Product Description

Domke F-6 Little Bit Smaller is an exceptionally discreet bag with a low profile exterior. Similar to F-2 Original Bag, but scaled down for less equipment, such as 1 or 2 cameras with or without motor drives, 3-4 lenses, flash, film and accessories.

Product Details

• Brand: Tiffen
• Model: 700-60D
• Released on: 2006-03-21
• Dimensions: 7.00" h x 6.00" w x 12.00" l, 2.00 pounds

Features

• Exceptionally discreet bag with a low profile exterior
• Ideal for one or two cameras with or without motor drives, three to four lenses, flash unit, film and accessories
• Nine compartments and pockets include two full-length zippered pockets
• Padded four compartment "short" Insert
• Adjustable non-slip Gripper Strap

Customer Reviews

A superior working pack, less so for equipment protection
By category--

SIZE:

The bag is smaller than I thought it would be. I bought it to use with a Canon 300D, 50/1.4, 100/2, 70-200/4L, and the 18-55/3.5 kit lens. This kit will fit, but it's slightly more cramped than I'd prefer. Since then, I've moved to a 40D, 28-135, 10-22, 50/1.4, 200/2.8, 1.4X TC, and a 430EX flash. This is really the maximum for this bag. One or two middle lenses less would be ideal.

To mold to your hip, the F6 has to have two open spaces in the center partition. It's really designed for people who have some other bag to *store* their gear, and want a quick working pack for travel. It's not supposed to be full. If you've got a big superzoom (100-400, 70-200 IS) or an equipment list similar to what's above, move up to the Domke F-2. It's nearly as discreet, but a lot more spacious.

INTERIOR:

The only interior layout this bag has is a four-part partition held in place by velcro. If you remove the partition, it's just an empty space. On either side of the partition are larger areas that, in my case, hold the 430EX and the 200/2.8. The partition itself was designed for manual equipment: long and thin lenses, and film bodies without deep grips that could be slotted where I have the prime and the flash. That's Domke's graphic, anyway. It's both difficult and inconvenient to fit a DSLR in those areas, though, and you have to remove the lens.

The better solution, and the one I was forced to use because I have more equipment than before, is to have a moderately heavy lens like the 28-135 mounted to the camera at all times. Then you just put the camera face-down over an empty partition space. The malleable nature of the partition and the weight of the lens hold the camera in place, with the added bonus of freeing up space and having the camera ready to shoot.

While it's also possible to do this with the 50/1.4, the bag starts to feel slightly top heavy, so you'd want to have at least one side of the cover clipped to keep everything secure.

BUILD AND FEATURES:

There is no side padding on this bag. It conforms to the waist better for that reason, but don't buy it if you're worried about bumping your SLR. The front pocket, bottom pad, and the partition do keep the lenses in the middle decently protected. If not for this light padding, the bag would not hold its shape. Even as is, heavier loads cause unused pockets to compress in on themselves, so if you take a lens out, it may take a bit of fiddling to get it back in.

The two metal clips stink. They're small, difficult to unclip, and tend to knock about into your lenses when not in use. There's no easy way to remove them, but if you're willing to reduce the resale value of the bag, you can replace them with superior mini-carabiners.

IN USE:

People tend not to assume that this Domke is a camera bag. On two occasions, I've been able to enter a sports venue without the ticket-checker bothering to look for equipment. While the front pocket is not padded, it can hold quite a lot. I was able to "hide" a 70-200/4L inside with little change in the bag's outside appearance.

The rubber embedded in the strap is great if you wear the bag like a purse, but I loop the strap over the other side of my neck and across the chest. When I do that, the rubber makes it difficult to shift the bag in front of me without binding my shirt. No big deal; there's no rubber on the opposing side side of the strap, so I just turn it over.

If you fill the bag with my revised equipment list above, it'll feel like a brick on your side and will cause your shoulder to ache after a few hours. I bought the mail carrier strap to mitigate this problem, but I find myself rarely using it. The padding on this optional addition is less soft than it appears in the picture, and the whole item feels bulky. A wider and less-thickly-padded generic alternative would probably work better.

ALTERNATIVES:

There are comparable Chinese rip-off bags by Mekko and Safrotto. They're high quality and cost about 30% less than this Domke bag. I bought the Domke because the olive green color wasn't available in the others, and the Mekko bags in particular have too many ostentatious logos I didn't feel like removing. Otherwise, they're worth a look.

The biggest competition for the F-6 is Domke's own F2. While the F-6 is handsome and functional, it doesn't have much room to grow. The F2 offers significantly more space, though because the unused portions collapse on themselves like with any canvas bag, it doesn't look or feel much larger than the F-6. Had I known that I'd expand my kit to the extent that I did, I'd have chosen the F2.

Well made, but a little small...
I ordered this bag because I wanted an alternative to the standard Lowepro/Nikon/Canon camera bags. This bag definitely looks like an everyday shoulder bag, very low profile, so it did not disappoint me in that respect.

I like to have my camera and lenses (Nikon D40 with 18-55mm lens, Sigma 10-20mm, and Nikon 10.5mm fisheye) with me at all times, however, which means that I like my bag to be able to hold other small things - a hat, my IPod, keys...you get the picture. Unfortunately, this bag was too small for that purpose and did not have as many separate storage areas as I would have liked. So, I ordered the Domke F-2 Original bag in olive (love the olive color) and am much happier with the storage options, as well as the removable padded bottom insert, which is not removable on the F-6.

Anyhow, this would be a great bag for travel and a small kit, to be used exclusively as a camera bag. But, if you're like me and like lots of outer pockets and storage options, I would suggest an upgrade to the larger F-2.

Just what I wanted...
Domke F-6 Little Bit Smaller Bag (olive)
After much research looking for a shoulder camera bag, I kept going back to this one and finally ordered one, and am glad I did. I wanted something comfortable to carry, and I can't imagine it can get any more so than this one offers. Very durable canvas that shapes to your gear and you, surprisingly light in weight, yet offers good protection for carrying around. I didn't want storage, I wanted portable, and this is without bulk. I got my Olympus E-500 with 40-150mm zoom, 14-45mm lens, lens hoods, batteries, filters, cleaning kit, notepad, even a small Canon PowerShot and still have some room in there left over. Could easily get a flash in, as well. Or maybe a sandwich? It's a working bag for on the go.
The bottom has a sturdy pad, there's a 4-compartment insert that can be moved to either side or in the middle, and room for more if you worry about more protection. With my camera ready to go and at one end, I can loosen one clip and have access to it FAR easier than my other bag. The strap has anti-slip on one side that really keeps it on your shoulder, and is thick and comfy. The craftmanship is excellent, with superb stitching, heavy duty webbing, and a fabric that looks like it would withstand a lot of wear. One zippered front pocket just under the flap, another zippered pocket under the flap on the bag, and an open pocket along the back (great for slipping a lens cap into in a hurry). And the best part, it doesn't scream "I have an expensive camera in here to steal!" This is one low key bag. I bought the olive, which is a nice DARK color, and it looks great.
I have a compact tripod that, after adjusting the main strap, I managed to slip into the two "holes" at either end, just above the bag. Perfect! The webbing along each end is also loose so you could hang things with a carabiner (water bottle, lens bag, ??).
Very, very happy with this bag.