Okay, let's debate camera bags - Page 3

My 200-400 is 8.25x4.75x4 and fits nicely standing vertically in the smaller bag.

Just to point out again, my bag is an Atan, but its dimensions are identical to the Domke F2 bag.  Now that I have been thinking about it, I don't remember how the design moved from company to company.  There may even have been a patent dispute for all I know.  What I am certain of is I was aware of the Atan first, and they eventually went out of business and somewhere around there Domke showed up with the same bag using tougher material.  The Atan is polyester and the Domke is canvas.  Anyway, like I said, there is probably do disadvantage to getting the F1X instead of the F2.  Photojournalists have been using those bags for decades.

John,

I was wondering if you meant the Nikon 200-400 f/4 VR, and that sounds like it now.  That's a hefty lens.  Didn't think you could keep it standing up comfortably in one spot in such a bag.  Anyway, B&H lists the Domke as being only ~6.5" tall inside, but then again, I've found that dimension listings are often pretty much useless w/ bags.  You can often easily fit something bigger (if more snuggly) than their specs suggest, which may well be the case here w/ the Domke (although ~1.75" is a big diff when they list ~6.5").  Bags do stretch w/ use and some parts of the bag will stretch much more than other parts.

NVM, I misread the dimensions of the Domke, it's actually 9" tall inside (and 6.5" deep).  I guess the camcorder should do fine standing on one end inside one of the lens slots then.

Ron,

How exactly would you use the bag at a crowded convention center?  I would think you wanna keep it as small as possible (at least in the 2 dimensions that would extend out from your body), not go to something longer.

Since you already have the big Lowepro backpack -- and can use that for carry-on, maybe it'd make more sense to go somewhere between the Black Rapid virtually bag-less route and a full-on regular bag like the Domke.

Remember, at the convention center, you'll likely wanna keep either your camcorder or your D90+lens out pretty much at all times anyway, so the bag you use there should not need to carry both (plus all the other stuff).  What might be good is to use the big backpack to get you to the convention center and then swap to something else for inside the convention center itself -- and check the big backpack into a locker or something.  And you would still pretty much do the same thing either way w/ your laptop (whether you bring it and check it in or leave it at the hotel).

_Man_

I will say this.  There are times you will want to put all the gear away and have lunch, take a break or whatever.  There is a reason the Domke bags have been so popular with photojournalists.  They have great accessibility, better than any Lowe-Pro.  If you aren't bothered by the lesser padding, which is one reason the accessibility is so good, they are a great bag.

Man, my 200-400 is a Tamron 5.6.  I would never waste that much money on a lens for some pansy-ass digital camera.    If I want quality, I'll shoot MF or LF and scan a 100 or 200 MP image.  Now that's quality.

BTW Ron, when you carry the bag, don't hang it off one shoulder.  Have the strap on one side of your neck and the bag on the other with the strap going across your chest.  Not only is it more secure, hanging weight for long periods of time on one shoulder can lead to hearing loss in that ear.  Little known fact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRice 

Man, my 200-400 is a Tamron 5.6.  I would never waste that much money on a lens for some pansy-ass digital camera.    If I want quality, I'll shoot MF or LF and scan a 100 or 200 MP image.  Now that's quality.

 

 

  Good point although I'd hate to think how back-breakingly hefty an MF tele w/ comparable reach (at say f/5.6 or so) would be.

 

Actually, I was off by quite a bit in guessing the length of the Nikon 200-400 f/4 VR -- I really should remember better since I did briefly check out a friend's copy of that lens some time ago.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300488-GREY/Nikon_2146_200_400mm_f_4_G_AFS_ED_IF.html#specifications

 

BTW Ron, when you carry the bag, don't hang it off one shoulder.  Have the strap on one side of your neck and the bag on the other with the strap going across your chest.  Not only is it more secure, hanging weight for long periods of time on one shoulder can lead to hearing loss in that ear.  Little known fact.

Seriously about the hearing loss?

_Man_

A little late to the party, but my guess is the F1-X will be too long / big.

One of my favorite bags is actually the F6 "little bit smaller." The F2 is a nice bag, though for my purposes I usually find myself using the F6 or the F5-xc.

My physical issue is that my shoulders / neck are easily strained from shoulder bags, which is why I go with a backpack or belt system if I'm going to be lugging equipment around for a long time.

