Best Domke Bag For Hasselblad

I'm looking for the best Domke bag that will hold my Hasselblad, two backs and two lenses, plus light meter. Any suggestions?

A Domke F2 worked for me when I had Hasselblad decades ago.

I just use a shoulder sling bag with some padding.

 

It was a premium with membership renewal.

 

It doesn't say "steal this bag" either

 

Another alternative is a baby diaper bag with some umber paint smeared on it.

Just received the Domke F2 and find it's too small for my needs. I'll be returning it. The F1X is a little bit bigger so I my try it.

I put mine in a ThinkTank Airport backpack. Everything is in one layer, not stacked like in a shoulder bag. If I need to schlep it more than a few hundred feet, I use both shoulder straps. Most of the time I use one strap like a sling bag, with the bag behind my back, resting on my hip. Sure I need to set it down to fully access the gear, but large shoulder bags work pretty much the same way if you have to dig around for things. This backpack has ample but not excessive padding, just enough. If you prefer 1/8" of rough canvas between your costly gear and the knockabout world, get the Domke. I guess I'm not that cool.

Oddly enough I did just buy an I phone last month, my first. Much more difficult to use than a Hasselblad but better pictures.

I put mine in a ThinkTank Airport backpack. Everything is in one layer, not stacked like in a shoulder bag. If I need to schlep it more than a few hundred feet, I use both shoulder straps. Most of the time I use one strap like a sling bag, with the bag behind my back, resting on my hip. Sure I need to set it down to fully access the gear, but large shoulder bags work pretty much the same way if you have to dig around for things. This backpack has ample but not excessive padding, just enough. If you prefer 1/8" of rough canvas between your costly gear and the knockabout world, get the Domke. I guess I'm not that cool.

 

 

Good point and good idea. I guess you are using the smaller size? Seems to be three sizes. But I did not realize that Domke was "cool." Thanks.

I have all three. The smallest is just right for a Sony A7 system, middle fir a Nikon D3. The largest I used on extended tour for audio/video recording. I don’t think I can lift it any more (14 years hence). These bags are semi rigid with a rectangular profile. Very space efficient. I am not a paid spokesman, just a devout user.

How about for a Hasselblad V with three lenses and two backs?

I have an old Lowepro backpack style bag that holds an M645 body with lens fitted, two or 3 additional lenses, two spare magazines, and a box or two of film. Plus filters and a lightmeter in the front zipper apartment. Plenty of padding and comfortable to carry.

 

Conventional rectangular shoulder bags just tend to slide off my shoulder, and there's just no strap length that makes them sit in a comfortable position. I usually end up carrying them by the top strap most of the time. Whereas a backpack stays put and leaves your hands free.

How about for a Hasselblad V with three lenses and two backs?

A Hasselblad with a prism is about 6" tall, so you want a bag deep enough to hold and protect it. Likewise, a CF250 is about 6" tall if you want to store it on end. I have carried a body and three lenses (vertically, with one attached) in a medium-sized shoulder bag, but it's a little heavy to carry on one shoulder. I would lengthen the strap and carry it crosswise. IMO, a deep, narrow shoulder bag is more comfortable to carry than a wide bag (like most by Domke).

 

Are three lenses enough? It depends on what you like to shoot. I have 7 or 8 lenses, which all fit in the medium Airport backpack, but that adds up to over 40 pounds when you add an extra body and backs. If possible, I have a second "Day" bag for when I leave the car (or room).

Edited March 1, 2021 by Ed_Ingold

The Domke F1X is a nice bag but I've found the extra space(compared to the F2) encourages overloading. Get the ballistic nylon over the canvas for better wear resistance and water repellancy. If it's still available, the Domke strap pad is worth the extra $$$, too.

Yes, I would not walk around with all this gear, using a smaller bag for the street or forest. I really only need my 60mm and 120mm for most occasions.