Billingham Hadley for M8

[lieberdavid]

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Hi Everyone,

 

I need a bag for an MP/M8 set. For my R cameras I have two Billinghams already and like them a lot. I've tried the Billingham-Leica M bag but it's a bit small. The bigger Hadley might be the one, but I wonder about its interior dimensions. The Billingham website shows a depth of only 2 3/4 inches. I guess that's big enough for the lenses, but what about the M bodies? I'd like to be able to put the camera with a lens attached into the bag. What do people think?

 

I'm also considering the mClassics bag.

 

Thanks for your input.

David

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[Stevez4]

the hadley pro holds everything and looks like a briefcase.not an expensive camera case...also weatherproof... check it out...at mhadley uk site.

[glenerrolrd]

I use a Billingham Hadley Large with my M8 and for my use its perfect. The advantage of the Large is that it will hold a McBookPro 15 inch and my M8 system . I keep the body with a lens and 3-4 other lens in pouches ..plus the two font pouches are more than enough for assessories, whibal etc. I have several other billinghams but this one is my favorite because it is thin and stays close to your body . Large enough for the M but too small for the DMR.

[grober]

The Hadley Pro also wears a hand grip in addition to its normal shoulder strap. The "normal" Hadley doesn't have the hand grip. The "Pro" version also has a hidden, zippered pocket on the reverse or back of the bag that the normal does not (my passport resides in this pocket all the time.)

 

I can easily fit one M-body (with Leica grip) wearing its lens + three more lenses in the main part of the Hadley Pro. The accessory pockets on the front are roomy enough for an exra battery, extra memory cards and other small things you'll need.

 

If you wish, the Hadley Pro will also double as a laptop carrying bag (if your machine is a thin one.)

 

Billingham suits me just fine.

 

-g

[DaveEP]

I use a Billingham Hadley Large with my M8 and for my use its perfect. The advantage of the Large is that it will hold a McBookPro 15 inch and my M8 system . I keep the body with a lens and 3-4 other lens in pouches ..plus the two font pouches are more than enough for assessories, whibal etc. I have several other billinghams but this one is my favorite because it is thin and stays close to your body . Large enough for the M but too small for the DMR.

 

This sounds almost too perfect. Can you point me to some shots of this configuration? All I can find on the web are external shots with the bag closed....

[punktum]

Well all these bags look nice. These old style photojournalists bags. But are they really conviniend?

 

I bought a LowePro Orion beltpack bag. It takes 2 M8 with 5 lenses. It´s the most usefull bag I´ve ever had. No more back pain, my shoulders are free to move, I open the bag and have access to everything, so far waterproofed, small. It´s almost like you don´t have any bag with you. For me this is pretty hard to improve...

 

But if you like to look like Nick Nolte... go for Billingham...

[carstenw]

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Allen, what equipment are you hoping to fit into this bag? That would help determine which bag might fit it.

[DaveEP]

I bought a LowePro Orion beltpack bag. It takes 2 M8 with 5 lenses. It´s the most usefull bag I´ve ever had.

 

Like this? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/98660-REG/Lowepro_2006010_Orion_AW_Camera_Beltpack.html

[punktum]

I bought it five years ago, they changed the product line a bit. My one looks like this one: http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Beltpacks/classic/Sideline_Shooter.aspx

[RMF]

I carry my billingham hadley pro all over the world stuffed with: an M8, an M6, 3 lenses (2 crons' and a 35 nokton), a Nexto portable drive, an 12" Dell XPS, an Ipod, three M8 batteries, 4 or 5 SD cards, a few rolls of Delta 400, USB cables, cell phone, my noise canceling headphones, passports, business cards, airline tickets, and other small misc stuff. It's pretty amazing what you can get into these bags but I have to admit that it is pretty full with all of the above gear. Now if there was only a way that I could cram a Rollecord in I'd be all set ☺ . Perhaps If I attach one of the Billingham Avea side bags I can shift things around a bit to accommodate a Rollei. I highly recommend the hadley pro; they are as tough as nails and great bags to work out of on the street.

[Leicaiste]

The Brady Bags are very much like the Billingham's, but without the Billingham tag.

 

They can make good use of the Billingham Hadley's inserts and leather shoulder pads.

