p.1 #1 · incredible bag for the money! domke safrotto - video review
Brand: SAFROTTO.
Model: CF300.
Color: Blue.
Exterior Dimension: 16" (W) X 8" (D) X 9" (H).
Shoulder PAD: included.
Weight: 4 lb 3 oz.
I got this bag (new) on fleabay (which is really the only place to get this bag) for $36.50 plus $19 for shipping.
This bag "would" be around $150 if it were priced "normally".
The quality of the canvas and workmanship are better than the new Domke gear.
If this is too big for you to use "on the go"... for the money, this bag could be a good way to store your gear in your home.
If you're a pro, you probably understand how a bag that sits upright and opens fully is convenient. you can toss glass in and swap on the fly.
I recommend seeing all that I can fit in this bag,
view my $0.10 iPhone video, nothing special, but it really helps give you an idea of what can be done with it.
corrections! and gear list:
nikon gear in bag:
d750
d810
sb910 with kit
All G lenses:
20 1.8, 35 1.4, 58 1.4 (not 1.8), 85 1.4
fuji x100T
battery charger for flash
batter charger for nikon body
pez dispenser
macbook air 11" (2015) - NOT mbp
Hope this helps in some way!!!!
Super cheap, but quality bag!! I was shocked.
p.1 #5 · incredible bag for the money! domke safrotto - video review
EB-1 wrote:
It looks like a cheap ripoff of a Domke.
EBH
I have owned 10 domke bags including two of the new generation bags which retail over $250 apiece.
The only thing about this bag that may give you the impression it's a cheap version of a Domke, is that it's blue.
Domke doesn't include an insert anywhere near this quality -with any of their bags. In fact, they will charge you the price of this bag, for an insert like this.
The canvas and zippers are actually extremely nice. The bag is quality. I guess you just don't like the color.
p.1 #6 · incredible bag for the money! domke safrotto - video review
Dj R wrote:
... The bag is quality.
Domke has a long-standing reputation of making reliable and rugged bags. If this knock-off stands up as well to long-term useage as does Domke, then it's probably a bargain. OTOH, the legacy of experience with knock-off products is very mixed, to say the least.
p.1 #9 · incredible bag for the money! domke safrotto - video review
jcolwell wrote:
Domke has a long-standing reputation of making reliable and rugged bags. If this knock-off stands up as well to long-term useage as does Domke, then it's probably a bargain. OTOH, the legacy of experience with knock-off products is very mixed, to say the least.
Time will tell.
these safrotto bags have been around for a long time.
I guess I'll take some closeup stills of the bag, to give you guys an idea of the quality.
but also, this bag would be what? $150-200? from domke?
you can buy a new bag 4X for that price. lol.
p.1 #10 · incredible bag for the money! domke safrotto - video review
Savas K wrote:
Counterfeit goods.
Not. Years ago there was a lengthy and tedious back & forth on several forums about the legality of the Safrotto bags. As I recall it seemed to be settled by a lawyer on one of the Leica forums that whoever owned the brand at that time negotiated with a Chinese manufacturer and whatever the agreement was the manufacturer was able to sell independently and legally. Note that Tiffen have not gone after Safrotto in the way that Arca-Swiss have gone after Sunwayfoto. Instead they they had some text on their web site for a couple of years asking viewers not to buy the "inferior knock-offs".
EB-1 wrote:
It looks like a cheap ripoff of a Domke.
It is exactly the opposite. The original Jim Domke designs have been ruined by Tiffen because of disastrous design decisions, material sourcing and manufacturing quality over the last few years. These bags feature heavier duty canvas, better stitching, improved clasps and vastly superior inserts. They also come with a quality shoulder pad. All I have left are three old Domke bags; an F-1X, an F-2 and their backpack. Yes they made a very good backpack way back when.
jcolwell wrote:
Domke has a long-standing reputation of making reliable and rugged bags. If this knock-off stands up as well to long-term useage as does Domke, then it's probably a bargain.
