F-8 Small Crossbody travel bag for Cameras & electronics Ruggedwear

THE journalist/photographer's bag. Plenty of room, great insert customization, high quality craftsmanship. Got it in the waxed ruggedwear one because i didnt want the worn look black canvas gets after a bit and am not disappointed with the tone and feel of it! Very unique contrast to my all black everything. It fits so much gear and I can think of lots of variations to carry other setups. I got this one to carry a digital/film F mount setup as im new to digital and wanted to carry both systems while I get acquainted. There's so many great pockets and compartments for all manner of kit. The bag conforms well to the body whether worn on the shoulder or cross body and I got the post office shoulder pad to lessen the load. Its the perfect size width for the F2 strap and helps reduce weight-feel worn on the shoulder. I weighed the bag with what I want my usual kit to be and it came in at just over 12 1/4 lbs but felt a couple pounds lighter. I've yet to go on prolonged walks but after a 30 min trek I didnt feel like I had a broken back plus everything was easily and quickly accessible so I could change lenses on the fly. Just look at all the stuff I fit in there! List of items fit: Nikon D750 with MB-D16 Battery Pack Nikon FE2 with MD-12 Motor Drive Nikon 105mm f2.5 Nikon 50mm f1.4 Voigtlander 40mm f2 Nikon SB80DX speedlight Nikon MH-25a battery charger Sekonic L-308-X-U light meter 2 Pocket wizard plus IIIe triggers Trigger pc cables Tiffen b/w filter set Kodak case with various filters 1 ft Cable release Type c cables Yashica mini tripod Sony action cam 35mm film Extra batteries for FE2 Rocket blower Camera straps Two 70 page field notes reporters notebooks Lens pen Sharpie/pen Refinishing wax Lighter Other small stuff I probably missed

I bought this bag for our big vacation overseas. The bag itself is very well made, quite sturdy and well designed. It has a shoulder strap and shorter hand carry strap. It has an outside pocket on the back which can be handy if using an iPad mini or for passports, not much else. It also has the two pockets on the ends with Velcro flaps. The top cover has Velcro to hold it in place with the additional two snap hook straps for added security. Inside, two front pouches manage to hold two 77mm filters perfectly. The bag is waterproof and comes with a can of wax to keep the waterproofness in top readiness. I found that in warm weather, the wax was rubbing off on my arms and hands. Maybe with more use it will not be so bad. I have a Canon 6D with the extra battery grip. I fashioned the layout of the bag such that I could insert the camera on its side with the lens facing forward. I can stow the camera this way with either my 35mmL or 24-105mmL lens mounted although it is a bit tight getting into the bag while carrying it on my shoulder. I can get 4 lenses and my flash in this bag but L lenses are heavy and while this bag could handle the load just fine, I could not carry all that gear for 8 hours a day. I was soon lightening my load by planning ahead for the day what gear I really needed with me. I have a camera backpack that can hold all my gear and a monopod but it is not convenient for getting quick access to lenses. So the shoulder bag does what I need it to do but forces me to better plan ahead my equipment needs for the day. Functionality is good, I can swap camera lenses with the bag on my shoulder. The wide cloth shoulder strap was comfortable for carrying this bag all day and adjusts easily. I wore the bag over one shoulder at times but also found it more comfortable and secure wearing it across my neck.

I wish there was a little more padding, but otherwise I love it. It’s my go-to bag most of the time.

This bag is so much better than I expected. It is rugged, durable, great-looking, and feels great to wear. As others have said, it molds perfectly to your body and you forget it's there. It is surprisingly roomy and nondescript in appearance, but memorable. Rain and dirt comes right off, and it's designed so that even though it's not tightly closed, it's unlikely for rain to touch anything in any of the pockets. The clips take a bit of getting used to, but they are very secure. As soon as I got it, I "knew" what to put in what pocket. There is a simplicity and effortlessness to it that all my complex, multi-pocketed bags seem to miss. It somehow has exactly the right pockets, in the right places, that your brain just instinctively knows where to pack your gear. And anyone can use it-- not just photographers-- as the insert comes right out and turns the bag into a nice floppy messenger bag. I've taken this bag through damp rainforests, gotten it filled with sand on beaches, walked through packed city streets, threw it under my feet on planes and cars, and everywhere I go it has perfectly molded to the environment without incident. It protected my gear without getting in the way. It is, in a word, ideal. I took a D600, Nikon 24-120 and Tamron 90mm Di macro, and had plenty of room left over for spare batteries, chargers, a 13" Macbook Pro, 2-3 books, wallet, keys, some Cliff bars, papers, maps, a notebook, and other random things (cables, memory cards, etc.). For the size, it's amazing how much you can cram in there, and how comfortable it feels once you put it on. I went hiking and forgot I was wearing it completely. The only thing that would make it better is a) if the closure mechanism was slightly easier to open, and b) if it had a separate pocket for a 13" Macbook Pro. As it is, I can fit the MBP but it has to go behind the velcro area (which has the effect of decreasing the overall structural integrity, as half the bag is separated from the rear). It also makes the straps not close completely, but that's no real problem as it still LOOKS closed and the velcro holds it in place. I have collected at least a dozen different camera bags over the years, and as of now, my search is over. I can take this anywhere and look both casual and professional at the same time -- what more could you want? I cannot imagine anyone not being 100% satisfied with this bag, unless you have a need for one that is ever-so-slightly deeper.

