Billingham

gilpen123 · 10-08-2011

I Know I know there are other bags out there that can do the work but I can't seem to stop thinking that I need to have that Hadley Pro sometime. Just like a Leica, eventually many RF afficionados will end up owning one.

I'm a witness to Joe's endless quest for the perfect bag, just wondering if Billingham ever crossed Joe's mind. I'm also a bag addict with probably 20+ bags in my closet some of which are big DSLR carriers. Ny favorite so far is the Domke J803 as I need to have the IPAD with me while on the road. The Hadley Pro seems like a good option but quite pricey. I intend to sell all those bags with exception of few and will be more than enough to fund the Hadley.

Anyone in the same predicament?

dave lackey · 10-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilpen123

I Know I know there are other bags out there that can do the work but I can't seem to stop thinking that I need to have that Hadley Pro sometime. Just like a Leica, eventually many RF afficionados will end up owning one.

I'm a witness to Joe's endless quest for the perfect bag, just wondering if Billingham ever crossed Joe's mind. I'm also a bag addict with probably 20+ bags in my closet some of which are big DSLR carriers. Ny favorite so far is the Domke J803 as I need to have the IPAD with me while on the road. The Hadley Pro seems like a good option but quite pricey. I intend to sell all those bags with exception of few and will be more than enough to fund the Hadley.

Anyone in the same predicament?

Hi, Gil...

Let me tell you a story. My bride has taught me so many things over the years. Things like being a gentleman; a husband; a father; a man in general; and so many other things over the last 40 years. In the last 2 years, her bad health has taught me that things and money do not matter. They just don't.

Life is short and she no longer cares to have pictures of every little burp or fart that the grandchildren experience. She only wants time with us. So, the digital Nikons are all gone. I sold the last, the D40, to buy a Billingham Pro and could not be happier. It allows me to keep all of my film Leicas in one bag, looking professional when I meet clients, and I can even carry an iPad (if I could afford one) or my own photo documentary books fully protected.

I don't have to walk around with an old fishing waist bag anymore hoping my clients didn't see me walk into the meeting with it. They did.

The point is, we live on a meager income but I found a way to buy an expensive but super-functional bag. No need for any other bag and that saves me money. I use film cameras for an aesthetic and process reason. I am set for a long time doing my professional work. One bag, two cameras plus film and accessories.

I agonized over the cost and, gasp, losing a perfectly good DSLR. Now, I wonder why because I do NOT miss the DSLRs and I love the bag and what it does for me. If I need to go out in the woods, or such, I have an old grundgy fishing bag for that but it is rare I would ever need it.

So, the point is, life is too short. If you want it, go for it. If you decide later you want something else, sell it. It really is easy and better than agonizing like I did for months.

Roger Hicks · 10-09-2011

Because they're expensive, Billinghams tend to attract similar opprobrium to Leicas. "Duh, yer a snob. Why don'cha jus' use a plastic shopping bag!"

Well, I'd rather have a few good things, carefully chosen, than a lot of garbage. William Morris: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." Billinghams tick both boxes.

Others feel differently. Best of luck to 'em. But I've been using Billinghams for almost 30 years, since long before I could twist Martin's arm for a press discount. And they're superb. I have several -- but I've not needed a new one in 15 years or more.

Cheers,

R.

gilpen123 · 10-09-2011

Hi Dave, nice story got me a bit emotional and I've seen your post when you finally bought that Hadley Pro. I just wish that the US can come out of the economic difficulty soon.

Hi Roger that's a useful quote from William Morris, and btw my wife will stop nagging me on those pile of bags once I get into it. I sequestered part of her closet as well and everytime she open it she'll start the rant again and again.

I just decided to go for it. Thanks.

nobbylon · 10-09-2011

I've had my Hadley Pro for well over 10 yrs I think. It's a great bag for carrying cameras, laptops and just about anything. I've carried it everywhere from the local shops to the Himalaya. It's had various substances splashed and spilt on it including old engine oil, yak dung and a major amount of hot candle wax! (a friend knocked over a very large lit candle and it covered the top!) It cleaned up well and still looks great. Not new, just worn in.
I recently bought a 445 in black. Recent in Billingham terms anyway(about a year ago) It's a very classy looking bag and I've used it as a weekend bag including camera's, spare clothes, shoes and small wash bag! It's sat next to me here with 2 Nikon's, an M2 and LX3, sb600 flash and a load of film and batteries. It still looks new and I've probably used it every day since purchase.
Billinghams are just superb bags and I would recommend them to anyone. Dave's right, life's too short and if it's what you want just get one.
An old friend used to say to me 'buy cheap, buy twice' and for a lot of things in life he was right.

gilpen123 · 10-09-2011

Ouch the Hadley Pro survived all of that must really be a bag for keeps.

gilpen123 · 10-09-2011

Ouch

the Hadley Pro survived all of that must really be a bag for keeps. I think I won't regret spending that much for a bag.

Roger Hicks · 10-09-2011

One of my Billinghams came off the luggage rack of an Enfield Bullet just outside Old Goa and got dragged behind the 'bike at the end of a bungee for 20-30 yards. It didn't look good ast the time. But 20 years on I've forgotten which one it was.

Frances actually wore out her 'baby Billingham' -- as, apparently, did Martin Billingham's mother, who loved the same bag, and used it, as Frances did, as a handbag ('purse' in American).

Incidentally, to whoever it was who asked when Frances is going to get her own computer, in the Wall Street thread where so much was deleted: she has several. It's just that none of them is connected to the internet, which she despises. Increasingly understandably, in my view. Today she's been making sock dolls and hand colouring pictures on the new Ilford paper.

