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i've been looking high and low for a bag like this one. like any avid photographer, i've owned and have many a camera bag. Nothing quite like this though. I was looking for a bag to carry my Rebel XT, 17-85mm lens attached, sigma 70-200 F2.8 lens, PD70X PSD, 35mm F2 prime lens, batteries, cards, hoods, remote, cleaning gear, and my ipod. just enough stuff to be ready for practically anything. this bag fits the bill, without looking like a techno geeks man purse.
my velocity 5 was being called a purse far too often. a clear sign you need to find a domke. that and i can't fit another lens in the velocity 5.
this bag has very little padding. it is made of heavy canvas. the only padding is on the 3inch width sides and bottom. no padding on the front and back. it does come with one domke lens insert. it's capable of swallowing my sigma snuggly. excellent. the scarce amount of padding gives the bag a very very slim profile. if you're used to having a million padded velcro dividers like a tamrac or lowepro bag, you're in for a shock with this bag. it has practically none. it's domke's way of forcing you to carry less? with this bag, you tend to pack items in small nylon bags, and tossing them into the bottom. i did scavenge one velcro divider from a different bag to hold my slr upright.
like any other camera bag, it won't be perfect for every situation or everyone. but it's perfect for me when i'm running around town.
things you should know:
1) shoulder strap is NOT removeable
2) comes with a domke bag tag
3) the top flap of the bag has a steel or plastic insert to retain the bags briefcase shape when closed.
4) the clasp for the bag is hard to operate, but very strong.
5) extra clasps on the sides of the bag to carry more items.
6) not waterproof by any means
7) bag will probably not stand on it's own if set on the ground.
8) looks nothing, and i mean nothing, like a camera bag. mine is sand colored. gives peace of mind, especially when inside is several thousand bucks worth of camera gear.
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While this bag looks great in terms of color, I hated the Waxwear finish. It rubs off on your hands when you touch it and also when you put something in the back slot such as a book or folder, the wax rubs on that. And if you put something that is rubber there, it will ruin that. I put my Apple iPad there with the Apple iPad case, which is black rubber and the wax rubbed against that and ruined it for good.
The inside of the bag does not have the Waxwear finish so you don't have to worry about your equipment there however all of the pockets do have the wax and it can indeed rub off on whatever you place there.
I returned this bag and got a standard canvas one of the same model and am much happier with that.
Best Deals for Domke 701-83B F-803 Camera Satchel -Black
I've included quite a few measurements in this review, since I carefully considered these factors before ordering the bag. My goal: A small, discreet, conveniently designed, well-made bag that would carry my camera gear along with a few small personal items. Mission accomplished with this Domke bag! If you have similar equipment, you'll probably love this bag.
I ordered the optional one-compartment 3 x 6 x 8" insert, and my Nikon D80 SLR with lens attached rides on its back in the insert. The zoom lens is rather large -4" from camera body to filter when fully retracted.
The optional insert made a big difference in my enjoyment of the bag. It's easier to slip the camera in and out, and the camera receives extra protection without the bag becoming too bulky. Also, for some reason, the bag now stands up on its own. Before, it tended to need to be propped up against something.
I stash a flash in the 3 x 4 x 8" insert that came with the bag, but it would be fine for a couple of lenses if you don't mind stacking items. The flash, which is 3-1/2 x 2 x 6-1/2" inches, also fits in one of the front pockets but just barely. I personally wouldn't carry the flash in the front pocket because I prefer the more spacious feel, ease of access and extra protection of the insert, but it's doable.
The two inserts fit well within the bag, but perhaps not perfectly. Together, they might be about 1/2" too long. Perhaps it's by design, but they "fold" just a little. It's not bothersome. They have kind of molded themselves to the shape of the equipment. Domke's inserts are clever, and I appreciate the way you can remove them with contents intact and can remove the individual foam paddings from whatever sides you want.
The bag's pockets have plenty of room to carry small items such as filters, a wallet, a couple of manuals or magazines, etc. There are hooks on each side -handy for carrying an extra pouch for more gear or even lunch. The bag has a plastic bar that runs the length of the top flap; I suppose it helps keep everything in place.
As reviews elsewhere mentioned, the main hook is somewhat difficult to open and close. Domke says this is to make it more pilfer-proof, and it probably does. After I used the bag for a few weeks, either I got used to it or it loosened up a bit. Still, I'd prefer an easier hook and have considered replacing it.
One of the main reasons I chose this particular bag is that it's very discreet. It doesn't look like a camera bag at all, and the Domke logo is hidden under the main flap.
The construction quality and materials appear to be superb. I've owned another canvas Domke bag for about 25 years. It even went through several years of professional use, and it still looks and functions great. It doesn't appear that Domke has scrimped on quality over the years.
Honest reviews on Domke 701-83B F-803 Camera Satchel -Black
This is one of two Domke bags that I own, with the other being the smaller F5-XB. It has the usual excellent construction and attention to detail which is typical of Domke.
