Domke F-5XB Review and Suggestions

Thought I'd review my well-loved F-5XB. This is also kind of a "what's in my bag" video, as well.
The bag has been great for a single Leica M kit (generally the body+lens and 2/3 extra lenses). I have found that it doesn't work as well if you add another body with lens mounted. I don't hold that against the bag, but it does bug me that there's not a logical step up from the F-5XB.
So, herein I propose the F-6XB (or F-5XD). A couple inches wider, maybe an inch taller, same depth. Adding an accordion to the front pocket would make it better for carrying film (what's that?).
Domke, if you're listening, I require no payment for this idea, other than an F-6XB, when you create it :-).
PS: I don't do these reviews from a script -- I just turn on the camera and start blabbing. Sorry for all the "uhs" and "ahs".

[@mike.thomas]

@AgustinNoesEverythin You're welcome, and thanks for the comment. Enjoy your bag!

[@mike.thomas]

@Lainer1: The wrist strap on my M8 is from Luigi. Made in Italy from very fine leather. Kind of expensive. You can get them off eBay. For my M2 I've ordered a much less expensive, and still very nice wrist strap from Gordy (do a search for "gordys camera straps"). I also ordered a case for the M2 from "Mr. Zhou", also on eBay (MUCH cheaper than Luigi, but not as nice).

[@mike.thomas]

Yeah, I wish I'd thought to do that sooner. Oh well... Glad you found the vid useful.

[@CyCreativeMedia]

Very nice video. Would have liked to see the bag worn to get an idea for how it "carries". Other than that this was extremely helpful.

[@mike.thomas]

@Lainer1: I know people love their F803/2. I think they're attractive bags. But the problem with those bags, for me, is that they're deeper, not wider. I don't want to reach way down into the bag for my stuff. I want almost exactly this F-5XB bag, but one compartment wider and a maybe just a touch taller (if only for stacking lenses using double rear caps).

[@mike.thomas]

@Lainer1: I don't like the loud logo either. I need to cut it off, but keep procrastinating. I think it's a promo bag because it has "Tamron" on it, too. On the plus side, I only paid $25 for it on eBay :-). The olive-colored version of this, and the waxwear one, look much more subtle as well.

[@mike.thomas]

The Billingham has two leather straps that you can release very quickly due to their design. It's probably smart to have two bags. I found the Billingham to be a (barely) acceptable compromise, but not optimum for work/shooting together. Have a look at the F-10 for shooting. I really like that bag (and have a video about it). It's good for smaller (and even larger) cameras. I've carried RFs in it, but also my R8 and Sony DSLR kits. One of Domke's better designs, IMO.

[@mike.thomas]

It *might* be good for that. Would probably be a little tight due to those somewhat larger IS lenses. I'd recommend you have a look at the F-10, in which I've fit many different systems: rangefinders, big SLRs, little SLRs, etc. I have quite a few bag videos here -- check them out. Good luck.

[@mike.thomas]

I *think* they will fit. I don't have a camera combo that would be close enough to that pairing to be positive, though. Sorry.

[@denizg6]

Oh boy Mike, this bag decision got so complicated in the last hours. Isin't the bilingham have belt system to open the bag , i would imagine it would take time to open the bag with 3 belts. Long story short decided to have 1 bag for work and 1 for shooting.since photography as a hobby will never die for me I am leaning towards f3x , but looking through your video seems like the bottom and side padding and protection is weak.BTW your bag videos are really helpful for people makign decisions!

[@mike.thomas]

The laptop makes it really tough. The F-803, which I have, and keep meaning to review, just barely holds a 11" MacBook Air (it's tight). I have the waxwear one, and the wax came off onto my laptop :-(. I think you'd be better served to spend the big bux for a Billingham Hadley Pro. That's what I bought when I was carrying a 13" MacBook Air, and it's good at carrying that and plenty of photo gear (I carried my R8 + lenses).

[@Lainer1]

The Domke F803 holds my M8.2 and M6 with lenses attached. I can also fit my 90 Cron in it. I can fit my USB and Battery charger, film, and card holder. I just need to cram my wallet in there too. I don't like the loud logo on the F-5XB. The bag I have is more discreet, I think. Where do you get wrist straps for the M cameras?

[@denizg6]

Hey Mike, Realized my backpack to work is no good while shooting lol. So I am looking through all your domke videos. Which one do you think is the best fit for a m6+35mm nokton , 6 rolls of film ,a contax t2 or t3 and a ricoh gr and I could still put a notebook or a 13 inch laptop in

[@SuperTrullala]

@Lainer1 I dont like the big logo too so I cutted it off my F-5XC now its much more discreet

[@mike.thomas]

@mYOzZyKaT Ugh! That's just a small part of them! I hate to think what I've spent in technical books over the last 25 years! :-)

[@jgoller1]

Thanks for the review. Just some feedback: Between the black table and your black shirt, it's really hard to see the black bag you're reviewing.

[@mike.thomas]

What black bag? ;-)

[@TheEldorado666]

Will this be good for a Canon 550D, kit lens and 50 1.8 ?

[@SyafikHassan]

dont know if you still check messages on this. but i've got an e-pm1 and a pentax me super both with lenses on them plus another 28mm tamron (pentax k mount). do u think it'll fit in this bag? i dont have a shop nearby that sells these so i cant test them out :(

[@spangari]

how is your konika m hexanon 90 f2.8 performance?...i am thinking of pairing it up with my sony a7R ..

[@mike.thomas]

+ProDefensio Imagia I found it better than the Leica 90 Elmarit, for my purposes. It's warmer, though. Not sure if that matters to you.

[@HolybasilYT]

Damn... the velcro ruined it for me.

[@mike.thomas]

@rtkramer36a Can anyone tell me the purpose of these useless "your vid went viral on ..." comments?