Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 12/17/99 10:38:33 PM, simple@forestchina.com.hk writes: << I have been using a Domke F2 for some time now. One of the problems with Domke bags is that the metal lugs that hold the flap down can do serious damage to the equipment. >> That's never been a problem for me. In fact, I think the simple one-hand-is-al-it-takes metal hooks are one of the great selling points to the Domke bags. Someone else said that Domke's seem like nothing when you first look at them. This is really true. It is hard to explain to the skeptical what makes them wonderful but they are. The biggest thing is that they are easy to work out of. Everything is right there. They conform to your body and hug close when your in a crowd. THey compact to the minimum size necessary when you are cramming them under your feet when riding in some subjects packed pickup truck or sticking it under an airline seat. The material wears like an old pair of blue jeans and gets more comfortable over time. Plus a well worn Domke is a badge of honor for a photographer (I always hate replacing one). THe 4-pocket insert in the F-2 seems limiting but it's not. Each pocket will swallow anything from a 20mm to a 300mm or even a M body and a short lens. The zelcro attached insert rip out of the way to accomodate bulking loads. The outside pockets are perfectly sized for the usual suspect accessories. In short the (F-2) at least is the PERFECT bag designed by somebody who just wanted a bag for himself. It just so happened that since he was a shooter his needs matched everybody else as well. I've used Domke bags since I was in college in the late 70s. At that time you could only buy them two places -- from Domke directly or at a small camera shop in Columbia Missouri where Jim Domke worked when he was a photo student there. I'm on my third F-2 (my second one was at that time an ultra rare -- now common -- black version that was at the time the subject of a "Vatican Press Corps" rumor). I've also owned/used the Little bit Bigger, the 803 camera satchel, the FX-3 Super Compact, a light stand bag and a long lens bag. All have been wonderful products. All well designed. All top notch quality. Truly an American classic and a bargain. If you haven't figured it out by now, I like Domke. Bob