Domke - Instructions Please

[wasatch007]

OK. Based on a lot advice I purchased the Domke F-803. Now I am a bit lost with how to use it. I have been using it with the lens off and the assembling the camera. Yet, this is pretty unsatisfying.

In addition to the M8 I have three lens: 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M, 75mm f2 APO Summicron-M and Voigtlander 15mm f4.5 (also with a 21mm viewfinder). I also carry the battery charger (optional), and extra battery, the plate for my tripod, a couple of extra disks and a magnifier.

Any suggestions or advice?

[chocy0924]

I think what you have is too many stuff for this particular bag. I have the sand color. What I ended up doing is buying the three part partition. which allow you to put different lenses in partitions. of course unless you have a compact lens, you cannot put in the camera into one of these partitions (for you it would be CV15mm) only but you can still keep the camera in pointing down with the larger lens mounted on the camera. The size of the bag and the style works pretty good for me in most cases.

When I really loadedd it I had

CV15, 35summarit, ZM50 Sonnar, CV 75mm Heliar and M8, plus two SD card and extra battery, lens pen, cleaning cloth and solution.

but I do not carry what you carry. I have a backpack for that.

[vieri]

Originally Posted by wasatch007

OK. Based on a lot advice I purchased the Domke F-803. Now I am a bit lost with how to use it. I have been using it with the lens off and the assembling the camera. Yet, this is pretty unsatisfying.

In addition to the M8 I have three lens: 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M, 75mm f2 APO Summicron-M and Voigtlander 15mm f4.5 (also with a 21mm viewfinder). I also carry the battery charger (optional), and extra battery, the plate for my tripod, a couple of extra disks and a magnifier.

Any suggestions or advice?

I use the same bag for 2 Ms & 6 lenses, plus bits and pieces. You gotta get some partitioner, divide the inner space of the bag, eventually glue back to back some old lens caps to maximize storage room, and there you go.

A question: is this your first bag? Have you never seen a camera bag before? The F-803 is just like any other bag, except you gotta get your partitioners separately from it.

[4season]

The stock Domke insert for the satchel is rubbish: Partitions are fixed and really too narrow for the M8 with a fat lens attached. Also, the foam padding won't stay where it belongs, and winds up sitting at the bottom of the camera bag! Tenba's bag insert is much better, it's adjustable, and it's an okay fit for the Domke. $29 from Adorama the last time I checked. The only things that keep me with the Domke are the two large pockets up front, and the cotton canvas construction.

[jpattison]

I have the standard three section insert, but I cut out one of the dividers.
If you are careful, you can easily do it with a pair of scissors.
This gives a section for my M6TTL with 90 f2.8 Elmarit mounted, and two other lenses mounted back to back in the remaining section.
A Leitz table tripod with ball & socket head attached in one front pocket, film in the other.
Lens caps, cable release, spare battery, spirit level in the two smaller zip pockets on the flap. It's my favorite bag. Every M shooter should have one!

John

[chris_tribble]

I have the Domke F803 Satchel + a slightly modified 720-220 insert (it's too tall normally + there's no velcro on the long sides - easy to adapt if you have access to a sewing machine)

I regularly carry TWO bodies (each with a lens on) + 4 extra lenses. Typical set up is:
M8 + 35 f2
M8 + 28 f2
CV 16 + 135 Apo Telyt
21 f2.8 + 75 Asph

I can also carry a Frankenfinder + SF20 in one pocket + spare caps and flashlight in 'tother + 2 spare batteries + 4 SD cards and cleaning cloth in the flap pockets. Passport + tickets go in the back of the bag when on the road.

Works fine - beats carrying around the DSLR setup!

[dcsang]

The Domke Single insert FA-280 works fine if the M8 has the 35 'cron or a 28mm attached to it. The 50's are too long; similarly the 35 'Lux would likely be too big as well.

I really like the 803 and use it to carry the M8 with a lens attached (in said single insert) and depending on my needs, I will add the double insert (not as well padded) for my 50 and 75 lux and maybe one other lens. One of the front pouches can be used to transport my M7 (no lens attached) and the other can be used for wallet, cell phone, batteries for the M8 and cards/card reader. The rear slot can be used for just about anything.

That said, I'm working on converting a small shoulder satchel that should be perfect for one M camera plus lenses and will be well padded by using a "foam" sleeping pad that is oft used for camping.

Cheers,
Dave

[markgay]

Quoting Wasatch007: “Based on a lot advice I purchased the Domke F-803”

I also looked at the widely-praised 803 and found it too small for an M8 with lens mounted + 3 lenses (one of them a large Zeiss 15mm/2.8 or a Noctilux.

Frankly, the 803 is often confused with the 802.

Despite the smaller number, the 802 is almost twice as large. Its advantage is it remains a slim satchel when you want to carry just one or two lenses, but can easily carry 6 or more.

Its PRIME advantage, ‘scuse pun, is the big front pouches.

You can drop a lens into the pouch while you are changing lenses – and it’s big enough to easily fish the lens out again.

Thus the satchel becomes like a second pair of hands. No need to hold two lenses in one hand and risk dropping one of them.

So the 802 is great for photography 'on the go'. As a satchel, it hugs your body, and is always at hand.