Domke is known for their no-frills bags that have just the right amount of features, and the F-8 is no exception. The outside of the Domke F-8 is made of abrasion-resistant heavy duty canvas that breaks in over time, just like a comfortable pair of jeans. For a canvas bag, I’m always amazed at how durable Domke bags are. I know photographers who have owned Domke bags for decades and they are still holding up. I’ve owned my Domke F-2 for 6 years and it practically looks like the day I bought it. Domke claims that the F-8 contains 8 compartments and pockets, although this figure is subject to interpretation. The large, padded main compartment has two removable velcro dividers that can be reconfigured to create 3 sections. Even with the dividers, I still consider the main compartment to be a single unit, not 3 separate “compartments.” Additionally the F-8 has a narrow front pocket that spans the width of the bag, two side pockets with velcro-adhered flaps, a very tight rear pocket, and a rounded pocket in the lid for small items. The top lid of the bag is wide enough to cover any internal equipment and protect your gear from the elements. The lid is secured tightly via a metal clasp – a recognizable Domke feature. A swatch of velcro helps keep the lid in place, even when the metal clasp is not attached. The inside of the lid is lined with ballistic nylon, which provides additional water resistance for the top of the bag. The Domke F-8 comes with a single, thick canvas strap that can be adjusted for length. When fully extended, the length of the strap works fine when worn over the shoulder but seems a bit short when worn across the body. The width of the strap makes it comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The underside of the strap features a non-slip gripper material to help keep the strap securely in place on your shoulder. Each end of the strap has convenient metal clips which connect to metal loops on the bag body. The Domke F-8 is small…tiny even! I had expected it to be petite, but when I pulled it out of the box I was amazed at how diminutive it is. Essentially it looks like someone took the Domke F-3x and shrunk it in a clothes dryer. I immediately began wondering if I could even fit my minimal camera kit in the bag. As it turns out, I couldn’t. The official dimensions of the Domke F-8 according to the Domke website are as follows: [external] 9" x 5.25" x 7"; [internal] 6.5" x 3.5" x 6.5"; [weight] 1.7 lbs. What the Domke website doesn’t specify – and I spent an impossible amount of time trying to find this information online – is the sizes of all the external and internal pockets. So for those of you who are as curious as I was, here are the pocket dimensions for the Domke F-8: [side (x2)] 4" x 2" x 4.75"; [front] 6.6" x 1.75" x 5.25"; [rear] 6.5" x .25" x 4.25"; [flap] 7.35" x 1" x 3.5" (rounded). The Domke F-8 is ideal for carrying a small, mirrorless camera (Sony a6000, Fujifilm X-T1), an extra lens, a small flash, and variety of small accessories. The F-8 is even capable of carrying a single compact DSLR (Nikon D40, D60, or a Canon Digital Rebel) with a few accessories. Along with the DSLR, you may even be able to squeeze in second lens, depending on its size. I anticipated that the Domke F-8 would be able to hold my Sony A7r camera, two medium-sized lenses (with lens hoods), filters, batteries and charger, SD cards, a table top tripod, and a few other small accessories. I was wrong. The main compartment was too tight to hold the Sony A7r body with an attached 24-70mm lens and an additional 16-35mm lens. The side pockets were small to the point where they could hold a couple extra batteries but not the battery charger. Inevitably, the bag just was a bit too small for my travel kit. If you are looking for a quality camera bag from a trusted manufacturer for your compact camera kit, the Domke F-8 is an excellent choice. The bag is durable and has just the right amount of pockets and features. The F-8 has classic, rugged looks that doesn’t scream “camera bag!” Just be sure your camera gear will fit in this small “everyday” bag before you plunk down your hard-earned cash.

