The eternal search for the best camera bag for each task has notched up another win.
Fated to be, I grabbed likely the last new one I can find, “out the back” at the distributors, forgotten, or maybe waiting for me? This is probably not a useful review, simply becasue these are a discontinued model, but just in case you have one and want to compare, or are looking at a second hand one (or want to make one I guess), becasue I did not find much out there.
My current Domke Family. Many others, mostly small ones have come and gone (sadly), so this is both the “working” and the “for pride” pack. The ancient, early 1980’s F-2 front right is now doing time as a lighting cable bag, the F3x rugged (special edition) is seldom used, but a keeper and the F802 (right) and F804 (left) backing up. These last two are the current work bags. Funny to think the F3x and F-2 share 30+ years of difference in age.
The big problem, a gripped camera face down mounted on a long lens. Width, height, depth and sharing with others make this problem child an ongoing issue. The F804 is basically the same size as the F802, except for depth, which is almost double. The lid closes without distorting any other pocket and there is still room in the bag. I can even reverse the camera, making the other compartments more accessible. The tiny bit of extra height and length (about 1” each), just gives the bag some breathing room.
The Tenba insert fits comfortably, but does not just float around. I have a different one coming from ebay that may be a little deeper that will also fit no problem.
Although the F802 managed the kit, it did not do it without compromises.
I will get another insert for the F802, because it is just too good a fit, but I still need one for the 804 to control all that space.
The big difference. The pockets are about the same, but the base depth of the main compartment is very different. The F804 gets a semi hard base board which is apparently the same one the F1x uses. I have another coming as they are scarce and another shoulder pad. I have two of these also, but several bags that could do with them.
The F-2 and F804 share roughly the same footprint.
The two big differences between the F804 and F802 apart from size are, no top handle and a base board, making the F804 less of a satchel and more of a tote bag.
Happy?
Could not be more so. The bag was growing bigger in my head, so to see it basically just a little bigger overall than the F802 was a relief. The extra space has however made a massive difference. I can now pack for anything, not just a specific job.
I seriously doubted whether I could find a bag I liked more than the 802, but it looks like I may have.