Thumper

My very first film SLR, a Nikon N4004s.   It was either 1989 or 1990, and I had enrolled in photography in college.   We developed our own film and processed our own prints.  Started out in B&W, then went to color.   I did it for a couple of years, then life took me elsewhere.  

I picked up a Nikon F5 (in excellent condition) not too long ago for a song.  (Although, I don't know how much it will actually get used).

those have to be slim odds. sorry for your loss, but thanks for sharing. i wonder what the batter's expression was.

I don't know.  I was too busy dealing with the shock and feeling sorry for myself to notice. 

Here is a painful shot of one.

I was shooting a softball game, and I was switching lenses.   I never do this, but this one time, I set this lens on the bleachers to grab a different lens out of my bag.  A rogue pop fly foul ball comes sailing high over the fence and lands right on my lens like a meteor.  (or more appropriately, a meteorite).   The lens just exploded.   Little parts and rings went flying.   I have no idea if the actual glass internally was damaged, but I can't imagine that any sort of proper alignment is still intact.    What are the odds that the one time that I actually set my lens down that a stray ball would fly over the fence right at that moment and land in that exact spot?  

Needless to say, that was a painful lesson.   I have since replaced the lens (it happened a few months ago), and I no longer let any of my gear sit anywhere but in my bag or in my hands. 

I just couldn't find the right bag to to suit me.   I tried sling backpacks, shoulder bags, you name it.   Nothing seemed to suit me for just a "shooter's bag" for outings.   I am not talking transporting gear during travelling.  I have a Tamrac backpack and a Burton backpack for that sort of thing.  Just something that I could carry 3-4 lenses, my camera, maybe a flash/speedlight, and the "extras" (spare camera battery, spare lithium AA's, Compact Flash card wallet, lens kit, etc).    Something that I could in and out of easily and quickly and where my gear was readily accessible.  Nothing seemed to really fit the bill.

Until a friend (and fellow photographer) suggested Domke bags.  He has several, and recommended a couple of different models.   I started out with the F3x.   It was perfect.  Well, almost perfect.   It totally fit the bill (until I added one more lens to my walking loadout).   I could get my camera, 50mm lens, 55-300mm zoom lens, 10-24mm wide angle lens, SB-800 speedlight, and all of the "extras" that I mentioned above.  Everything was easy to get to, and I was able to get everything quickly.   Very comfortable to wear, and the strap has a rubberized inner lining so that it doesn't slide off of my shoulder easily.   I added one more lens to my loadout (a 10.5mm fisheye), and the F3x was just a little too small to accomodate that.  So I got an F2, and it was perfect.

F3x

(50mm lens is not in this shot, but it is in the loadout).

F2

(I don't have any "loaded" or interior shots of the F2 yet, but I will get some up).

These bags are very well made, and they come in a variety of colors.   The interior of the F2 is customizable.   These bags are just perfect for shooter's bags, so long as you don't try to do the whole pack mule routine and carry every last bit of gear you own.       Perfect for a street shooting photo safari where you want a reasonable range of lenses with you.   I highly recommend them if you are looking for that type of bag.

Anyone else a Domke user/fan?

Ooooh, that's nice.  I like that one.

Let's see some of yours.

I'll start...

That's a nice set for $35 and free shipping. Thanks for the tip, I will be placing an order now.

Same here!!

Thanks for the heads up on this deal!!

Hmmmmm.   Not one in my area.   I may check into hosting one for next year though.

I use the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G and it's an awsome lens. Very sharp and fast AF. I've used it on both my 3100 and 7100. it's my go to lens when out walking in the city