Anyone using a Billingham Pola? How much can you carry?

[seezee]

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I'm trying to decide between a Billingham Pola & the Hadley Small. I plan to carry an M9 or an M3 w/ 35mm or 50mm lens attached, plus 2 other lenses, a 90mm & a 21mm (as I acquire them). The 90mm will be the very small Macro-Elmar, so it won't take up much space. In addition, I need room for the charger, cables, small SD wallet, Sekonic light meter (for my M3; also spare AA batteries for meter*), and a 6-filter capacity wallet. Second camera will be worn over the shoulder so it's ready for use.

 

If I buy the Pola, I'll prob. buy one of the Billingham inserts as well, to keep stuff from jostling around.

 

If any one has experience w/ these bags & can tell me if the smaller Pola has enough capacity, I'd really appreciate your comments.

 

*rechargeable, but won't be carrying charger in the camera bag.

[msteber]

You need both.

 

I think the Hadley Small is the best all around bag for Leica M. Not too big, looks great, nice top flap that wraps over the bag and protects from leaks, easy front pocket access. It can easily carry my M9, 24 elmarit, 35 summarit, 50 lux, 75 summarit. I use this when I need access to multiple lenses during the day.

 

The Pola is your out and about with the M9 with one lens attached, possibly another small one wrapped in a microfiber cloth or something. You will hear some people claim you can really cram multiple lenses into it, and it is possible. But I don't think that is the point of the bag.

 

If you can only afford one, get the Hadley Small. You will love it.,

 

Mark

[sarav]

In a Headley small I can put an M9 with a 35 lux attached, a 135 in one side, two lenses (or three if they're small) in the other side, in the front pouches documents, memory cards, charger, batteries. At the end it weights many kilos but it remains nice and small. It's very practical.

 

Sara

[Jeff S]

Second camera will be worn over the shoulder so it's ready for use.

 

So, if it starts to rain, you don't want a bag that's also big enough to hold your second camera? You're already intending to keep charger and cables in there, so clearly the bag isn't for just a walk around town.

 

Bags are personal, so I offer no recommendation on any one in particular, but your requirements raise some issues to consider IMO.

 

I prefer not to work out of a bag, even with 2 cameras (unless the weather requires), but I do have bags for transport. And, even then, I might choose to use one camera on occasion, two on another, and maybe or maybe not with an additional lens or two. You can always leave a bag part empty, but you can't cram stuff into a bag that's too small.

 

Jeff

[rramesh]

The best way to do this would be to go to a camera shop with your gear and try out. It's a personal thing.

 

My observations follow.

 

The Pola is a vertical bag which means you need to place your extra lens below the camera. Space would be restricted to camera+mounted lens and one more.

 

The Hadley small is a horizontal bag with 3 compartments. Camera+lens and two more.

 

You can always squeeze more but the point a bag should be quick access.

 

Both bags have a tendency to keel over when placed on the ground. Best to hang them.

[seezee]

Well, the consensus seems to be the Hadley, which was my original choice anyway. I was just concerned that it would be too big for an "out and about" bag, which is the only reason I was looking at the Pola. I'm in no hurry, so I'll wait to see if any one else wants to weigh in.

[elgenper]

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Another firm vote for the Hadley Small; I use one daily, and it´s just perfect for me.

 

I did contemplate a Pola as well to get something really small, but experiments with similarly sized bags and purses made me skip it. The thing is: Leica gear is HEAVY for its size, so differences in empty weights of bags is rather unimportant for the final load on your shoulders. Besides, a real small bag is difficult to pack and use, and there´s no spare capacity at all if/when needed.

 

The Hadley Small works great for my daily gear: M9 with 35 and 75 Summicrons; easy to get things in and out, good protection, acceptably small for bringing into museums, shops and restaurants. Also, it takes wallet, phone and Moleskine if I have to check my jacket somewhere; just put the surplus into the Hadley. Need a map of the city you´re visiting? Put it right in; there´s room.

Suddenly find that pocket book you´ve searched for? Buy it and put it behind the padded insert; you won´t even notice it.

You get the urge just for once to use that 135 lens that languishes in your cupboard? There´s an empty compartment that takes it, hood and all.

 

In a pinch, it can even swallow an iPad (but not all these extras at the same time, of course).

[roydonian]

I use the Hadley Small when carrying a light outfit. The M camera and 28-35-50mm TriElmar occupies must of the internal space, but there is room for a compartment at one end holding two lenses mounted back-to-back using an Op-Tech double-sided rear cap.

 

Best regards,

 

Doug