ebay.

[shutterflower]

Bag recommendation?

yeah: Buy one.

[pmu]

talk about timing!
f6 back in the line up.
i ordered one.
seems a good choice for the cv kit.





Nice choice! F6 is the best bag I have used. Absolutely perfect with Leicas. In pictures stuffed with gear the bag looks like it's "square", but the softness of the bag makes it actually not "square" in actual use. And the size is perfect; The bag is small, but can hold 2 m-bodies, 3-4 lenses, 20 rolls of film and some extra stuff. If the size would be bigger it would be too big to carry comfortably IMO and if it would be smaller it would look too much like a old woman's hand bag :)

[back alley]

while i still look forward to the f6 for now i have to use the 5xb, and it all fits in the 5xb with still some room to spare!!

pretty amazing bag...


joe

[rpsawin]

Bag recommendation?

yeah: Buy one.

Shutterflower: If I had GAS over a certain model would that make me a gasbag? :D

Bob

[Rico]

The F6 is an ideal shooting bag because it's shallow and the flap folds back. I use it for RF and SLR:

Domke F6 loaded up (320KB) (http://patternassociates.com/rico/photo/misc/DomkeF6.jpg)

Each pocket of the insert can hold a prime, P&S, or M with attached 35/2 (or collapsed 50).

[back alley]

thanks for the pics rico.
i'm looking forward to this new bag.
one camera with lens outside the inserts, 3 lenses in the insert along with the grd and plenty of film in the outside pocket, looks ideal.

[peter_n]

Of course it's ideal, would we steer you wrong? ;)

[shutterflower]

I like tight bags.

http://www.shutterflower.com/DSC_4544.jpg

[Xmas]

Joe

Can we have a new rule to stop moderators annoying trolls with pictures of kit.
I gotta take a train about 3 miles to the photo shop now...

I hope you are better.

Noel

[back alley]

photos of gear...it's what i do best!
;)

[Xmas]

Joe

I've looked at your galley it is ok. May be I'll take a camera to the bag shop.

Noel

[JohnL]

to comfortably fit... r4m and 15/finder, 21, 28, 35 and maybe a 40/2.
so far, i think all would actually squeeze into a domke 5xb, but very tight and i can see lenses slipping out of my hand when trying to change them on the camera.
not the 803 ;)
joe
I use an f-5xb for M7, cv 28, 35/2.5, 50/2.5, 90/3.5 about 4 films and odds and ends. I can also cram in the 35 Nokton in a pinch, but its not really ideal. I save some space by having two of the small lenses back-to-back on glued-together rear caps. I'm thinking of getting one of the 3-series bags for low light, which means the M7 with the Nokton, and Canon 7s with the 50/0.95, film, odds and ends ... maybe also one or more of the slower lenses. Not sure about this yet.

[back alley]

the f6 just arrived.
it looks like a winner for my needs.
it's the closest thing i have to a tradtional camera bag, i think, but i can get over that. everything fits with space all around, even seperate room for exposed and new film cans, i like that.
i also bought one of those p.o. shoulder pads but the bag is so light i feel silly putting it on.
is there a 'right' way, btw? the thicker side of the cushion nearer to the neck or away?

many thanks for all the suggestions - it seems the f6 was a great recommendation!!

joe

[sepiareverb]

And like all my Domkes it just gets better every time you use it. Soon it will fit you and your gear like a glove, or a pair of leather pants, or something

[back alley]

5'10"
250 pounds

leather pants!

not thinking so...;)

[back alley]

a quick pic

[peter_n]

Looks familiar! But those lenses are swimming around in there...

[back alley]

not much i can do about that peter, they are small.
i did add another layer of closed cell foam to the bottom of the 4 compartments and under each camera as well.

[back alley]

i just want to thank everyone who suggested this bag to me.
i used it earlier today and it is truly perfect for my needs.
it fits everything i want to carry and could handle more, it's easy to work out of and molds itself to my curves(;)) quite nicely.
the 5xb is still great for a smaller amount of gear or just to have when a smaller bag is called for.
but the f6 is right on and now i want one for the zeiss kit too!

joe

[peter_n]

Yep. I think they are perfect for everyday type use. I used mine on a New England RFF meet and I think Rover and Ray_g may have got theirs after taking a look at mine.

[ray_g]

Yep. I think they are perfect for everyday type use. I used mine on a New England RFF meet and I think Rover and Ray_g may have got theirs after taking a look at mine.

That's right. The olive one looks very nice, Joe.

And I got a Luigi after seeing Rover's, who got a Nikon S2 after that meeting.

These RFF meetings can get pretty expensive. :)

[back alley]

most of my bags are (ninja ;)) black.
one of my 3 5xb bags is sand.

[ray_g]

You have the same bag in the same color?

[iandg]

Thanks Joe just purchased a f6 now all i have to do is wait.

[back alley]

You have the same bag in the same color?

for bags i have...

1 black m classic
1 black domke f6
2 black domke 5xb
1 sand domke 5xb
1 black no name book bag with an insert
1 black aluminum case
1 silver aluminum case
1 black tamrac (similar to the 5xb), very old bag

[sepiareverb]

I see a "how many 'man-bags'" poll thread in my future

[eon]

i also bought one of those p.o. shoulder pads but the bag is so light i feel silly putting it on.
is there a 'right' way, btw? the thicker side of the cushion nearer to the neck or away?
joe


The high side of the cussion shall be away from the neck. This to even out the little slope on the shoulder.
I don't have one of these shoulder pads since the straps are soft and abrasive to sit comfortable as is. I even use a Domke strap for a LowePro bag as i really dislike their shoulder straps.
/Erik

[back alley]

The high side of the cussion shall be away from the neck. This to even out the little slope on the shoulder.
I don't have one of these shoulder pads since the straps are soft and abrasive to sit comfortable as is. I even use a Domke strap for a LowePro bag as i really dislike their shoulder straps.
/Erik

that's what i thought.
i have to admit that i doubt that i will use the shoulder pad much longer on the f6 as the whole thing does not weigh enough to warrant it.

if i get another f6 for the heavier zeiss kit i would try it on that bag though.

[sepiareverb]

I could have used one on my F7 years back, but this RF stuff is so light I hardly notice the bag, till 3pm or so...

[back alley]

these days, my knees or back will give out before the bag starts to get heavy.

[sepiareverb]

My chiropractor has a love/hate dilemma over the lighter bag I carry now.

[biomed]

This the bag I use when I want something small. It is meant for carrying film in, but works well for my RF kit. It will attatch to a belt or a shoulder strap may be used. It has a hide-away waterproof rain cover stowed in the bottom. The interior dividers are of the adjustable velcro type.

http://tinyurl.com/2jnopf

Mike