elcanada Posted January 5, 2023 Share #1 Posted January 5, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) Who has looked at both brands and has an opinion on these two brands for Leica M use? I am looking at BdC Arles or Hawkesmill New Bond Street, but experience with other models is ok. No, I am not looking for opinions about other bag marques (Billingham, Oberwerth, Domke, bla bla bla...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 5, 2023 Posted January 5, 2023 Hi elcanada, Take a look here Bags: Hawkesmill or Bleu de Chauffe?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Huss Posted January 5, 2023 Share #2 Posted January 5, 2023 I prefer how the strap stays attached to the bottom part of the bag when you open it with the Hawkesmill instead of to the flap with the BdC. That's because when the strap is attached to the flap, it can hit your camera when you pull it out. As it has a metal buckle, that can come in contact. It is not a major risk - unlike the big buckle with my crappy Ona Bowery bag which will smack your camera - but still one that the Hawkesmill does not have. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 5, 2023 Share #3 Posted January 5, 2023 Just buy one big enough to get a bottle of water and a snack in besides a camera and lenses. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
logan2z Posted January 6, 2023 Share #4 Posted January 6, 2023 (edited) 7 hours ago, Huss said: .unlike the big buckle with my crappy Ona Bowery bag which will smack your camera - but still one that the Hawkesmill does not have. I hated my Bowery bag for the same reason. Terrible design. For that reason alone, I'd go with the Hawkesmill bag. I'd also be concerned about the weight of an all-leather bag like the Bleu de Chauffe, although they don't seem to list the weight of their bags on their web site so that concern might be unfounded. FWIW, while I don't have any of their bags, I do have Hawkesmill leather straps on all my cameras and love them. The company's customer service is also excellent. Edited January 6, 2023 by logan2z Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted January 6, 2023 Share #5 Posted January 6, 2023 13 hours ago, logan2z said: I hated my Bowery bag for the same reason. Terrible design. For that reason alone, I'd go with the Hawkesmill bag. I'd also be concerned about the weight of an all-leather bag like the Bleu de Chauffe, although they don't seem to list the weight of their bags on their web site so that concern might be unfounded. FWIW, while I don't have any of their bags, I do have Hawkesmill leather straps on all my cameras and love them. The company's customer service is also excellent. Exactly, you don't want a bag that the buckle can hit your nice Leica gear when you pull the camera out. My garbage Ona Bowery as maybe the worst example of this: 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! 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/359473-bags-hawkesmill-or-bleu-de-chauffe/?do=findComment&comment=4631159'>More sharing options...
Farkle-Mpls Posted January 6, 2023 Share #6 Posted January 6, 2023 I had never heard of either of those brands so I looked them up. The Bleu-de-chauffe is gorgeous. I don't need yet another camera bag but ... wow ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elcanada Posted January 6, 2023 Author Share #7 Posted January 6, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) The Hawkesmill is actually a bit heavier than the BdC -- and also veddy expensive (£650 GBP). Still ruminating... My all-time favourite bag is by M-Classics, sadly no longer made. 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! 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/359473-bags-hawkesmill-or-bleu-de-chauffe/?do=findComment&comment=4631347'>More sharing options...
Huss Posted January 6, 2023 Share #8 Posted January 6, 2023 29 minutes ago, elcanada said: The Hawkesmill is actually a bit heavier than the BdC -- and also veddy expensive (£650 GBP). Still ruminating... My all-time favourite bag is by M-Classics, sadly no longer made. 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! That is some crooked stitching! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
logan2z Posted January 6, 2023 Share #9 Posted January 6, 2023 I know you probably don't want to hear this, but I'd go Billingham. Awesome bags, terrific quality, and last forever. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted January 6, 2023 Share #10 Posted January 6, 2023 52 minutes ago, logan2z said: I know you probably don't want to hear this, but I'd go Billingham. Awesome bags, terrific quality, and last forever. I’m pretty sure that M Classics bag is made by Billingham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
logan2z Posted January 6, 2023 Share #11 Posted January 6, 2023 25 minutes ago, Huss said: I’m pretty sure that M Classics bag is made by Billingham. Hmm, I've never seen stitching like that on a Billingham bag. But if the M Classics bag was made by Billingham and the OP loved that bag, then a Billingham would seem like a good choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ricoh Posted January 6, 2023 Share #12 Posted January 6, 2023 Jane Bown had a good solution. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elcanada Posted January 6, 2023 Author Share #13 Posted January 6, 2023 No, the M-Classic was made in the USA by a photographer named Seth Levine. You can read about it here: https://www.thephoblographer.com/2010/09/30/field-test-m-classics-compact-bag/amp/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted January 7, 2023 Share #14 Posted January 7, 2023 5 hours ago, elcanada said: No, the M-Classic was made in the USA by a photographer named Seth Levine. You can read about it here: https://www.thephoblographer.com/2010/09/30/field-test-m-classics-compact-bag/amp/ That makes sense, Billingham wouldn’t have stitching like that. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elcanada Posted January 7, 2023 Author Share #15 Posted January 7, 2023 My M Classic had magnificent stitching. Best bag ever -- but none have been available New for years and I've never seen a used one for sale. A good review is here: https://www.thephoblographer.com/2010/09/30/field-test-m-classics-compact-bag/ I recall the price was great too. That some bags today sell for $400-$700 seems loony to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 7, 2023 Share #16 Posted January 7, 2023 (edited) On 1/5/2023 at 7:17 PM, elcanada said: I am looking at BdC Arles or Hawkesmill New Bond Street, but experience with other models is ok. The straps look rather narrow IMO for bags that will likely weigh a fair bit, especially if you pack them to the gunwales. Width aside, I also dislike bags which have a detachable main strap attached using metal clips. Edited January 7, 2023 by wattsy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted January 7, 2023 Share #17 Posted January 7, 2023 1 hour ago, wattsy said: The straps look rather narrow IMO for bags that will likely weigh a fair bit, especially if you pack them to the gunwales. Width aside, I also dislike bags which have a detachable main strap attached using metal clips. I have had metal clips like that accidentally release/detach. I prefer bags with more securely attached straps. The Oberwerth ones even have a metal cable running through them so a thief cannot cut the strap and grab the bag off you! Even though I think at that point you may have bigger issues to worry about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted January 10, 2023 Share #18 Posted January 10, 2023 On 1/7/2023 at 3:34 AM, Huss said: That makes sense, Billingham wouldn’t have stitching like that. Neither would I! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyR Posted January 10, 2023 Share #19 Posted January 10, 2023 Over 40 years ago, I had a Leica maroon canvas bag for my M2. The bag was great except for the fact that the maroon dye on the bag would rub on my pants and come off on them. I then switched to a Billingham Hadley which is the ideal bag for the Leica M camera, lenses, and accessories. 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! 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/359473-bags-hawkesmill-or-bleu-de-chauffe/?do=findComment&comment=4636145'>More sharing options...
dickgillberg Posted January 10, 2023 Share #20 Posted January 10, 2023 30 minutes ago, JimmyR said: Over 40 years ago, I had a Leica maroon canvas bag for my M2. The bag was great except for the fact that the maroon dye on the bag would rub on my pants and come off on them. I then switched to a Billingham Hadley which is the ideal bag for the Leica M camera, lenses, and accessories. 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! Looks cool though. Nice patina.😊 I've my self been carrying Billingham bags for over 20 years now. I'll pass them to my children after me. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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