On 6/4/2015 12:19 PM, ChrisB wrote:
My wife thinks that I am strange, with my collection of bags.
Oh, sorry about that. ;-) My wife also collects bags, hats and other things, so
she understands.
I do wish I were better at de-accumulating. :-) I am doing one piece. At least the Domke F-803 Waxwear bag that
arrived Friday from B&H is going back.
What’s this “last” one, Moose?
Thereby hangs a tale ... In the misty past, something about 40 years ago, I bought a bag. Just a shoulder bag or
satchel, not a camera bag, not a messenger bag, a term that had not yet entered the buying public's orbit. Looks a bit
like a Billingham Hadley, the way the top folds to lap over the sides, and with plain old leather straps and brass
buckles. About the time Billingham was switching to camera bags, I think; the Hadley may not yet have existed, either.
No QR release, but I found the buckles easy to operate. Easier, really, than some current hooks and plastic snap
together buckles. It's been my travel bag for, well, seems like forever. I have often though how nice it would be to
have one like it for my camera stuff.
Then, recently, I found my self being a bit foolish, putting my two primary cameras, with lenses attached, in the old
favorite, with no padding between the cameras or between them and the world. So I decided the time had come to get a bag
like it for cameras.
After way too much time spent on the web, measuring my existing bags and equipment, putting them in a spreadsheet,
reading reviews, etc., I decided the Domke F-803 would do the trick. And their new(ish?) "rugged" finish was attractive
and waterproof, too.
But, well, it just doesn't work. In spite of all the care in choice, the interior is a little too small and the Velcro
options for connecting dividers highly inadequate. And those Domke clip/hooks, Oy! I'd forgotten. The only Domke I've
had with one is a great big old thing only used as a carryall, not a go bag, and hasn't been used in some time. EVERY
time I opened or closed the F-803, a little bit of the flesh on the tip of my finger got a little pinch*. Looks nice -
won't work - would become just another bag in the closet before its time.
So, I took the advice I've given here before, buy, or at least research, tripods, head and bags in person. I've bought
major cameras sight unseen with excellent results. But bags? Even with them in hand and on body, I blew that one once.
So being very lucky to have a full camera shop still operating nearby, I took my own advice, 15 minutes each way and an
hour or so in the shop. What a delight!. I was irritated when they moved farther away, but more space means more stuff
to play with in an uncrowded area. And they have upped their service game!
A young (at least to me) woman immediately took me in tow, looking at the cameras I'd brought along, listening to what I
thought I wanted, and showing me what was available (I think they have every significant brand but Billingham). When she
got called away for something, she brought over another young (ish? who knows from here?) woman who turned out to be
perhaps even more knowledgeable.
We had a lovely discussion about various aspects of photography while I tried various bags. When I commented that I
could solder along alone if there were other customers/priorities, she said they'd let her know if she was needed. Wow!
I don't know that I can recall that level of service, certainly not in this century. :-)
In the end, it was less the service than the casual, no rush atmosphere and huge collection of bags set out so all could
be seen that worked. I had been looking for a bag that looked like my old favorite shoulder bag, not one that "worked"
like it!
I picked up a bag that looks more like some sort of women's casual bag/tote than a camera bag. But it's got a proper
padded insert that may be used in several ways, a lot of other room to boot, and a lot of pockets around the edges to
accumulate all the lens caps, etc. And it's LIGHT.
One end unzips for an additional large, sort of teardrop shaped space. One of the saleswomen said she uses it for
snacks, light jacket, and so on, to go with the camera gear. It looks completely unlike the old fave, but works so much
like it, but with safe carry for the cameras, immediately at hand and with space for 'stuff'.
I thought it lacked one important thing, a hand strap. but then, so many hand straps, on the Hadleys, the Domke F-803
and others, are attached to the top flap - and don't work worth a damn unless the top is snapped/clipped/zipped closed.
My old friend has the leather hand strap very firmly attached to it's back 'wall', which is stiffer than the other
sides. Hold it by the hand strap, and the cover/flap stays closed, whether secured or not.
But then, then, I the sales woman pointed out how the shoulder strap adjustment works. Pure genius, compared to the
ubiquitous strap adjusters on other bags. There's a plastic clip, instant and easy to use, yet secure, that adjusts the
length all the way down to right across between the ends of the bag - and the excess is held by an elastic loop and an
end pocket. Click - pull - click, and it's a hand strap or shoulder strap of whatever length in seconds.
So I happily paid up my $60, half the cost of the Domke from B&H. Yes, I could get it for $45, no gas and no tax, from
B&H, but Looking Glass more than earned the difference.
Oh yeah, a negative, the removable shoulder pad isn't very non-slip. One of the women said she bought some stuff at a
crafts store that dried as slightly sticky, rubbery dots on hers. And I doubt it is really waterproof, as it doesn't say
so. The fabric looks inherently water resistant, but I may spray it.
What is it, you still ask. Well here it is on the web, but I swear the web just doesn't do it justice, either to how it
works or LowePro's usual care with details. <http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?N=11032319&InitialSearch=yes&sts=pi>
Yup, even cheaper from B&H in gray, but I didn't want the bright orange trim. I've got a bag that doesn't look at all
like a camera bag; I don't want eyes drawn to it.
I may have a further report after we go travelin' and shootin' next week.
Baggy Moose
The LG sales women had no advice, they said they just got their fingers pinched whenever they demoed Domkes, and didn't
own them.
--
What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
--
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