Domke J-803 Digital Satchel - for Laptop Computer and Digital Camera Outfit with Accessories (Black)

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

I use the F-2 to carry my essential gear. But it's pretty big when fully loaded. There are times when I just need 2 DLSRs with 2 lenses attached to go on the street, and the J-803 fits them perfectly.

I fit D700 with 85 1.4G and D300s with 24 1.4G side by side, both face down. Not tight at all, perfect! In the middle between the cameras, I just put a padded divider I took from my other bag.

Surprisingly, this one is better padded compared to other Domke bags, coz it has some light padding on the sides and bottom.

In front pockets, there's a dedicated slot for business cards - love it! If you want to carry extra batteries, memory cards, etc, it has plenty extra compartments. But since I got this to be mobile and discreet, I leave those extra stuff at home.

For the look, I like the canvas better. This J series look like a geek's office bag, but then I thought it's better that way coz it doesn't look like a camera bag at all!

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

Fits my canon 60D, flash, 2 lens w/ hoods, IPad & accessories. Thin profile. Doesn't look like a camera bag. Very pleased w/ the purchase.

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

I use this bag as my every day carry-all "murse" for my keys, wallet, phone, and micro 4/3 kit.

Best things about this bag are the overall excellent workmanship and materials, not surprising since it's made in the USA. The two compartments on the front of the bag have internal pockets that are sized for pens and business cards, which was a nice detail that my F-803 did not have. Another nice touch is that this bag has a clip-on strap attachment system that allows you to replace the stock strap with practically anything.

The only things I don't like, and they're minor and (mostly) fixable, are the stiffening insert across the top (which I had my local luggage repair shop remove), velcro closure of the front compartments, and the bag's slightly larger dimensions than the F-803 which means inserts designed for the latter don't quite fit right in this bag. I have also been injured by the clasp on the flap (not on this bag but the F-803 which uses the exact same thing), partially tearing off a fingernail. Will probably replace the clasp with something a little more refined.

The bag is as padded as it needs to be and no more. While you probably won't be throwing this thing loaded down a flight of stairs like you would a Lowepro, the bag is very light and molds to your body (once the stiffening insert is taken out) instead of bouncing off your hipbone like a pinata.

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

I have bought and used the F-802 version of this bag for years. I have gone through 8 of them. I liked them that much. This time I felt I needed something just a little bit bigger and this is it. Perfect for what I need and want. Small bag for camera, lens and other items. It doesn't really look too much like a camera bag which is a plus. I'm sure the ballistic nylon will not wear out as quickly as the F-802 canvas one so i won't need to buy one for a while.

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

I have had many photo-bags over the years and several Domke bags. This is the first one that fits my needs perfectly. Not too bulky but still roomy, not too flashy, and adequate protection.

I have a D90 set-up w/ a 16-85 and 55-300 and speedlight. There is plenty of room for all in addition to room for a point & shoot and/or additonal lens, tablet or small laptop. Really glad that I purchased the J-803 instead of the F-803 which I think might have been just a little on the small side. The pockets on the front are larger than they appear in the photo with plenty of room for speedlight, spare batteries, filters, phone, etc. This bag is probably on the small side if you have a full size DSLR set-up.

If I was too add anything it would be some clips on the bottom to hold a mono-pod. I really like the fact that the flap only closes with a clip and not a big wide noisy swath of velcro. I also like the ballistic material. I have always gone with canvas in the past, but this will be more durable, weatherproof, and it was not at all plastic. I couldn't be happier.

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

this is my everyday carry bag. its light weight and doesn't attract too much attention to whats inside.
I like the ballistic material over the usual domke canvas. 5 pockets, two zippered and two velcro pockets and one long slit pocket in the back which I use to hold my Ipad.

at present the J-803 holds
Ipad (1st gen)
Leica M9 with 35mm 1.4
leica 50mm lens in pouch
Leica M4 body
Olympus Pen Ep1 with 14-42 mm lens
Nikon sb-28 flash.
chargers, cleaning kit, cables, batteries.

