Shoulder bag recommendations

[elgenper]

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Oh my God! 

 

USED socks for a Leica camera?

 

Sacrilege! New unused socks only please.

Used, absolutely....  New, unwashed socks will emit lots of lint that ends up on the gear.  Wear, and wash them a few times.  Then, freshly washed of course, they´re fit for protecting the crown jewels if you ever come into possesion of these.... .  And remember... left socks for teles, right socks for W/A, obviously!

Edited December 4, 2015 by elgenper

[jmahto]

Used, absolutely....  New, unwashed socks will emit lots of lint that ends up on the gear.  Wear, and wash them a few times.  Then, freshly washed of course, they´re fit for protecting the crown jewels if you ever come into possesion of these.... .  And remember... left socks for teles, right socks for W/A, obviously!

lol...

 

I have actually used my kid's baby socks (not newborn ones but the ones when he was small) in the past. They are small and cute and just perfect for tiny M lenses with tons of emotional value too.

Edited December 4, 2015 by jmahto

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[mike_h]

Nonsense.  My packed bag never looks remotely close to your pic; the top flap is always secure, with a wide overlap, when closed.  Not only that, but I'm smart enough to only carry the bag by the shoulder strap in bad weather, not the top handle.  The strap hugs the flap and further prevents slippage.  

 

The only way for water to enter is through the fabric and, if that was common, you wouldn't have so many reporting a contrary experience, and Billingham would have a different reputation.  Sure, nothing is perfect, but your experience is unusual from everything I've read or experienced.

 

I have no vested interest in Billingham. There are loads of bag options for everyone to suit myriad needs and tastes.  Whatever works.  But your conclusions don't mesh with your pics.

 

In any case, I always have comprehensive insurance to cover every situation the warranty doesn't, including my own negligence.   To not have that is even sillier than walking in a downpour with an open bag flap.

 

Jeff

Keep it civil thanks Jeff. Just because your experience differs from mine, you assume that what I say is nonsense or that I did not take care to adjust the bag correctly etc. The contrary is true.

 

I have no axe to grind with Billingham bags. However the wholesale assumption that a single bag manufacturer makes the perfect set of bags is of course demonstrably false. Does that mean that Billingham bags are not fit for a good many purposes? Of course not. But it is important to understand their shortcomings.

 

If you are interested take a look at the photo of the 445 at Billingham's site. You will note in Billingham's own picture that the main flap does not cover the main zip at the ends. This is also so in practise. The 445 is by definition therefore not waterproof in anything but light showers. The zip is not a specialised waterproof zip therefore it will leak if subject to water and if it's not covered by the flap it will eventually be subject to water. All of this series of bags have this fault. In fact its a purposeful design feature so that the bag can open well and the zip be tucked away for ease of access - a nice feature. The test of course is to spray lightly on the bag with a hose and you'll find the zip leaks. I've done it with my 225, it leaks.

 

My message is not that Billingham bags are useless, but that they, like all other bags have shortcomings and limitations. If you are going to carry important gear in them then it's worth knowing what those shortcomings and limitations are.

[pgk]

The 445 is by definition therefore not waterproof in anything but light showers.

If you want to get into definitions about waterproofness, water resistance and so on you will enter a real quagmire. Its not easy to wade through the morass of regulations and tests and by definition (of these) very, very few camera bags are even water resistant. The point here is that Billinghams, if used properly, will keep camera gear dry in all but the worst rain - I can attest to this personally having used various models of Billinghams for 35 years and having never had a problem with water entry (and I live in North Wales, an area not renowned for its dryness  ). They are 'fit for purpose'. If you want waterproofness try stuff from Ortlieb and similar - they keep stuff dry but at the expense of easy access.

 

[Oh yes, and truly 'waterproof zips are only found on things like drysuits and cost around £75 each and have a limited life (as I know only too well!]

Edited December 4, 2015 by pgk

[jmahto]

Everybody's definition of what is light/heavy shower is different. For real waterproof bags even the "waterproof" zippers are not suitable. They have roll type closure to keep water out. Check anything which is marketed at "dry bag".

 

I will take anything with zipper, flaps etc. with caution. I hike a lot  and when in wet weather and the only way you can protect from rain is to individually wrap things in plastic bags or cover the entire bag with plastic/coated sheet. Else water finds its way through various openings.