Very roomy bag, to the point that mine becomes too heavy for comfort. Don't fill it up if you are going to walk any significant distance with it. If feels extremely solid and just begs to be used hard. I have the brown version which looks stunning with a few scratch marks! I do have a gripe with it though, and not a minor one. The fabric is pre-coated with some synthetic grease, which supposedly gives the fabric its rugged look. The problem with this grease is that once exposed to the sun, or on a really hot day (or both: welcome to hell), it will start to melt. The result: my $2000 camera body is regularly drenched in oil. This doesn't feel comfortable, especially when it gets on the handle part and makes it all slippery. Most photographers will cringe at the idea of oily stuff getting on their glass - fortunately that has not happened to me. A partial fix for this is to put the bag in direct sunlight for a while, until the oil starts flowing out, and mop it up. Repeat as much as you like. You will not entirely get rid of the oil though. I have asked Domke customer service if I could do anything else about it; they have yet to answer (it's been 2 months). My advice : don't buy "Ruggedwear" at all. It does look nice, but it's just too inconvenient. Any other type of fabric will do, and you will be getting a great bag for the money.

I bought this bag because I wanted something that was a lot easier to shoot out of. Sling bags and backpacks just got annoying to me for doing lens changes. So I set out to find something practical and well regarded. Being made in the US is important to me so that was a great bonus on this bag. I like the waxed fabric for weather resistance and felt good about this bag's ability to keep my gear dry if I end up outside in the rain or snow. Comfort wise I put it to the test shooting a wedding right away. I was very impressed at how comfortable it was and like that it's easier to set down or pick up than my backpack was. Now for gear storage, the most important part. I was able to put my Canon 5D3 on one side of the included divider, my flash on the other side and 4 lenses in the middle. 70-200/2.8, Sigma 50 ART, Canon 16-35, and Canon 100 macro. They all fit, even though it was a little snug. I did end up removing the hoods completely and looped them through the extra hand strap. Not ideal, but it worked fine for transport. Once I had the body and a lens out it was easier to leave the hoods attached and the lenses in their slots. The pockets are plentiful and are plenty big to hold all of the extras that you need. Pros: Price Made in USA Ruggedness Comfort Storage Looks (looks more professional than a backpack in my opinion) Cons: Tight squeeze with lots of big glass and hoods inverted. Problem could be solved with easily with keeping hoods off (not just inverted) or buying different inserts for each lens. Overall I absolutely love the bag and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a shoulder bag.

Great bag. Low key looks which I prefer, lots of places to put things, and the bottom of the bag holds its shape, so it's easy to access the interior. I'm just a casual shooter so I don't carry much equipment. I use it as a commuter bag, carrying a Hasselblad, a second film back, a few accessories, film, my lunch, and a 13" MacBook Air I use for work. To carry the laptop, I un-velcro the 4-compartment insert from the back of the inside of the bag, and slip the laptop down into that space. It sticks up a couple inches, but the flap covers it and still velcros or buckles in place as usual. I think an 11" Macbook air would even fit into the rear flap. Without the 4-compartment insert I use this bag for light grocery shopping - you can fit a couple cartons of eggs and a number of other things. On an airplane this is my "personal item". I also found that I could ride a bike to work with this bag.

I love this Domke bag. I wanted the smallest possible bag that allowed me to have a mirrorless full frame camera with a medium size kit lens. This bag does hold a Canon R6 with the kit lens. I can also fit a second small lens, batteries and a phone. I highly recommend it. Also, the materials and stitching are fantastic and very durable. Note: big or long lenses won’t fit ex. 100mm macro.

Having used another brand of camera bag since the early '80s I should have tried a Domke years ago. I brought a used Domke F-2 from Amazon Canada Warehouse Deals. As the tags were still on the bag I don't think it was used so much as returned. The only issue was that the tin of refinishing wax was missing. As for the bag, I have found it much more shoulder friendly than the previous brand I used. The soft, flexible canvas means it hugs my hip and doesn't bounce. It also means that you can cram the odd extra item in the main compartment.

It is just the size i made for my street photography and the price was very good.

Great gang as a camera protector. Tiny. But it’s great for street photography. Discrete also.

Very handy model - Domke quality- very good for a rangefinder and some accessories