Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black)

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

I read several reviews about this product and was a little unsure what to expect. When I received the bag in the mail I was immediately drawn to the great quality. It fits all the gear I would need for a day trip no problem. The padding is good but not too much.
There is a reason this product is so highly rated in B&H.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

I own quite a few bags (Kata, Lowepro, Crumpler, Think Tank) even though they all are of good quality and design, they are often uncomfortable to use when shooting. Getting to my lenses or accessories is often awkward, I'm always afraid that I will drop something. I have also an old Domke bag (F-3X) that I use with my Minolta camera and I always found it to be easy to use. After many trips to my camera store, I finally decide to get another Domke bag. I have been using the F-2 for a few weeks now and I have no regrets. It is what I was looking for; a bag I can easily take lenses in an out without having to fight with the inserts inside. I know where everything is. It is lightly padded so it will fit to your body and it is more comfortable to carry for long periods of time.
A word of caution; this bag is not for everyone. If you are looking for a bag that will protect your gear against everything, you should look elsewhere. It is a minimalist bag with is own limitations. If you have big and or large lenses, it may be a tight fit inside. If you have a battery grip on your camera you may have to try it for size first. I own a Sony A33 with 28, 35, 50 and 85mm lenses plus 18-55 and 55-200mm zoom lenses; a small size kit that fits very well inside this bag.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

The only thing I would change about this bag is adding a pocket that would easily access CF cards. Otherwise, its size, comfort, number of pockets is perfect for daily photojournalism use.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

I got one of the bags over 20 years ago and it has just reached a point where it is starting to look a bit worn.
I've tried newer bags of a different design and haven't liked them nearly as much.
When it arrived I thought it looked smaller than my old one but figured it would probably fill out with age and the pockets etc stretched a bit.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

I bought this bag three years ago and even though I have purchased other bags believing that more space would work better for me (notably the Domke F-1X), I have just not found a bag that's better suited for what I do.

Don't let it's size fool you, as it is truly a beast; tough and bigger than you first think. Admittedly, I carry a ton of stuff, but somehow this little gem takes it all. It's stuffed in there, but I find bigger bags to be just too cumbersome. I carry a D3, D300 with an MD-B10 attached, 70-200 f/2.8, 28-70 f/2.8, 14-24 f/2.8 Nikkors; an SB-800, Quantum Turbo SC, Impact PowerSync slaves, , assorted cords; 2 extra EN-EL4a and 1 EN-EL3e batteries; compact flash case and lens cleaner, a rain cover and emergency poncho, and a small roll of gorilla tape. And even with all of this equipment, I find that this bag is just the easiest to use and carry. I even used bigger bags, but just keep coming back to this one. Because I do mostly sports photography, I don't need to carry around lenses on my camera bodies, which would be difficult with this bag.

Bottom line is that this a a great bag and does exactly what you need it to do without all of the bells and whistles. I love the construction and the way the bag wears. In so many ways, it retains it's old school style but remains tremendously functional. It's a terrific bag.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

I wanted a shoulder bag for jobs in which I don't need to carry a backpack full of equipment. The Domke F2 is the perfect bag for those situations. After adjusting the interior compartment of the bag, I can fit in it a Sony A900 + vertical grip with a 16-35mm lens attached, while filling the rest of space with a 70-200 zoom, a HVL 58 flash, a 50mm prime and I still have a free compartment to put whatever I want in it. The side compartments accomodate filter cases or any other small accessory fairly easily.

The bag is comfortable to carry around for extended periods of time, although the complementary shoulder pad makes the bag even more comfortable. If you are going to be carrying the Domke F2 on your shoulder for 6+ hours you definitely want to make the extra spending for the shoulder pad.

People comment how the bag could use extra padding on the sides, but probably that would make the Domke F2 a lot less comfortable to carry.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

This is a great bag for people who don't really care for all the gimmicks that other bags produce. I've beaten mine up pretty good over the past few months and it only seems to wear in more and get more comfortable. I use a Mamiya 7 and an Mamiya RZ67, usually with a light meter and a flash and this thing holds it all nicely.

I highly suggest it for you folks who just want to have a place to throw a camera in.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

High quality construction and lots of room. I have 2 camera bodies, several lenses and flashes in mine with room left over for filters and other accessories.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

I bought this bag to use for day to day shooting (Sports Events/Location Portraits/News). It has a remarkable amount of space for a moderately sized shoulder bag.

Currently I have a Nikon D700 w/ Battery Grip, Nikon D300s, 80-200mm Lens, 24-70mm Lens, SB800 Flash, Multiple Spare Batteries (Camera and "AA") Memory Cards, Lens Cloth, and R-Strap in the bag. I have not even used the 2 Side Pockets, 2 front pockets or the rear or flap pocket.

