Billingham L2 (Alice) Bag?

[kenneth]

Good Morning

Does anyone have any experience of the above bag which Billingham make for Leica? From the pictures I have seen it looks as though it will take an M camera and lens pointing downwards in the centre section with two more lenses, one at each side. Also, I believe Billingham make a Combination M bag for Leica which may be more suitable. Are these available in the UK

[kenneth]

Since posting the above I found a picture of the Billingham Combination M Bag. It looks as though this model meets my needs but advise would be appreciated on this and any other bag that you would consider suitable

[spylaw4]

The M bag made by Billingham for Leica, has recently had a monstrous price increase and is now approaching £200.

Far better to buy the nearest equivalent "plain" Billingham bag. I find the Alice excellent for M use.

[stunsworth]

I used to use an Alice with M6, 35mm, 50mm and 25mm.

When I bought mine it didn't come with the rubberised shoulder strap shown in the above illustrations. I found that to be mandatory as the webbing would slip off the shoulder very easily without it.

[spylaw4]

Originally Posted by stunsworth

I used to use an Alice with M6, 35mm, 50mm and 25mm.

When I bought mine it didn't come with the rubberised shoulder strap shown in the above illustrations. I found that to be mandatory as the webbing would slip off the shoulder very easily without it.

Excellent non-slip pad is now available from Billingham as an add-on extra.

[stunsworth]

Brian, it is - though I've found that the rubber wears out after a few years. I bought one for the Alice soon after the bag was delivered..

[Thomas Edwards]

...i have both...

...the L2 (which i use for the digi3 w/ 25 lux + 14-50) is slightly larger than the M bag, does not contain a separate zipped pouch, does not have a padded shoulder cushion, and has four brass "feet" at the bottom of the bag...

...the M bag is smaller, has a separate zipper pouch, has a padded shoulder cushion, and does not have the four brass feet at the bottom...it accommodates any m camera (either face down as you described or sideways down) and two lenses...

...in the states, the price of the L2 and M bag are virtually identical (bh)...around usd200...imho a small price for protecting '000 of equipment...

[30R]

I have been using the bag for some years now, first for my M7 and now for the M8. I highly recommend it . Very practical and handy.

[charlesphoto99]

I am currently using an all black size small Hadley bag and love it. It will fit an M8 with grip and lens, plus four more lenses and a few odds and ends. I think it is really the same thing as the Leica M bag without the pad (which I added).

These are amazing bags and very comfortable. Worth the price. I have an all black 335 showing up tomorrow for DSLR and medium format gear. I wish I had of gotten these bags years ago instead of monkeying around with the lower cost alternatives.

[kenneth]

As usual, thank you for your informative response, much appreciated. Having looked further into the subject another much less expensive option is the Billingham Hadley insert. I just happen to have an old game bag exactly the same dimensions as the Hadley insert which retails for £30.00. Unless I can find an old Billingham Bag second hand

[cwf]

I have an L2 purchased as a small bag for an M8 and modest accompanying parts. Yesterday the main compartment held an M8 with a 35/2 attached and a 50/2 and 75/2, both wrapped in Domke pads that I like, with space to spare. In the narrow front compartment I put an extra battery and pelican case with extra sd cards.

From my point of view, the L2 is fine for the purpose intended.

Btw, mine is the nice dull green canvas.