Is Domke a good brand? The last couple of times I went to my favorite camera store shopping for a bag/case over the course of several months, the same salesperson has clearly tried to steer me towards Domke and away from Lowe, Tamrac and other makes.
It’s making me wonder if they’re getting some kind of incentive for selling Domke. Might there be such an incentive?
Me, I’m a casual amateur with a Canon Digital Rebel that I’ve had for 7-8 years. The store is a high quality photography-only store.
Domke is a good brand, used by a lot of professional photojournalists. They are American-made if that matters to you, but probably overkill for your needs.
Brand matters a lot less than a form factor and features you’re comfortable with.
You want to be able to get to your camera quickly when a shot presents itself and yet have it secure in case the case tips over, gets rained or spilled on or if someone else is trying to get your camera out.
Security through obscurity works for camera cases too. Avoid a case that screams camera if you’re traveling a lot, a large purse works great if the pockets and padding work out.
As for incentives from Domke it’s possible. It’s also possible that there is an influential member of the staff who has fallen in love with the brand and is talking it up to everyone.
And to counteract all the brands don’t matter talk - I’m a big fan of Lowepro. I still have the first bag I ever bought from them and it’s over 20 years old. It doesn’t look new because I’m kind of rough but it’s in perfect condition. Every seam still holds and none of the material is torn or worn. They’re also guaranteed for life. I’ve heard stories of bags older than mine being replaced because of a loose seam.
My husband uses a system of small containers attached to a belt. He prefers that as backpack bags make him too hot.
Like you, Moonlithereal, I prefer Lowepro, but in this case (huh - no pun intended), the Domke one I’m considering fits best. I need the smallest bag that’ll fit the camera and two lenses, an 18-55 and a 28-300, and nothing else really.
I have a larger Lowepro that fits them easily plus some extra space for cleaning gear and such, but the last time I travelled I couldn’t fit my luggage and that camera bag into my allowable carry-ons. I carried on anyway, but as I transferred flights and would put my gear into the plane’s bins, that camera bag seemed to become obnoxiously bigger. It WAS.
The Domke is quite pricey, more than twice what else I’m considering, but it does the job best. Yes, romansperson, I did notice it’s made in the USA. I do feel better about that.
At the store I felt a bit like the salesperson was steering my choice - but maybe I’m being a little paranoid about that.
One other thing. I usually like black for a bag/case but the salesperson was showing me one that’s tan. He said it’ll be better in the heat. It also doesn’t scream camera bag to casual observers, other than the Domke label.
Thoughts? Tan would be very different for me but I’m considering it.
Sorry to keep adding multiple posts to my own thread but I just found the bag on Amazon. Here’s a picture of it.
It’s $20 less than at my local store but I’m willing to pay the higher price. I was able to fidget with the different bags and see which fit best. I’ll pay for that service.
I love the messanger style bags for daytime use, I take too much stuff with me for that to work for a trip but I’m nuts
I would stick to black for colour. The heat difference isn’t going to be huge and my deal with camera bags is they’re to protect the camera, I don’t protect them. I need to be able to set it down on the dirt while I’m balancing on a rock to get the angle I want and I think the tan one would show that abuse much more quickly. If you’re more careful than I am please disregard.
Domke makes good gear, but I prefer functionality.
I have the LoweproSlingshot 200 and 300. I see they’re updated now, but the 202, or even 102 would work for you.
The sling idea is great; swing the bag around and access your camera in seconds.
I also have the Outback 100 for a smaller footprint, if you will. Sometimes I want all my equipment, and sometimes I just want some basics.
Plus, they’re 'Merican. From Sonoma, CA!
And remember Pacsafehas many products to make sure your stuff stays where you left it…
The Lowepros are nice, but still too big for my needs. Cool, I didn’t realize they’re from just up the road in Sonoma.
Thanks for the Pacsafe link. I’ve seen dome of their stuff at REI. Their concepts would work well, especially when locked to my bike and I don’t want to haul it into the restaurant when I’m at a meal stop, for example. Or just at a gas stop.
That one’s a little bigger, so again, more than I need. Sheesh - I feel like Goldilocks: that bag is too small, that other bag is too big, and this bag is just right!
I agree with you, I’m not too keen on Velcro, but it doesn’t seem overly obnoxious on that Domke I was looking at.
Hey, that’s a great qualifier for acceptability, isn’t it? Well, it’s not overly obnoxious, so it’s gotta be the right choice for me!
Just a bump here to say thanks for your inputs and I went ahead and bought the Domke F-5XB shoulder bag a few weeks ago and am very happy with it. It’s small, fits my two lenses and a little gear I need, and is versatile. The tan color is a little different (I usually would get black) but is nice and doesn’t scream Camera Bag!!! I like the canvas look and feel, it’s water repellent, and comfortable against the body. So far, I think it’s perfect.
