Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive)

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

It has a ton of storage and pockets. The color is great, and it has great padding to protect your equipment. I highly recommend this bag!

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

I like the adjustable shoulder strap; the quality of the materials used; the fact that I can fit my canon 7d, plus 2 lenses and a flash with room to spare. My only issue with the bag is that it doesn't have a nice little zippered pocket inside to store cards, extra batteries, money, keys etc. There are outside pockets as well as the flap pocket but i would feel more secure with one inside the bag. Otherwise, i like it alot.

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

The size of this bag is great holds my g1 with a lens on it and a lens on each end plus the side pockets are free for other stuff and my iPad fits in front JD

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

This is a great bag. It seems pretty spartan for the price, but it gives you a lot. It's not bulky and over-padded like a lot of other brands, so in the same amount of space you can fit a LOT more gear. The lack of over-padding also makes it easy to carry, as it 'breaks' around your body a lot easier. It is pretty comfortable to carry because it conforms to your body instead of sticking out.

I think the padding in the bottom is good (very thick). There is no other padding, but the canvas is pretty thick (yet light and flexible, like jeans), so it still offers some protection, especially where there is a pocket or somewhere that gives the main compartment two layers. I have a Nikon D90 and 18-200mm lens. I was a little worried about the padding, so I got a Domke 19x19 wrap, and folded it to be a holster(three sides brought in, the fourth doubled backwards). I moved the divider in the middle so it was split probably 65%/35% or 70%/30% and put the wrap holster into the bigger side, and towards the front pocket. Since one corner of the wrap is folded over backwards, it gives me two layers against the front pocket wall. I also had a thin (approx 2mm) divider I wrapped from the bottom around the side. This gives plenty of padding and a sort of holster to stick the camera in with lens attached (lens facing down). I normally just stick extra lenses/flashes in the two sew lens sleeves, wrapping them in bananas if traveling (not in use). I also put one top of the camera (LCD up) while traveling. Once in use, I just put the bananas in the small back pocket or front pocket. With these out of the way, the bag is very easy to work with, very easy to get gear in and out and thus more comfortable to work with.

Since this bag is small/light, and collapses as you take gear out...if you take it somewhere for a few days, and then go out for the day and need less gear, it is still manageable and does not require you to carry a second bag for this purpose.

I have used this bag in medium rain, gear was fine. I normally keep a shopping bad and a storm jacket for the camera in there somewhere just in case.

I normally carry the following, but it will fit more if you stuff it:

Middle - D90, 18-200mm VR, 35mm 1.8, SB-600 (or 400/800), ultrapod2, sometimes a 12mm extension tube. An additional prime would easily fit (50mm 1.4, 24mm 2.8, etc), and sometimes I have this.

Front pocket: "storm jacket", lens brush, and in the zipper pouch for the storm jacket - extra CF, rubber Nikon lens hood, SB-600/800 stand, etc). Sometimes a 4 filter case with a step up ring and 77mm ND grad, ND, circ. pol.

Side pockets: personal junk. But could just as easily be a Nikon SB-8, Sb-800 and other lens, or other stuff.

It really holds a lot, but it's more comfortable if you don't over do it. If I dumped the ultra-pod I could probably cram a second body in the main pouch (such as N80 or D40).

It's also pretty flexiable, so you can easily reconfig pockets to meet the days needs. I also love the bag looking a bit more old/beat up and not being a big black brick of Nylon.

If I go out with the kids, I may dump everything except the D90/18-200 VR and put diapers, water bottles, etc in the bag instead. The clasp isn't that great, but the design will last forever. If you put a little weight in the zipper pocket, it will easily flop closed and stay pretty well closed with the clasp.

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

Great look and feel to this bag. Very durable and lightweight big enough to carry my 7D with battery grip and 2 lenses. I also have plenty of room for my cables and charger.

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

Bought this as a walk-around bag. I was looking for something that would give me quick access my Nikon D300 with my 18-200 attached. I also wanted something that did not look like a camera bag.

This bag does all of the above for me with some extra space in the side pockets. The side pockets will hold an SB-600 flash in it's case. My SB-900's are too large for the side pockets. However, I can put a single SB-900 sideways in the bottom of the main compartment and still have room for my D300/18-200 sitting sideways. You could also fit a small prime or two inside, but you start to lose the quick in/out access to the camera when you pack stuff in the main compartment.