If you like bags with two inches of padding and a load of dividers you're looking at the wrong brand. Domke bags are for use...not for storage or heavy duty protection. By keeping the padding to a minimum, Domke keeps its bags small relative to their carrying capacity. This approach also cuts down on weight, which you'll appreciate at the end of the shooting day.
The F-803 comes with a nicely padded interior divider that, depending upon placement, will provide either 2 or 3 spaces in the main compartment. There are also two good-sized front expansion pockets and a "magazine" pocket on the rear. The front flap has two zippered compartments which I find pretty much useless as even a filter is a tight fit.
The flap closure is very secure. So secure that you really need two hands to open it....which can be a nuisance. The usual Gripper strap is provided but, on this model, it's not removable and without swivels. I prefer my bags to have removable straps with swivels, but that's really a matter of personal preference.
I can easily fit either my Nikon D80 or D300 and two or three lenses in the main compartment with a flash and some accessories in the front pockets.
After two years of fairly hard use, mine is still in good condition. I've actually removed the divider and tossed the canvas shell in with the laundry a few times. The canvas has softened over time and the bag now kind of "molds" itself to my side making it very comfortable to carry.
Something that you might want to consider is that, being canvas, this bag isn't even a little bit waterproof. If you shoot in wet environments that could be an issue. There are waterproofing sprays available that might help, but this is most certainly not an "AW" bag.
Every bag is a compromise and this is no exception. However, it does what it's supposed to do and it does it well. If you can live with minimal padding and no waterproofing, you might be a good candidate for owning a Domke.
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I have avoided real "Camera bag"s like the plague... they are usually bulky, and scream "steal me." Instead, I used an old WWI vintage US Army Surplus gas-mask bag... It served me well but the canvas started to wear out and my lens collection started to grow. I looked at other messenger bags, but they didn't seem like they would hold my camera securely enough. I was intrigued by the Naneu Pro Sahara 115º but it seemed way too big with the camera insert. The Domke bags seemed to match the aesthetics of my old surplus bag, but they were all way too wide for my tastes.. eventually I found this.
There is a minimal amount of padding, but it is all you really need if you are carrying this on your person... it is not a storage/shipping container. Most camera bags seem to be built for travel and storage, rather than on the fly daily use.
I have the 1-partition insert positioned about a half-inch from the side-wall, and wedge my Rode VideoMic Pro down in there (A speedlight would also wedge in nice). It fits perfect and now there is no excuse for me not to have good sound. In the insert I throw my Nikon 18-105VR down at the bottom (I rarely use it, but it can be a lifesaver where my AI glass won't work) Then I throw my 50mm 1.8 AI-s with HN-7 screw-in hood directly on top of it (the flexible plastic cap I use provides enough cushion between the two). In the rest of the compartment I slide my D7000 with 24 2.8 and HN-3 hood... it rests sideways on the bottom with plenty of space to spare, you could put a zoom lens on the bottom in a lens-wrap and still have plenty of room for the SLR, or wrap a small prime and fit the camera in lens down. (in my setup, the camera fits with the 18-105 mounted sideways with the hood reversed, or lens down with the hood straight)
In the front compartment I have a small filtercase in one with a swiss army knife, and lens cleaning supplies/usb cable/flash diffuser in the other. They use velcro, so are definitely not quiet open if that bothers you, but you can put some tape over the velcro then let the weight of the main flap hold them closed, but they won't be as secure. They are large enough to fit my Nikon FE comfortably without a lens mounted, to give you an idea of their size. They should be more than generous enough for a speedlight or charger, etc
I still don't even use the zipper pouches, but you could easily use them for flash media, info booklets, or other slim-profile stuff.
The strap is really heavy duty, and the slip-resist rubber banding is non-descript, but highly effective. A Hufa Holder just BARELY fits on the strap.
the clips on the side seem just decorative, but I found them great for holding knife/multi-tool belt cases... you can slide the clip through the belt loop and clip it in place. With a Gerber or Leatherman you now have a small toolcase at your disposal... just don't forget to take it off when going out into populated public places (public transit and other downtown institutions are typically not fond of knives), but it can be a lifesaver on private shoots. Anything with a belt loop should hook on pretty well.
The flap is heavy and there is no need to keep hooking/unhooking it if you are taking your camera out very often... when you hook it you can know it is secure. But even with practice it takes a second hand (only a finger or two, though) to guide the loop.
I have had absolutely no problem with the waxwear finish... I love it, it seems slightly more water resistant than normal canvas and looks much more rugged... It really matched the aesthetics of my old surplus bag. I can tell it is getting slowly worn off, but I have slid Moleskines down in the back pouch with no transfer, in the time I used front pouches for my Rode VMP I never got any transfer, and I have yet to see any on my filter case.