Cons...
Wish the strap was a bit wider and more grippy.
Lastly, maybe just one more cushioned insert would have been nice.

hope this helps =)

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

I'm a professional photographer that happens to use a 13" Macbook Air for all my work. I like small and portable. I was looking for a good bag that could hold both the Air and a bit of camera gear without being bulky and was a shoulder bag. The original Domke Satchel was OK, but that makes this one THE bestbag is the little compartment they added between the main and front... which is the perfect fit for the 13" Air. I also have an iPad and though it fits in that pocket as well, it sticks out just a bit. Another plus is that the front pockets have separators in them to help organize smaller thing.

The main compartment I usually have a D300w/grip, 16-85, 10.5 and sb800 in. I could fit more in, but then it would start getting bulky and then I might as well use my other bag. Compared to the Retrospective 20, this bag is about the same height, an inch or so less wide and half as deep. If you want to carry more gear that bag is a better fit.

The ballistic black looks great, and when the gripper strap starts to turn purple from the sun ( which all black Domke straps do ) I'll cut if off and put on another strap.

Back pocket holds letter sized papers, top 2 pockets are almost useless since they're so small, but you can fit an iPod in them. The under flap pocket is nice to hold a passport, ticket or cash. The backpack attachment clips on the side are tight and don't flop around. I'm going to get a Lowepro bottle holder and stick it on one of them for 100% perfection.

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

Great bag for travel with a small photo kit!

I purchased this bag after a long, tortured search for my perfect combo travel/photo daybag. THIS IS IT! It lived with me every day of a 6-week backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and will be joining me on my next trip as well.

Contents included:
- Nikon D7000 w/ attached lens (1 of 3 below)
- Nikkor 16-85 VR
- Nikkor 35mm 1.8
- Nikkor 50mm 1.8
- polarizer, extra SD cards, card reader, lens cloth, etc
- thick Lonely Planet guidebook + maps
- small bottle of water
- sunglasses, pens, other misc

The bag comes with one small Domke insert that was deep enough to fit any two of the three lenses. Said insert won't work for storing a body w/ lens attached facing down. The D7000 body w/ attached lens lived comfortably in the main pocket on its side. I didn't need to buy any inserts beyond the included one.

The bag is slightly padded on the bottom and sides. It's just enough for a bit of piece of mind when carrying your gear. This is NOT a heavily padded foam box-of-a-photo-bag like so many others. The J-803 strikes a balance between usable storage space and protection that I quite like.

Organization within the bag is pretty good:
- Two small zipper pockets on the front of the weather flap for a filter, train tickets, etc
- Two velcro pockets on the front of the bag for my sunglasses, pens, cigarettes (accessible without opening the main clasp)
- One zipper pocket on the back of the weather flap
- Wide map/magazine pocket on the back of the bag for... maps and magazines!
- Additional flap of nylon next to the bag's main pocket for additional breakup.

Strap has rubber down its length for non-slip carrying. Bag also has a sturdy handle on top that you can carry from even when the bag's unlatched without all the contents instantly spilling out.

I see a lot of discussion on the standard Domke bag clasp on photo bag reviews. And YES, you do need two hands to open/close it. YES, I have had my fingers pinched. But thanks to said clasp, no sneak-thieves can get into my bag without a little work. An acceptable compromise, at least to me!

I think the bag is more or less waterproof, but have not been rained on while carrying it yet.

A DSLR and full-size laptop will not fit in this bag simultaneously. I've heard that an iPad + DSLR might.

The bag also looks fairly inconspicuous as far as photo bags go - looks more like a random black laptop bag. I wish it was available in some more interesting colors, but oh well - it's not.

Recommended!

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

The bag is comfortable to carry but the capacity is not huge. The hook closure requires two hands to operate so it is not a rapid action bag. The padded insert provides adequate padding for a couple of lenses and a camera body with mid size zoom attached.