 

The better suited for photography IMO are:

 

- the Ariel large, a real fishing bag that is very much like the Hadley Original :

 

http://www.bradybags.co.uk/Fishing-Ariel-Large.html

 

- the Suffolk is more or less the same but with a better finish :

 

http://www.bradybags.co.uk/Discovery-Suffolk.html

 

- the Gelderburn is also like the Hadley Original, but with zippers on the main compartment and both front pockets. Which is nice in sandy or dusty places.

There is also a large pocket on the back (no zipper).

 

http://www.bradybags.co.uk/Fishing-Gelderburn.html

 

- the Monmouth is the same bag, but with a better finish, a leather handle (making it closer to the Hadley Pro), and a removable shoulder strap. Really beautiful, but much more expensive than the others.

 

http://www.bradybags.co.uk/Discovery-Monmouth.html

 

I am nor sure that they are as waterproof as the Billingham, but the fabric is softer and more traditional.

 

There are other interesting bags on their website:

 

http://www.bradybags.co.uk/

 

You can mail order them here:

 

http://www.smithscountrypursuits.co.uk

 

http://www.smithscountrypursuits.co.uk/acatalog/Fishing_Tackle_Bags.html

[Leicaiste]

I carry my billingham hadley pro all over the world _..snip.... Now if there was only a way that I could cram a Rollecord in I'd be all set ? . Perhaps If I attach one of the Billingham Avea side bags I can shift things around a bit to accommodate a Rollei.

 

RMF,

 

There is one Billingham bag bigger than the Hadley Pro, and very much like it, but only available in the USA. It is not available in England. Why, I don't know. It was the same with the Leather Hadley's (black and burgondy) which were only available in France.

 

The Billingham Photo Eventer:

 

http://www.rtsphoto.com/html/bill12.html

 

Ther is a zipper on the main compartment.

 

You can replace its dividers with the insert from the Hardley large or from the Packinton, which BTW is also a nice travel bag.

 

http://www.billingham.co.uk/prodbuy.asp?id=44

http://www.rtsphoto.com/html/bill8.html

 

This one is available worldwide.

[nikau]

 

I've tried the Billingham-Leica M bag but it's a bit small.

 

 

I have the Billingham-Leica M bag and find it generally okay but, as you say, can be a bit small. I solved this by getting two Billingham pouches and can use one, or both, as needed. I've found this to be a very versatile arrangement.

[RMF]

Thanks imported_leicaiste; perhaps this larger Hadley is the one I need.

 

One thing that you mentioned that really caught my interest is the Leather Hadlery only available in France. I have seen pics of the leather hadleys but have never seen them for sale. Are they still available in France?

[Leicaiste]

I have seen pics of the leather hadleys but have never seen them for sale. Are they still available in France?

 

RMF,

 

Last time I saw the black leather Hadley (in both Small and Original size) it was here :

 

http://www.leica-camera-paris.com/

 

But it was few years ago.

[gwelland]

Hi Everyone,

 

I need a bag for an MP/M8 set. For my R cameras I have two Billinghams already and like them a lot. I've tried the Billingham-Leica M bag but it's a bit small. The bigger Hadley might be the one, but I wonder about its interior dimensions. The Billingham website shows a depth of only 2 3/4 inches. I guess that's big enough for the lenses, but what about the M bodies? I'd like to be able to put the camera with a lens attached into the bag. What do people think?

 

I'm also considering the mClassics bag.

 

Thanks for your input.

David

 

I've got an extensive Billingham and Lowepro bag collections but the only bag that has been perfect for the M system has been the M-Classics bag. I have the tan/black combo and it is by far the most usable trade off between padded low capacity bag (say Billingham Hadley) and capacity & utility. I just came back froma weekin China and it was a perfect day bag but could also be loaded up to carry everything plus travel docs for the flight.

 

http://www.mclassics.com/

[Leicaiste]

RMF,

 

This Barbour bag is really like a leather Hadley.

 

http://www.saddler.co.uk/acatalog/Leather_Tarras_Bag_B622.html

 

But it will be safer to check the availability.

 

I'm not sure it's still made by Barbour.

 

http://www.barbour.com/indexFlash.html

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