Billingham Hadley small

[Avotius]

A friend of mine has his eye on one of those black Billingham Hadley Small bags and since we cant find a place to try one out I will have to ask the resource which is RRF once again!

He has a Leica M8, 35 1.4 asph, 50 1.4 asph and 90 f2 asph. He also throws in a few things here and there and is wondering if this is too much stuff for this particular bag?

 

[sevo]

I don't think so - a similar amount in the regular Hadley feels just about comfortably accessible to me. Going by that I'd rate the small one as a "one body and three small or two big lenses" bag.

There are people that use a bag for transport rather than to work out of, and do not mind storing the lens off the body and meticulously (un)packing each and every time - these may even get away with two bodies and three lenses. But for anyone else, the small Hadley is too small for that kind of load - stacking lenses in the bag is fine for travel and storage, but if you work out of that, the risk of dropping a lens is rather high.

 

[Avotius]

Thanks for the comments, how about the Hadley pro original? This seems a little larger without going overboard.

 

[kully]

It all depends on what "He also throws in a few things here and there..." really means.

Are we talking about a pet monkey?

Or mobile phone, knife, lighter, cigs, lightmeter, diary, pens, LX3, batteries, Ipod?

If it is the first, then no, he needs a bigger bag. If it is the second, then yes - the 'small' will hold it.

It's a cute little bag, the 'Pro' is bigger and ok for me to carry all the time. But check out the dimensions on the website, draw them out to some paper to get a feel. Only thing to remember is the front pockets take lots of stuff.

 

[250swb]

Thanks for the comments, how about the Hadley pro original? This seems a little larger without going overboard.

I have the Hadley Pro and I'd say it was the right size for that gear. The rear pocket makes a big difference for carrying 'stuff', and the handle is good. I use the small Hadley for a body and two lenses max, but you could get three or even four in. The problem is that it gets so tight manouvering them around that you end up with lenses you take out with you and never use.

Despite my Hadley Pro being my 'go to' bag for easy days out, a Think Tank 'Urban Disguise' is a much better bag for going fully equiped, yet is a similar overall size to the Hadley.

Steve

 

[naruto]

As Kully mentioned it depends on what is a few things. The small is a tight fit, in the sense that your equipment will not move around. I used to carry around a Mamiya C33 with 80mm lens + M2 with 50 + ipod + keys + phone + a small book + 4~5 rolls of film, in the Hadley small. It fits only the fuji gw690 III and some rolls of film. The best thing about the bag is that it is small, and does not get in the way when moving about in crowded streets.

 

[rickp]

Billingham L2 (Alice) inside photo

Billingham L2 (Alice) inside photo

FYI, the L2 (one of the smaller Billingham bags) easily holds a camera + lens, 2 large or 3-4 smaller lenses, and an M3 body.

good luck with your search

rick

 

[Avotius]

I am looking at the dimensions of the hadley small bag and had a question, the outside depth is 12cm but the inside depth is only 7cm, where are those missing 5 cm going? I have a Matin olive canvas bag that the outer dimensions are exactly the same as the hadley small but the inside dimensions are only a little smaller then the outside, not a lot smaller like the billingham. My Matin can hold a 5D with a 70-200 2.8 IS and 17-40 easily.

 

[flessas]

I used my Billingham Hadley small during a 2 weeks trip in Japan. In the main compartment I had the M6 with a lens attached and two more lenses.
In the 2 front pockets I had my mobile phone, a note book, pen and films.
There was still space for more bits and pieces…
Yes the Billingham Hadley small is "one camera three lenses bag".

 

[sevo]

I am looking at the dimensions of the hadley small bag and had a question, the outside depth is 12cm but the inside depth is only 7cm, where are those missing 5 cm going?

The (removable) padding insert. If space is tight, I tend to pack the lenses in lint-free (microfiber) cloth wraps instead.

 

[Avotius]

Oh I see, so there is a bunch of padding inside too (damn this is why they need a shop around here that sells these things)

My Matin doesn't have an overload of padding all around it, just removable bits that can be put where you want them which is why I could stuff a lot of things into it.

So the consensus seems to be that it might work. The L2 seems a little too big (he wants something small) there is also a "for leica" bag here http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-0db1-c0a776d3d821b2a99c1b1b61ba22c78c.htm dont see much about it though

 

[Phantomas]

I recently bought a black/black version of Hadley... but large. I wanted large because, well, it's not really large, and since it cost so much I figured I better get something multipurpose, not just for RF.
As I said, Hadley Large ain't that much larger than small (it's smaller than a laptop bag) and I manage to use it as an everyday bag.

Stuff I have in it right now (all in main compartment):
- 13" laptop (I think 15" could be squeezed in too)
- Nikon F3 + lens
- extra lens
- a dozen films
- power "brick" for the laptop
- couple of books
- large notebook/magazines
- other bits in front pockets (ipod, phone, cables, keys, etc, etc).

All the items listed above are separated by the padding. I can take out the F3 and easily fit any other camera - a Hassie, Rolleiflex, D700.

Good bag, highly recommended. Expensive though, so better last a lifetime!

 

[Avotius]

hah, dont need to stuff that much into it. I am wondering if I should just tell him to get the L2 and be done with it. Got a tape measure out in front of me trying to imagine what these things look like.

 

[Phantomas]

L2 looks much "fatter" than Hadley.
In such case I think your friend should go for Hadley Small or Original. Will easily fit all the stuff you've lested and then some.

 

[Ken Shipman]

Billinghams have significant padding. I think the small Hadley would work, but those aren't particularly small lenses. There won't be room for much else in the main compartment. So it depends on what other things he wants to stuff in there and in the front pockets. I use one for a IIIg, smallish lenses, meter, and film. For that smaller equipment it is roomy, but I don't carry a lot of extras either. The M8 and those larger lenses will be snuggish, but that might be ok.
Keep in mind that once you start shooting you have the camera and a lens around your neck. Then there's plenty of room in the bag for juggling lens changes.

 

[Avotius]

Thanks for all the help, we ended up with the hadley small bag because a snug fit didn't mater and he wanted a bag that had a smaller outside footprint, now just waiting for it to arrive.

 

[gm13]

Just in case people were curious as to the size of the "For Leica" Billingham:
I carry an M5 w/ 50 cron or goggled 35 summaron, a Canon VTDM w/ 35/2 (usually) and 2 lenses in between, an 85/2 Nikkor and the 50/1.4 Canon. Exterior pocket holds 3 rolls film, VC II meter, universal finder, grip for trigger on the Canon and lenshoods for both 50's, a small Moleskine notebook/ pencil and finally, adapters to M-ize the screw mounts. There you have it.

 

[Avotius]

Got the bag in hand, its really nice but pretty overpriced compared to my Matin bag. In the end the size worked out just fine. In all black it is very nice. The one thing that is annoying about this bag though is the top cover flap and the inside pocket flaps are the same shape and when trying to close the bag often I grabbed the inside pocket flap instead of the outside one.

 

[kazeonrff]

I bought one yesterday too, and i love it to bits.
I was considering padding up a civilian bag like an Agnes B or Burberry, but in the end i couldn't find anything visually appealing on the shelve selection.

I got my Billingham H. Small in the end, and it satisfies me so much. After going on a walkabout with it and fondling it for a day, i must say i like it even more than when i inspected it at the shop.

I place an R3a with 35mm f1.2 nokton, and an EP-1.
Though these both will be soon replaced by a single M8, 35mm f1.2 and 50mm Lux. A notebook, pen and tissue pack in the left pocket, earphones, extra memory card and 2 batteries in right pocket. Might still have space for a flash in the main compartment too.