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I bought a Domke F-2 several months ago to use as my main bag, and it's great. I'm totally sold on Domke's quality. No other bags I've seen (including the five or six others that I own, and the dozens I've looked at in stores) come close. The F-2, however, is a fairly large bag. It holds almost all of my stuff, which includes a Canon 40D and several lenses, a couple of them being pretty large. That's great when I want to bring all my stuff, but most of the time I just want something easy to grab and carry with me.
For several years I've been using a Crumpler 4 Million Dollar Home when I wanted to bring just my camera and one or two lenses. I bought that when I was using a Rebel XT, a much smaller camera, and did not have any large lenses. I've been getting by with it for the past year since I upgraded to the 40D, but have been on the lookout for a replacement the whole time. Now that I bought the 24-105L the crumpler is really not sufficient anymore (it fits but with no additional room) and I fell upon this as the best replacement.
This bag will fit a great travel kit, which in my case is the 40D with a Canon 24-105L, Sigma 10-20mm, and Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for low-light. Yet, it is small enough to just grab and go if you're just going somewhere around town and aren't sure if you'll be taking photos or not. Looks and feels like a small messenger bag.
The design is great, and customizable with the included inserts. I have it set up so at the top is one single compartment which holds the camera and whichever lens is attached. On the bottom, accessible from the zipper opening on the front of the bag, is where the other lenses go. This way you're not fumbling with the other lenses, or risking dropping them out or otherwise damaging them, while going for the camera. You could also set it up the more traditional camera bag way, to have slots accessible from the top that go all the way to the bottom. A lot of options here, which is nice.
Here are my nit-picks, though. First and most obviously is the ridiculous amount of velcro employed here. I would have preferred a different attachment mechanism, perhaps the clasps as used on many Domke bags including the F-2. Like another reviewer noted, I covered most of it up with a 2-inch velcro strip (stuck onto some thin plastic.)
Second, pockets are lacking. There are two small pockets on the front, but they are not deep enough for a pen. Batteries and stuff like that fit fine in there, but I don't feel like they're the most secure. The back pocket, a well-known Domke feature, is of course great. You can't shove all your stuff in there, though, because it goes directly against your side with no padding, so its use is ultimately limited (but still very useful.) What's glaringly missing is a pocket in the top flap. This is actually a feature of the F-2 that I don't use often, but I would have really liked to use a flap pocket here on the F-5. That would be the perfect place to store all the little accessories you don't need right at hand but would still like to bring with you. Could probably squeeze some small pockets on the side, as well, at least a tiny one to hold pens and the like.
Third, I wish there was a carrying handle for when you want to grab the bag quickly and go. This, again, is a feature of the F-2, and it's very useful. There's one on the Crumpler I mentioned as well. I may just transfer the carrying strap from the F-2, though it'd be way too long.
Finally for my nit-picks, the price. It is great quality that will last and it is made in the US, but it's undeniably a little overpriced (as all camera bags are, but still.) It's especially noticeable with this model, because unlike with the F-2, it feels as though this hasn't had as much thought. It could use a few revisions before being perfect, in which case the high price would be entirely justified.
Size it is a little bigger than you might think. Take out a ruler and measure it out. If you want something smaller say, to hold just the camera and not additional lenses, or to use with a smaller camera, the F-5XB is identical except being about half as tall. I found an F-5XB in a local camera store and I liked it, except that it was too small, which made me feel comfortable ordering the F-5XC (which I couldn't find in local stores) online.
Color if you're attracted to the army surplus look so it doesn't stand out as a camera bag, I'd go for the sand color. This olive color doesn't really seem like army surplus olive drab. It's a slightly richer green than is in the picture here. I expect that it will fade nicely over the years, of course, but new it's too nice and rich of a green to pass off as surplus. Maybe I'm just saying this because I regret not getting the sand color it was hard to decide :)
Finally, I really wish Domke didn't put that big diagonal logo on the front it does look cool, but I imagine most everyone is just going to cut it off. Though most probably wouldn't recognize it as a camera bag company, it makes the bags stand out as clearly not just a surplus messenger bag.
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I like the bag in general. It looks good, a camera bag in disguise, nicely padded, space for camera and two lenses, plus extra battery, SD cards, 2 filters, remote, wallet...and maybe a couple more small accessories if you needs to.
