The Domke 217 Roller Bag
Seeing as there are precious few reviews about for this bag (read; almost none), and even though it is effectively discontinued, I thought I would whip a quick one up, because I am well impressed.
It does not look to be that big at all, only about the same footprint as my Neewer back pack and all good for onboard air travel. It is square and deep, both efficient things and it can it seems, be deceiving. The lens with the Lumix cap, is actually my 40-150 pro, which protrudes a little, but the lid still closes comfortably. There is about 2” of clearance without the lid expanded. The little lenses all have enough clearance for another in the same compartment if individually bagged.
The EM1x sitting on its strap. The 300mm and both cameras are sitting on top of their respective straps, so nice and neat, nothing “floating”.
Before it came, I was of two minds. Did I want a huge hauler or a smaller more workable addition to a shoulder bag combo? I basically got both.
The lid has a thick, soft plastic lining with two pockets. They will not quite hold my 13” Macbook Air, but could hold a rain jacket, three pairs of socks and monitor or similar.
Looks like a forgot to shoot the outside pockets, but here you can see the inner zip pocket behind each flap covered one. The flap pockets are buckled with better buckles than the usual Domke clips and velcro. The bottom one will take my 13” Mac, the top would take a full sized iPad. These are the heavier Nylon that Domke uses for their bigger bags and the lids are slightly padded. Apparently, Domke designed the pockets on the lids to take a flattened F3x or F2 and I would believe it. The inner ones are even sealed, so the oily F3x Rugged wear would not “infect” other items.
If you extend the lid, you gain about the depth of the average 50mm 1.8. If this creates a migration path for smaller items inside, they supply a half dozen elastic straps to close some compartments.
The whole inner liner can be removed. The lot can be slipped onto a shelf for storage and the case used for other tasks.
Nice unders. If the wheels ever wore out, I would probably just get a small hand cart for the bag.
Real leather bits and like some cases, it feels lighter full than the sum of its parts.
With the f804 on, a nice little package, well balanced and sturdy and this can actually hold my entire kit, all cameras, lenses and accessories. Not something i would like to try in another configuration.
This has given me a very versatile problem solver. For my trips to the paper, I have a shoulder saving option, if travelling, I have a case that is also a gear bag and just for storing between jobs, it is the ideal organiser.
Any negatives?
The extension handles feel a little wobbly, but I have plenty of cases and hand trucks like this that have been fine. There are better ones around, but there are also worse and the bag is not huge, nor will it be ridiculously heavy so strain will be controlled.
A great purchase, one I may even repeat so I have one in reserve.