[pgk]

Everybody's definition of what is light/heavy shower is different. For real waterproof bags even the "waterproof" zippers are not suitable. They have roll type closure to keep water out. Check anything which is marketed at "dry bag".

 

I will take anything with zipper, flaps etc. with caution. I hike a lot  and when in wet weather and the only way you can protect from rain is to individually wrap things in plastic bags or cover the entire bag with plastic/coated sheet. Else water finds its way through various openings.

I have 3 x 'dry bags' in my 'camera bag' with me at all times these days - light, cheap and I have used them on occasion.

[Peter Kilmister]

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Parts of north Wales are renowned for huge rainfall. Other parts of the region are renowned for fohn winds, high temperatures, and dry air. It depends which side of Snowdonia you are on.

Anyway, enough about the weather, pgk probably has seen all of these conditions as he lives there.

 

Carrying sensitive kit in any make of bag requires common sense ... not always associated with money or how many brain cells one has.

Stuffing your valuable gear into a cheap plastic bag inside another bag makes sense. Belt and braces ... or suspenders if you prefer that kind of thing.

[Jeff S]

Keep it civil thanks Jeff. Just because your experience differs from mine, you assume that what I say is nonsense or that I did not take care to adjust the bag correctly etc. The contrary is true.

 

I have no axe to grind with Billingham bags. However the wholesale assumption that a single bag manufacturer makes the perfect set of bags is of course demonstrably false. Does that mean that Billingham bags are not fit for a good many purposes? Of course not. But it is important to understand their shortcomings.

 

If you are interested take a look at the photo of the 445 at Billingham's site. You will note in Billingham's own picture that the main flap does not cover the main zip at the ends. This is also so in practise. The 445 is by definition therefore not waterproof in anything but light showers. The zip is not a specialised waterproof zip therefore it will leak if subject to water and if it's not covered by the flap it will eventually be subject to water. All of this series of bags have this fault. In fact its a purposeful design feature so that the bag can open well and the zip be tucked away for ease of access - a nice feature. The test of course is to spray lightly on the bag with a hose and you'll find the zip leaks. I've done it with my 225, it leaks.

 

My message is not that Billingham bags are useless, but that they, like all other bags have shortcomings and limitations. If you are going to carry important gear in them then it's worth knowing what those shortcomings and limitations are.

I'll stick to my comments, which if you read clearly, include the notion that nothing is perfect.  

 

And if you continue to read carefully, all of my comments pertain to the Hadley Pro.  I couldn't care less about other bags that I have no knowledge about, and which I haven't tested on my own.   You want a pic from the site....try this....  http://www.billingham.co.uk/hadley-pro.html  That looks like mine.

 

As I wrote earlier, I took all my gear to the dealer to specifically test the Hadley Pro bag flap design before I ever even committed to purchase.  And I chose Fibrenyte since it seemed to have the most flexibility and likely protection.  Weather resistance was one of my top priorities, and while I couldn't simulate rain, I could use clearly see if the the flaps remained secure.  One of the very reasons I didn't buy an ONA bag, also tested, was because the flaps looked like your pic.

 

You apparently did none of the same, and have nobody to blame (except Billingham IF your bag is faulty), as others have also written.   

 

Conclusions to the contrary simply don't make sense (hence non-sense)....sorry.

 

Jeff

Edited December 5, 2015 by Jeff S

[mike_h]

 

You apparently did none of the same, and have nobody to blame (except Billingham IF your bag is faulty), as others have also written.   

 

 

Jeff

You shouldn't make assumptions about things you clearly have no knowledge of.

 

Over and out. I hope your certainty never turns to wet gear one day.

[Jeff S]

Not assumptions....YOUR OWN PIC...to support your rationale.  I make sure my bag never looks like that in use...before and after purchase.

 

Look at the pic I posted from the site.   Do you even see the dramatic difference compared to your pic?

 

If your bag doesnt fit like that, or if the material itself leaked and there were no gaps, you should be calling Billingham.  

 

I'm not certain about anything, but I do use common sense.   If my bag leaks despite my precautions,  I'll contact Billingham and use my insurance if needed....as you should do if you're so sure.

 

Jeff

[kivis]

Black Label Bag

[cboy]

I know this a 3yr old post but was curious to know how effective Billingham bags are against the wet and then i saw this vid that tested Billingham bags water resistance. Seems good. But I guess all bags will be susceptible to pervasive weather ie humidity so a dry bag is essential

I never had a Billingham since the styling is not me. But I hd used a Ona bond street, which I wouldnt trust in inclement weather since the top sides doesn't wrap over the bag. A design fault I believe. 

