The gods must have been watching out for me (or my Leica). Grabbed teh Domke.. and out slides my M6TTL and 50Summicron....and rapidwinder...right onto my asphalt and rock driveway, in the rain.

Not even a scratch that I can see. I dont know how. I wiped the debris off the camera, wiped off the raindrops. No scratches, nothing bent, RF still working and true, focus and aperture smooth and true. I cant believe it. Wait.. one tiny little rough spot on the winding lever retaining ring. Cant see it, just feel the rough spot. I got very lucky methinks.

Its time for a serious drink folks....

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), June 08, 2002

Answers

It wasn't your drinking that led to the camera to fall in the first place was it? :)

-- Chad Hahn (thehahns@cornhusker.net), June 08, 2002.

I've been harping forever how I consider the Domke bags lousy for transporting camera equipment because the compartments don't zip. This time you were lucky.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), June 08, 2002.

Charles: "Drop" the Domke and get either a Tenba or Billingham bag. Keep it zipped!

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), June 08, 2002.

Seems it only takes four responses for someone to start getting pissed off these days.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), June 08, 2002.

Isn't it all a bit stupid? 'Zip it and it and it won't happen'. What smug responses. If you are so anal that you think a 'zip' equates to a secure camera bag you clearly haven't lived much, or maybe even used your camera much. Stuff happens, and for want of it happening very rarely its better to use the bag you like and can use, rather than one you cosset your gear in like Fort Knox.

-- Steve Barnett (barnet@globalnet.co.uk), June 08, 2002.

I have to admit that I never understood the Domle mystique - not waterproof, gaping open top and pockets, no sensible closure. What's it all about?

The Billinghams (hadley and alice only) are much better, IMO.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), June 08, 2002.

Let's compare shall we. You drop M & lens to pavement = 0 loss. I drop 1 Gig IBM MIcrodrive 2 ft. to rubber tile floor = 60 lost images and one dead Microdrive. This is one place where "lucky 0" is the winning score.

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), June 08, 2002.

I agree. I have the Billingham L2. It holds 2 M's with extra lenses perfectly. One of the main reason I bought it was because unlike a lot of other bags I tried, it doesn't flip over on itself. It's a very well balanced design. The upper flap also has side walls which fold in and makes it even more difficult for stuff to spill out. It's waterproof and built like a...well, a Leica. But I must say that the Domke stands out far less in a crowd.

feli

I have to admit that I never understood the Domle mystique - ... The Billinghams (hadley and alice only) are much better, IMO. -- rob

-- feli (feli2@earthlink.net), June 09, 2002.

Mine just felt with me : in a motorbike accident. Was in a Billignam insert (inside a casual Manhattan portage bag). Well, as I could stand in myself a few minutes later the accident, I could take a picture of my poor motorbike under the car. Guess what ? RF is perfect asusual...

-- lventuri (lventuri@aol.com), June 09, 2002.

Well...hmn...far be it from people offering advice on how to prevent such a dangerous occurrence from happening in the future! Sheesh. I too don't like a non-zippered opening for purposes of weather, dust, contents falling out, etc. That's why I use a Billingham 225. Also, for single body, single lens usage, I use a Tamrac Zoom 14. It is also weather proof and shock resistant. Good luck in the future...

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), June 09, 2002.

When you are actually using a camera, sh*t happens. I have posted this before, a many few years ago; twas the seventies; I was roped in, way up on the flat irons near Boulder; the strap broke on my CL with 40 mm lens. I watched it bounce to destruction. Better the strap than my rope. ;<).

You people do city stuff. I don't. I go into the outback [so to speak]. For short trips, I use a Tamrac Expedition 3. I can carry a nikon body, six lenses, filters, etc. I can carry my Leica M equipment with room left over for a small animal [my cat often goes]. Problem; poor bpack design for long use. For longer use, I buy real backpacks [not made for photography]. They are great on the back and can be adapted to carry an 8 x 10 if you want.

Different use.

Art

-- Art (AKarr90975@aol.com), June 09, 2002.

You're making me laugh here. I LIVE in Boulder, bike, hike, 4-wheel, etc. with my gear. Do you? I've been to Alaska, Hawaii, and more with my Leica, and I am always outdoors. There...

-- james (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), June 09, 2002.

James:

Yep, I live there for 6 or so years [64 through 70]. When I moved there, Boulder had about 26 K people. You could go to the lakes and be alone. I left for Bozeman. Couldn't take all of the population pressure. From friends who are still there, I understand that it isn't the same [could be the difference between when we were young and now]. Left Bozeman when it got too crowded. You are more tolerant. ;<)

Art

-- Art (AKarr90975@aol.com), June 09, 2002.

James:

I hope that you recognize the signs. I am being nice and not saying what I really think. That would be rude and not really necessary on this site. ;<)

Årt

-- Art (AKarr90975@aol.com), June 09, 2002.

Yes...I sometimes have it up to here with yuppies and the teeming populace here. Really, I'm here for school and work, and may look for somewhere more "settled" and mature, all of Denver area is under construction with an unending influx of people from all over. I like the beauty, but there are other areas as beautiful or more so. Anyway, yah probably most people here are into the urban scene with their Leicas. Backpacks are the way to go in the outdoors.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), June 09, 2002.

And in the city for people with back problems!

Plus, I doubt the average drug addict/youth gang member/etc. will see the difference between 'Lowe Alpine' and 'Lowe Pro'...

-- -- (Oliver.Schrinner@campus.lmu.de), June 10, 2002.

Charles: Relax!! I meant no offense by my previous comment. I use a Billingham 225 and try to keep it zipped as much as possible. Tenba makes a fantastic bag as well but this is more useful (685) for my R8 kit.

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), June 10, 2002.

Camera bags don't drop cameras; people do!

-- Pinhead (blieb@sheridanross.com), June 10, 2002.

Folks, except for my original post... all other posts on this thread with my name/email, are not from me, but instead from some foul mouthed cowardly imposter. Those knowing me from my past threads would also know this is not my way of behaving.

Its also quite interesting that I dont get alerts on this, unless I revisit the thread .. as the responses from "charles" are not going to my email address for some reason.

It was Alberts "relax charles" that gave me the heads up.

Hopefully, over at photo.net we wont have this problem ever again.

[Moderator's Note: The disruptive comments from our imposter have been deleted.]

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), June 10, 2002.

Oh it will, believe me Charlie boy!

-- Phil Kneen (philkneen@manx.net), June 11, 2002.

*yawn*...Poor Philly in his death throes here...

-- Jon Doe (anon@anonymous.com), June 11, 2002.