xxloverxx
Shoot.
Bought one just yesterday.
It came down to a few choices, really, for what I carry around: The Hadley Pro or the Packington.
I did want the f/1.4 initially, but it was too short to even fit my smaller water bottle (which happens to be the same height as my flash bracket)…so not something I'd actually consider using. I was determined not to get any "double-depth" bags (e.g. the 07 range) because I don't think they have the same elegance as a slim bag.
I guess I chose the Packington over the Hadley because of 2 things:
Zips.
2 extra pockets on either end, which on the Hadley would have to be done via 2 AVEA pouches.
Okay, the sales guy going on about how the Packington is less common might've had some effect…
And the waist strap is a nice touch…
Anyway, my primary thought after a day of carrying it around walking is: It's heavy. Beautiful and tough, but heavy. I have leather bags of similar sizes (if you don't consider the padding) that weigh less, empty. Although the leather on those bags is much thinner (1mm or so, I'd guess).
But for that weight you get brass feet that let you put the bag down on the floor without it tipping or worrying about wearing out soft material (the 2 biggest reasons that led me to go shopping). And a bag that doesn't tip outwards when it's full (which is scary if you have to cross the road quickly or frequently put your bag standing up in your lap when you sit down)
A while later I looked at the specs on the Billingham site and found that the Hadley Pro is 1kg while the Packington is 1.7kg. Which, honestly, had me a bit confused — I thought they were as close to being identical as 2 bags from the same company could get. But I concluded the extra weight was due to the following:
The zips and tabs
Extra fabric to accomodate zips
4cm extra depth
2 extra pockets
Waist strap.
And then I concluded that if you "modded" a Hadley to be similar to the Packington (sew on your own zips, add 2 AVEA pouches and somehow get a waist strap on), they'd both weigh pretty much the same. Am I right? I mean, my Packington fully packed weighs 10lbs (~4.5kg), which means I have 2.8kg of my own stuff —*not that much.
I'd say the weight is bearable —*it's heavier than my soft bags but in the end my mind thinks about the bag less and my photos more because I don't have to keep shifting the strap (the shoulder pad's so sticky that it'll never slip off your jacket —*it'll take the entire jacket with it) or worry about things falling out (I guess it's called the Packington because it was meant to be used for travelling, where things are more likely to fall out?) Makes a big difference when you live in a crowded city…
I've done a lot of Googling and…it seems that very few people have actually reviewed the Packington. Is it that uncommon? It's been around for 40 years, virtually unchanged, according to Billingham…
Thoughts?
Any other Packington users (a rare breed, it seems?)
It came down to a few choices, really, for what I carry around: The Hadley Pro or the Packington.
I did want the f/1.4 initially, but it was too short to even fit my smaller water bottle (which happens to be the same height as my flash bracket)…so not something I'd actually consider using. I was determined not to get any "double-depth" bags (e.g. the 07 range) because I don't think they have the same elegance as a slim bag.
I guess I chose the Packington over the Hadley because of 2 things:
Zips.
2 extra pockets on either end, which on the Hadley would have to be done via 2 AVEA pouches.
Okay, the sales guy going on about how the Packington is less common might've had some effect…
And the waist strap is a nice touch…Anyway, my primary thought after a day of carrying it around walking is: It's heavy. Beautiful and tough, but heavy. I have leather bags of similar sizes (if you don't consider the padding) that weigh less, empty. Although the leather on those bags is much thinner (1mm or so, I'd guess).
But for that weight you get brass feet that let you put the bag down on the floor without it tipping or worrying about wearing out soft material (the 2 biggest reasons that led me to go shopping). And a bag that doesn't tip outwards when it's full (which is scary if you have to cross the road quickly or frequently put your bag standing up in your lap when you sit down)
A while later I looked at the specs on the Billingham site and found that the Hadley Pro is 1kg while the Packington is 1.7kg. Which, honestly, had me a bit confused — I thought they were as close to being identical as 2 bags from the same company could get. But I concluded the extra weight was due to the following:
The zips and tabs
Extra fabric to accomodate zips
4cm extra depth
2 extra pockets
Waist strap.
And then I concluded that if you "modded" a Hadley to be similar to the Packington (sew on your own zips, add 2 AVEA pouches and somehow get a waist strap on), they'd both weigh pretty much the same. Am I right?