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

Domke bags are my favorite - simple, durable, and functional. I use as a briefcase to/from work daily (a bit small for full-size binders, but perfect for organizer and other items) and like the ability to use as a camera bag without advertising "hey I've got a camera here" - fits a 5Dii and lens easily - I'm not into stuffing as much camera gear into bags as I can but prefer to have what I need for the day instead...

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

Love Domke but this one has a design flaw—the shoulder strap sometimes gets twisted and disconnects itself. Oops. If you are a regular user of the shoulder strap (some may prefer this as a briefcase only) make sure you hold on to the briefcase handle whenever you are about to sling your bag over your shoulder. Or get the other model where the strap does not disconnect.

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

I own both J-803 and F-803 (canvas version) and find that I prefer J-803 over F-803. J-803 has a large front pocket (between the main compartment and the two small front pockets) that can hold magizine, paper, and my ipad. The detachable non-slip shoulder strap is another plus comparing with F-803 (not detachable). The nylon material provides extra confidence when raining.

The bag comes with a paddled insert. I also install the paddled insert that comes with F-803 so that the bag is divided into 3 sections in the main compartment. I can fit a rangerfinder camera and three lenses (one attached to the camera) easily. The two front pockets can hold a lot of things, such pens, cell phone, keys, lens cloth, memory cards and etc. I sometimes also put a pair of small binocular in one of the paddled inserts or a bottle water depending on where I go for hiking.

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

Capacious bag at the small sizes! located Nikon D90 + 70-300, 16-85, 50/1.8, SB 900.

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

Its taken me quite awhile to find a great all round bag but this for me does it!
It strikes the right balance when travelling for camera bodies and lens'. I try and travel light but can still manage to get all that I need in the bag including documents, wallets, phones etc. I can highly recommend this bag and would encourage photographers to try it out for size. So far it appears very durable and inconspicuous also!!

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

When fully loaded with camera gear I am able to fit a Nikon d70s with is factory lens, a Nikon 70-200mm lens, an sb800, and an sb600. I can also fit two spare batteries, flashcards, and all the accessories.

I have also stored a Panasonic 100B in it very nicely while filming in an impoverished area. I tend to photograph in areas where flashiness is not recommended and because of it's low profile this bag works very well.

The best part about this bag is its discreteness. It does not look like a camera bag and therefore does not draw undue attention. It is also very professional looking and is easy to get in and out of.

I recommend getting the ballistic black material because it doesnt fade as much as the canvas. One draw back is that some of the straps are canvas-like materials and they fade to gray, Ive had to dye them black to make the bag look new again.

I also use this as a briefcase like bag filled with files and office necessities.

Great bag, though with my oversized widescreen gateway laptop the bag is quite full.

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

Glad I got the J-803.

The ballistic nylon gave it a smart appearance that I can use for daily commuting to office & doesnt look like a camera bag. I can slot in a Nikon 70-200 VR in the single compartment (without hood) + D200 with 17-55mm (also without hood) without any problem.

The Domke single compartment insert cannot hold the 70-200 VR with the hood.

In addition, I slotted in an SB600 in one of the front pouch with the other carrying the usual spare batteries/CF cards. My ipod goes into the flap compartments with work papers/ a magazine in the outside pouch.

The shoulder pad I got with it helps in the weight. It doesn't feel & look too BIG ala F804 nor wear down like faded jeans F802.

Comments about Domke J-803 Digital Satchel:

For travel, the J803 functions beautifully, carrying a DSLR w/ zoom + one more lens & accessories (or can easily be configured for 2 more lenses). This still leaves room for the necessities of travel: photographers of any depth do not live by cameras alone. I added a small external clip-on pouch for a cellphone.

Solid construction is what I expect of Domke, & the J803 lives up to standards. Pocketing is logical & functional.

Drawbacks: no tripod loops; the standard Domke closures, while very secure, are a little TOO secure. Opening them must be done with care to avoid a painful pinch; in the front pouch, inexplicably, there's no small item subdividers. This is sadly an omission on all Domke bags.