GAS Bag- The Domke F-803

Although the ever serious grown up who'd much rather "concentrate on the photo," I'm occasionally not completely immune to the occasional child like, carnal bout of GAS. Not privy to the big $$$ necessary to "update" with each and every yearly camera model, I learned to moderate my primal urges going back to the analog days on things like: soft shutter releases, eye cups, straps, maybe even going hog wild with a hand grip! But second only to the camera itself is... the camera bag- been through a few, and have just moved in with my new, true blue, lady friend for life!

Back in the day before the mid '70s there was literally... like nothing, save for: all manner of military styled shoulder bags, "Danish school" bags, even fishing bags- you either threw everything loose into the stew pot and hoped it all still worked when dug out, or individually packed everything in separate cases and hoped your photo hadn't walked away by the time you unpacked. Then came the Domke- Hallelujah... sanity had finally arrived!!! Bags specifically designed for photographers, by a photographer- can't go wrong with one even today, when there are even more bag styles than camera models. 

Considerably more handsome in person!

In the past few years I've gone through several Domke styles and beyond, including a Manhattan Portage Small DJ bag (with added camera insert, when not used as my everyday work bag), and a Crumpler $6 Million Dollar Bag (1st version) that is downright luxurious for everything but the kitchen sink. But I've downsized in the latter years, and truth be told- the DJ bag does me fine in most cases, but yeah... the GAS! So I looked about to see what was currently available- and found the current love of my life!

Bags are as individual to your needs, as cameras themselves- even more so. Basically, I wanted something for travel, something that holds: my X-T1 with two extra lenses (tiny primes save for the 14mm), an iPad Mini, my GR, a coupla "accessories" (and a bottle of water and/or small brolly, if necessary). I'm now partial to flatter, less boxy styles- thinner bags can comfortably rest flat across the small of your back, conveniently out of the way until you slide it to your side when needed. Boxier types tend to bounce and bang incessantly against your hip and waist- not fun! Which is when I noticed the Domke F-803;* they come in various color and material scenarios, and for whatever reason, I chose the most unsightly (and cheapest) of the lot, the appropriately named Drab Green- and was fully prepared to return it post haste upon first sight and arrival.

Fortunately, my suspicion proved me right, the actual shade of green is nowhere near as hideous as any of the online photos, and the strap is an appealingly browner shade that offsets it nicely- handsome and inconspicuous! It's the perfect size (big honking FF DSLR's need not apply), wonderfully light, very sturdily constructed (large inner compartment retains its shape, two inner front pockets expand), but does have one caveat- it is thinly padded, and the small, provided insert is crap personified and meant for... a lens! Got me a pair of scissors, cut one side of the insert vertically, velcroed it across the rear of the bag (don't need padding on side facing front of bag); cannibalized a few excess parts of the insert I bought for the DJ bag (you can get full camera bag inserts from Amazon for $20 and under) and with a bit of duct tape padded the bottom and sides of the bag- Voila! Or, get the official Domke insert for $40 (which is pretty flimsy at that). 

Lastly, there are those who'll probably insist it be able to stand vertically when placed down, but because it is so marvelously slender, it does tend to lean/fall over on its front side- so just set flat on its back... a possible deal breaker for some, an eye roll of a concern for yours truly!

Protection, looks, room- GAS crisis alleviated, then some! Now, all that's needed is a road trip minus a hurricane...

*The F-802 is the same exact style, except considerably larger- and cheaper... yeah, go figure!