Cheers,

R.

dave lackey · 10-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

Because they're expensive, Billinghams tend to attract similar opprobrium to Leicas. "Duh, yer a snob. Why don'cha jus' use a plastic shopping bag!"

Well, I'd rather have a few good things, carefully chosen, than a lot of garbage. William Morris: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." Billinghams tick both boxes.

Others feel differently. Best of luck to 'em. But I've been using Billinghams for almost 30 years, since long before I could twist Martin's arm for a press discount. And they're superb. I have several -- but I've not needed a new one in 15 years or more.

Cheers,

R.

Ahh..and yet another person whom I count on learning so much every day! Yes, the quote from Willimiam Morris is really good and I appreciate that.

SimonSawSunlight · 10-09-2011

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

nobbylon · 10-09-2011

Not when you divide the cost by 10....20........30yrs use.

dave lackey · 10-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobbylon

Not when you divide the cost by 10....20........30yrs use.

Ed Zachary!!! +1....

SimonSawSunlight · 10-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobbylon

Not when you divide the cost by 10....20........30yrs use.

and that !

Sparrow · 10-09-2011

If they start looking scruffy a cycle through the washing machine seems to bring them up a treat .... and they hold lots off stuff

rxmd · 10-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

Because they're expensive, Billinghams tend to attract similar opprobrium to Leicas. "Duh, yer a snob. Why don'cha jus' use a plastic shopping bag!"

Regarding bags, I used to be of the plastic bag faction and indeed have used them for years. They have their advantages. They make it easier to blend in. A man with a plastic bag full of stuff looks like he belongs where he is, even if by dress and skin and language he stands out.

I switched to the Billingham side a few months ago. Since then, I've been carrying my 445 everywhere I work. That included so far only a few thousand kilometers on the road, in and out of civilization, between some 4000 m above and 50 m below sea level, in cargo holds of Chinese overland buses and Soviet passenger aircraft, through mountains and deserts. It still looks like new. Can't say that about any other piece of equipment I had with me. It's flexible, spacious, easy to carry even when full. It's a good weekend bag for conferencing, too - it holds a camera, two lenses, a laptop, spare clothes for three days, a few books and paperwork and associated gear.

Consider me a convert. And if I ever need to go back, I can always put a Billingham insert into the plastic bag.

goo0h · 10-09-2011

OK, so I've heard of these bags mentioned a lot over the years. When I was in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago, I came upon a Leica shooter at one of the cemeteries. I was in a fairly fast-paced tour, so didn't stop and chat. Besides, he seemed pretty busy. Anyway, he was of course using a Billingham. Maybe it was the Pro, but don't know for sure.

So, how much gear to folks carry in this Hadley Pro?

(Ah, someone just posted a pic!)

Sparrow · 10-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by goo0h

OK, so I've heard of these bags mentioned a lot over the years. When I was in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago, I came upon a Leica shooter at one of the cemeteries. I was in a fairly fast-paced tour, so didn't stop and chat. Besides, he seemed pretty busy. Anyway, he was of course using a Billingham. Maybe it was the Pro, but don't know for sure.

So, how much gear to folks carry in this Hadley Pro?

(Ah, someone just posted a pic!)

I don't carry that lot all the time, but you can get it all in for travelling ... that one is a Hadley Pro

goo0h · 10-09-2011

Oh, one other thing I was going to ask. I have used Domke canvas bags before, and one thing I noticed is that lint would get to be a problem at times. Sure, washing the bag helped, but after a while I noticed lint getting on everything again. Is that also true for these bags?

Sparrow · 10-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by goo0h

Oh, one other thing I was going to ask. I have used Domke canvas bags before, and one thing I noticed is that lint would get to be a problem at times. Sure, washing the bag helped, but after a while I noticed lint getting on everything again. Is that also true for these bags?

No, well not with the the canvas ones at least

RFluhver · 10-09-2011

Here's my Hadley Pro, with stuff that I'm taking with me tomorrow. Might head out to western part of Tokyo.

I can also fit a Mamiya 7ii + 65/4 and a Leica + lens.

On weekdays, I use the same bag as my regular 'office' bag. I slip the laptop in the back, outside of the padded insert. Lucky my laptop is quite thin.

gilpen123 · 10-09-2011

They use Fibernyte material now some sort of cotton canvass I guess it's more resistant to lint.

That was a lot of gears in that Hadley Stewart.

back alley · 10-09-2011

gil, i did have a billingham at one time. a discontinued model, small...made for a small rf kit. it was lovely and i sold it to a former member here.

as of today i am quite content with my 2 think tank retro bags...as for tomorrow...

John Lawrence · 10-09-2011

I love my Billingham Hadley bags, and have never needed (or found) a better bag for my purposes.

John

RObert Budding · 10-09-2011

I had a Billingham Packington that I used for an SLR kit for a while. I hated the metal zipper that I had to pull my gear through when using the main compartment. It didn't open wide enough, and the metal was sure to scratch something up eventually. Glad to be rid of it. Besides, it didn't match my shoes.

dave lackey · 10-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by RObert Budding

I had a Billingham Packington that I used for an SLR kit for a while. I hated the metal zipper that I had to pull my gear through when using the main compartment. It didn't open wide enough, and the metal was sure to scratch something up eventually. Glad to be rid of it. Besides, it didn't match my shoes.

And that is why I recommend what I have, the Hadley Pro...no zipper! And if you get in black, it matches my shoes!