For example, one moment I was shooting then President Bill Clinton in Arcadia, then shortly thereafter a couple of United States Congressmen that included Newt Gingrich in South Pasadena and finally some assignment in swamp-like horse stables. The great thing about the Domke bags is they are easy to clean and always render a professional appearance in any environment. Furthermore, they are engineered for functionality first.
- Material: Ballistic
- Exterior Dimensions: 19.5W x 8"D x 11.5"H
- Interior Dimensions: 14"W x 7"D x 11"H
- Warranty: 2 years
- Weight: 4lbs. 2oz.
COMMENTS - Definitely one of my favorite camera bags, the Domke J-1 Camera Bag features a very weather-resistant design and can manage all the equipment normally needed on the average day working as a newspaper photographer. In my opinion, the ability to carry a 80-200mm F2.8 lens is a key to the operation. This bag does it with the lens shade on it. Back then, another favorite to include in the bag was the 35-135mm lens. But I also had my low-light and wider lenses. This bag does the job. The drawback to this bag is that it's a bit large. I'd say this bag is great for those days where you're carrying a few remote flashes and some other trick equipment.
DOMKE SAYS IT FITS: 2 camera bodies with motor drives, 4-6 auto focus lenses, flash, meter film and accessories. Extra height and length handles faster longer lenses and lens hoods. Also allows cameras to be carried vertically with lens mounted.
- Material: Ballistic
- Exterior Dimensions: 17"W x 8"D x 9.5"H
- Interior Dimensions: 12.5"W x 6.25"D x 8.25"H
- Warranty: 2 years
- Weight: 3lbs. 8oz.
COMMENTS: This is the all-around greatest bag of the lot. Like the Domke J-1 Camera Bag, it's not too big but can still carry virtually everything you need for most any assignment. It can still carry an 80-200mm F2.8 standing upright but may not be able to do so with the lens shade. Point blank, this is my favorite bag because of its size and versatility. I like to travel light and fast but yet formidably equipped for anything at a moment's notice. This is the bag for me.
DOMKE SAYS IT FITS: 2 camera bodies with motor drives, 4-6 lenses, flash meter film and accessories
Now, to sum it up, there were many days during my transition from a newspaper photographer to a writer and even more so a commercial photographer working broadcast television sets as well as corporate events and motorsports venues. During those days, I still maintained use of the Domke but eventually began to migrate away from the Domke ideology of carrying camera equipment to the backpack style bags.
With the migration from film cameras to digital cameras in 1999 and then exclusively in 2000, I found less use of the Domke, since I was accustom to using the side pouches for film. Add to that the bulk of my assignments took on the extreme aspect of photography, usually making my way aboard a dirt bike, hiking the mountains on foot or hitching hiking rides across remote regions of Northern Mexico, which is why if I cannot pack it on my back, I scoff at loading it up.