Question fora Domke F-5XB Owners

[cometsoft]

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I'm new to Leica and am not sure how neurotic to be. I would be grateful for some perspective from more experienced users.

 

I bought a Domke F-5XB shoulder bag to carry an M8, a 35mm Summicron, a 75mm Summicron and a 24mm Elmarit (which I haven't recieved yet). The padding in the bag is pretty thin and it's kind of tempting to put some kind of liner in there for additional protection. Of course doing that complicates things and makes it harder to get at stuff. What do others do?

 

Thanks.

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[bradhusick]

If you're concerned, try lenswraps or small, cheap point-and-shoot neoprene cases for your lenses before putting them in the bag.

-Brad

 

Protective Wraps - Large, Medium & Other Formats

[cometsoft]

Brad,

 

Thanks for the response.

 

What I'm wondering is should I be concerned, how delicate are these lenses? I'm sure no one can really answer. So I'm curious as to what others have done.

[ejd]

I have one of those bags, and it seems perfectly fine for a camera and two or three lenses, and various bits of paraphernalia. Sometimes the lenses that are not on the camera are in those small lens bags (as Brad suggested), but sometimes not. I've not had any problems. The lenses are not delicate, they're very solid. I don't think you need be neurotic at all.

 

Rgds, John

[c6gowin]

I have that bag and it is great. I do agree it is lacking in padding. I bought a Pilates (sp?) mat at Walmart for less than $10 and cut pieces to add padding to the bag. This mat is thin and easy to cut with regular scissors. I cut several different peices and added extra padding along the bottom and sides plus some extra length on a couple of pieces to fold over a lens so another one can be placed on top of it. The mat offers just enogh extra padding to make me feel comfortable with the bag and its contents without adding any noticeable bulk.

[Jager]

I bought the F-5XB as my "light" bag - M8 with one lens attached, one extra lens, lens hood (if not attached), spare battery, extra SD card, and 1.25x magnifier.

 

The bag itself has plenty of padding, IMHO, but the reason you might want to place your lenses in some sort of wrap is to keep them from banging against the other things (especially important for you since you're contemplating carrying two spare lenses). Leica lenses are equal or better in build robustness to anything else out there, but after you've spent $2-3K on a lens the last thing you want to do is have it marred simply because it was banging around in a bag against other stuff!

 

My preference is for either simple fleece bags ( Aerostich Fleece Bags :: Rider Bags :: Storage :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear - I'm a motorcyclist, if you couldn't tell) or Zing neoprene bags ( Zing Lens Pouches - General Accessories ).

 

Jeff

[cometsoft]

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Thanks for all the responses. It's a big help. I bought the bag based on what I'd read on this helpful forum.

 

I'm thinking I will go with some liners, at least for the lenses. The camera seems ok.

 

Jeff when I lived in California (now I'm in NY) I had various motorcycles. They were fun, but with age I've gravitated more towards bicycles because of the exercise thing.

 

I'm thinking that M8 will go great on a bike when the weather co-operates. I've biked all over with a 1D Canon series body with up to a 500mm lens in a backpack. Hopefully I can rig the Domke not to swing to much when riding. I hate wearing a backpack on a bike because of the sweat.

[Jager]

It probably belongs in a separate thread, but I'd be interested in whatever you come up with as a carry system on your bicycle, Robert. I do that (Trek road bike) in addition to my motorcycles but have never carried a good camera with me. Motorcycles are pretty easy (tank bag, tail pack, or saddlebags) but I'm not sure how I'd do it on my bicycle.

 

Jeff

[cometsoft]

Jeff,

 

Most of the biking I do is on paved roads or decent trails. No technical stuff. My default bike is a Santa Cruz Heckler which has big tires and rear suspension.

 

For the big lens I usually carry it packed in one of those big Lowepro bags (I think it's the pro trekker). I usually carry the tripod (Gitzo Carbon Fibre) on the handlebars with one hand. The tripod has that pipe insulation on to keep it banging on the handlebars. I can still operate the brake but do ride more conservatively The tripod tied to the backpack is too awkward.

 

The other setup I use is to ride on one of those little folding bikes (my wife's) where I actually carry the 500 mounted on the tripod over the shoulder. The trick is to lower the seat so you can put your feet down without leaning. I've done this around Central Park (people look at you like you're nuts) but it's really no different than walking. It's great for birding because it is too time consuming to mount and dismount the camera and flash (with better beamer) every time you find an interesting location. Plus my back or shoulder gets sore walking around with the camera all day. The bike takes out some of the more plodding pain.

 

I also used to do the same trick with the camera mounted on the tripod while riding a skateboard (a longboard) in LA for surfing shots on the beach path.

 

For the slightly technical stuff I use smaller lenses in one of the many backpacks from my collection. My favorite bag for this is a Kata. In any case the back ends up way too sweaty. I even bought a bag from REI that has an arched frame that supposedly lets air in between your bag and your back. It didn't work. Sometimes I just take off the backpack and place it on the handlbars when coming to an uphill to reduce sweat.

 

I would like to use the M8 on a road/racing bike and carry it on my side somehow. With the road bike you're leaning way forward and a backpack would be twice as onerous.

 

It's not really hardcore biking. The most I'll do with the small lenses is about 25 miles, with the 500 maybe 6 or 7. I tried biking with a 600 and didn't like it.

 

Robert

[BerndReini]

If money is not an obstacle, do what my friend did: spend $179 on the Evans Walker Artisan and Artist Bag from Photovillage. It is a supere highend version of the Domke. Better padding, better compatmentalization and a beauty to behold! You'll never regret the investment.

[cometsoft]

If money is not an obstacle, do what my friend did: spend $179 on the Evans Walker Artisan and Artist Bag from Photovillage. It is a supere highend version of the Domke. Better padding, better compatmentalization and a beauty to behold! You'll never regret the investment.

 

Last week I was going to look at that bag, but the elevators in the Photovillage (I'm assuming it's an actual store and not just an internet front) building were behaving badly so I bailed. Don't want to buy a bag unseen. Ended up at B&H instead and got the Domke. If I bought the Evans Walker now it would be $179 plus $59 for the Domke.

[Roderik]

I only use Domle bags, F1, F2, F3, F6 and with all kinds of equipment. never had any trouble with any. the give a better proctection then you might think when you see the bags...