Billingham Hadley? Small or Pro?

dcsang

dcsang

Canadian & Not A Dentist
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Curious about these bags...
I am usually a Domke kinda guy.. have a number of them including the F-803, the F5Xb and the F-10.

I was considering one of the Hadley's as a "really nice replacement for" my aging F-803 but I don't want it to be "too big".

Anyone have either of these and can let me know which would be most appropriate for an M body (maybe two) along with a number of lenses (21, 35, 50, 90/75)?

Thanks,
Dave
 
Go for the Pro. It is a little larger but can carry a lot or a little with comfort.
I've had mine for several years and I love it. I also use my Domke Messenger type bag when traveling lighter and also use my Think Tank Retrospective when I need only a body, 2 lenses and small bits and pieces.
The Hadley is a real eye-catcher and is beautifully made.
 
I have a small .
You can carry two bodies with lenses in the main part and two more lenses, if you need , in the front pockets.

There is space at the back of the central carrying pouch for any other stuff.

I usually carry one body two lenses in mine.
Its what I need and I don`t like to overfill a bag.
 
You will not be disappointed with either. I went for Pro because everything fits nicely without distorting bag;it has a handle which is very useful;you can fit A4 size papers in back. Enjoy whichever you go for.
 
I have both. For what you want to carry I would advise you get the Pro. I have an X-Pro1 with 18/35/60 and I can carry these comfortably in either bag and could probably fit another lens or body at a pinch. I don't tend to put lenses etc in the pockets as it makes the bag a bit bulky.

If you go for the Pro and you need more room you can get extra pockets to go on each end.

Cheers
Simon
 
Dave, I've got the Pro. Call me if you want to have a close look and check out it's handling. I use it daily going back and forth to work. It feels bigger than an 803, which I also have, and have been using since 1991 (not the same one:) )
 
2 bodies and 4 lenses? It'll be a tight fit in a small Hadley especially if you want to carry film and other accessories.
The Pro will have enough room for a flash with the above kit and has the added advantage of having a handle on top of the lid.
They're both very nice bags.
FWIW I can comfortably fit two meterless Rollei TLRs in a Pro.
 
I went with the small and now I wish I had gotten the pro. The small will hold all my stuff but it's pretty tight and it's kind of misshapen when full. It's not as comfortable to carry when it's filled to the brim, either.
 
I have the pro and am thinking of getting the small.... LOL. Just shows there is no right answer to this question! I bought the pro for my blad but that now lives in a 206, so my M6/35ASPH lives in the pro, which can be a bit too big. Its nice sometimes to have the space but I would like a smaller more compact bag...

So get both!

The real question you should have asked is what colour?
 
Can't go wrong with either - or both

Can't go wrong with either - or both

Like many, I have a wealth of camera bags.
The Hadley Pro is great; well made, handsome and utilitarian.

It is my goto GXR bag with 4 Voigt lenses, 1 or 2 Nikon primes,
adaptor, caps/batts/cards. My tablet goes into the rear of the bag and sometimes I throw in the little Fuji X20.

It's weighty but not bulky. Everything fits and it's a relatively easy
carry. This bag is about 10 years old and has seen a lot of use.
Looks nearly new.

For the bigger cameras and other, heavier gear the several Domkes and Katas serve. These are also well made and comfortable to use. One of the Domkes (F2) is very old and usable until today.

Good luck with your choice.
 
I have a Hadley Pro. It is a little bit bigger, and I constantly use the handle. On a recent trip to Israel it took a Mamiya 6 with 50mm and 75mm lenses, plus an Olympus E-PL2 comfortably. The case and my 62 year old legs climbed Masada successfully. It is discreet and mine has an olive color that does not shout our CAMERA. The padding is very protective without the bulk of a hard case. Live a little.
 
i went a bit different and bought a billingham L2 for a small bag and use the digital f1.4 for a bigger bag.
incredibly well made and thoughtful bags...waterproof and so smart looking.
 
2 bodies and 4 lenses equals pro.

They will fit nicely in there the only downside is that it is deep so you will be stacking the lenses on top of each other, the bag comes with padded separations for that, getting a lens might mean taking one out to reach for the bottom one so you need three hands.

Edit: I have the Hadley large, the pro might be different.
 
Thanks for all the input guys.. I think "Large" or "Pro" is what it shall be :)

Cheers,
Dave
 
skibeerr said:
2 bodies and 4 lenses equals pro.

They will fit nicely in there the only downside is that it is deep so you will be stacking the lenses on top of each other, the bag comes with padded separations for that, getting a lens might mean taking one out to reach for the bottom one so you need three hands.

Edit: I have the Hadley large, the pro might be different.
Click to expand...

The Pro was my choice. It's an excellent bag. In the end, tho, I preferred the A&A design for this type of bag.

The stacking issue is easily handled with a back to back rear cap. I have the Op/Tech version of this and it works very well.

G
 
dcsang said:
Curious about these bags...
I am usually a Domke kinda guy.. have a number of them including the F-803, the F5Xb and the F-10.

I was considering one of the Hadley's as a "really nice replacement for" my aging F-803 but I don't want it to be "too big".

Anyone have either of these and can let me know which would be most appropriate for an M body (maybe two) along with a number of lenses (21, 35, 50, 90/75)?

Thanks,
Dave
Click to expand...

I have the small. I carry an M6 in there, usually with a CV 35/2.5 mounted, plus a CV 21/4 and a CV 50/1.5 with no issues. Plus loads of film in the pockets and an iPad behind the padded pouch.

I have a Domke F2 which is my main storage bag, but for street shooting or day trips, the Hadley Small is perfect.
 
I've got both. I carry a smaller kit than yours, m body + 35 and 50, so the small is my go-to bag. In addition to this I can get som 8 rolls I film, thin wallet, lens pen, keys, phone, small tablet, and still have room for a third lens. It gets heavy though, but this is well mitigated by the shoulder pad, it's expensive but worth it.

If I need to carry more stuff, the pro is the one.

Cheers,
 
Just one thought:I've owned the Hadley original plus the 335 and the 555. The reason I got rid of them was weight. I find that my Tamrac Rally 6 holds a lot more and weighs a lot less when empty.

I'm not denigrating Billingham; their products are superb but they do tend to weigh a lot. So, if weight is an issue, you may wish to consider other products.
 
Sejanus.Aelianus said:
I'm not denigrating Billingham; their products are superb but they do tend to weigh a lot. So, if weight is an issue, you may wish to consider other products.
Click to expand...

I agree that is their downside.
I own three a 335 , Small Hadley and a F5.6.
I normally carry one body one lens ,one body two lenses at the most.
I`d not care to carry any of them filled to capacity.
 
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