Hi, Ive fallen into the tar pit of bag searching. Having used SLR's for so long, Ive acquired a plethora of bags, none of which seem comfortable or compatible with my M system. Ive tried scouring the local surplus stores for a bag that I could alter,... no luck. Im looking for opinions on the Domke f-6 bag-- I know this has been beaten to death, but any thoughts on this specific bag would help. Thanks,

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), December 13, 2001

Answers

I have several Domke bags. Which one you want to use is dependent upon how much kit you tend to carry and how much access to the bag you need.

The F6 "Little Bit Smaller) is very good for a largish M kit ... it will hold two bodies, 4-6 lenses, flash, film, etc. I only use it for the Leica when I'm carrying a significant amount of gear.

More commonly, I use either the F5 "hip and shoulder" bag (1 body, two lenses, light film and flash) or F803 Camera Satchel. The F803 is probably my favorite for travel and general purpose use as it is trim, thin, holds a LOT of gear (typically: body, lots of film, 3 lenses, meter, flash, sunglasses, paperwork, Palm V, modem, spare batteries, notebook, travel papers, etc etc) and it doesn't look much like a photo bag. Access to the interior is a little more restrictive than the F6 but then I rarely swap lenses around as furiously as I used to with SLR equipment.

Good luck picking the right one for you! I have several because I tend to use them in different circumstances. ;-)

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), December 13, 2001.

This is my favorite bag. When I go on a trip, I pack everything I can into one of these and if it doesn't fit I leave it.

-- Pete Su (psu_13@yahoo.com), December 13, 2001.

I have bought a great many bags and what makes me happy may not make you happy. I will just say that I wish I had discovered the Domke f- 803 satchel long before I bought it. The bag is slim and holds a lot more than it appears it will hold. The narrowness of the bag makes it a pleasure to carry. And the bag always seems to manage to stretch to hold just one more thing.

-- David Enzel (dhenzel@vei.net), December 13, 2001.

I'm glad you posted this, because I'm in the same situation and was afraid to bring the topic up again. I have an M6 with a new 35 Lux and a thin TeleElmarit 90. No flash yet, and a Summicron 50 is coming soon. I also have a black Minilux that I'll be carrying around in the kit. After reading all the previous bag posts and doing extensive research, I've decided on the F6 in black ballistic nylon. It's nice looking, has a low profile, is easy to carry, and gives me a little room to grow. It's also less than half the price of a Leica bag. My local camera dealer, a Leica user of course, talked me out of a Leica combination bag and recommended the F6 instead. That's what he uses and swears by. So I had him order one; it should arrive this week.

One word of advice: if you decide on the F6, or any Domke bag for that matter, order yours soon. Domke is a Tiffen subsiduary, which, like so many venerable photographic supply companies, is on financially shaky ground. This may be your last chance to acquire one.

Also, a question for those who already own and use the F6: Will it accomodate a Leica table tripod and removable large ball and socket head? Yet another accessory that I will have to add to my bag sooner or later...there's always something else to buy.

-- Luke Dunlap (luked@mail.utexas.edu), December 13, 2001.

For one Leica with short lens plus several more lenses, filters, cleaning supplies, film & lens hoods: Lowepro Nova 1. Small, unobtrusive, and the price is right.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), December 13, 2001.

I have 2 Domke F-6 bags. Very comfortable and nice to fit my body type. Smooth sailing with Leica equipment. Of course, I use one for my RF and the other for the Leicaflex. I would like to get the F3X for my Leica R4...

I recommend the Domke for its fit and comfort and lightweightness. Lowepro is good for outdoors hunting :)

Alfie

-- Alfie Wang (leica_phile@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.

Yes, I Love the F6, it works perfectly and you can load up with film and not sacrifce space for lenses. Go for it !!

-- Matt Rainey (mvrainey@att.net), December 14, 2001.

One extra good thing about the Domke f-6 is that after a couple trips though the washer the olive drab version looks just like a ratty old piece of army surplus.........

-- david kelly (dmkedit@aol.com), December 14, 2001.

With the F6, instead of the included Padded four compartment "short" Insert, I prefer to use two 1-compartment "short" Insert and one 2-compartment.