Build-wise the thing is a tank - I believe will outlast me. While there is padding on the bottom, there's none on the sides. This is a non-issue for me as I feel the bag offers a reasonable degree of protection without it. Extra padding would only increase the size of the bag which would defeat the purpose in my opinion.

To summarize, a great build, reasonably compact, quick access to my D300 with my 18-200 mounted and it does not scream CAMERA BAG. It's also pretty cool looking!

Sorry about the Nikon-centric review. I don't own any Canon gear but you should be able to extrapolate the sizes.

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

First i want this for my M7, but there is no padding to protect it. Now it carry my 30D with Sigma 17-70, and it's great for a lot of other things (Book, Flash 430EX, Ipod, Briefcase...)

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

Camera with Pany 20mm F:1.7 mounted in center pocket, 17mm and 14-42mm in one pocket, Pany 45-200mm in other inner pocket. Flash and two optical viewfinders (one's a Voightlander in one side pocket, spare batt. and cards in the other.

One lightweight do most anything setup in a compact bag that nobody notices. It couldn't get much better than this!

I've used Jim Domke's bags since what? - 1979? Still using my first 'Original".
This one has 'stickum' inside the shoulder strap that helps it remain on my increasingly sloped shoulder. Very heavy duty canvas that does away with any need for padding. This canvas would satisfy any military standard in the world,

I do have a complaint - the holddown strap for the cover needs an update of the latch. The bag uses a steel ring that is engaged by a spring loaded clip. It's slow and fiddly in use. I'd have one of the modern composition snap together type like are found on most every type of backpack or bag available these days. I know - ugh, plastic. But in this case those new types of closures work good.

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

First, I want this Bag for my Leica M7, but there is really no padding and no protecting for this expensive Camera. Now I'm using it for my 30D with Sigma 17-70, and it's perfect. There's so much room for other stuff, wearing is just convinience and it looks awesome! I think for Rangefinder, a Billingham is the better solution.

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

I ordered the F-3X when I realized the F-4a was a little too big for me. I was looking for a bag that would hold my Canon T1i with lens attached, along with an extra lens, my wallet, cell phone, ipod, etc.

I tend to fill up all empty spaces in a camera bag, so I've carried 2 extra lenses and a bottle of water and a notepad. I still had room for more stuff.

I washed the bag right away so it wouldn't be stiff. This has made the top not fit quite right on the sides, but if I stretch it out, before attaching the velcro it seems better. The bag crumples down very nicely, and the rubber sewn into the strap keeps it on my shoulder with no problems. I also really appreciate the hand strap to take weight off my shoulder.

The green was MUCH darker than the photos seem to imply, but I think washing it and using it will wear it down to a nice muted shade with time.

Great bag, highly recommended.

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

I've owned three lowepro bags before this, and I should have switched earlier. It hardly looks like a camera bag which I like, and the construction is quite sturdy. Not much padding, but that's what makes this bag so flexible. I can stuff it to the gills, or just have a body+lens with an extra long zoom. The bag will just balance itself out.

If you're still on the fence about this one, just get it already!

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

My research showed the F-3X was a bag praised by photographers as easy work from. I am very pleased with the functionality and looks of mine. It easily carries my D 70, a 50mm lens, medium zoom, wide zoom and 105 mm with room for another lens or body in the main compartment. One side pocket holds the flash, the other various equipment. There is also a front and rear pocket. Straps work great. I can carry all this equipment or part for hours and not feel the weight.

As I said, it's great to work out of. I can easily change lenses or grab the flash without removing the bag from my shoulder. It looks great without screaming that thousands of dollars of gear are inside. My last bag resembled a lunch box or cooler.

One concern I had was about padding, as the F-3X only is padded on the bottom. This was a baseless concern. The 2 side pockets act as side padding and rear and front pockets add another layer of canvas. Plus the canvas molds to my hip, keeping the bag in place. My old bag was cube shaped and stiff. It would easily roll off of tables, boulders, etc. The F-3X will not roll.