I mean, my Packington fully packed weighs 10lbs (~4.5kg), which means I have 2.8kg of my own stuff —*not that much.I'd say the weight is bearable —*it's heavier than my soft bags but in the end my mind thinks about the bag less and my photos more because I don't have to keep shifting the strap (the shoulder pad's so sticky that it'll never slip off your jacket —*it'll take the entire jacket with it) or worry about things falling out (I guess it's called the Packington because it was meant to be used for travelling, where things are more likely to fall out?) Makes a big difference when you live in a crowded city…
I've done a lot of Googling and…it seems that very few people have actually reviewed the Packington. Is it that uncommon? It's been around for 40 years, virtually unchanged, according to Billingham…
Thoughts?
Any other Packington users (a rare breed, it seems?)
Tadeyev
Member
The Packington is a great bag; almost went for it, but I did not buy it in the end, deciding later on buying 2 different Billinghams for different tasks.
In the end, my solution was the tiny Billingham Leica bag (much like the F-stop bag) for when hiking walking/being a tourist with 1 complete rangefinder, extra lens and film, and a 107 for longer trips and more lenses.
I do feel strongly that a traveling camera bag definitely needs zippers, unlike the Billingham F-Stop and Leica bags, which only have flaps that fasten shut. If you are in the dessert and the wind starts blowing around, you will need more than just a light flap of the top of the bag for keeping dust out.
After years of carrying MF in backpacks in the mountains, I refuse now to carry anything heaver than these two bags with a max of 2 bodies and 3 lenses + light meter.
Anyway, the Packington is a great choice and it sounds like you made a good choice.
Enjoy it!
In the end, my solution was the tiny Billingham Leica bag (much like the F-stop bag) for when hiking walking/being a tourist with 1 complete rangefinder, extra lens and film, and a 107 for longer trips and more lenses.
I do feel strongly that a traveling camera bag definitely needs zippers, unlike the Billingham F-Stop and Leica bags, which only have flaps that fasten shut. If you are in the dessert and the wind starts blowing around, you will need more than just a light flap of the top of the bag for keeping dust out.
After years of carrying MF in backpacks in the mountains, I refuse now to carry anything heaver than these two bags with a max of 2 bodies and 3 lenses + light meter.
Anyway, the Packington is a great choice and it sounds like you made a good choice.
Enjoy it!
Sean Moran
Established
Another thing to bear in mind: The Packington is exactly the right size to meet many airline's maximum carry-on requirements. I have never had it refused as cabin luggage.
You can also convert it to a back-pack for travel (although the attachment is expensive).
Enjoy it.
Sean.
You can also convert it to a back-pack for travel (although the attachment is expensive).
Enjoy it.
Sean.
xxloverxx
Shoot.
Hmm, maybe that's why it's called the Packington…
Tadeyev: Just out of interest, what non-photographic equipment do you carry around in those bags? Water, sunglasses etc.? How do you feel those fit along with the lenses/bodies?
Tadeyev: Just out of interest, what non-photographic equipment do you carry around in those bags? Water, sunglasses etc.? How do you feel those fit along with the lenses/bodies?
Tadeyev
Member
The 7 series - all variants like 107, 207, etc. (I have both) have a good height, so a water bottle will fit OK. The 7 series can also have the 2 added and roomy pouches which are big enough to even take MF lenses without problems (OK, not 180mm or like that!). I never carry sunglasses in there, but of course a set of filters, Sharpie for marking film canisters, rubber dust blower, etc. the usual stuff. But concerning the Packingtom there are some people who use the large one as a weekend bag, why not?
The nicest part of the 7 series (previously called the press top) is the way the zippered central flap can be 'folded' for easy access with 2 stiffeners behind the zipper. So it means you don't have to scape your equipment (or hands) past the zipper each time you reach in and out. But like I said, they are also a little bigger and heavier.
Sorry to dribble on about things you didn't ask, but I do really like Billingham. Been using them for at least 25 years and they has never let me down. If they ever design a larger (dedicated) backpack that will take a 15 inch Mac, clothes and camera stuff, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
The nicest part of the 7 series (previously called the press top) is the way the zippered central flap can be 'folded' for easy access with 2 stiffeners behind the zipper. So it means you don't have to scape your equipment (or hands) past the zipper each time you reach in and out. But like I said, they are also a little bigger and heavier.
Sorry to dribble on about things you didn't ask, but I do really like Billingham. Been using them for at least 25 years and they has never let me down. If they ever design a larger (dedicated) backpack that will take a 15 inch Mac, clothes and camera stuff, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Bobfrance
Over Exposed
I've got the rare all black Packington. It's a great quality bag, as you'd expect from Billingham, but it's a little big for my needs so I'm thinking of selling it. Drop me a line if anyone is interested. I'll be placing an ad for it here as soon as i get chance later in the week.
Bob.
Bob.