2 things to consider before buying; the 2 front pocket are way too small and shallow, things keep falling out. Also, I am a little disappointed about not having the zipper near the bottom of the bag, for easy bottom access like the Domke F-5XC sand. Amazon should really change the product name to Domke F-5XZ, so people don't get confused, and thinking it's the same thing as the F-5XC with rugged look. (it's really similar nevertheless)
Best Deals for Domke 700-53S F-5XC Large Shoulder Bag - Sand
This bag is absolutely amazing. I never would have imagined it could fit so much gear. I've got a canon 40D, attached to a ef 24-70 2.8 L (with lens hood) which goes down the center of the bag. To the left a 580EX II flash unit, and to the right, a ef 70-200 2.8 L (with lens hood). there's space enough on the bottom to put an additional separator, and the camera battery charger. This is pretty much my all purpose kit that can go with me anywhere. The canvas material is really tough, and I love the non-slip shoulder strap. I recommend removing the "Domke" logo from the front flap unless you want to tell everyone you're carrying thousands worth of equipment on you.
Honest reviews on Domke 700-53S F-5XC Large Shoulder Bag - Sand
Here's what is great about this bag:
-does not attract attention
-holds a DLSR, flash and large zoom
-perfect exterior slot for Moleskine Large Plain Notebookor other journal.
My photography is often sited in developing countries and in other areas that many may not be considered 'safe'. I was looking for something that did not telegraph value. This bag does the trick. Most of my friends here in the US just think it is some 'Che' bag for books. Very low-pro. I considered several other brands Urban Disguise is a misnomer their stuff all looks like it has a laptop inside even if it does not look like camera bags. I would never walk the streets with one of those you are begging to get ganked. I cut off the Domke label on the outside and dragged it across the pavement when I got it as well this thing improves with wear.
Actually, as an aside, the best covert bag is buying a padded diaper bag at a dollar store here in the US the only looks that mine attracts are those wondering why the weird fellow is carrying a bag with little pink flowers on it no one ever suspects that there might be $2000 worth of equipment in there.
This thing is also about the right size. I can squeeze (it is a bit of a squeeze) in my Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only), 18-200 VR with hood, 50mm prime, and external flash. The journal slips into the outside pocket.
Improvements/Comments:
-The velcro strap across the inside cover is a bit of overkill and creates quite a bit of noise. I just placed a piece of duct tape over all but 2" on the outsides and this solves the problem.
-The pockets inside the flap perfectly fit an iPhone or a Flip MinoHD but I wish that there was a place for keys and for smaller items like SD cards. I just toss these things in the bottom compartment for now which is a bit of a hassle.
-Extended use and back. The longest I have carried around the fully loaded bag is about 3 hours, and I did notice that it started to strain the back. There are some additional loops on the sides, I believe for support. I would not suggest taking this bag on day hikes, use a backpack or fanny pack.
I plan on trying this bag with a new monster 14-24mm f/2.8 once it arrives am hoping that it will fit.
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I've had this bag for about a month now and out of all the bags I have, it's my most favorite. (I have a back pack and messenger style bag from Krumpler and a sling style bag from Lowepro.)
I like being able to take my camera everywhere without drawing too much (if any) attention. It's simple design and materials help it slip under the radar. I'm looking forward to the green canvas fading.
I don't know what people are talking about regarding the Velcro being too strong. I think it could have been tougher and grippier.
I wish it was a shade bigger. Perhaps an inch taller and an inch wider. I carry three lenses with me (a large prime lens, a fast ultra-wide and a fast tele zoom lens which is attached to the camera). I usually have the hoods inside the bag loose sitting on top of a flash with a small diffuser.
It would have been great if it had more pockets inside for accessories or straps for a monopod or something.
I think metal buckles would have been nicer than the plastic ones on the stap.
Wish it had more padded inserts! The two supplied aren't enough and it's impossible to find something that fits the odd depth exactly.
A rain cover would have been appreciated.
A shoulder pad would have been nice too.
Oh..they should also make the waxed version of this bag with a zipper at the bottom.
Despite all this it's really quite a great bag. I'm looking forward to many years of use on many adventures!