The only reason I can think of that a photographer would not like it is if they wanted to carry much less or much, much more equipment when shooting than do I. Do some research and see what others think of the F-3X.

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

For Christmas last year, I received a Nikon backpack that holds maybe twice as much as this bag does, and I love it, but it just simply isn't a comfortable walk-around bag. After hunting for a strong shoulder bag that could withstand years of abuse, I came across the Domke brand. The F-3X caught my eye because it holds exactly what you would need for a typical day of shooting around town, yet it isn't humongous. Inside, I currently have a Nikon D80 with a battery grip installed and a 50mm prime attached, a 55-200mm zoom and 100mm macro in the two lens pockets inside, a filter pouch, charger, extra batteries, end caps, etc, and I still have room for maybe another lens, and flashes on the outside pockets. I love the canvas because it doesn't retain the same shape all the time. The less you put in the bag, the smaller it gets, and vice versa. Of course, don't expect much padding except for the bottom of the bag because of this. Trust me though, it provides all the padding you would need for casual shooting. I'm also anxious to see the canvas on my bag fade and age. Someday this bag will have sentimental value, as it will show where you have taken it and how you have used it. I've already placed a few lapel pins all over it to "make it my own". Another thing I love about this is that it doesn't look like a camera bag at all! I will be using this because I'm the photographer for the school yearbook, and will always have my equipment around the school. The bag simply doesn't scream "camera". If you took some or all of your camera gear out, it would be an excellent everyday shoulder bag too.

So, if you can't tell, I love this bag! I definitely recommend this bag to anybody that has the similar intentions of use for it that I did. The canvas will make it through almost anything, and will last for years. However, if you plan to be very rough with your equipment, maybe this particular model isn't for you. It doesn't include any padded inserts like some of the other models, but thats why I love it. Sure, it may be a tad pricy, but this will be the last walk-around shoulder bag you will ever need!

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

Before buying, be sure to measure out the dimensions. It's smaller than you think, and the product description of how many camera bodies, lenses, and accessories it can hold is a little misleading--it assumes the smallest versions of each.

There isn't a whole lot of padding in this thing, so you can't be took reckless with it.

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

I am no professional photographer but I was looking for a bag that I could carry my entry level DSL, a couple of lenses and some cf cards, etc. when I went out to photograph. I didn't want to get something that was too overkill but also didn't want just any old bag. This bag fits my needs exactly - it's rugged, roomy but not bulky, good looking and lots of convenient storage compartments. The strap is also very strong and has a grip on the inside edge so it doesn't slip when its around your shoulder. It feels like it will last a life-time. The only thing that caught me by surprise was the fact that I was under the impression that it had some padding. That is not the case but I purchased that afterwards.

Highly recommend!

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

Of all Domke bags, the F-3X is probably the best for carrying a full (or nearly so) system in a size which permits easy movement in a crowd without sacrificing equipment accessibility. A tight fit for modern AF and digital SLRs and their lenses, it's the perfect size for a manual SLR with a decent spectrum of lenses, and cavernous for a rangefinder system.

Disappointing is the main compartment where, in place of Domke's usual removable inserts, are instead some unpadded canvas dividers and one adjustable, slightly padded 'bridge'. Enough to organize your equipment, but poor protection if you find you have to run.

Luckily, a 4-compartment insert (or the equivalent) fits almost perfectly, which is almost as good as including one. Adding an insert increases the number of components you can carry, keeps them better organized, and protects them better. I like the shorter F6 inserts, though the bag's deep enough to handle the regular depth inserts as well.

Note that inserts fit 'sideways,' so the hook-and-loop fasteners on the insert don't match up to those in the bag, though I find this of little consequence.

Comments about Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag (Olive):

I looked for a casual-looking camera bag, which holds all the equipment needed for short trips in the city or even a holiday - And I think I found the perfect bag!
There is nearly no padding in it, but that's why so much fits in there - for example:

- My 400D (Rebel XTi) with attached battery grip and Kit lens,
- a Tele lens as the 70-200 2.8 IS USM
- 3 extra lenses (in my case a Tokina fisheye, the Canon 60mm 2.8 Macro and the 50mm 1.8),
- Flash Unit and other Stuff

Small outside - REALLY BIG inside!