One camera + lens + Rapidwinder or Leica-Motor in each of the 1-compartment insert and in the 2-compartment, two lenses tied together back to back with a Leica coupling ring #14838, and a flash.

src="http://www.mapgroup.co.jp/mapcamera/leica/leica_data/images/acc/mc 14838_2.jpg">

-- Lucien (lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), December 14, 2001.

-- Lucien (lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), December 14, 2001.

-- Lucien (Lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), December 14, 2001.

The Domke F6 is the little brother of the original F2, which was designed as a working photojournalist's bag. It has just enough padding to keep things from knocking together inside, but not enough to prevent bangs from outside, or from dropping the bag, or from vibration on the floor or overhead bid of an airplane. There is no zippered closure to the main compartment, and the flap is secured with metal clips. Dust can easily get into the bag, as well as pickpocket fingers, and small items can fall out if the bag gets upended. The F6 (unlike the F2) has no board stiffening in the bottom. It has no "feet" or rubberized bottom. It is a great bag to "work out of", fast and furiously, especially if you have a casual attitude about the condition of your equipment. It is not my choice of an all-round bag, especially for travel transport.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 14, 2001.

I guess I wouldn't use the F6 if I were going to banging around ina jeep out in the desert or something. But for routine travel in planes, taxis, European cities, etc, I've used 2 of these bags with all of my equipment and never had a problem.

You probably don't want to be swining the bag into lightposts or brick walls, but that sort of thing doesn't happen to me, I guess.

I find most other bags that I have tried to be incredibly *over* padded and thus hard to carry and work out of. The Domkes seem to me to hit the right compromise.

-- Pete Su (psu_13@yahoo.com), December 14, 2001.

Lucien, thank you very much for your ilustrative answer; I always thought F6 was larger than F2 (that I have, and find too large).

I am a bag fanatic,(we always need the rigth one for every ocation, it is not just a matter of owning the rigth camera); what I have are domke FX5(for two bodies with itīs lenses), F803 (for three bodies, or two and two lenses back to back), and the F2 for when ever I have to scape with all my leicas in a bag.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), December 14, 2001.

I use an F-6 as my standard working bag. It's just right for me in terms of size and shape. I use a J-2 as a "transport" bag for travel because it's bigger, then load what I want into the F-6 for shooting. I have the "Emerald" version in green canvas with leather trim and brass snaps - tres chic.

I like it enough that I just ordered a second one today - this one in ballistic nylon. The one I have only has the standard 4-pocket insert, which is great for carrying lenses (either singly or coupled) or bare bodies but isn't so good for bodies with lenses or motors mounted. So I ordered the new bag with one double-pocket and two single-pocket inserts. I carry a TT tripod with a big ball head in the front pocket, but it has to be broken down to fit.

-- Paul Chefurka (chefurka@home.com), December 14, 2001.

I've tried a few bags so far with a modest kit consisting of an M6, two lenses (35 and 90), motor, filters, batteries, lens cleaner, small penknife, flashlight, Sharpie, etc., and about 8 or 10 rolls of film. I've found the more padded bags, such as the Lowe Street & Field/Reporter, while very secure and well-organized, are too bulky in the way they rest against your side. They also scream "camera bag". I just started using the F-6 and I think it's perfect for the M6, 2-3 lenses, accessories and film. It fits everything comfortably, yet the gear seems secure. It is the shortest in depth of the Domke bags and this makes it particularly well-suited for the M6 and for working out of. Unlike some other bags which have adjustable velcro dividers, the Domke's have full compartment inserts, which I find easier to adjust and I like to be able to remove them to load/hold gear. I was concerned that the F-6 lid would not stay closed when unclipped. Indeed, I find that it doesn't ride up and open when unclipped (this makes it easy to work from when you need to get in and out of the bag) and obviously very secure when one or both clips are connected. I bought the canvas one since I live in SoCal and rain isn't a big issue. I also thought it would soften up nicely over time. The ballistic nylon version is probably better suited to all-around/travel use as it would be water resistant. Last tip -- I bought a small Lowe camera pouch (like for a oversized point-and-shoot, which I use when I'm taking only my M6 with 35mm lens and some film. Very small and has some padding. Often thrown in my briefcase or when travelling very light or just out for the day and want the camera with me. Good luck.

-- Eric Reid (eric_reid@lkshore.com), December 14, 2001.

