davidjmitchell Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 There have been innumerable threads on this forum as too which bag is the most suitable for our Leicas. Invariably the Domke F-803 is listed at or very near the top of user lists. This bag does however carry a not insignificant price tag (Leica hardware excepted !!). Whilst trawling everyones' favourite auction site I came across a "Like" Domke F-803 from a dealer in Shanghai. Having just received it, I can say it is of remarkable build quality, one hell of a clone, & a veritable bargain at about a quarter of the Domke price. I have absolutly no connection with the seller whose *bay shop can be found at RJ Camera Accessory Store (also does "F-802s"). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 So if it is "a clone", and you recommend it, does this also mean you support copyright as well as patent violations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeroen dommisse Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 I've seen the bags too, they are cheap indeed. Too bad shipping (at least to Europe) is more than the bag itself. And yes, I'm thinking of supporting the original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roman_sonnleitner1 Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Someone on another forum mentioned that Safrotto had licensed the copy from Domke (don't know whether it is true, though). BTW, I have an original Domke 802, and the the Safrotto copy of the 803 - and the copy is made from better material than the original bag... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry_zet Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 i have both - and they look and feel identical, but the clone has even the foam-inserts, which was only optinal in the domke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsoonphoto.net Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Anyone ever consider f.64's offerings? They have bags that are suspiciously similar to Domke's designs. <P> <a href="http://www.f64camerabags.com/designer_series.html">http://www.f64camerabags.com/designer_series.html</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__jon__ Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 >Ellis Vener , jun 06, 2005; 04:56 a.m. >So if it is "a clone", and you recommend it, does this also mean you support copyright as well as patent violations? If Domke is concerned, they have them tossed off eBay. How is that Leica doing, Ellis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n1664876959 Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 The Safrotto CF-700 that David is talking about is a much better bag than the current Domke F-803. The current Domkes are not a patch on the old ones; thin canvas, poor quality stitching and increasingly expensive. These Safrottos are made of very thick canvas (so thick its tough to stitch them well), have a wider and sturdier strap along with a shoulder pad, and an extremely well made insert with a proper base. The company makes versions of several Domke bags both smaller and larger than the F-803, and only for the fact that I have an old F-2 I would get the Safrotto equivalent of that bag too. I was in a store a couple of weeks ago and examined a Domke F-2 and I couldn't believe how poor the bag is. Yes the shipping is ridiculous on the bags from China, but you get a quality of workmanship and materials that is way better than the current Domke offerings, and the total price of a Safrotto + shipping is lower than buying/shipping the Domke equivalent from a NYC discount store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socke Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 I have the Safrotto CF-500 for my dSLR. It is very close to a Domke F-3 and looks pretty tough. The canvas is thick and the seams are so so. Could be better but is not bad. Compared to a LowePro Stealth Reporter it looks better made. When I was in the Navy, my seams sewing sails where better, but I had a Chief who took care about quality and not cost, especialy with the ensigns he had to drill :-) And to copyright, I don't know if the copyright still exists and if Domke still exists. My bag has big Safrotto Stickers on the sidepockets and two instead of one front pocket. As long as Domke doesn't own a copyright on all blue canvas bags it can't be seen as a copy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Just fine Jon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshroot Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 I'm a Domke F3 fan. But the 803 I had reminded me too much of a large purse. I wasn't really into it as a camera bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grg Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 <i>So if it is "a clone", and you recommend it, does this also mean you support copyright as well as patent violations?</i><p> Ellis. What patent? The only relevant <a href="http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=4260004.WKU.&OS=PN/4260004&RS=PN/4260004">Domke patent</a> that I could find is expired and, therefore, not enforceable. And, what copyright are you referring to? Do you mean trademark? Get supporting facts or share them if you have them before throwing around loaded questions, basically accusing someone of willfully infringing or encouraging infringement of alleged intellectual property rights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grg Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 And, back to the topic, my brother-in-law has this 'clone' 803 bag. It's slightly larger than the 'real' 803 and I think it's nicer. The canvas material is softer to the touch, but feels thicker. Also, the strap has a nice removable/slidable snap-on shoulder pad. Nice bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35mmdelux Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 i don't think so, as long as they aren't claiming to be Domke.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolfe_tessem Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 You'd think that on a photography forum, participants would be at least be knowledgeable about what a copyright is -- and therefore have some idea of what is copyrightable and what is not. Sheesh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael s. Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Ellis may not be a lawyer (I don't know him), but isn't it okay if he "plays one" on photo.net once in awhile ? Just for fun ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35mmdelux Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 LOL. you guys are great...maybe try the comic store or something. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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