Cam and Cheese

Like the F-5XB, the Domke F-3X is a sleek and subtle canvas camera bag. However, it offers a much more flexible and wider range of storage space which makes it ideal for those who prefer to travel light but still like to carry a bit more than just the bare essentials of one camera and one lens.

The F-3X is somewhat modular in design and is built around a large flap covered main compartment that has two built-in lens separators that you can fold away to the sides if need be. The bag also comes with a velcro strap pad that can be used to divide the main compartment further giving you a maximum number of 4 sections in the main compartment alone. Two pouches flank the main compartment on it's sides, each of which can hold an item as large as an external flash unit or even a water bottle. Two accessory flaps, one on the front and the other on the back of the bag, and a small zippered pocket, on the underside of the main compartment's hood, round out the rest of the bag's compartments.

As I stated earlier, the bag is primarily made of canvas, but it still has a tough padded insert at the bottom of the main compartment and enough padding and protection to see you through the bumps and bruises of regular, everyday activities. The bag's shoulder strap is comfortable and very wide which is great when packing a lot of equipment as it disperses weight over a larger area on your shoulder(s). Like the F-5XB's strap, it has a rubberized gripper side. Domke also sells an optional rubber postal pad to use with this bag's main strap. I would suggest buying it if you can as it helps to keep the bag snug on your shoulder, even in tight crowds. The bag also comes with a handy (pun not intended) little hand strap as well as belt clips giving you the option of clipping it onto a larger bag if you so desired.

It's interior dimensions are 8.5" L x 5.5" W x 9" D. To give you an idea of what it can store I regularly use it to carry my 5D, 24-105 standard zoom, 35/1.4, 85/1.8, 50/1.4, and my 430EX (or a water bottle). You could probably substitute the 35/1.4 and/or both the 85/1.8 and the 50/1.4 for another zoom lens (I sometimes pack my 17-40 instead of my 35/1.4). A 70-200/4 will fit but it won't fit inside the bag with it mounted on the camera unless nothing else is in the main compartment and you lay the camera on it's side.



Pros:

• Small, discrete, and subtle design
• Velcro pad allows for main compartment customization
• Modular design gives you access to smaller pockets without having to first dig through larger pockets
• Minimal padding allows for an easier bag to tote around in an everyday setting
• Canvas material allows for the bag to become "worn in" over time
• Effective one sided gripper strap

Cons:

• Lens dividers inside the main compartment can be moved/folded to the side but they can't be completely taken out
• Due to the materials used, this bag won't withstand a strong rain/snow storm for long
• Price

I would (and do) recommend this bag to any and everyone. It is extremely versatile, and easy to sling around on your shoulder in almost any situation.