NEW Domke F-3x here! Smells pretty bad though...

[jklewer]

I just got this bag in great condition used on eBay. All of my gear in my sig fits in really nicely and the bag carries great. The problem is, I must have bought the bag from a heavy smoker because the thing smells rank. Anybody have any good ideas on getting some of the smell out? I tried Febreeze last night, and it didn't work as good as I had hoped. Has anybody laundered their bags before? Any other suggestions?

[CyberDyneSystems]

I've not had this with a bag, but other used goods.

You should be able to launder the bag (domke is canvas right?)

I sealed the offending part in a container with a bunch of tea bags for a few days.. this had some good effect if I recall, the next step was the old banking powder trick.
(in may case it was a camera so laundry was out of the question)

[jklewer]

So should I be worried of my gear taking on the stench too if they are in such close proximity to the pungency?! Yeah, the bag is canvas, with some closed-cell foam padding on the bottom, wrapped in nylon (I think). And also, will have to fill a young guy in on "the old banking powder trick"!

[Jon]

That's "baking powder", actually baking soda. Good old Arm & Hammer, as used in refrigerators to absorb odours. IIRC the pad in the bottom of the F-3X is removable, you'd have to treat it separately since it won't dry anywhere near as fast as the rest of the bag. I'd, at the least, leave the bag outside or in a well-ventilated place, for a few days to let the odour dissipate if you can't wash it. Maybe stuff it loosely with anti-static drier sheets. If you were to sprinkle it with baking soda you'd need to vacuum (or wash) it thoroughly to get all the loose powder out afterwards.

[jklewer]

Just checked the padding on the bottom, and it is pretty fixed in place, but we have had plenty of sun lately, so drying shouldn't be a problem. I think I will just throw it in the wash, and probably put some drier sheets inside when hanging out to dry. Thanks for all the help, sure is a great bag, regardless of the stench!

Jon, don't know how much you use yours, but loaded similarly to mine, do you have any trouble carrying it for distances? I will be traveling this summer in Europe and might leave the 70-200 home, but I am wondering how comfortable it will be to wear a good amount of time...

[Jon]

I don't have any problem carrying it any distance. Of course I'm used to toting a 30+ lb. F-1x :{)#
I used an F-802 in Europe with 2 bodies, 24-70, 70-200, 15-30, 580EX, 35 f/2 and small (real small) laptop.

[jklewer]

That is quite the load! I was there last summer also, but only had an S2, which was pretty light on the shoulders! I think my problem tends to be my lower back getting tight on the opposite side of where the strap hangs. I consider myself in great shape too, but sometimes I just can't hang!

[Jon]

We were in a tour bus a lot of the time,and when we weren't at least one body/lens were out of the bag. But I didn't leave the bag alone at any point in the trip.