Hi, �ukasz, On Tue, 24 Sep 2002 00:16:41 +0200, �ukasz Kacperczyk wrote:
> I'm considering buying this bag, and as usual I'd like to know your opinion. I freakin' _love_ my F-2. > 1. What are you experiences with the F-2 (if any of course :) ? There are only two "bad" things I can say about it: 1) You can't remove the long strap without cutting some of the stitching. It's sewn to itself in a loop around the D-rings. I can't bring myself to cut the original strap off, though. The stitching is just so great ... like a WWII canvas army tent half. It would be there with the rats and cockroaches after a nuclear war. :-) 2) I got an Op-Tech strap that's _much_ more comfortable than the original strap. OTOH, the original strap is _much_ more comfortable that the straps on the other three or four bags I've used for extended periods. > 2. Canvas or ballistic? Mine's canvas, but I got it as a gift. If I bought it myself, I'd probably still get canvas, just because I like natural fibers. Ballistic nylon would probably last longer, but the canvas will probably outlive me (I'm 39) unless something really bad happens. > 3. And the most important - how much gear do you fit in, and how > comfotable/uncomfortable it is when it's full/almost full? I can get so much stuff in there that it would break a sherpa's back. :-) * LX/Winder LX; ZX-5/Grip Fg; MZ-S/BG-10 (usually only 2 of them) * 2-4 CRx batteries and 4-8 AA batteries * Zenitar 16/2.8, Sigma Macro 28/2.8, SMC-A 50/1.4 * Tamron SP 90/2.5, SMC 135/2.5, SMC-A 200/4 * Pentax 1.7X AF teleconverter * 15-20 rolls of film still in plastic capsules * Lens Pen, Blower Brush, Kodak Pocket Ref * Two Sharpie markers and "roll" of index cards * Two 77mm filters and a 72mm filter * Wallet with 5 smaller filters and step rings * Leatherman tool, small screwdrivers * Assorted caps that aren't on cameras/lenses at the moment Probably some more stuff I can't think of right now. :-) Basically, it's easy to get enough crap in there that you don't want to hang it on your shoulder (feels like 30 pounds or more). I have a small folding luggage cart that I put it on, along with a monopod and a 400/5.6 in its case, when I'm going to have to be away from the car but want to carry a full kit. Sometimes there's a small cooler and folding camp chair on the cart, too. :-) If I empty one of the "columns" for a lens, it will even take the Tokina SD 400/5.6 (PK-A) without bulging very much at the top. Heck, I can even put the SMC-FA* 200/2.8 in there with the hood in "hood position" (as opposed to "storage position"). With a lighter load, it's a dream, especially with the Op-Tech soft strap. With a heavy load, the Op-Tech strap is indispensable, but a minion would be better. :-) TTYL, DougF KG4LMZ
