I've been searching the past few days for a domke shoulder bag that'll hold the 7D/grip, 70-200 2.8 IS, 135 f2, 17-55 IS and maybe another short lens.
I love the way the f2 looks but I don't think it'll hold all that gear. I've looked online but I didn't find a bunch that would hold the 70-200 2.8 IS without it looking like the lens was too tall for the bag.
I was originally looking at the TT and Lowepros but I think I want something a little more casual looking. I had a Crumpler 7 million but wasn't a huge fan.
A Canon 70-200 2.8 non-IS will fit standing up (mine did), and the IS version is only 1/10th of an inch taller, so you should be fine. Good luck getting the lens hoods in there though.
Ive had the F-2 for a while. It physically has the space to hold that gear, but the included 4-slot insert is way too narrow to be of any good for lenses with large hoods. I'm looking for a good alternative insert, but the physical size of the bag is awesome. not too big, not too small.
dennisgibson wrote:
(...)
I love the way the f2 looks but I don't think it'll hold all that gear. I've looked online but I didn't find a bunch that would hold the 70-200 2.8 IS without it looking like the lens was too tall for the bag.
(...)
AbramG wrote:
Ive had the F-2 for a while. It physically has the space to hold that gear, but the included 4-slot insert is way too narrow to be of any good for lenses with large hoods. I'm looking for a good alternative insert, but the physical size of the bag is awesome. not too big, not too small.
+1
I have an F2 as well. I love the size and it fits all my stuff nicely. I think the insert was designed a long long time ago, back when everybody shot FFL lenses. I can manage to slide in my Tokina 11-16mm with hood attached, but I don't even bother with my 17-55 f/2.8.
When I'm on assignment, I carry a (Nikon) Dx00 body with a 80-200mm f/2.8, a D300 with my 17-55 and I also carry a SB800 and my 11-16mm. The 80-200mm will fit in the bag nicely without a body attached. It barely fits in the insert (with no hood). If I attach the body, the body will protrude above the top of the bag. I also put the D300 with 17-55mm upright and with the enormous hood it also makes the body sticks out a little. A good thing about the bodies sticking out is that they're easier to grab. For more discrete transport, I reverse the good on my 17-55 and take the body off the 80-200mm.
I use the Domke F4AF with a gripped 7D + 100-400 in the large insert. 200 2.8L, 17-40L and kenko extension tubes in the smaller double insert. One side pocket has a 430Ex and better beamer, the other side pocket is left open to carry an extra lens or snacks or whatever.
The F2 will fit the gear, but working from such a stuffed bag is not fun (held my 1Ds2 with 24-70L attached, 135L, 50/1.8, flash, hoods and assorted crapola). I tried the F1X (which is the same size as the J1 I believe) and decided it's just the wrong size/shape even with various different inserts, making it too cumbersome. The advantage of the J-series, however, is their better insert system (infinitely adjustable) and bigger outside pockets. The disadvantage is that they come in one color only - black.
However, I ended up ditching Domke altogether, mainly in protest at their crummy inserts and now use Billingham/Crumpler/F-Stop.
I have just purchased the F2 a couple of weeks ago and gave it, it's first test drive today. I loaded a 1DsMKII body with 50mm attached, 70-200 2.8 IS, 24L, 24-105 F4, 100 F2, sigma 12-24, and a 580Ex Flash, diffuser and spare batteries no problems. In fact i found the bag fantastic to walk around with. It was easy to access and only really had to put it on the down when i was changing lens. I decided to use a separate strap i had and just tied all the lens hoods to the shoulder strap on bag - there was no way they were going to squeeze into inserts.
I have a few other bags but this one is my favorite at the moment.
