Domke F-5XA

[writer]

I am thinking of getting this bag for my M6.

Has anyone here purchased the F-5XA or tried it at a store?

I have also looked at the F-5XB, but I want the smallest bag available that doesn't look like a camera bag.

I plan on carrying the camera only with a couple of rolls of film.

Thanks.

Frank V.

[vrgard]

I think Roland (ferider) has one and has previously posted about it. Do a search on his postings and you should find it.

-Randy

[Jason Sprenger]

I recently got a F-5XA myself. It's good for a 35mm rangefinder camera with lens, another lens or two, some film, and maybe a couple of filters or a small hood.

I also have the F-5XB. In this I can carry a camera with lens, two other lenses, a flash, a few rolls of film, a filter or two, and a manfratto table top tripod.

They are both small bags though with the F-5XA being about 2/3rds the size of the F-5XB.

For a rangefinder camera, a lens and some film, the F-5XA is plenty while still being smaller than a lunchbox.

[jimmygcreative]

I have one, I use it for day trips in not so great areas of town, take the domke logo off the front too! perfect good bag!

[ferider]

I like it a lot. Good for one body with 2-4 small lenses, if you use
the rear to rear lens adapters. It comes with two separators, and
I added two.

http://ferider.smugmug.com/photos/156620366-M.jpg

Thinking about getting another one ...

Roland.

[back alley]

anyone have both the 5a and 5b bags for a side by side pic?

[Jason Sprenger]

Here they are, side by side.

[back alley]

thanks jason.
the 5a looks perfect for one body/lens plus film.

i may have to try one.

joe

[Xmas]

Joe

Does that look like a MP I see in that bag?

Noel

[MartinL]

I have a very old F-6 that's too roomy for my M8 + lenses. I was attracted to the 5A model, but not quite enough space. Turns out that Samys has a bunch of F5B's on sale for under $40. Two choices at the store: The first had no back "loop" for a belt. Darn. Sometimes I'd like the belt.

The second "B" was perfect except for :eek: LOL! a genuine replica badge sewn on that said "Official White House Photographer," and a serviceable likeness of the White House. Now I wouldn't dare walk into my kitchen, not to mention some ferrign place like Europe, with such a silly thing. But I bought it anyway. After all, bargain's a bargain.

Easy enough to snip the threads and peel off the "badge." But it was also held on, sealed, with a largish dab of silicone that did not peel of; and left an ugly mark. Solution was to run my heat gun and melt the silicone while rubbing with a towel. Looks pristine now, cut off the red Domke label. Holds M8, 4 lenses, and some other small stuff.

[back alley]

i use the f6 for both kits now.
the zi bag has the camera with one lens attached and my other 3 lenses in the padded holder.
the r4 bag has the body with lens attached, and the other 5 lenses, 2 of which are back to back (glued 2 rear caps together) in one section.
the 5b bags (i have 2 left) are for carrying less.

and noel...there is no mp...honest:)

[R2-D2]

I like it a lot. Good for one body with 2-4 small lenses, if you use
the rear to rear lens adapters. It comes with two separators, and
I added two.
Are the left and the right side of the inner compartement not padded?

[ferider]

Are the left and the right side of the inner compartement not padded?

That's right. I use the original two seperators that came with the bag
for this now, and two thicker (from some Lowepro bags) ones in the
middle.

Roland.

[R2-D2]

That's right. I use the original two seperators that came with the bag for this now, and two thicker (from some Lowepro bags) ones in the middle.
OK, thanks for the information.

Best regards

[ian_w]

Is it my eyes, or does the xa look like it's only shorter than xb? I thought the design was taller, but less long - more square - did I read 8x8 inches against 10.5x6.5 inches?

Can anyone comment? I'm hoping that this is the ideal small small bag to fit into other bags when I'm travelling, and it certainly looks good, but I'm concerned about a camera and three lenses into it if the internal volume is that much less.

Thanks

Ian

[vrgard]

I'm curious about this as well. I understood the XA to be a bit taller than the XB. Jason's pics above seem to show this. But can someone who actually has these bags confirm that?

[ferider]

I guess the beer will tell :)

[Bob Michaels]

I have one. It's just the right size for 35mm RF, extra lens, and film. But no more.

The downside is that stupid zipper closure keeps you from easily reaching into the bag and pulling out the camera one handed. I always find things tend to hang up so I need one hand holding the bag down with the other extracts the camera. Maybe I'll just cut away the zipper and leave a gaping hole in the top. It'd be covered by the flap anyway.

I find the F3X bag to be ideal. You don't have to neatly "pack". You can just dump things in and grab them back out without looking. Do consider that one.

[ChrisPlatt]

What is the inside measurement, front to back, on the F5XA?

TIA,
Chris

[vrgard]

What is the inside measurement, front to back, on the F5XA?

TIA,
Chris

As I recall, B&H lists it as 4.5", same as the F5XB.

