Domke F-3X Overview

Detailed review of the Domke F-3X, showing how it can hold various camera kits, both film and digital. Also, some thoughts on its construction and design, and applicability for different systems.
I'm back to recording video on my Leica D-LUX4 until I can get a good microphone for the Sony A55 (too much focus noise for review videos). Actually worked out well, since I could show the A55 in the F-3X bag.

[@dominicwroblewski5832]

Ihave had my F3X for nearly 20 years and it looks it. But the F3X and the Domke F2 are my favorite bags. You will be amazed at what you can pack in there. It's nice to see I'm not the only one who has his photo gear and his music gear in the same room. Tip, use the center divider as a bottom pad.

[@cameraman655]

Great bag, I still have my original from 1985, beat all to hell, but still holding up, you can't kill a Domke.

[@Houstontexxxas]

It's interesting to me how many photographers are also guitar players. Great video, thanks.

[@blanebiondolillo430]

i fit my canon 1d-mk 3 with 16-35 2.8 attached facing down and a 35mm 1.4 on one side,and my 80mm 1.8 on the other side,with a little room left over,my flash and spare battery's fit there,my favorite domke bag,thank you.

[@AI-Hallucination]

Good review matr

[@mike.thomas]

@ethancfbz Now, now, I can't give all my secrets away! Thanks for the comment :-)

[@andyhoang88]

I really like the color of your Domke bag. Somehow I could not find it anywhere :(

[@elifan2523]

Do you think you can stash a ipad mini in the front or back pocket?

[@jbmia9745]

Great review. What's the max length the strap can be extended to?

[@mike.thomas]

Glad you liked it. The bag is long gone, but as I recall the strap would get pretty long. I have a relatively long torso, and I like my bags low-slung and that was not a problem. Pretty true of all Domkes, I'd say.

[@mike.thomas]

Bummer. I think it is a limited color because I got it at my local camera store on special.

[@mike.thomas]

@culturalinfidel9yt No problem. It's kind of fun to do these things, and if it helps others to get a feel for the bag(s), then it's worth it. People seem to like the F-6 a lot. I kind of think of it as a slightly smaller F-2, without the side pockets. However, I like side pockets, so the F-6 is out, for me. Try an F-2. Even if you don't pack it full it's a good bag to consider. It is super-versatile, IMO.

[@toast77]

And where do you stash your weed in this one, Mat? ;) Nice review, cheers.

[@AlexSmith-ln1tv]

Hi Mike, do yo think you could fit in a pentax 67 in there with 105mm lens and a spare lens?

[@mike.thomas]

I think it might. But I don’t think it would be the best solution, really. Depends on what you want from the bag. As I recall this bag is super unstructured, so if you put a couple of heavy items in it they’re gonna want to bang against each other and there is not much padding between.

[@Macjohn1419]

I can fit my Nikon D780 with a 24-70 2.8 lens inside with no problem. The outside pockets I can 2 more lenses and the front pouch I have the SB-700 flash.

[@mike.thomas]

@culturalinfidel9yt That's funny -- I commented on the goofy little front pockets on the F-2 in the Hasselblad/F-2 video I recently uploaded. I think the best improvement they could make to the F-2 is put a kangaroo pocket on the front like on the F6/F10/F3X. With that, it would basically be perfect for a larger kit.

[@RangerAmateur]

Will a single compartment fit a Leica M body with 35mm or 50mm summilux attached? In other words, can I fit my 2 Leica M bodies with lenses attached into the bag?

[@mike.thomas]

Two Leicas could fit into this bag, but I would NOT use it for that purpose. You'd probably be better off with an F5XB (also reviewed here). I ended up selling this bag on eBay because I couldn't figure out how to best use it.

[@RangerAmateur]

Mike Thomas Thanks a lot! will check that out, but I'm right now leaning more to the billingham hadley pro. Thanks again and happy holidays!

[@mike.thomas]

The Hadley Pro will work very nicely, and look great in the process. Happy Holidays to you, too!

[@driline]

I passed on this one. Not deep enough for longer lenses and not enough padding due to the strange interior design. I wish you would do bag reviews using "Normal" DSLR camera gear instead of the odd gear you currently have.

[@splootan]

Mike would this bag be too big for a Leia m6 with 50mm Voightlander attached plus box of 10 film , sunglasses .. note pad..

[@mike.thomas]

+splootan Yeah, I think that gear would "rattle around" in the bag. Check out the Domke F-10 or F-5XB. I have videos about both.

[@splootan]

+Mike Thomas thanks, however I love the styling of this bag as you can fit a bottle of water too!

[@mike.thomas]

splootan OK. Hopefully it works out for you!

[@mike.thomas]

@KBeOKEH Hi there. Actually, I'm not just a camera bag/gear collector -- I actually do shoot some photots, too! :-D You can find my photos at flickr and/or zenfolio. I don't think I can include URLs in youtube comments, but go to flickr and then add /photos/mathomas to the end of the URL to get to my photostream. Zenfolio is mathomas dot zenfolio dot com (I don't keep that one very up-to-date, though).

[@mike.thomas]

Sigh. These days I feel like more of a guitar *collector*. I have been plinking around a bit, though, lately.

[@SuperEgido]

This is the story of a gray shirt talking.

[@mike.thomas]

You're not going to get a 13" (or 11") laptop in this bag. This is probably Domke's least structured bag. The padding in the bottom is thin, but high-density. That's fine. But the sides are not padded at all (except the pockets kind of act like padding. Even the interior separators are not really padded. This is my least favorite of all the Domke's I've seen and owned (I sold it). The Think Tank Retro 7 has replaced it for me (but will not carry a laptop).

[@user-vf5ei9zg6o]

DOMKE alway look good but not emough padding made me scare your closing moment are well thoughtful espectially when switching lens but U WOULD HAVE TO BE CAREFULL TO DO THIS IN ANY KIND OF BAGS ANYWAY>> ESPECIALLY THE LIKE OF PRIME LENS

[@mike.thomas]

Back pocket, only upright, and not a great fit. Front pocket, it fits no problem at all. Side pockets are a possibility, but not great.

[@clarification007]

I'm surprize you didn't mention the very noisy velcro! Everybody will look at you! Not very discreete.

[@mike.thomas]

Ctrèsbeau Claude Yeah that's one problem with most Domkes.