Domke 700-52A F-5XB Shoulder and Belt RuggedWear Bag-BROWN

Product Information

Weather-resistantcanvas Street tough hardware Padded divider Protective weather flap on the front Zipper and touch fastener closure All of the Superflex inserts are divided into two compartments and there is a good amount of variation from size to size. The 9-15 is divided up into two sections of 9cm and 6cm, which is ideal for my X-Pro2 with a Gariz leather half case and either a 16/2.8, 18/2, or 35/2 lens attached in the 9x9cm part and then I can fit an X70 without a hood, or more small lenses. It’s worth pointing out that one compartment on each insert is always a square. So the first number of the name has that many centimetres square. 9-15 has a 9x9cm compartment, 12-21 has a 12x12cm compartment and so on (see diagram below). I love the metal top cover clips for their sturdiness and the ease of access that they provide to the F-6's main compartment, but because they're metal they can (and do) scratch cameras and lenses if you let them flop into the main compartment when the cover is unsecured. Just another good reason to be strict about lens caps and protective filters.

I have 2, 5Xb's; 1, J803; 1, F803; 1, F6, 1, J-X3b, 1, F-X3, 1, F-X3b, 1, F-1. The original F-3 I bought in the 1970's, the j-803 has been around the world a few times. The others on who knows how many outings, airline flights, trips, events, etc. I've never had a piece of gear damaged in a Domke bag, I've never had a water bottle leak inside a Domke bag and while I like the two ThinkTankPhoto bags quite a lot, I find nothing quite as secure as when I grab a handful of canvas when I'm in a hurry. A full-height pouch can be found on the rear of the F-6, which is perfect for an A4 notebook, or an iPad. This is my 9.7in iPad Pro, inside a Logitech keyboard case, pulled out diagonally for illustration. Ever since I coined the phrase, “I’ve been taking pictures so long that I’ve nearly worn out my first Domke bag,” people ask me to name my favorite Domke overall. Although I use the F-5XB often (including the leather-trimmed Fujifilm version I received as a gift at a Fujifilm press event), and the Domke F-2 Original is indispensible when I need to lug a ton of gear, neither is my honest-to-goodness everyday favorite model. There’s something about denim that says comfort with style. And the Domke F-5XB and original F-2 shoulder bags have been favorites of photographers since their introduction. Put this all together and you have a combination of Denim Domke that is bound to make you smile. Available now—and of course made in the US of A.This shot shows one of the F-6's two main clips, which keep the top cover closed. As you can see by the chipped paint, they've already held up to a lot of heavy use. The downside of their sturdy metal construction is that they can scratch gear inside the bag if they're allowed to dangle or fall into the main compartment. This is a negative point I’m afraid, but not a deal-breaker. The velcro on the main lid of the bag should have been twice the height that it is because unless the bag is stuffed full, the two pieces of velcro can miss each-other completely and be useless at holding the bag shut. This is a problem because Domke users tend to only fasten the metal clamps when in transit but rely on the velcro while working out of the bag. I've already mentioned the included removable hand-strap - I don't find it particularly useful, but as a keen cyclist, I wish the F-6 was compatible with a waist strap. When I'm riding my bike the F-6 flops around like mad. A waist strap would help keep it secure. It would also make me look a little bit like a bicycle messenger from the 1940s, and a little bit less like a man about to have a bicycle accident. The final word

The strong velcro on the flap is the most common 'dislike' mentioned by photographers about the F-5XB, and I’d have to agree. The amount of velcro is overkill for the size and use of the flap. Classy gatherings where you need to be discrete: If you’re covering a sports event, people almost expect you to have the AP vest and lens holster. But when you’re at a nice function, you want to be as discrete as possible.Our used products are subject to wear and tear in comparison to brand new products. This also applies to accessories that are supplied with the camera including batteries which may have a lower optimum performance level/life expectancy.

This is an instance where it would have been nice to see the velcro 'silencers' used on some of Domke’s newer bags. Or, even better, the 'silent' velcro that Tenba uses on some of its bags. One other slight annoyance is that the ring to attach the main clasp at the front of the bag seems to be under the bag rather than on the front. The clasps themselves tend to get a bad right-up, but I don’t find them to be a problem and I can easily undo the one on my F-3x one-handed while the bag is on my shoulder.Would love to see it come with just one divider tab for the main compartment. Also some more color choices (muted orange, navy, charcoal, etc) would really be nice. Short photgraphy sessions: It works great for outtings where you know you won’t need access to more than 2 lens, a flash, or tripod. If you are doing a large photoshoot, you probably already have a larger bag for that. This is for a walk through Central Park or taking portraits for a friend’s wedding. Or, food pictures during lunch or dinner. While the two bags aren’t exactly similar, I will say that the F-803 is the clear winner here for me as far as a small bag for a mirrorless system. This is not surprising when you consider the fact that I’ve owned and used an F-803 for the better part of two decades now. While the F-5XB was handier than I thought it would be, I can’t say that it fits my needs as well and I find its design in need of some updating. That said, it is a quite popular bag and I’m likely to hear about how wrong I am in the comments. So, read both sets of opinions and come to your own conclusion based on what your requirements are. F-803

Weather-resistant RuggedWear canvas Street tough hardware Padded divider Protective weather flap on the front Zipper and touch fastener closure Domke is among the most famous names in the pantheon of camera bag makers, and for good reason. The company makes some of the toughest and most practical bags on the market. Traditionally aimed at photojournalists, Domke's bags are usually tough, somewhat on the heavy side, very accessible, and capable of accommodating a surprising amount of gear. I've been using an F-6 for about three years now, and it's accompanied me on trips all over the world. This is my long-term test. Key Features:

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Ideal For: Cameras, lenses, cell phone, MP3 player and accessories. Great for business and travel necessities. How could I carry a digital SLR, an extra lens, a notepad, pen, and some misc accessories? I’d like a bag that was small as possible, classy in its looks, does not draw attention, and would not look out of place both in the city and in a Michelin-starred restaurant. The clips are easy to undo by feel, meaning you don't need to take your eyes off the action to reach down and pull out a camera. Anyone looking for all-day comfort or highly customizable organizational options will be disappointed The Domke F-5XB bag has long been my personal favorite for casual shooting excursions. It holds “just enough” and is on the small side, so it never gets in my way. It’s also the perfect car bag, with the strap looped over the headrest on the (empty) passenger seat. Usually I carry or wear the camera on my body and use the Domke F-5XB to tote three or four lenses or a couple lenses and a compact point-and-shoot like my Fujifilm X-100F.