What I don't like Domke bag is that the metal loop locks which are difficult to open (may require two hands) and inclined to drop on my equipments inside when open. I am more prefering to use Tamrac bag (#610) with the Domke 2/3/4-ompartment inserts of your choice with Tamrac lens-gate(?) insert with which the camera can sit high and above lenses. it is more easy to take out camera and better use of space.

-- kenny chiu (amchiu@worlnet.att.net), December 14, 2001.

Sorry me again. The Tramrac #610 bag is designed for one Hasselblad (or alike) and 2/3 lenses, film back... Originally it has no lens- gate(?) insert. I found it is perfect for two Leica M6 (with 2 lens gate from other Tramrac bag I have) and one 2-compartmet insert (short) or one M6 and 3/4-compartment insert.

-- kenny chiu (amchiu@worlnet.att.net), December 14, 2001.

I would like to offer another option for consideration. Although it is not a classic "camera bag", I have been a fan of the original Danish School Bag for a long time. The full line can be seen at www.globetrot.com I have used these bags to travel extensively and my M6 and a lens or two fits neatly into the bag along with what ever else I need. For added protection I sometimes put in a little bubblewrap or a piece of packing foam if its around. Over the years I have adopted the "if it does not fit under my seat it does not go" technique of traveling. I carry this bag on my shoulder and I carry on a small aluminium haliburton case ( it has to be over 20 years old by now). Unless I'm going to be away for more than a couple of weeks this is all I need. Take a look at the bags. you might like it for a change. Best, Fred

-- trgmail@snet.net (trgmail@snet.net), December 14, 2001.

Take a look at Domke's new "Bug Bags", and Lowepros "Linx" line. I have the Linx that I use with my Contax G system and it works great...but it is by far one of the ugliest bags I have ever seen.

Go to Adorama's or B&H's website...they have pictures of them. For some reason the Domke and Lowepro sites don't.

-- Jim Tardio (jimtardio@earthlink.net), December 14, 2001.

Boy, these bag threads always generate a lot of responses ;-).

For me, the Domke F803 for two M bodies with lenses mounted plus two extra lenses in the middle compartment, plus film, SF20 flash, sync cords, light meter, etc. works the best.

An additional asset is that it doesn't really look like a camera bag.

-- Rolfe Tessem (rolfe@ldp.com), December 14, 2001.

For those carrying a small amount of camera equipment and a lot of film, how about the M Classic bag? Fashioned after the old Leica canvas bag. There are two bags now, one velcroed and padded, and one not. It's compact with a thin profile, looks good with the canvas and leather, and doesn't look like a camera bag, and holds an incrediable amount of stuff:(for me), M6/Elmar-M, small flash, binoculars, sketching pad (I'm an Architect,) pens, watercolors, maps, notepad, flashligh, Gitzo TT tripod, 22" portable reflector (gold & silver/white,) 30 rolls of film (no box, no canister) in large freezer bag in Domke film shield, umbrella. Oh, and a Victorinox Picknicer when I can (first rule, never be without a corkscrew!) Ta,ta! I have an F6, but use that for the Nikons. My problem with it, is that it's too wide.

-- Glenn Travis (leciaddict@hotmail.com), December 15, 2001.

I have a F-802 camera bag for my M6ttl,35mm,90APO,SF-20,6rolls of film. I purchased it after looking at a lot of bags, and for the most part I'm pretty happy with it. Domke nonslip camera straps/ are the best IMO. The one thing that I found is that people dont think I'm carrying a camera BUT they do think I have a laptop! So I think that buying this for fear of theft is a bit funny. I've found my next bag though Crumpler Bags from JOBO. No one thinks this is a camera bag. I really like the velcro on the front flap compared to the Domke F-802. Maybe to crazy of a design for Leica photographers. ;0) http://www.crumplerusa.com

Happy Day, Scott

-- Scott Evans (scottevans@mediaone.net), December 15, 2001.

For those who put your Leicas vertically into the Domke803: aren't you afraid that this might not be a great idea with the weight resting on the camera strap loop all the time?

-- Ray Zuiko (rayzk@hotmail.com), December 17, 2001.

Maybe to crazy of a design for Leica photographers. ;0)

Geez... Scott, you shouldn't have provided me that link - this is going to be my bag #xxx! ;o))) Cheers.

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), December 17, 2001.