Domke F7 A Mixed Blessing

The F7 has become my work day bag.

Compared to the F2 it has more depth which helps with larger lenses mounted on cameras and lets me take the odd larger lens as needed.

The pockets are larger (F802 sized), making it even better than the F802 (4 pockets over two-but pouches optional for the F802) and the F804 (smaller profile and more practical shape with again more pockets).

Big enough for a pair of flash units side by side, but also big enough to loose things down deep, which can result in things “jumping” out when rummaging.

These pockets make a difference, but it lacks the F2’s rear pocket, the F802’s internal slip pocket or the outer lid pockets of the F802/804, so swings and/or round-abouts I guess. In effect it is a roomier F2.

The internal dividers are interesting.

If the left one was a few inches longer and the right one a four-way lens design like the middle one, it would be more useful to me.

It has two “box” shaped ones that are too small for a larger camera and standard zoom unless squeezed in facing down, but too big for said camera and small prime. The bag was called the “twin AF”, but I would rather it had a bigger main divider for a larger camera (1D/R3, D6/Z9, EM1x) and standard zoom on, then replace the twin lens pouch and second box with a flexible four part divider like the F2. I may do something similar with the thinner divider reserved for a smaller camera and lens (EM1 Mk2-no grip), then divide one box with separate dividers.

For M43 gear it tends to loose smaller lenses in these big holes and it lacks the micro organising of the F2, but overall it has a more relaxed feel.

It carries well. Even with the same kit as the F2, it feels maybe more evenly distributed, but when heavily loaded, it does collapse in a bit.

It has not however, proven to be a lucky bag.

I have left gear behind at jobs, dropped a G9 from sitting on top (nasty scratch, but still working), forgotten I have things hidden away, been generally disorganised and felt out of sorts since coming back, some of which can be put down to new bag warming in, some just bad luck.