Domke F-802 Review

I love my Domke F-6, but as I’ve been expanding my kit and preparing to offer my services as a photographer, I’ve recognized that it’s not going to be the best solution for bringing a large kit to a shoot. I don’t think it would fit two bodies, a 70-200mm zoom and another medium-sized lens or two, plus lighting gear. Additionally, while I personally like the Ruggedwear finish, I wanted something a bit more business casual, so to speak. I’m still completely happy with my F-6 and wanted to stick with Domke, so I ended up getting the Domke F-802 Reporter’s Satchel, a large satchel-style bag, in the normal Sand finish. (Because I’m carrying so much in this bag, I also picked up the Domke Shoulder Pad, which helps keep the weight from getting painful — highly recommended, and you’ll see it in the pictures, but it doesn’t come with the bag.)

Domke calls the F-802 a “Reporter’s Satchel”, but it works quite well as a camera bag. Like all their F-series bags, it’s made of a durable but flexible cotton canvas. I was tempted to get one of the J-series satchels, which are made of black ballistic nylon, but there’s no J-802 that I can find, and I wanted the larger size more than the different material. I was also considering the F-811 or F-812, which are designed to carry a laptop and a DSLR system, but I couldn’t find many reviews of them, and they’re about twice as expensive — I don’t plan on needing to transport my laptop to shoots very often, so I ruled them out.

I also could have gotten an F-2, or even an F-1X, but I decided that I wanted a satchel instead of a duffel bag. For one thing, it’s less conspicuous: the F-802 could be any large messenger bag. Living and working around Boston, carrying an obvious camera bag would also potentially make me look like a tourist or a student, and thieves are more likely to see them as a target. A satchel might suggest a laptop, but every bag’s obviously going to carry something, and I think “maybe a laptop?” is a better risk than “definitely a camera”. Not that the F-2 looks a lot like a camera bag, of course.

The slimmer profile of the satchels is also a draw. It keeps more of the gear closer to my body, so there’s less a risk of carelessly smacking into something (or someone) because it’s sticking out. It does make the F-802 harder to work out of, since the bag is deeper, but I suspect it’s just a matter of getting used to a deep space instead of a broad one. On the other hand, I do a lot of shooting bending or even laying down, and I’d be worried about things falling out if it tipped over on the ground with the flap open — something a duffel wouldn’t do.

The bag is built really well. There are no loose threads anywhere, and all the materials are high quality. The strap runs down along the sides and is sewn to the bottom of the bag, so the weight is distributed over the entire bag, and not just on a few square inches at the top. It also has a rubber tread sewn into it, which keeps it secure on your shoulder. The top flap has a handle on it, made of the same thick cotton material as the strap, with a metal reinforcement underneath. I’ve actually heard of this support wearing through the bag after a few years, but I have no idea if the problem is widespread or not. The clip that secures the flap is very strong, and takes some work to open; I expect it’ll ease up in time, but frankly I like that it’s not going to pop open too easily.

On the outside, there’s a large but thin pocket on the back, which I stick lens caps into while I’m shooting. There are also two zippered front pockets (heavy YKK zippers), large enough for business cards, small notepads, and other small-ish items you want easy access to.

Inside is a lot of storage space. There are two velcroed front pockets, each large enough to carry a Super Clamp and umbrella adapter. Or, though it’s a little tight, a 40D with battery grip (and no lens, of course). The velcro patches on these pockets are very large, about the size of a business card, so it’s easy to shut them securely. Also, the Domke logo is on the flap of one of these, meaning it’s not visible when the main flap is closed — another way the F-802 avoids standing out as a camera bag. (Though let’s be honest: any thief who’d know Domke is a camera bag maker could probably recognize the F-802.)

There’s a second thin pocket inside, which could hold a binder or large notepad; I keep some sample 4″x6″ prints in here, and would use it for any shoot-related paperwork. Between this and the four pockets, you’re probably going to have room for all the cables, filters, spare batteries and other miscellaneous accessories you need for whatever system you’re carrying.

The main compartment is sized for a pretty good work system. Its dimension are 14.5″x12″x3″, which doesn’t account for the natural flex of the fabric. That’s the big advantage of Domke bags: they expand or collapse around what they’re carrying, so it keeps its balance and comfort whether its packed full or is half empty. The bottom and sides are lightly padded, just enough for the bag to keep its shape empty. It’s not enough to protect the contents in case of a serious accident, but if you’re getting a Domke, this shouldn’t come as a surprise: they’re flexible, fast bags that are easy to use, but ultimately you are its best protection from accidents.

One nice detail: the interior padding is olive green, and the unpadded surfaces are of the same material as the exterior (really, they are the exterior), so unless you have a black bag, it’s easy to see exactly what’s at the bottom of the bag.

Since the F-802 is marketed as a reporter’s satchel, it doesn’t include any inserts to keep the main compartment organized. I use the Domke FA-230 3 Compartment Insert. With this setup, I can carry the 40D with 70-200mm f/4L IS attached (hood reversed) in one compartment, the old EOS A2 (I haven’t gotten a second digital body yet, but wanted to see how one will fit) with 17-40mm f/4L on the other end, and the 100mm f/2.8 Macro in the middle. The 100mm Macro is about as large as will fit between the two main lenses. There’s still room on either end of the insert for a flash; I was able to fit the 430EX II and a Vivitar 285HV in, barely, but the Viv is much bulkier than most modern flashes. With these two bodies, three mid-sized lenses, and two flashes, I was still able to fit a 24′ TTL cord from FlashZebra in the main compartment. I can also fit the cameras in with their grips attached, though it’s a tight fit — though the A2 is a film camera with a small vertical grip, not a bulkier motor drive or battery grip, and I don’t know if a second one of those would fit.

The bodies, with or without grip, are pressed right next to each other like this. I took the side padding out of the FA-230, and will probably reuse it as a divider to keep them from rubbing. Everything else is secure. On that note, I can feel the contents of the bag against my side as I’m carrying it, and I’ll probably add a bit of that padding between the insert and the back of the bag for comfort.

With all this gear packed, the main flap still shuts easily, since the clasp comes up between the front two cargo pockets. The sides of the compartment are completely covered, so I’m not worried about rain or snow getting in, like I was with the F-6. The canvas finish is probably less water-resistant than the Ruggedwear, but canvas is pretty good at keeping the contents dry, and there’s multiple layers of it around the electronic stuff in the main compartment.

All in all, I’m as happy with the F-802 as I am with the F-6. I’m still using the F-6 when I’m out on a photo walk, especially doing macro work with bugs, where I don’t need to carry my entire work kit with me. For carrying everything though, I’m very happy with the F-802. If in the future I ever have more gear than this bag can carry, I don’t think I would be using a single bag for it.

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