kenneth Posted June 25, 2008 Share #1 Posted June 25, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 25, 2008 Posted June 25, 2008 Hi kenneth, Take a look here Billingham L2 (Alice) Bag?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
kenneth Posted June 25, 2008 Author Share #2 Posted June 25, 2008 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 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/56290-billingham-l2-alice-bag/?do=findComment&comment=589400'>More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted June 25, 2008 Share #3 Posted June 25, 2008 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 25, 2008 Share #4 Posted June 25, 2008 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted June 25, 2008 Share #5 Posted June 25, 2008 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 25, 2008 Share #6 Posted June 25, 2008 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.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Edwards Posted June 25, 2008 Share #7 Posted June 25, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) ...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... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30R Posted June 25, 2008 Share #8 Posted June 25, 2008 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted June 26, 2008 Share #9 Posted June 26, 2008 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted June 26, 2008 Author Share #10 Posted June 26, 2008 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 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/56290-billingham-l2-alice-bag/?do=findComment&comment=590039'>More sharing options...
cwf Posted June 26, 2008 Share #11 Posted June 26, 2008 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devtank Posted December 17, 2008 Share #12 Posted December 17, 2008 The L2 Alice is a nice bag, and many would have you believe that its better than the Leica bag, but if you put the body into the Leica bag rather then resting the body on top of the dividers and dropping the lens in, this will prevent the bag from being top-heavy and rolling over when on a table or tipping forward when its on you. Knowing this, I much prefer the smaller Leica bag then the Alice bag. Its smaller and fits two bodies and three lenses, one body with lens attached. Small bags are the holy grail for me, that and ruggedness and practicality. Having a body and lens together in a bag are essential. (incidentally the Leica rep told me that alice is an anagram of leica) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted December 17, 2008 Share #13 Posted December 17, 2008 What does the insert of the Small Hadley look like? Last time I visited the Billingham site the all-important inside shots were just missing, there were only those little squares with question marks inside that tells you the browser cannot find the picture file. Bad site mamagement. Any bag where you are supposed to rest your camera with the lens down in the central compartment, must have protective flaps over the outside ones. Like my Tamrac bags. These work well but cry 'camera!' and the general look is of course quite non-u. Not county, really. The old man from the Age of Domke Bags Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.H.G. Posted December 17, 2008 Share #14 Posted December 17, 2008 Resting the body on top of the dividers might rub off the black crome over the time, I found out using a similar tamrac bag years ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phc Posted December 17, 2008 Share #15 Posted December 17, 2008 I use the Billingham Hadley insert in a Hadley Pro. Offers good protection but is very tall. I store film in the bottom, then a horizontal divider, then cameras on top. If you have a game bag with the right dimensions it could be a good choice. Occasionally I carry Leicas in other bags and then I use these from Lowepro as they take an M with a 50 'lux attached, and will even take one with a Motor M too. Useful as they offer good protection and you can slip a camera in any bag any time. Cheers, Paul. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vertekijker Posted December 17, 2008 Share #16 Posted December 17, 2008 I have both bags. The strap of the Alice is a lot shorter. And I am not too crazy about the brass 'feet'. ----------------------- Frans Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted December 17, 2008 Share #17 Posted December 17, 2008 Kenneth - The insert placed in a game bag is ideal in yet another way -- It doesn't look like something carrying valuable photographic gear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjr Posted December 17, 2008 Share #18 Posted December 17, 2008 May I suggest the 106 selling at £127 from Warehouse express and £190+ from just about anywhere else ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devtank Posted December 18, 2008 Share #19 Posted December 18, 2008 I have quite a few customers of mine use Filson made bags. Filson is a Seattle based hunting apparrel company who make extremely high quality clothes and bags. A little prices perhaps, but their bags are truly made for heavy use in nasty climates. I have one of these myself and use a domke wrap inside it. (I have so many bags though, its just not funny). Filson - Field Bags: Small Field Bag Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Luis D Posted December 18, 2008 Share #20 Posted December 18, 2008 There are a lot of nice camera bags that are cheaper than a Billingham, not to mention stuffing an insert in to a non-camera bag. But the original poster didn't ask about them. I have an Alice (since renamed the A2) and a Leica-M bag. The feature comparison someone made above is accurate. Whoever said the strap on the A2 is much shorter maybe got a factory second by mistake, or else the Alice had a longer strap, because mine can be lengthened to the same. The Alice/A2 is definitely roomier in the main compartment, especially good if your lens kit includes some of the bulkier ones. The brass feet and leather end protectors of the Alice/A2 are definitely a plus if you will put the bag to real-world use. The Alice/A2 gives you features for your money, the M-Leica version gives you a little tag inside that says "Leica", a plus for anyone with OCD I guess Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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