It’s not all Domke around here, but it is close.
Pick the gear*, then pack the bag is the routine and most often, I choose a Domke as the only real choice.
My stable is probably at it’s best ever right now. Some have come and gone, some even come back again, but overall, there are very few days I cannot pack to suit the needs of the job and if I make an error, it usually involves a non-Domke bag choice.
The surprising little F-810 is the main crush at the moment.
This super little bag feels like it was designed for me. It has several of the best elements of other bags without their annoyances (no, nothing is perfect, not even Domke). A recent and I guess a tentative one, I accepted the substantial price ($250au), colour (black, when I was chasing something softer) and even based on slim reviews, I jumped and was surprised how good it was.
A neat and unassuming little hauler.
A pair of perfectly sized, flap secured front pockets, an organiser pocket split into a full width and two half width pockets, a cover flap that covers them and two small flap pockets, but does not cover the bag top, which does have a zip opening main compartment that each hold a decent sized camera and lens combo, a double lens divider between them (not the 4 compartment it came with) and finally a rear pocket big enough for an Ipad, that can be zipped open to slip over a suit case handle (see the F-7 below for a very different dynamic to that).
Deceptively large as it goes.
It’s strengths lie in all the things other Domke bags do without the oversized nature or sometimes omitted features of my other bags. The pockets are all ideal for real gear, like phones, batteries, cards and the internal space fits full sized mirrorless cams with pro lenses (S5II with standard zoom, EM1x with 40-150 f4). The flap is not in the way when working and their is not a wasted panel or space. This is in contrast with basically every other bag I have, great as they are.
It swallows gear. Full sized cameras and lenses are not an issue and the divide hold even a decent sized zoom. Above G9+8-18 and S5_28-70 Sigma, 9, 40-150 f4 and 45mm
My most common working method is a shoulder slung cam, two in the bag with lenses and spare bits as needed.
On top of all that it is smart (the bag I was chasing at the time) and seemingly small. It stands up when full, sits lightly on the shoulder (I rarely use the amazing shoulder pads), it is lined, has hard feet (only Domke I have with) and the big zip is smooth and soft enough to avoid wear and tear, something that worried me before I bought it, but quicker and quieter than negotiating velcro flaps.
Negatives?
The rear pocket zip head can rub on my leg, so I have adjusted how I carry it.
It does not come in any other colour (I wanted my only casual Sand coloured bag) and the Ballistic (J series), that would have looked even smarter is long gone.
It is out of production, but can still be found new (Photovideo Extras in Australia for example).
By it’s nature it is not as weather sealed as flap-lid models, but it is small enough to go under a coat.
Optional end pockets would be perfect and are technically available, but not a perfect fit.
In comparison;
The F-2 (ballistic black) was my main squeeze at the paper.
A classic inside and out.
Capable of holding much the same load as above, except it’s boxier shape limits the size of fold down reflectors and accessories, and it is less dextrous in crowded spaces, but it does hold 1 or 2 more lenses, has two large end pockets for flash etc. and an inner lid pocket for precious items.
The end pockets are the key to this having more capacity overall than the 810, but the 810 wins with bulky items.
It is not a tie though, the F-810 suits my needs better most often, but it is close and the F-2 is genuinely water resistant, something I need to consider.
The F-7 “Double AF” bag (faded black) is a mixed bag so to speak. It is big, basically an F-2 with F-810 height which should be a good start and yes, it can hold a few larger items like my 40-150 f2.8 standing upright, but it is frustrating.
Odd design choices like a 4-point top handle, that only works when the lid is buckled down (replaced by the 2-point handle from the F8-4) and the useless for anything other than as a giant belt loop, back panel spoil an otherwise roomy bag.
With all it’s volume, it lacks a single long pocket option. The back panel is reserved for a supplied belt support and there is no inner pocket like the F-802/804, nor even a gap between internal liner and bag frame. So, no provision for anything like a small reflector, flash mod, small tablet, large writing pad or book etc.
Inside, it has three discrete compartments, all large-ish, but often less than ideal. Sometimes I can squeeze something in between the internal dividers (making the inside more friendly), but not much, really annoying.
I often use it for fast working jobs, then get frustrated by the inner workings that fight fast camera change overs, especially with full frame cams. I found this quite limiting at the paper and when I eventually realised this I went back to the F-2.
No, it cannot handle the “double AF” SLR kit with lenses on it boasts (2 large bodies and small primes or smaller cams with medium lenses maybe), it struggles with bigger lenses generally (the F-810 can actually hold larger combo’s), although the 40-150 f2.8 does fit in standing up. It seems determined to squander it’s extra space.
Occasionally it hits a purple patch of usefulness, but not as often as I would like. I am hoping that by purchasing a decently sized full frame standard lens (Sigma 28-70), I will be able to mix formats, something that at the moment eludes me (2x S primes basically fill it)
F-802 (worn-in olive) was my original pro-bag, the first bag that held bigger kit. I have since empowered my work flow with smaller gear options (9mm instead of 8-18, 40-150 f4 instead of f2.8), hence smaller bags are employed, but it still has one perfect use-case.
The capacity of these four pockets is truly massive, I mean clothing sized items.
No fewer than four laptop sized compartments. Decent width, very deep.
When I need to shoot field sport and process at the event it has the ability to take my 300, 40-150 f2.8, wide zoom and laptop with water, food, reflector vest and rain-ware or a sun hat. It has two of the biggest front pockets in the line and I have the two end pocket options (a 901 and 902), so big items like a rain coat are possible as well as a kneeling mat for hard or wet ground. It is tall and just deep enough for bigger cameras like the EM1x mounted on a long lens. The slimline form is also good for negotiating crowds.
An EM1x and f2.8 tele are no issue.
No bag is useless, but many are used sparingly.
The F-804 has fallen into limited use as a hauler, but the 4 section divided from the F-810 has made it more useful and the Neewer backpack is the same. The 217 roller and 5.11’s are video dedicated, the F-3x (rare olive rugged) and Filson Field Camera bag (rarer caramel rugged) and many other bags get very occasional runs when I have time and little real stress or their very specific benefits suit.
Sport is a whole other thing.
I usually wear two combo’s the EM1x + 300 and EM1x + 40-150 (aperture speed as needed) for field sports, or the same with a short tele (75, 40-150) and standard (25 or 12-40) for indoor, with a small bag (Mindshift sling or Crumpler shoulder) and wide angle, occasionally a spare camera and/or flash. The F-802 is used only if a laptop is needed.
When travelling, this all goes out the window, the bag chosen first filling the role of comfy travel companion, the camera gear chosen to suit it.
*Usual kit; EM1.2 + 40-150 f4 or 75 (strap), G9 + 15, EM1.2 or EM10.2 + 45, 9mm. Flash if needed may push the point for a bigger bag ((F-7), longer lenses or a laptop also (F-802). Expected future kit; S5 + 28-70, G9 + 9, EM1.2 + 40-150 f4 or 75, which is pressing the point.