It's big!

Well made of tough nylon. Gripper strap wraps all the way around the bag for added stability. Removable bottom panel adds support. Removable inserts in the middle and in the end pockets can be changed to suit.

The top and side flaps are large and provide good coverage over the bag and pockets.

Soft and dust-free. It forms to your body nicely, not quite as much so as a canvas Domke.

Plenty of big spaces and plenty of smaller spaces.

Carries it all.

It's big! Not really a weakness of the bag, but if you load it up good, it'll give you a workout.

The handle(not the strap), on this bag is a bit underwhelming. This isn't an issue for me, since you really can't carry a loaded bag of this size very well with just the little handle.

Color choices: Black. I wish they offered the J series bags in a Sand or Olive color. Working closer the equator makes you appreciate bags, cases and equipment that isn't black.

Also, that high tech black probably increases the bag's 'steal me' factor.

An excellent bag for a large or diverse gear kit. It easily holds a couple of professional dSLRs with lenses attached and a small digital camcorder. Add another 4-6 lenses, a flash, batteries, chargers, cords, mDV tapes/memory cards, a bit of cleaning gear, a 30" collapsible reflector(stowed), passport, cash, and a snack. Probably a phone too.

Do yourself a favor and get the Post Office-Style Shoulder Pad.

I had used Tamrac bags exclusively prior to this and always liked them. I still do. Over the years I've known a lot of photographers that use either Tamrac or Domke. Since I felt I wouldn't be going wrong with either brand, I let my wallet decide(something I rarely do). The J-1 was cheaper than the 612 or 614 (US models).

Customer Service

I haven't ever needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Tamrac 608, 610, 612
Lowepro Stealth series

Built tough Comfortable Flexible design (many options with all the inserts available) Not flashy Hugs the hips, doesn't bounce around.

No zipper, can get water or dust in bag if left open or if one of the edges of the cover gaps too much. Would be nice to have a quick access zipper on top of flap to access equipment on the fly like many of the Lowepro bags have.

I have literally owned more than a dozen bags trying to find one I really like. After trying a bunch of the Lowepro's and coming close with the Reporter series bags, I picked up one of the J series Domke bags one day and took it home and fell in love with it. I have never been crazy about the canvas and lack of padding that most Domke's have but I really like the tough ballistic nylon and the extra padding in the J series bags. I started with a J-3 and then bought a J-2. I eventually sold the J-2 and replaced it with the larger J-1. I use the J-3 for day trips or minimal equipment days and I use the J-1 to take everything. The nice thing is I can just move the compartments from one bag to another. I also took out the comartments that came with the J bags and replaced them with the standard 4-compartment insert. One big advangage of the J bags is the side pockets are larger and padded. You can fit a pro SLR with motordrive in one of the pockets, or like another guy said a 2-compartment insert. The side pockets also have a larger flap to close with and also the locking strap. Also, get the postman's shoulder pad, it really makes it comfortable.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Domek F-2 About a dozen Lowepro bags. All got sold when I found these bags.

Light, tough, huge, soft, protective, with a lot of street cred. A more modern stylish urban look that ages better than the canvas (although the canvas looks cooler when it ages poorly).

Expensive and less water-resistant than the canvas, funnily enough.

This used to be my dad's bag. It always seemed too big and too nylon for me as I have always used an F-2. Until I tried it on my last sail, when I realised that I didn't need such a small bag since I would not be on my feet the entire time. The bag is well designed. Any place the bag comes in contact with the shooter, the nylon is covered with canvas so that it doesn't slip and slide. Maybe the water proof nature of the canvas is not as good here, but to address those who think that these Domkes don't have enough protections, I responde my saying that you baby your cameras. I don't use lens caps (just filters) and I have N90s and 2.8 lenses and Speedlight flashes and I have never had a break with the Domkes. And these are the bag of choice in the trenches -- war shooters and photojournalists run Domkes, not the over inflated amateur bags that make my Nikon look like it had elephantitis. So, I am sold on the nylon bag because its lighter, more elegant, and doesn't make so much dust on the cameras like my canvas F-2 does.

Similar Products Used:

F-2