Need some advice on a compact bag for the Leica S

[leicapages]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Folks, I have read the different earlier threads on bags for the Leica S and it is with some hesitation that I post this question... I am looking for a compact bag -as small as feasible- that will hold a Leica S body with the Vario 30-90mm lens and perhaps the 70mm OR a flashgun. So a bag that holds the "essentials" and that is intended for city trips and alike. For longer treks, I am in any case using a photo backpack from König, which holds much more gear, or a regular trekker backpack.

 

As I have good experience with the Billingham Hadley Digital bag for the Leica M, I was looking at other Billingham bags. After checking with Billingham customer support, they advised me either the Hadley Pro or the fStop series 1.4. From the specifications it would seem that the fStop series 1.4 bag offers a wider space than the Hadley Pro. But I quite like the latter's look

 

There is also a new Leica bag, the "Leica large cotton system case" in nice grey but it seems intended for rangefinder or mirrorless, albeit with lots of space that compares on paper to the Billingham Hadley Pro.

 

I really would prefer a package as tight as possible and would like to avoid a cumbersome bag that proves a burden for its intended use.

 

What would be others' recommendations?

Grateful for comments.

 

Cheers,

Pascal

[John McMaster]

I think a major decision is whether you want the camera with a lens mounted in the bag with two lenses, or as three separate items....

 

john

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[mgrayson3]

I have a medium size Billingham that holds an S with lens attached and another lens stored vertically. I'm not sure of its model number. The 307 looks very close, but not exact. I find the Hadley's too narrow for the S.

 

Best,

 

Matt

[Jeff S]

What John said...  This thread covers issues using the Hadley Pro with lens attached....  http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/230737-s-size-bags/

 

Best if you can get to a store and experiment...techniques and preferences vary.

 

Jeff

Edited August 2, 2016 by Jeff S

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

I'm using a Harley Pro for mine and I can get my S007 with 30,70 & 120 in it plus some assesories

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited August 2, 2016 by Neil D

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

What John said... This thread covers issues using the Hadley Pro with lens attached.... http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/230737-s-size-bags/

 

Best if you can get to a store and experiment...techniques and preferences vary.

 

Jeff

no issue getting body and lens attached in the HP plus two lenses. I just spent a month travelin like that and no issue at all

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[leicapages]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I think a major decision is whether you want the camera with a lens mounted in the bag with two lenses, or as three separate items....

 

john

 

I realize I should have been clearer: yes, the camera and lens need to be mounted and ready to shoot. But it does not matter if the combo sits on the side or vertically.

[Jeff S]

no issue getting body and lens attached in the HP plus two lenses. I just spent a month travelin like that and no issue at all

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Which is why I encouraged the OP to experiment, as other reports differ.  Much like almost every topic around here.

 

Jeff

Edited August 2, 2016 by Jeff S

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Which is why I encouraged the OP to experiment, as other reports differ. Much like almost every topic around here.

 

Jeff

lol

Your not joking there mate [emoji23]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Tomorrow I will take a picture of my bag packed minus 120mm

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[albertknappmd]

I use the Billingham 555.. Heavy but effective..

I also use the Gura Gear Battaflae 32L but you could use a smaller version as well. The Gura Gear, now Tamrac is far superior to the Billingham BTW in terms of design and ease of transport....

Albert     

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Hay Leica are sending me a loner 100mm while they fix my 120[emoji108][emoji108][emoji108][emoji3][emoji3][emoji108][emoji108]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Albert the Harley bags are great. Plus made in Britain so quallity unmatched

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Printmaker]

I use the Hadley Pro. It accommodates a modest outfit with a lens attached. But I also use a Filson which is a more comfortable fit.

[alan.y]

Billingham S3 fits camera plus 70 without hood snugly plus another lens without hood. This is my minimal bag but its really pushing it a bit.

 

A larger Artist and Artisan WCAM 3500 N holds camera w lens plus two lenses with reversed hoods snugly. The bag is just tall enough to hold an S with the 45mm mounted. It is waterproof and light but is not as structured as Billinghams. I traveled for two weeks in india with this with S 35 and 70 alongwith a new Macbook (new small version, barely fits in front compartment) and accessories.

[alan.y]

My problem with most camera bags is if they are wide and tall enough for my gear, they are almost always too thick, unnecessarily thick for the S body with lenses placed side by side, resulting in bulk and lenses tumbling inside bag. This is true for the Hadley series.

[Jeff S]

I use the Billingham 555.. Heavy but effective..

I also use the Gura Gear Battaflae 32L but you could use a smaller version as well. The Gura Gear, now Tamrac is far superior to the Billingham BTW in terms of design and ease of transport....

 

 

I have the Hadley Pro and the Gura Gear 26L.   For me, totally different design for totally different use, each with exemplary build quality. 

 

Jeff

[LorenzoLandini]

Pascal,

 

I used a Filson sportsman shoulder bag that is similar to the Billingham for material and quality. It fits the S, 30, 70 and 120 plus a few accessories. Perhaps too big for your need. 

 

However, my experience of walking around with such a heavy bag made me re-think the entire set up for carrying the S. I felt it was way too much weight to carry around on one shoulder for the whole day, or even for a few hours. 

 

I then bought a small backpack to complement my existing large backpack that I use in the field for both the 4x5 and the S. Both backpacks are made by F-stop (http://fstopgear.com/), which I highly recommend for their quality, design and comfort. The small one can take the S with the above three lenses, a full set of square filters, cards, accessories and I occasionally strap the tripod to it as needed. It is a carry on bag and it makes easier to carry the weight for several hours. 

 

As much as a shoulder bag might be nice looking and at times even fancy (I love both the Billingham and the Filson), I think a small backpack is still much more comfortable based on my experience (for the S, different story for the M). 

 

Lorenzo 

[Manolo Laguillo]

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

S + 30-90 + 70. That's what I have, exactly.

 

Even with the lenshood in working position on the 30-90 everything fits well into the Billingham f.1.4.

 

 

This bag is very light (lighter than the Hadley Pro, or the Peak Design's Messenger), the equipment is well protected, it is rainproof, and it is an "open space" bag, with everything easily reachable.

 

I own the Billingham Hadley Pro as well, but the S + any lens would not have enough place in it.

 

I had the "Leica large cotton system case", but I sold it. A very nice bag, strong and soft, very good looking. But too large for the M, as I saw it (I don't like to carry so much stuff when working with the M), and too narrow for the S...

 

BTW, the best Billingham for a compact M outfit is the L2. This bag is much better than the Leica Billingham.

Edited August 2, 2016 by Manolo Laguillo

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[alan.y]

The Billingham S3 fits similarly as Manolo's f 1.4 pictured above. But it has a top zipper in addition to the flap, which is more secure but heavier and adds an extra step.

 

The artist artisan WCAM has no top flap and just a rainproof top zipper.

 

I agree with body plus two lenses is about as heavy as one should go with a shoulder bag. Actually i came back with a strained neck from India lugging around the S + 35 + 70 plus new macbook. Now I sometimes use a LowePro flipside 200 backpack with lens cases attached to the waist strap to switch lenses quickly.

 

If I could avoid looking so dorky, I would just use a harness and a belt for everything to minimize the weight and distribute it evenly.