I've used Safrotto bags for years and they're as good as the old Domkes, no question. See this post of mine from the first thread started by Dj R on this topic. There was a Leica M2 body with a Noctilux lens on it inside that bag and luckily I was using a Safrotto that day.
p.1 #11 · incredible bag for the money! domke safrotto - video review
If you look at this board, I'm always posting reviews of bags, most of them domke!
I'm a domke guy.
I saw this bag on ebay at a great price, took a shot on it.
It's truly a shocking price for this bag.
The new Domke bags being $250-300 each, is ludacris.
And I believe their canvas quality has gone downhill a bit in the past few years.
-> I think it's good to have an open mind.
that is all.
p.1 #12 · incredible bag for the money! domke safrotto - video review
peter_n wrote:
Not. Years ago there was a lengthy and tedious back & forth on several forums about the legality of the Safrotto bags. As I recall it seemed to be settled by a lawyer on one of the Leica forums that whoever owned the brand at that time negotiated with a Chinese manufacturer and whatever the agreement was the manufacturer was able to sell independently and legally. Note that Tiffen have not gone after Safrotto in the way that Arca-Swiss have gone after Sunwayfoto. Instead they they had some text on their web site for a couple of years asking viewers not to buy the "inferior knock-offs".
It is exactly the opposite. The original Jim Domke designs have been ruined by Tiffen because of disastrous design decisions, material sourcing and manufacturing quality over the last few years. These bags feature heavier duty canvas, better stitching, improved clasps and vastly superior inserts. They also come with a quality shoulder pad. All I have left are three old Domke bags; an F-1X, an F-2 and their backpack. Yes they made a very good backpack way back when.
I've used Safrotto bags for years and they're as good as the old Domkes, no question. See this post of mine from the first thread started by Dj R on this topic. There was a Leica M2 body with a Noctilux lens on it inside that bag and luckily I was using a Safrotto that day....Show more →
p.1 #13 · incredible bag for the money! domke safrotto - video review
Domke did make a 'navy blue' bag in the 70's, I bought my F2 in late 1978, it has 'tan' edging and the rest is a dark navy blue. It's insert is the same navy blue canvas and there is no padding at all.
It is still my main bag, is in great shape and it's size/height work best for my needs as it sits on my lap; it has very easy access. I'll post a picture if anyone's interested...
I have a 'newer' 90's F-1X in black with the gray/green padded inserts, it can manage two 1D bodies, four lenses and two 580EX II flash units, and still has room for accessories.
Domke rocks, they also released a style of bags called the 'Brick', they are more a briefcase style, black with yellow interior and inserts. There is a 10 and 20 with the latter slightly bigger. These store my lighting kits; flash and daylight florescent lighting; Lowel Ego's for Still-Life imaging.
I'm a big fan, near four decades so far; they aren't $40 bagaroos
You are overgeneralizing. The only wording in that statement that applies to Safrotto bags is that they're exact copies, and that's because they had the designs and specs from Domke as I've described above in post #10. Safrotto has not sold or described it's bags as Domke bags and has not labeled them as "made in USA" as Domke describes it.
Their bags come with tags that are clearly labeled Safrotto, and the flaps on the front or sides of their bags have the word Safrotto and not Domke on them. See the first and second attachments below. Also they don't use the Domke model nomenclature, their model numbers are all CFxxx and bear no relationship to the Domke F-x model nomenclature. Additionally, Safrotto interior/accessory labels have Safrotto on the face and "Original goods made in China" on the reverse. See the third attachment below.
My main bag is a Domke F-2 that's 27+ years old, still going strong but with a replacement strap (the rubber weave wore out). But they're not making them like they used to, and haven't for a number of years. The designs are excellent and they're great bags to work out of but sadly the current manufacturing is isn't up to the durable quality of the old bags. The Safrotto bags are worthy replacements.
