Billingham - Page 2

Snowbuzz · 10-09-2011

The new 7 series (I have the 207) has a zipper but carbon fibre 'wands' hold the bag open allowing me too remove gear without catching the zipper. The 445 serves as my all-purpose travel bag.

Ljós · 10-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonSawSunlight

is it really that expensive? I paid ~150€ for a new one from a shop here in germany.

What Simon says - there are at least two reputable sources in Germany that sell (legit) Billinghams for less than what similarly sized Domke's cost (at the sites I checked). I was really surprised, too, when I found out. At least for Germany my take is that, yes, it is a handsome lump of cash, but it is by no means extravagant for what you get.

I bought the Hadley small, and I like it very much. The only thing that nags me is that there are two spots on the top, corners to be precise, that wear way faster than the rest of the bag, because of the geometry. If the fabric were cut /bent around the corner differently, it would not get rubbed like that.
If there are ever going to be holes in the fabric, I'm sure it's gonna be there.
Well, that is going to take some years, and even then, I could send it to Billingham and have it repaired.

About the famed leather straps for closing and opening: they REALLY work. it took me one day to learn the ropes, then it became second nature. I can open and close the bag silently and without looking very quickly. Very, very nice.

So - go for it! :-)

Greetings, Ljós

fixbones · 10-09-2011

Just like you guys, I have a tan Hadley pro too.
Great bag. The size is just nice for me to carry 2 Ms and some other little stuffs. Most of all the bag is pretty and gives me great joy using it.
I double mine as a really stylish work bag too and have had quite a few compliments.

gilpen123 · 10-09-2011

As you go bigger the Billingham can be expensive, though. $238 for the Hadley Pro is on the high side for me but I think quality and durability is worth it. Before the days of the Ipad and small laptops, it will be a bit big for me. I just carry 1 body + 2 lens and a P&S and some bits of accessorie, maybe an L2 will be sufficient at that time.

Joe I was also tempted to get the Retro 10 maybe a Retro 5 for walk around will be good for me though my F5xb also do the work.

gilpen123 · 10-09-2011

I'm figuring out mentally how I can fit Mamiya 7II with lens on (80).

Frontman · 10-09-2011

I have on old 225. It is a rather large bag, and I can carry a couple of SLRs and another pair of rangefinders in it, along with at least one lens for each. The main compartment zips shut, which is no big deal, the zipper isn't metal, and it doesn't scratch. The pocket on the back is large enough for my iPad.

My bag is quite worn, it looks like a surplus item from the first war. But it does it's job well.

RFluhver · 10-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilpen123

I'm figuring out mentally how I can fit Mamiya 7II with lens on (80).

It is possible. First step is to reattach the lens hood of the 80mm so that it is in the stored position (i.e. pointing backwards). This minimises overall length. Then you move the inserts around in the bag so that one partition is wide enough for the cam + body to fit in. When I do this I usually have one other partition wide enough for an M body + even my Nokton 1.9, which is a long lens, and one other partition for stuff like my Fuji film carrier.

Shade · 10-09-2011

I have the Billingham for Leica bag, and it's a very nice bag to have. It looks classy, small enough for me, and tough too!

goo0h · 10-09-2011

This guy does a pretty good review of the bag. I like how the insert comes out and the bag can fold flat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yft_DNEJ6Vs

I see he carries 4 lenses and a Leica, but for those that show you've packed more than one rangefinder body into it, how do you stack them into the bag? I mean, are they easily accessible so one or the other can be pulled out to be used, or are the stacked in there pretty good so you have to do some unpacking of the bag before using the gear, if that makes any sense?

alan davus · 10-09-2011

Gil, I've had a 335 for about 25 years and other than having been faded slightly by the hot Aussie summers, it is as good as new. As is a Hadlley Pro I bought in 2003. Like others have suggested in the long run they are cheap because they wear so well. The only bag I own which is on a par with the Billinghams is a Fogg B Major and I only bought that for myself as a gift for winning a big contract a couple of years ago. The Hadlley Pro is perfect for a rangefinder kit based around one or two bodies and a few lenses. Get it and flog off the rest. Cheers, Alan

gilpen123 · 10-10-2011

When I do carry 2-3 RF bodies and lenses or 1-2 with a Mamiya 7II, I would normally use the Domke F2 classic. With the Hadley I intend to use for travelling, (which is quite frequent) with the RD1 + 2 lenses and either GRDIII or S90 so I guess it will do the work well.

dave lackey · 10-10-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilpen123

When I do carry 2-3 RF bodies and lenses or 1-2 with a Mamiya 7II, I would normally use the Domke F2 classic. With the Hadley I intend to use for travelling, (which is quite frequent) with the RD1 + 2 lenses and either GRDIII or S90 so I guess it will do the work well.

Absolutely...you will be very happy, I am sure of that.

back alley · 10-10-2011

the billinghams look beautiful...but they also look a bit too formal for me.

the think tanks look like classy domkes...

