I have an Original Domke that I use to carry lots of stuff when I need it but am having trouble deciding on an appropriate smaller bag. I live 135 miles from the nearest camera shop and hate to make a trip just to pick out a bag. This store is limited in what they are able to stock too. I want to carry a D800 with a 24-120 F4 VR mounted, a 17-35 F4, and a 70-300 or an 80-200. I need a pocket for my iPad too. When I was carrying a D300 and similar DX sized lenses, the Domke 803 briefcase style bag worked really well. Anybody got a similar kit and recommendation?
Thanks in advance!
+1 for the TT Retrospective. My Domke F2, which was my grab-and-go bag when I wanted to travel light and casual (TT Speed Racer, Airport Addicted Backpack or Airport International Roller otherwise) was too small for the D800 with grip. I use a TT Retrospective 10 which perfectly fits my D800E w/24-70, flanked by the 70-200 VRI and 16-35 VR. Room for an iPad and some extra doodads as well, including a nice iPad pocket.
I would call it full, however and you would probably do well with the Retrospective 20. I sort of wish I had gone a little bigger. Everything fits, but just.
Personally, I like the somewhat more compact, less padded nature of Domke bags over the Think Tank stuff. I can fit a D800 w/grip, 70-200, 20, 35 f2, 50 1.8, SB910, SB700, and Tamron 90mm Macro into an F3X, which barely takes up more space than the Retrospective 5 I carried Micro 4/3 gear in. It definitely wouldn't be big enough for your gear--all of the primes are really compact so they'll fit mounted, I can't think of any zoom that would fit—but you might find ThinkTank's stuff a little bulky for how much they carry if you're used to Domke.
Certainly don't want to hate on ThinkTank though, they make great stuff and a StreetWalker Pro was my main bag before the F3X. Their belt system is also very nice.
powderific wrote:
Personally, I like the somewhat more compact, less padded nature of Domke bags over the Think Tank stuff. I can fit a D800 w/grip, 70-200, 20, 35 f2, 50 1.8, SB910, SB700, and Tamron 90mm Macro into an F3X, which barely takes up more space than the Retrospective 5 I carried Micro 4/3 gear in. It definitely wouldn't be big enough for your gear--all of the primes are really compact so they'll fit mounted, I can't think of any zoom that would fit—but you might find ThinkTank's stuff a little bulky for how much they carry if you're used to Domke.
Certainly don't want to hate on ThinkTank though, they make great stuff and a StreetWalker Pro was my main bag before the F3X. Their belt system is also very nice....Show more →
I've been using the same F3X going on fifteen years and I'm still impressed with how much that little bag can carry. Technically it could fit everything Brunyan listed, excluding the tablet, with the 70-300 and 17-35 stored in the side pockets. The 70-200 is a bit more difficult to manage unfortunately. In the side pocket it sticks out a bit much, and it won't fit in the main compartment with a camera and lens already there.
To give a couple examples, I normally use it to carry a D700, 14-24, and 70-300 VR, with either a 50 f/1.8 or 85 f/1.4, all fairly comfortably--very good for travel and walking around. When needed, it also works carrying a Sigma 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x and 2x TCs, a D700, D300, grip, and of course the 50 f/1.8.
It's very well made and the material feels very high quality. I like the thick fabric strap which doesn't flop around like cheaper, nylon straps. Downside is it's slightly heavy. I use it with D800 with Zeiss 100 with hood on, 24-70 hood reverse and another lens. You can fit a flash/accessories in the front pocket and perhaps an iPad in the back pocket--I don't have an iPad so I don't know if it will fit...but looks like it should.
I went a slightly different route for "going light", and it's worked well for me:
Rather than getting yet another dedicated shoulder camera bag, I opted to buy padded liners (with velcro dividers) to use with my casual shoulder bags... it is then well disguised (and dare I say, appropriately fashionable), and does not alert potential thieves....
I have a TT Retrospective 7 and a bigger 30 to carry a little more. Both are nice, but the 7 is nicer in terms of design and materials. The shoulder straps are fantastic. Both are very durable, neither looks like a photo bag.
