Billingham Bag-R-D1

choice for a epson bag

choice for a epson bag

I have two billinghams ( 205 and hadley pro) but use for my epson r-1d the domke f 803 . Its a fantastic bag for a rangefinder with a couple of lenses and other stuff and carry easier.
 
Not as upscale as the Billinghams, the Tamrac Explorer 1 & 2 bags are perfectly proportioned for the R-D1 and its lenses. Though quite small in size, the Explorer 1 has an enough compartments for an R-D1 body and three lenses. If that is not enough, the Explorer 2 is moderately sized and can handle the R-D1 and five lenses. I use both bags depending on my needs. After looking at literally dozens of camera bags, including Domke and Crumpler models. The Explorers had the best size fit and most efficient use of space for an R-D1 and its lenses.
 
villain 2 said:
Is the billingham line of bags the perfect choice for the R-D1+accessories?
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In a word: YES. I have the Hadley Pro and it is the best made and most protective bag I've owned. I can fit my R-D1, M6 (both with lenses and two more lenses plus a load of crap in the pockets in a very neat package.

Get one, you won't regret it.

LouisB
 
I'd also recommend the Billingham range, Hadley Pro does it for me too. You can even remove the drop in padding and use it as a business bag, helps break it in faster ;)
 
Hadley gets my vote – I use the model they make for digital SLRs, which takes the R-D1 with any lens up to 90mm mounted, plus two or three smaller lenses plus the odd finder in the internal pockets. Lovely, compact outfit…
 
villain 2 said:
Is the billingham line of bags the perfect choice for the R-D1+accessories?
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Depends on your needs and tastes of course.
My favourite bag so far is the Artisan & Artist 'Penn's Pad & Pencil Satchel':
http://www.artisanandartist.com/bags/acam3000.htm
Carries easily one R-D1 or R-D1s body, 3 lenses (one on the body and 2 stacked), one flash like your Nikon SB20, all batteries and memory cards you need plus your wallet, a couple of pencils and some documents. Just a bit larger and pricier than the Billingham 'Hadley Small' if i remember well. If you want to be unobtrusive, it is the perfect bag IMHO.
 
Jesus, $200 for a crummy little bag? I would have a heart attack. I have half a closet full of old bags that came with eBay and flea market cameras.

I throw whatever I have into one that fits, or stick the camera in my coat pocket wrapped in a plastic bag.

I would feel like a complete fool walking around with some brand new looking little $200 camera bag, or even something that looked like a camera bag. The only thing worse would be to wear a "camera vest" or something similar.

I already look like a doofus, why reinforce the image??
 
M. Valdemar said:
...I would feel like a complete fool walking around with some brand new looking little $200 camera bag, or even something that looked like a camera bag. The only thing worse would be to wear a "camera vest" or something similar...
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It is your prerogative of course but the Artisan & Artist's referred to above is very sober actually and does not look at all like a camera bag IMHO. YMMV.

acam3000-main.jpg
 
If you like the leather trimming and waterproof canvas, or you like the style of Billingham, I recommend you to try the Leica 14855 combination bag, which is made by Billingham. I also have a Billingham 306 and a Hadley Original, but these two are for other cameras, for my rd1s, I always use my 14855 combination bag which can provide protection for a rd1s with three lenses.
 
I will vote for both Billingham and Artisan and Artist. Both are good for rangefinder type cameras. Besides, I always like to buy an extra removable "insert" compartment(domke or Billingham) and put in in whatever bag I like to carry that day. That is a really flexible way and no one can tell I have got a camera inside my bag.
 
I second the vote for the Domke F-803. You can easily fit two m-sized rangefinders and extra lenses. I typically carry M6 with 50 summilux attached, 24 in leica leather pouch, 35 in leica leather pouch, Nikon SB28 flash, whatever pocket book I am reading, notebook, wallet and keys, and 4-5 rolls of film. It is a very nice fit. I have been known to shove a Hasselblad day kit in one (one body, two lenses, lightmeter).

My travel plans for the bag: two m bodies, 4 lenses (2 attached, 2 in pouches)
 
My dad uses a Billingham Bag, it's real nice, looks real rich, that alone means I don't want to be the one carrying it. I'l stick with my spray painted domke satchel.
I can easily fit 2 bodies, 3 lenses. More if I get really overzealous.
Billingham makes a beautiful bag, but do you really want to carry that thing around with you?
 
I think there are two distinct schools of thought here....

1) The fastidious image-conscious designer camera bag dilettante/aficionado.

2) The wouldn't-be-caught-dead with a fancy camera bag curmudgeon and/or non-conventional free-thinking non-materialistic artiste.

Being one of the latter, I will decline further comment. Each probably has it's supporters and detractors.
 
I use the Hadley Large, which is perfectly portable and comfortable with room for 2 bodies and a bunch of lenses, a laptop, and lots of film/paper/bits n' bobs.

I rate Billingham because they are beautifully made, well designed, and IMO (especially once worn down a bit) don't really look like obvious camera bags. They also look decent enough to warrent use as a satchel or general bag to carry stuff in. Pretty verstaile and nowhere near obvious as a big Nikon camera bag with lens pouches and what have you.
 
cmogi10 said:
My dad uses a Billingham Bag ...... Billingham makes a beautiful bag, but do you really want to carry that thing around with you?
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To me, it's just a matter of age. I used to use Domke very offen, I still remember I bought my first Domke, a F3X (still made in the US at that time) through mail order from NY 23 years ago. I'd just thrown in loads of gadget in it and travelled a lot with this bag. I'd also bought later a F-802 (made in Korea then) for my laptop. But now, I travelled with a rd1s, a vintage Zeiss Biogon 21mm/4.5 (modified to M), a Leitz Summicron 35mm/2 and a vinatge Voigtlander Nokton 50mm/1.5 (also modified to M), with these minimal equipment, a small bag is more than enough, and the Leica 14855 combination bag made by Billingham really meet my needs.
 
Billingham Hadley original is a good option. I really like my regular ol'messenger bag purchased from a clothing store (old navy I think..). Cut a piece of foam for the bottom and a 3 section domke insert for lenses. Works great... looks like every other bag out there.
 
Don't get my wrong, the Billingham is incredible. I borrowed his kit when I shot a marching band compitition at Giant's stadium a little bit back and it was great, really nice bag everything fit well well padded looked good etc etc. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing my day to day photography with it though. It's just a matter of taste and opinion.
 
$15 leather Hy Pro bought used on the Texas Photo Forum.

(I have a Leica/Billingham combination bag for sale because it was too small after I added another lens to the kit.)

O.C.
 
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