I would highly recommend this bag to any on location photographer or journalist. It can be loaded up with a tremendous about of gear or used to carry just a body and a lens. It is tough and durable. I now know why this bag has become a classic.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

I am not clear why so many pros like this. I guess I will be the lone dissenter. On the outside it is a beautiful bag with dimensions that are PERFECT! And nice huge pockets.
But:
1) The 4 lens insert is too small for the width of many pro lenses with reversed hoods, any lens with a hood bigger than about 3" (this excludes Canon 70-200L F4, 24-70, 24-105, 24L, 100L, any many other pro medium size lenses). Maybe 1 can be fit, but not 2-4. You can remove the hoods, but then there is no place to put the hoods. If you jam them in there with the hoods on, it will stretch to fit, but you won't be able to get them out, and a 5DII will then be too tight in the camera compartment.

2) With the insert installed, the remaining space is not large enough for a pro body with a lens on (1Dx, D3x). Who carries a bag like this around without a lens mounted. It is certainly not a bag designed for transport (little padding). It must it must be for active use.

3) With the insert installed a 5DII, D700, or cropper will fit with a medium lens (lens pointing down). But there are no dividers to stabilize it or to utilize the space around the lens. And, it is not quite big enough to leave a quick release plate mounted.

4) If you forgo the insert, there is not enough Velcro mounted to place your own divider system. So that means you have to individually encase the lenses for protection. This ruins any fast access to lenses.

5) The "military grade" clasps are horrendous. They are sharp and awkward and time-consuming. They'd be fine for attaching a shoulder strap, but not for frequent access. They are sewed on. And, in my opinion mount backwards with easier clasping action then unclasping action. And while intending to keep caps on lenses in the case, if they fall off accidentally or you are in the process of changing lenses, the metal clasps can damage the lenses.

6) If you don't like the shoulder strap, tough luck, it is sewed on. You could cut it off and mount your own on the D-rings. Really?

7) I don't see any way to use this bag with a larger zoom lens like a 70-200 2.8 or 100-400.

Bag sizing is a highly personal taste. But, I think a good test of a bag in this size class is to get a F2.8 kit, a prime, and and a flash, plus a few accessories (ie 14-24, 24-70, 70-200, 1-2 specialty pro prime (TS-E, 24L, 50L, 85L, 135, etc), and a 5D or D700 camera. This one fails miserably.

The perfect size on the outside. But to carry what? Certainly not a pro camera kit.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

This is my third F2 Original since 1989, I do not think I will go with any other bag as long as it is production. Even than I can re-activate some of my retired and badly beaten-up ones:-). Very simple yet practical and secure thing to carry your expensive gear around. Does not look as something that has multi-$$$$ value in it except for the trained eyes - not bad feature either. It is like an old shirt that always fits you well even if it has a few holes in it (that is what each canvas Domke bag will develop sooner or latter)and there is no way you can part from it.Enough said, but also I had a few not so nice surprises with my brand new bag compared to the latest, 13 years old one: it seems just a BIT smaller than the previous but I can feel it. My camera fits very tight in the place where she had a plenty of space in the old bag. It is canvas, maybe new F2 will stretch a bit? The other, more important change were closing snap hooks which also "shrinked" slightly compared to the old ones. I had quite a hard time to open the bag as my thumb would be on the way, had to use both hands - not a good thing for working pro. I think someone else`s review here mentioned the same issue. Metal rasp to rescue, I made some modifications having the old hooks as a model and here it sings again, one hand snap-open! Do not understand why Domke/Tiffen changed hardware and I notified their technical support about my (bad)experience. That is the ONLY reason I gave it 4 stars, when you buy the same bag for a third time it should be at least the same or slightly upgraded but for sure not subject to metal rasp do-it-your-self modification. This thing(s) fixed, solid 5 stars forever!

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

I have been in love with this bag since I first used one that was not mine for 4 months. Had to buy it after that.

It distributes weight well, is spacious, and form fitting against your body.

I only wish it came with different inserts.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

Flexible and comfortable to carry and store large amount of gear. The top flap easily keeps out the elements. Rubber embedded in the shoulder strap prevents slipping. This is my 3rd Domke bag of different sizes. I use the 802 for my daily "briefcase".

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

Very spacious and modular yet not too bulky. Carries a ton of equipment especially when using the side pockets. i use them to carry 2 Nikon SB-800 fashguns in their pouches. I then stuff then main compartment with 4 lenses (20-35 2.8, 85 1.4, 180 2.8 and a 50 1.4) and a D700 + motor.

I would strongly recommend purchasing the FA-100 BACKPACK STRAP-BLACK as it allows you carry a heavy load without feeling the pain of it.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

this bag is everything I expected!!! "The Perfect Camera Bag!"....and it doesn't look like a camera bag!

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

Perfect size, holds a lot. I also have the F1-x, which is way too big.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

Purchased the Domke F-2 on the recommendations of others and I'm glad I did. It is well constructed and very user friendly. It packs all the essentials. I also purchased the recommended shoulder pad which is very effective.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

I use this bag to keep my new D300s (with cords) and two lenses together. I can also pick up this back and hit the road in a moments notice.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

The best camera bag for a street photographer , superb built. discreet and easy to carry.

Comments about Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag (Black):

I love the bag!

I started off with a backpack style bag, but i wanted something with quicker access.

It is very comfortable, and has plenty of space for for my 40D, 70-200, 580ex II and many smaller items a student needs

It fits nicley to my body, still able to move quickly with the bag on.

Downside: I wish the Velcro on the front was a little more secure.