And here are some pics of the F2 in use: http://www.cambags.com/bag-type/shoulder-bags-menu/domke-shoulder-bags/item/398-domke-f-2.html

Ron,

if you look back to some original comments I made, I believe I stated that the Domkes had minimal padding, maybe not enough for you to feel comfortable about, and that the Lowe-Pros have abundant, maybe even excessive padding.

Ron, if you remove the padded insert and remove it's own insert (which is held in with velcro) you can probably collapse it all pretty flat.  Remember, my bag is the same design as the Domke, but it was made before Domke, so you might find out from someone who has the actual bag.  Doesn't someone here have the F1X? Basically the same bag, just a little longer.  It wouldn't take up "No" space, but it should be relatively little space.

Ron,

Why do you still need to get a travel bag anyway?  I thought the big Lowepro backpack you already bought was good enough for travel (w/ 17" laptop).

One thing.  Will you actually usually be lugging camcorder w/ you whenever you go places w/ your DSLR kit?  Is that just for the trade shows?  Maybe you should just get a small bag for the DSLR kit and add some sort of separate waist bag/case for the camcorder, if the camcorder won't often be going w/ the DSLR (outside of occasional trade shows).  Also, some of the bag designs out there allow the option to attach a waist bag/case or similar (vs simply wearing that 2ndary bag/case separately).  If nothing else, you might even consider using something like the Think Tank lens case you mentioned earlier to double as a camcorder case -- you'd have to check to see if that's actually feasible, but the dimensions seem like it could be close enough.

_Man_

FWIW Ron, after putting my digital outfit in the Atan (Domke) bag, I decided to go back to the Lowe-Pro.  The Domke is GREAT if you are shooting in a photojournalistic fashion, but I'm not.  I set the bag down somewhere, take out what I need and leave the bag there.  The Lowe-Pro does offer much better protection, but the Domke has much better access.  Like I've said, back when I was shooting for a newspaper, the Atan was perfect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein 

As far as a bag to lug around the trade show floor...

 

Will I be lugging a DSLR kit and Camcorder with

me most of the time?  Yes.  For trade shows (I do 

two a year) I trade off between them both.  So I need

a bag with easy access that can handle both gear and

lenses + has a small footprint + easy on the shoulders.

 

I keep going back to the Domke F2.  The only thing

holding me back is the minimal padding.

So Ron, you really only need to have the camcorder w/ you during those 2 (or so) trade shows each year?  What about other times?

What I'm trying to get at is that maybe it makes sense to simply add something for the camcorder only for the few occasions where you'd actually need it (like at an occasional trade show).  For all other times, just stick w/ a bag that can handle your DSLR kit -- and just add that extra something (like a separate small waist bag) for the camcorder for the couple trade shows, etc.  There's no law that says you have to keep everything in one bag afterall.   That might make it much easier to find a good small (maybe sling) bag for your DSLR kit, which would probably be a good thing if you like to go hiking, biking, etc. (and don't need your camcorder for that).

_Man_

I'm curious how the F2 worked for you in the convention hall. I recently used mine, but at a significantly less crowded location.

Ron, I guess you're finding out why that bag has been a staple of photojournalists for almost 30 years.

Glad to hear Ron. I love my Domke bags for both aesthetics and functionality. I wish they were a little cheaper to buy...but seeing how long John's have lasted I have no real reason to complain. Plus, I managed to get my sand colored F2 for a mere $50 from a retired guy with too much time on his hands.

I think of the Domke models, the one I'm most enamored with is the F5 series. I love both the sizes and shapes, particularly of the more square bags. I've had my eye on the F5-xa, but can't really justify it, though it would complete my collection of the F5 set.

As far as a shoulder pad, I have the Domke mailman pad but I think it is actually less comfortable than the strap by itself. I bought a uniform thickness Timbuk2 strap pad, and I think I like it better. Since it was relatively inexpensive, I also picked up the shoulder harness, but I have yet to use it on a hike or long transport trek.

I think it's a YMMV thing. My shoulder / neck muscles have always been a little sensitive, so the asymmetrical shape of the Domke pad results in uneven pressure on the muscles, which is more uncomfortable to me over the long run with heavier loads. I actually have the Domke pad on a much lighter bag and that seems to work fine.

Hey, Ron,

I realize this post is a few months old. I'm currently using a Lowepro backpack for my D200 and lenses, but have been thinking about one of their larger camera bags. Have you considered them? Did you end up buying one?