The OP has has already chosen his bag haha

Edited January 1, 2022 by cboy

[Ouroboros]

4 hours ago, cboy said:

I know this a 3yr old post but was curious to know how effective Billingham bags are against the wet 

Since the 1970’s I mainly used a succession of British made CCS bags and pouches and resisted buying a Billingham bag until a couple of years ago when I bought a Hadley Small to carry my MP with 3 lenses and enough film for a two week holiday in Egypt.  
 

Despite my dislike of camera shoulder bags in general, I’ve found it to be reasonably weather resistant (I live in a wet area of the UK).  The Hadley Small impressed me enough that I bought a Hadley Digital for the times when I want an even smaller bag to carry an M with lens attached and a second lens.  Overall, I prefer the Hadley Digital to the Hadley Small, mainly for its smaller size which is easier to put in a backpack when I want to. 
If you do decide on a Billingham bag, I would definitely advise getting a Billingham shoulder pad to go with it. 

 

[kivis]

For me the canvas and water repellant Artisan&Artist Bags work great.

http://www.artisanandartist.com/bags/images/acam3000-open.jpg

[mike3996]

I bought a Billingham bag (Hadley Pro) about 4 years ago and since then I've been a fan.

These days I am finding needing more space for alternative cameras, dual body carrying, clothes for overnight trips and so on.

I fear the natural choice, the Hadley One may not provide a sufficient upgrade in capacity. At the same time, as I research and research, it seems that only Billingham understands horizontal dividers.

Wotancraft Pilot 10L has been on my radar. I wonder if someone maybe has both Billingham bags and this and could provide insight about whether Billingham inserts fit in a Wotancraft, and if the velcro of a Billingham divider attaches nicely to Wotancraft's insides.

[Kl@usW.]

Am 1.1.2022 um 11:12 schrieb Ouroboros:

Since the 1970’s I mainly used a succession of British made CCS bags and pouches and resisted buying a Billingham bag until a couple of years ago when I bought a Hadley Small to carry my MP with 3 lenses and enough film for a two week holiday in Egypt.  
 

Despite my dislike of camera shoulder bags in general, I’ve found it to be reasonably weather resistant (I live in a wet area of the UK).  The Hadley Small impressed me enough that I bought a Hadley Digital for the times when I want an even smaller bag to carry an M with lens attached and a second lens.  Overall, I prefer the Hadley Digital to the Hadley Small, mainly for its smaller size which is easier to put in a backpack when I want to. 
If you do decide on a Billingham bag, I would definitely advise getting a Billingham shoulder pad to go with it. 

 

Steve, CCS seem to be out of business. I tried to buy a small pouch for my Agfa Isolette plus some films ( after reading your blog); but CCS is history.   Billingham.... I went to the Stuttgart Leica Shop --they used to retail Bellingham's -- there are out of stock due to "unclear post Brexit  trading conditions" and not sure  when and if they will do Bellingham's again. 

[Ouroboros]

41 minutes ago, Kl@usW. said:

Steve, CCS seem to be out of business. I tried to buy a small pouch for my Agfa Isolette plus some films ( after reading your blog); but CCS is history.   Billingham.... I went to the Stuttgart Leica Shop --they used to retail Bellingham's -- there are out of stock due to "unclear post Brexit  trading conditions" and not sure  when and if they will do Bellingham's again. 

Klaus, yes, CCS went out of business a number of years ago.  New old stock does occasionally surface on EBay, usually advertised by RH Photographic, I believe, who bought up the remaining CCS new stock after CCS ceased trading.  The only other option is to buy used items. 

 

Edited January 19, 2022 by Ouroboros

[FrozenInTime]

7 minutes ago, Ouroboros said:

Klaus, yes, CCS went out of business a number of years ago.  New old stock does occasionally surface on EBay, usually advertised by RH Photographic, I believe, who bought up the remaining CCS new stock after CCS ceased trading.  The only other option is to buy used items. 

 

Closed in 2006 ... time to move on !

[abphoto]

Filson small field bag. Got it at a Filson outlet for $50. Can hold 2 digital M's with lenses mounted. I put a padded insert in the bag that I got on ebay IIRC.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[kivis]

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