RFluhver · 06-17-2012

Guys..check out the new upcoming model from Billingham - it's a hybrid of Hadley Large and Hadley Pro. Looks good to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpcF7...e_gdata_player

loquax ludens · 06-17-2012

That new bag is a really nice one. Three M bodies and lenses should be no problem. :-)

gilpen123 · 06-17-2012

Btw, as an update I did get that Hadley Pro (black) and using it for business trips or when I go to customer meetings. I did bought 2 more bags after the Hadley though ]:

red snapper · 06-17-2012

Its lovely. Particularly like the detachable strap as I use those Op-Tech bouncy ones on my bags due to my chronic back problems. Wish all the Hadleys had this facility.

dave lackey · 06-17-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilpen123

Btw, as an update I did get that Hadley Pro (black) and using it for business trips or when I go to customer meetings. I did bought 2 more bags after the Hadley though ]:

Gil, I love my Hadley Pro...well worth selling the Nikon DSLR to get it last year!

As my 7 year old grandson says, "It's da bom!"

sixpence · 06-18-2012

Hi,
I do not want to hijack the original thread but I think that I have come to the same conclusion like many others of you here...buying the bag I want instead of buying around it several times. So I will be in the market for a Hadley soon.
Maybe some of you who already have a Hadley can help me out with some questions since there is no store around where I could look at the bags.

Would a Hadley small be big enough to hold two OM-bodies with small primes (50mm/ 35mm) attached and would there still be room for a third lens? Alternativly I would like to carry one OM-body with 50 attached and my Yashica Electro 35.
I would like to keep the bag as small as possible and travel light, but maybe the Hadley Pro would serve me better?

Any recommendations or experience with Hadley and OM-gear would be appreciated...

Sejanus.Aelianus · 06-18-2012

Sorry to introduce a hint of dissension here but I've owned the 335, 555 and Hadley. None of them suited me for more than a year or two.

Currently, my favourite bags are the Tamrac Rally 7, An Overboard 25 litre with a cheap eBay insert and a Mammut Creon Element 25.

I am prepared to guarantee that this will change...

gilpen123 · 06-18-2012

I believe it will handle your needs. The difference in dimensions is 1" height and width, the depth (interior) is same at 2.75".

kuvvy · 06-18-2012

Many years ago I had the Alice model, a small bag that held my Contax G gear. Eventually I sold it as I found it a bit boxy in shape. That's the problem with the small Billinghams for me. Also i find that as the small bags use the same padding as in the larger bags i find it takes away too much of the inner space making room abit tight.
I love the material and the overall quality of the bags but wish they would make one with a slimmer profile, something along the lines of the Domke 803. I use other bags like the BBB when I need a smaller bag. That said, I do have an Original Hadley which I've had for about twenty years and still looks good. It doesn't get much use really, tending to be the bag of choice for travelling or when the weather is rough and I need extra room for a brolly, gloves, hat etc.

RFluhver · 06-18-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixpence

Would a Hadley small be big enough to hold two OM-bodies with small primes (50mm/ 35mm) attached and would there still be room for a third lens? Alternativly I would like to carry one OM-body with 50 attached and my Yashica Electro 35.
I would like to keep the bag as small as possible and travel light, but maybe the Hadley Pro would serve me better?

Any recommendations or experience with Hadley and OM-gear would be appreciated...

I have the Hadley Small and OM cameras. The answer is, yes; you can fit 2 OMs with those primes attached, even with their hoods. Note, of course, that if you have the 35/2, then that is going to be a wee bit a tighter squeeze than the 35/2.8

As it happens, I also have an Electro 35 (I have 4 of them). If you mean the fuller sized GSN type body, then that also will fit along with an OM.

I just did a quick photo of 2 OMs (OM2n + 35/2 and OM4Ti + 50/1.4) and you can see that it fits.

Hope that helps.

johannielscom · 06-18-2012

Question for the old geezers here: some time ago I saw a Billingham for sale here that had the ideal size for a TLR. It was gone in no time at all and so was the US-only ad. Anybody that can tell me what the name of that ype was? It's not a current model...

Also, I own an old Billingham Press bag (think that's the name of it) and it's really coming apart. Two thing I like about it: size and the single strap attaching point on each side, opposed to all modern bags that have two strap attaching points at each side. Anybody that can recommend me a replacement model? Not looking to buy new necessarily, I like my bags worn...

Thanks for any advice given!

johannielscom · 06-18-2012

Right, so I found that my bag actually is the old '225' bag and tonight I found a near-new '225' for sale in the Netherlands for a very reasonable price.

Seems my old Billingham will soon start its second life as a hangout for Ally the deaf Turkish Angora cat that nowadays mostly hijjacks it to sleep on it!

http://m.flickr.com/photos/buzzardki...9163/lightbox/