for Canon 300D / 10D / 20D / 30D / 40D / 50D / 5D / 7D
Review #1
(Added 8th July 2008)
Equipment list in bag :
Canon EOS 40D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM (attached to camera) with lens hood not attached
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF 100mm F/2.8 USM Macro Lens
Canon 430EX Speedlite flash
Extra AA batteries for flash
Extra battery for 40D
Pen
Small note pad
With my new 40D my old Velocity 3 wasn't really doing a good job, The 40D is just a bigger camera vs the Rebel XT so i thought it was time for an upgrade. There are not many reviews for this bag so I thought I would contribute my own
I wasn't looking for something giant, nor was I looking for someone that had a giant sign that said "STEAL ME IM A CAMERA BAG!" I wanted something to sling over my shoulder when I leave the house, not carry the house! If I needed to carry everything, i have my Tamrac Adventure 9 backpack. After much searching and looking at the usuals (Tamrac, Lowepro, Crumpler) I decided to look at what Domke had to offer.
This Domke just looks like a normal messenger bag. It's an olive green (very Army Surplus) and has just enough room and padding for the 40D, EF 17-40L F4 EF 50 f/1.4 EF 100 Macro f/2.8 and the 430EX flash. This bag is not for those who want to just buy a bag and use it though. you have to properly plan how you're gonna use the given inserts to give you the desired space and layout. It bag can also be used with all the inserts out as a lens change bag, or if you had the camera around your neck and wanted to have a bag JUST for lenses you could do that too. It's a real multi purpose bag. The canvas material feels rugged and dependable. Also the zipper compartment at the bottom is really handy. what you can do is separate the "top half" from the "bottom" and use that as storage as well. This bag is what you make it, after you play around with the inserts.
While the bag is solid, it probably would not stand up on its own if put down. Since its canvas, it uses the inserts that have a plastic back to them to keep standing up, as well as the camera. so if you're looking for something that can be toss around and expect your camera to look as if it came off the factory floor, forget it, this is not for you.
Likes about the bag:
Doesn't look like a camera bag, feels very rugged, the nonslip grip on the bottom side of the strap is nice.
Dislikes about the bag:
felt like playing Tetris getting the inserts in.
Thanks to Isaac Lee for review
Review #2
(Added 10th August 2008)
Equipment list in bag :
Canon EOS 40D
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC(attached)
Canon EF 85 mm f/1.8 USM
Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM
Sunpak Auto 383 Super
Camera batteries
Battery charger
Blower bulb
Lens brush
Penlight
The Domke F-5xc is slightly larger than the "xb" model, but only in its depth. The width is the same, but because the bag is deeper the pentaprism bulge on the Canon 40d gets moved away from the top seam, making zippering the bag closed a little easier.
I bought the "xb" model as a travel bag, but it turns out the "xc" is better for that purpose, maintaining the same footprint but adding slightly more capacity. Being a bit larger I can include needed accessories like a blower bulb, battery charger, and penlight. A back pocket will also hold flat items.
The tri-hinged inserts are a bit of a puzzle to work with initially. I just wanted a standard three compartment arrangement to let the camera point nose down and finally figured out I had to fold the top hinge back on itself. A bit of clipping of the fabric at the hinge point may be necessary to get it to fold back completely.
The bag will also hold a 70-200 f/2.8 IS if you remove the lens hood and tripod collar, making it a feasible bag when you don't anticipate needing those accessories.
The zippered lower door serves little purpose with my configuration, though the literature does only promote it as a way to access items that fall to the bottom of the bag.
Likes about the bag:
Size, style, versatility
Dislikes about the bag:
Velcro, like on the "xb" model, is a bit excessive but can be modified.
thanks to Cameron for review.