-Randy

[ian_w]

So, you reckon only a camera, with a couple of lenses but no film Bob? Hmm... Anyone bought Roland a beer yet?:)

Ian

[vrgard]

I've offered to cover Roland's first beer so we got that covered! :p

-Randy

[michaelging]

I have the 5B which is a great camera bag.It will hold both of my Contax G2's, and my 4 lenses,but that is a tight fit. I usually have one camera on my shoulder and the other inside.I really like the flap and zipper. In most cases when shooting , I leave the zipper open and just lift the velcro flap with my free hand to get a lens or film. When It needs to be secured in a crowd , I zip the inside zipper. This makes a very water proof bag that I have used in downpours without getting cameras wet. I also use canvas waterproofing spray (kiwi ) on all my domke bags, up to 5 coats. I put it on before I ever use the bag. I had this bag sitting in 4 in of water in the bottom of a dingy and the cameras never got wet. I also use the Domke mailman pad on all my camera bags, I keeps the strap from slipping off even if you bend over to pick something up off the ground. It also distributes the weight better when I carrry a bag all day.

[ampguy]

My fx5b is just a bit large for daily carry. What I've found works well with the 35/2 v4 and m6 with hood detached is a tamron digital camera bag. However, it's a tight fit with the 35/2 v5 asph. I might go check out a mini dslr lowepro "rezo" bag. The f5a is a bit too metro-ish for me, though I like that it doesn't look like an obvious camera bag.

[Chris Lynch]

is that a non-gripper strap on the XA in the XAvsXB picture?

i hate the gripper strap haha

[Jason Sprenger]

Both the F-5xa and F-5xb case have the gripper strap.

The strap attaches via snap clips so replacing it is not a chore, but it would mean the bother of locating a replacement strap.

[cmogi10]

how do these compare sizewise to the A&A Oskar's one day bag?
http://www.artisanandartist.com/bags/images/acam7100-main.jpg
http://www.artisanandartist.com/bags/images/acam7100-open.jpg

[vrgard]

Sorry, Carl, but I don't know what size the A&A bag is. But if you do (or can locate those measurements) then you can compare them to the measurements for both the 5XA and 5XB which are listed on B&H's website.

-Randy

[ChrisPlatt]

how do these compare sizewise to the A&A Oskar's one day bag?

The F5XB is similar in size but 1/3 the price of that bag, the smaller F5XA about 1/4...

Chris

[ferider]

Randy, looking forward for the beer ... :)

Currently, I put three additional dividers in my 5xa and moved the two
that came with it to the borders for protection (also from the zippers).
Here is what I have in it now, comfortably for me:

M6 (or CLE) + CV 28/3.5, Canon 50/1.5 + Rokkor 40/2 (together
on a back2back ring) and a M-Hexanon 90/2.8. Plus 2 rolls of film.

Note that these are all very small lenses, of course.

I wouldn't take it into a plane like that but for week-end trips this
is great.

Roland.

[back alley]

i have to get one of these bags.

[ferider]

You probably can put your entire R4 kit in it, Joe, if you are OK with
using one back2back ring .... (won't work for the real wides since rear
elements are too far out).

Roland.

[back alley]

the r4 kit fits, along with the grd, perfectly in the f6, tight in the 5xb.
i'm thinking of the 5xa for a single camera plus lens and film.
i would trade one of my 5xb bags for a xa...
check the wtt section.
joe

[ferider]

You can also order it on ebay (where I got mine): 120138906464

Roland.

[back alley]

i think photocan has them also.
a trade would just be easier than buying the xa and then selling an xb.

no rush...

[iandg]

I use a f6 if i want to carry 2 bodys and a couple of lenses my f3x 1 body and couple of lenses and i will now have to get the f5xa for body/lens or my Hexar af there is a Canadian seller (Chambreoirecan) sells the bag,its cheap as chips at $48

[ian_w]

Thanks for that guys, especially you Roland. Sounds like my TTL, 50 elmar-M, and a couple of color skopars should fit fine. I'll be using it as a smaller bag inside a carry-on bag so I reckon it will work well.

Ian

[ian_w]

Actually I've had a thought. Is the bottom of this bag padded at all? And can the pockets fit the small Moleskine notebooks?

Cheers

Ian

[back alley]

update...i did order the 5xa and it should be here on monday.
i think it will be a good bag for winter shooting with one a camera/lens set-up as i tend to change lenses much less in the very cold temps.

[back alley]

the 5xa showed up today, it looks like a mini me version of the 5xb.

easily can hold camera with lens, another lens and film, though i'll use it for camera with lens and film.
i like the smaller size. time to sell a 5xb i think.

joe

[back alley]

i like this bag!

if you normally use a wrist strap and like to have a bag handy for quick storage when fumbling for cash for coffee etc, this bag is the perfect size.

[ian_w]

Hi Joe

I PMed Roland a little while back about the padding, or lack of, and he mentioned that the bottom of the bag is lightly padded. Call me over protective, but do you worry about your gear in one of these bags? I hate it when I put a bag down and feel and hear a clonk. Do you think the protection is adequate, or do you just wear the bag until you get home again?

Thanks
Ian

[JNewell]

I put a piece of closed-cell foam (cut from a sleeping pad) in the bottom of mine for exactly that reason.

[back alley]

I put a piece of closed-cell foam (cut from a sleeping pad) in the bottom of mine for exactly that reason.

that's exactly what i do also.
i bought a sleeping pad years ago and i'm still using it as my source of closed cell foam in all my bags. that stuff works great!

joe

[ian_w]

That makes an awful lot of sense... Thanks guys!

Ian