Domke F-803 Camera Satchel Soft Case

Domke F-803 Camera Satchel Soft Case 

DESCRIPTION

This smallest of Domke Satchels has gained a large following among photographers who don't want to call attention to their expensive equipment. Many describe the F-803 as a bag that doesn't shout "cameras!".

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 11  
[Dec 04, 2010]
rick robles
Professional

Strength:

1- leight weight 2- rugged 3 - thin 4 - plenty of room

Weakness:

none

i have tried many different types of camera bags over the past 40 years. from backpacks to rolling casses. when i was a wedding photog i only used rolling casses for ease of getting around ( we used only medium format back then ). now that i am retired from the wedding buissness i shoot only with my leica mp and three lenes. the f 803 is the most convient bag for street shooting and carring around expensive equipment and not getting noticed. the quality is very high and the bag is lightweight and rugged. i suggest the three compartment insert. this bag is a must for any street shooter, film or digital.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 17, 2004]
straya
Professional

Strength:

Light...Thin

Weakness:

None

I own many Domke bags....this one is as well made as the others. I use it mostly for my FM3a and Fuji G645zi. I bought the olive color. I found it very hard to find.

Customer Service

None Needed

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 03, 2002]
MiggyStyle
Intermediate

Strength:

high quality materials. low key stylings, many possibilities with the inserts, front pockets offer roomy compartments for accessories, and back pocket is great for filter files or papers, etc.

Weakness:

thing, too thin. the bag seems too tall and too wide, but the interior is way too thin. an extra inch would have been perfcet. hard section in flap is obtrusive when carrying the bag over the shoulder. quite expensive if you ask me, its just canvas, not to mention the padding wasn't very extravagant either.

i beleive that the 803 satchel would fit it's purpouse wonderfully, unfortunately i thought i could squeeze my fm3a with the 45mm lens in there. the body fit nicely without a lens, but with the lens (filter,hood, and lenscap) the satchel bulged and kind of felt a bit obtrusive. this bag would probably be perfect for a rangefinder, but i did not want a big satchel. either way you put the camera it is a tight fit with a lens attatched, a lil too tight. but it gets the job done. the construction of the bag is top notch, the padding seems a bit on the thin side, but it is very dense and offers decent protection. i think the bag could offer about half an inch to an inch more or the inside width. the canvas is very tough and durable, and the strap is the same. when the metal clasp is locked, carrying the bag as a psuedo suitcase feels second nature due to the hard section on the flap, unfortunately domke should have made this feature removeable, because even though they claim the bag hugs your body, it cant because of this peice of plastic. it keeps the bag rather stiff and the feel and look of the bag is somewhat awkward.

Customer Service

none yet, highly doubt i will need it.

Similar Products Used:

no name satchel with clothes used as padding. tamrac shoulder bag.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
2
[May 08, 2002]
BobT
Expert

Strength:

Well built. Understated.

Weakness:

Can''''t really find any. It''''s said it isn''''t waterproof but I''''ve had mine out in some pretty wet conditions and it''''s been as good as anything else.

Just adding my two cents to the previous posts. Doesn''''t scream "cameras - steal me". Looks good, especially when it starts to get a little worn. Holds a Leica M, two lenses, a PDA and assorted film, pens, etc.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Billingham (too expensive IMO). Assorted Lowe Pros which are good for a larger SLR system.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 16, 2000]
CB Photo
Intermediate

Strength:

Beautiful. Low key. You can't tell if there is a camera inside.

Weakness:

No so protective. Too narrow.

It is OK if you have one camera without vertical grip. I don't think its width is 4" as the specs say. I need some more room from the next Domke I buy.

Customer Service

You will be sick of using it or it is stolen before it get damaged.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Aug 11, 2000]
Danny De Dios
Intermediate

Strength:

Excellent bag if you only have 1 camera and 2 lens. Easy access and doesn't attract attention.

Weakness:

None

Excellent camera bag. It does protect your equipment from heavy rain. My Wife like the bag so much so she used it as shoulder bag. Now I need to get a replacement bag.

Customer Service

not needed.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 07, 2000]
David K
Expert

Strength:

Solid construction/very durable. Has lots of pockets for storage/can be used as briefcase..

Weakness:

Metal loops for shoulder strap can rust, and would be difficult to replace. I've had reflective tape sewn onto the shoulder strap for additional night time vis. Also "scotch-guarded" the bag prior to use. Was probably not necessary.

Good quality for the money. A bargain if you can get it on sale. Not particulary stylish, but very versatile, and in my case, useful! Colour choice is very limited.

Customer Service

Havent needed any, and I'd doubt that I ever will. Bag fills a unique place in my camera's transportation.

Similar Products Used:

Other Domke products and also "Lowe-Pro"

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Mar 07, 2001]
Dave Wright
Intermediate

Strength:

Close to the hip - easy to carry for extended walking trips; doesn't say "steal me"; well made; cotton canvas feels better than nylon; just the right size; gripper tracks keep shoulder strap in place.

Weakness:

None

As they say: "A product is perfect when there is nothing left to take away". I don't know that I've ever come across a product that lives up to that saying more than the Domke F-803. It probably wouldn't work as well if I used a different camera system. The Olympus OM-4T and its lenses are real small. I fit the body, 5 lenses (24mm through a 60-200 zoom), F-280 flash, half a dozen rolls of film, spare batteries, filters, release, mini-tripod, cleaning supplies, gray card, and various references in this great bag. With the camera out and around my neck I can place the items I need for quick changing on top. I got mine for $30 more than 10 years ago. It needs a few patches, but I don't plan on replacing it in the foreseeable future. This bag has been on a few continents and up many dozens of mountains without giving me the slightest reason to complain. It's use has become second nature. New ones go for about $80, and are still well worth it. Some folks complain about the minimal padding, but I think that's an advantage - keeps the bag small and light. I don't throw my bag around, so there's plenty of padding for me.

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

Small Lowe bag

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 01, 2001]
John McCormack
Intermediate

Strength:

-Well made
-Fits comfortably
-Not noticeable as camera bag
-Versatile; can be used for other purposes

Weakness:

None so far

I finally persuaded myself to buy the 803 after reading all the good reviews and am happy w/ the purchase. This bag is great for street shooting and travel. I don't know why I waited so long to try a Domke bag. DUH! I'm ambivalent about the buckle that fastens the main flap; it's very secure - probably pickpocket proof - but is a bit tough to open one-handed. a Fastex-type buckle might be better.

Customer Service

Not required

Similar Products Used:

Lowe Pro Orion AW. Lowe Top Load Zoom. Various Tamrac bags and other no-name traditional bags.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 04, 2001]
Anthony Simmons
Intermediate

Strength:

Small, seems strong.

Weakness:

Not dust or rain resistant. Gaps for both to enter main compartment.

I like it, great satchel bag, nice and discrete. Although it makes the satchel bulge I can fit into it: F100 with 28-105 attached without hood, 80-400 VR without hood, 20 2.8, 50 1.4, SB-28 flash, film, filter wallet, bits and pieces. But all that weighs a ton and it starts to look like a notebook computer bag.

Similar Products Used:

Lowe Pro bags and backpack.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
3
Showing 1-10 of 11  

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