anyone using a billingham L2 bag?

back alley said:
what are your impressions of the bag?
what do you carry in it?
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I've had mine since 2003.

Great general-purpose bag. Carries DSLR and two mid-sized lenses (one fitted) or up to two Leica M bodies and three lenses. Very protective padding but not in the way. Nice big front pocket that holds a lot. Excellent weather gusseting on the top, and Billingham's usual excellent leather and peg closures.

Currently, mine is home to a bunch of my M-mount lenses and miscellaneous accessories, but it's time to do a clean-up/out of the closet and redistribute where the gear is, I'm losing track and it takes too long to find stuff now. I think the E-1 standard shooting kit will end up in the L2.

After several years of nearly constant use, it shows barely a mark. The usual Billingham quality... :)

G
 
I have been using one for the last year or two, but I am migrating to a Timbuk2 Snoop X-small bag this week. The Billingham is perfect for an M body with lens, an extra lens and the front pocket holds a sandwich, batteries and sd cards. The strap is the nicest one I have used, it's very comfortable.
What I don't like about it is the latches you close it with, they don't stay securely closed. Also, there is padding on the sides and top, but if you dump it over(like my kids sometimes do,) it's a hard fall.

I'll up date with my impressions of the Timbuk2 if you're interested.
 
I like mine very much as I have been using it for few years, mainly with M system. I usually carry two M bodies with four lenses in the bag (each body with lens mounted plus two additional lenses). The front pocket can also accommodate an iPad. All and all, it's a very nice bag.
 
i would like the perfect bag to carry one fuji body with a lens attached plus an extra lens, mini ipad, batteries and sd cards.
in truth, my domke 5xa already does this but i want something a bit nicer looking...
 
zleica said:
Compared to the Domke 5xa, the Billingham is thicker. If that doesn't bother you, go for the L2!
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Compared to the F5XA, the L2 is longer, taller, deeper, and has a larger main compartment. It's a closer match to the Domke F5XB model.

BTW: The leather top latches have two slot positions when closed, one for quick access and the other for "lock." I've never had one open accidentally when on the lock position.

G
 
The L2 has been my main bag since around 1997 or 1999. I can't remember the exact year. It's seen almost daily use since I bought it and for my purposes it's as close as anything has ever come to being a perfect bag.

Given it's relatively moderate size it will hold far more gear than one would expect. Padding is extensive offering excellent protection and the cloth is highly water resistant. The top cover has side flaps to prevent rain or dust from entering. They also help prevent gear from spilling out, when you're accessing the bag.

The worst I can say about the L2 is the same I can say about all Billingham bags. They look expensive and take forever to break in. Even after nearly 15 years of daily use, my L2 looks worn, but presentable.

I ususally carry

1 x F2
1-2 x M
Lux ASPH 1.4/35
Lux 1.4/50
VC 2/28
ZF 1.4/50
Nikkor-H.C 2/50
Film

Sometimes I will even fit an iPad in there, if I leave out some of the lenses.

There is room enough for a Rolleiflex or Hasselblad, plus 1 x M or a F2, lenses, film.

Oddly enough I have some difficulty finding a ccomfortable arangement for the D600 in the L2. It doesn't seem to like DSLR bodies with something like a 2.8/35-70.


The L2 is the best bag I've ever owned. The only one that I value as much, is the Domke F6.
 
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