If you simply want a bag that is tiny, and you don't mind carefully packing and repacking, I'm sure the 803 has its advantages.

Regards,
Mark

[eekimel]

What's in the bag or, "How do you carry all that stuff?"... - The GetDPI Workshop Forums

Jack Flesher, one of the forum founders, did this with his J803. Slightly larger than your bag but it should give you an option. (you may have to cut and paste)

[wasatch007]

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I suppose I just got stuck thinking that the bag was complete. Your suggestions to get additional/different inserts was the key. Yeah, a law degree and doctorate and I am still (as my wife often reminds me) an idiot.

So, I took some inserts from some old bags (yes, Vieri I have had a camera bag before). Everything fits and I have the camera with the lens I use the most on the camera attached.

So thanks for the insight.

[vieri]

Originally Posted by wasatch007

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I suppose I just got stuck thinking that the bag was complete. Your suggestions to get additional/different inserts was the key. Yeah, a law degree and doctorate and I am still (as my wife often reminds me) an idiot.

Don't be so hard on yourself - we all have our moments! When I got my Domke, I was surprised by the lack of dividers and ordered a couple with the bag; I guess they sell it like that so everyone can customize it as they please rather than being stuck with what the manufacturer feels is the "right" fitting. Or, they are just cheap

So, I took some inserts from some old bags (yes, Vieri I have had a camera bag before). Everything fits and I have the camera with the lens I use the most on the camera attached.

So thanks for the insight.

Glad it turned out well, enjoy your Domke!

[jimmy pro]

I don't get it...the 803 is suppose to be a flattish satchel, like a breif/laptop style case. Why buy one and then stuff it to bulging at the seems, instead of just get a more rectangular bag like an F6?

[wasatch007]

Jimmy-pro,

To be honest, the Domke works perfectly. Without any "bulging" I fit the M8, three lens, extra battery and charger, magnifier, and other misc. stuff.

It always fit, but now I can leave one lens on the body.

Jeff

[charlesphoto99]

I second the Tenba messenger bag insert. I use one in my J-803 and it's great. I also use it in other bags as well.

[jimmy pro]

Originally Posted by wasatch007

Jimmy-pro,

To be honest, the Domke works perfectly. Without any "bulging" I fit the M8, three lens, extra battery and charger, magnifier, and other misc. stuff.

It always fit, but now I can leave one lens on the body.

Jeff

Cool. My comment came after clicking on the link someone posted above to where somebody else had one stuffed to the gills. Personally I don't care for the Domke bags because its to easy for someone to stick there hand into it on the subway or in a crowd and glom a lens or 2 off me...had it happen once a long time ago in Time's Square and from then on any bag I use has to have a zipper for when I'm not actively shooting, in addition to clips for when I am. I don't care if I don't look like a gen-u-wine photojournalist on a count of I'm not one.

[footnoteblog]

Question about the F-802, or other:

Has anyone found a great camera bag that can double as a day-to-day bag?

Meaning, packing a lunch and other items usually carried in a work day? I have a Crumpler designed for a notebook, and while great traveling to far away lands, is too large and awkward for your normal day jaunts and such.

Bonus points: carries small laptop and charger for those flights and multi-day trips.

[stnami]

Now I am a bit lost with how to use it

.,,,, if a object is already in the bag.......... grasp a object with your fingers, clench your fingers inward and with an upward motion pull your hand towards your shoulder. If this is too difficult phone a friend

[hoppyman]

I got the same satchel and an assortment of the Domke inserts. I found those insert sizes to be inconvenient. I discovered that the Domke wrap will fold neatly into the 803 bag. I just added two strips of velcro to match the strips in the bag. The inside of the wrap works with velcro dividers from other bags. I have quite a collection. Anyway, my assembly means that you can set the dividers anyway you want and works really well for me with the M8 and stacked lenses. I just got extra generic caps glued back to back for those.

[markgay]

Quoting Footnoteblog: "Has anyone found a great camera bag that can double as a day-to-day bag?"

The 802 certainly can. It is exactly the size of a canvas shoulder bag or satchel (while the F-803 actually looks like a kid's satchel, it is that much smaller).

However, as others have noted, both bags are open, virtually zipperless and not waterproof.

I like to steer away from over padded camera bags. Crumpler is no better.

I have a feather-light shoulder bag from Lloyd of Germany, leather flap to cover and lightweight waterproof cotton underneath. Not designed for cameras but i often carry my work stuff AND camera with single lens.

Burlap Bags, Cotton Bags, Canvas Bags, Leno Mesh Bags, Paper Bags, Woven Bags - Bag Manufacturer, Ontario, Canada

Oops, not that bag.

Anyway, it's very much like the Artisan & Artist bags that many slaver over but much cheaper. Sadly it's not part of Lloyd's 2008 catalogue so I can't link to it.

I advise taking an individual approach. Look around. There are many canvas messenger bags on the market.

Regards,
Mark

[peter_n]

Just got an 802 clone (description says 804 - ignore) off eBay yesterday and this bag, while a lot deeper than the 803, looks like it could become the daily bag. Only US $49.00 + shipping: Domke F-802 clone bag