Archiver
Veteran
A couple of years ago, I succumbed to the wiles of my local pusher and the general Leica association, and bought a Hadley Pro. My usual bag is the Thinktank Urban Disguise 30, which is a zipperfest of black nylon with a multitude of pockets.
The Hadley Pro was a bit of a shock, as it forced me to rework some of my carry and shooting habits. For example:
- flap vs zip:
Zippered bags like the Thinktank are my favourite way to work. I can have the bag open and a camera inside, ready to slip out, shoot, and drop back in without anyone noticing. Flap style bags just don't give this convenience, particularly the HP with its fitted flap. My gear does feel very secure when the HP is snapped shut, but it doesn't allow me to quickly access or secure my gear like a zippered bag.
- handle position:
The design of the UD places two handles on each side of the bag, making it very easy to carry, even when the bag is open. I can also loop a forearm through the handles if I'm walking briskly with heavy gear, which leaves that hand free to perform other tasks. The HP's handle sits on top of the flap, which makes it pretty useless unless the bag is snapped shut. Fine for transporting a closed bag, but not for much else. And it's not wide enough for me to slip through a forearm, so I have to carry it under my arm like a rugby ball if I want to steady it.
- pockets:
While the HP has a fair number of pockets, including two front pockets and a document pocket at the back, the Thinktank bag has a plethora of secure, zippered pockets for everything. It's reassuring when you've got zips to stop small items like SD or CF cards from being lost. Small items like that can go in the document pocket, but they get mixed up, and it's not so easy to separate things. The UD has so many pockets and compartments that you can actually lose track of things.
- ruggedness:
As strong as the Hadley Pro is purported to be, I often feel it is just too nice to get slung about like my Urban Disguise. Maybe it's the military feel of the thick nylon sides, or the chunky metal strap fastenings, but the UD feels like a private out in the field, whereas the HP feels like an officer back at HQ.
On the other hand, the Hadley Pro wins over the Urban Disguise for a few completely different reasons:
- style.
Frankly, I love the way the Billingham looks. It's smart and stylish and isn't out of place at a nice restaurant. The Thinktank bag is all nylon and zips and clinking hardware. Can't really take the UD to the opera; it just doesn't look right.
- feel.
The way the Hadley Pro feels in the hand, and on your shoulder, is superb. The extra strap pad is thick and gorgeous. And holding the bag is like cradling a warm puppy! The UD is all chunky and square and has sticking-out-bits. The HP is smooth and rounded and just feels really nice. But I must admit that for some reason, the HP pulls at my back in a way the UD does not, even when loaded with the same gear. My shoulder aches more quickly when toting a heavy Billingham, compared with a heavy Thinktank. Wish I could work out why.
- versatility.
In Melbourne, lots of people carry casual shoulder bags. The HP's insert can be removed and the bag transformed into a very light, but strong, general purpose shoulder bag. And that insert is just the right size to go into my backpack, which turns it into an extremely comfortable, useful, and nondescript camera bag.
So for general carry, I still use my Thinktank Urban Disguise. It's just too practical for me not to use it. But for a quick jaunt to a ritzy place where I still want a camera, the Hadley Pro is the one.
The Hadley Pro was a bit of a shock, as it forced me to rework some of my carry and shooting habits. For example:
- flap vs zip:
Zippered bags like the Thinktank are my favourite way to work. I can have the bag open and a camera inside, ready to slip out, shoot, and drop back in without anyone noticing. Flap style bags just don't give this convenience, particularly the HP with its fitted flap. My gear does feel very secure when the HP is snapped shut, but it doesn't allow me to quickly access or secure my gear like a zippered bag.
- handle position:
The design of the UD places two handles on each side of the bag, making it very easy to carry, even when the bag is open. I can also loop a forearm through the handles if I'm walking briskly with heavy gear, which leaves that hand free to perform other tasks. The HP's handle sits on top of the flap, which makes it pretty useless unless the bag is snapped shut. Fine for transporting a closed bag, but not for much else. And it's not wide enough for me to slip through a forearm, so I have to carry it under my arm like a rugby ball if I want to steady it.
- pockets:
While the HP has a fair number of pockets, including two front pockets and a document pocket at the back, the Thinktank bag has a plethora of secure, zippered pockets for everything. It's reassuring when you've got zips to stop small items like SD or CF cards from being lost. Small items like that can go in the document pocket, but they get mixed up, and it's not so easy to separate things. The UD has so many pockets and compartments that you can actually lose track of things.
- ruggedness:
As strong as the Hadley Pro is purported to be, I often feel it is just too nice to get slung about like my Urban Disguise. Maybe it's the military feel of the thick nylon sides, or the chunky metal strap fastenings, but the UD feels like a private out in the field, whereas the HP feels like an officer back at HQ.
On the other hand, the Hadley Pro wins over the Urban Disguise for a few completely different reasons:
- style.
Frankly, I love the way the Billingham looks. It's smart and stylish and isn't out of place at a nice restaurant. The Thinktank bag is all nylon and zips and clinking hardware. Can't really take the UD to the opera; it just doesn't look right.
- feel.
The way the Hadley Pro feels in the hand, and on your shoulder, is superb. The extra strap pad is thick and gorgeous. And holding the bag is like cradling a warm puppy! The UD is all chunky and square and has sticking-out-bits. The HP is smooth and rounded and just feels really nice. But I must admit that for some reason, the HP pulls at my back in a way the UD does not, even when loaded with the same gear. My shoulder aches more quickly when toting a heavy Billingham, compared with a heavy Thinktank. Wish I could work out why.
- versatility.
In Melbourne, lots of people carry casual shoulder bags. The HP's insert can be removed and the bag transformed into a very light, but strong, general purpose shoulder bag. And that insert is just the right size to go into my backpack, which turns it into an extremely comfortable, useful, and nondescript camera bag.
So for general carry, I still use my Thinktank Urban Disguise. It's just too practical for me not to use it. But for a quick jaunt to a ritzy place where I still want a camera, the Hadley Pro is the one.
kxl
Social Documentary
I have 3 grab bags (depending on gear I want to use for the day) -- an Urban Disguise 30, 35 and 40 -- really the same bag, just different sizes. I changed the bag straps in favor of my preferred Pacsafe straps.
Some folks don't like the zip-top, but for me, they're convenient than having to deal with flaps.
Some folks don't like the zip-top, but for me, they're convenient than having to deal with flaps.
j j
Well-known
I hear you on all things except "...just too nice to get slung about...". I have had a Billingham for 15 years or more and despite our many adventures it looks hardly used. I would love it to be an old beat up bag but it refuses to wear.