Billingham Pola for Compact Camera?

[dave lackey]

Well, I just noticed...after six months, my coin bag is almost ready to cash in for my slush fund purchases!😛 Maybe I can find something really useful.

Ah, the Billingham Pola!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/64212-REG/Billingham_500701_Stowaway_Pola_Shoulder_Bag.html

My other bags are all way too large when all I have is the X1, OVF, battery and charger. Especially in hot weather. And even in cold weather with a coat on, I just don't need the larger bags all the time.

Anyone have a Pola and find it useful?:angel:

 

[dave lackey]

I'm kinda liking the khaki and the green too.🙄

 

[jsrockit]

I tried it out Dave... but it just felt too much like a purse for me due to its size (I'm 6' 2"). It's the perfect size for what you want, so it'll all come down to how self-conscious you feel wearing it.

 

[dave lackey]

I tried it out Dave... but it just felt too much like a purse for me due to its size (I'm 6' 2"). It's the perfect size for what you want, so it'll all come down to how self-conscious you feel wearing it.

Yeah, it seems a good size. Would prefer a rugged wear finish.😛
I have been to Army surplus stores but not found anything similar yet.

 

[BillBingham2]

.....but it just felt too much like a purse for me......

Not that there would be anything wrong with that.......

Having never touched on, take the following with a grain of salt......

Way too many 2D zipper pockets, reminds me of a fashion trend in the 80's where there were zippers all over different garments. Why the flap to yet another thin pocket? I'm just too functionally oriented, but that's one of my illnesses.

On the other hand it is a sharp looking bag. Very good match for a Q, or an M4 with a 35/90 kit mounted back to back.

B2 (;->

 

[dave lackey]

This looks promising for $30 more:

http://leicastoremiami.com/collecti...s/leica-small-system-case-for-compact-cameras

 

[BillBingham2]

LIKE the design of that one.

Strap goes all the way under the bag, not too big, nice trim and not overly loud (doesn't scream Leica). The way the flap pulls the sides of the bag in is WAY COOL.

I found some interesting pictures of the inside here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-L...-Lux-D-Lux-X-Cameras-18746-5916-/141459083117

Two thumbs way up on this one.

B2 (;->

 

[dave lackey]

It's a mini "Billingham for Leica" combination bag and even cheaper here:

http://www.adorama.com/ILCCSS.html?...tm_source=dealtime&cvosrc=cse.dealtime.ILCCSS

 

[jsrockit]

Not that there would be anything wrong with that.......

True, I'm sure someone can pull it off... I just wasn't comfortable with it.

 

[sevo]

Is it just me or are these things getting ridiculously expensive? Back in the days, tackle bags were a cheap alternative to regular camera bags...

 

[BillBingham2]

True, I'm sure someone can pull it off... I just wasn't comfortable with it.

Did it for my first wife from time to time, a mistress a couple of times (I am what I am, made her smile) and for my 2nd wife early on in our relationship. Now I'm stuck carrying her iPhone as she doesn't carry a purse, camera, anything. Perhaps I'm just whi9999ed......

B2 (;->

 

[dave lackey]

Is it just me or are these things getting ridiculously expensive? Back in the days, tackle bags were a cheap alternative to regular camera bags...

Yes, they are ridiculously expensive. But when one (not me) is walking around with a $2k,4k, or 8k camera plus ridiculously high cost lenses, well a few hundred dollars in a bag is not much. Me, I have a $400 camera and a $150 bag really is a lot of coin(s).

Might very well end up with another Domke rugged wear 5xb for half that! 😱

 

[Godfrey]

Yes, they are ridiculously expensive. But when one (not me) is walking around with a $2k,4k, or 8k camera plus ridiculously high cost lenses, well a few hundred dollars in a bag is not much. Me, I have a $400 camera and a $150 bag really is a lot of coin(s).

Might very well end up with another Domke rugged wear 5xb for half that! 😱

LOL!

My local camera shop has stopped carrying Domke now. They told me the market has moved away from them. I dunno ... My F5XB, bought in 1989, is still the perfect, minimum size bag for the Nikon F6 and two lenses.

Doesn't have enough space to fit my iPad mini in it, however. Nuthin's perfect. 🙂

G

 

[BillBingham2]

....My local camera shop has stopped carrying Domke now. .....

Think positive, you still have a local camera shop! 😱

B2 (;->

 

[dave lackey]

LOL!

My local camera shop has stopped carrying Domke now. They told me the market has moved away from them. I dunno ... My F5XB, bought in 1989, is still the perfect, minimum size bag for the Nikon F6 and two lenses.

Doesn't have enough space to fit my iPad mini in it, however. Nuthin's perfect. 🙂

G

Ha! That danged F6 wound up in my own 5XB rugged wear...( I love those bags)... Now the X1 needs another bag as I don't like to carry it around my neck or in my pocket EVERY where I go... so I think another 5xb is the way to go.🙄 It is hard to believe at first that the F6 (Nikon's last pro film camera) fits in a bag as small as the 5xb with room for lenses...but it does!

 

[Godfrey]

Ha! That danged F6 wound up in my own 5XB rugged wear...( I love those bags)... Now the X1 needs another bag as I don't like to carry it around my neck or in my pocket EVERY where I go... so I think another 5xb is the way to go.🙄

Happened to see these on Ebay this morning:

Mini size:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181788051255?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Small size:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171755963944?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

They look like they'd fit the X series cameras very nicely. Quality, etc, I have no idea, but the price is reasonable.

G

 

[jsrockit]

I too like the 5xb except for the zipper ... I'd rather it didn't have it.

 

[dave lackey]

I too like the 5xb except for the zipper ... I'd rather it didn't have it.

John, I agree it is the only downside. Not a big issue with a camera using a half case for me but with a bare camera like the F6, I put in a sleeve that I pop up when inserting the body. Works out quite well. Not perfect but not bad at all.🙂

I have gotten my Velcro on the outside flap kinda worn down so it makes almost no noise and I removed the label...I still haven't seen the need for applying the wax though. I like the softness as is but there may come a time.

 

[dave lackey]

I wonder who makes these small X bags for Leica. If Billingham, then I would be happy with quality, but I dunno.

If I had the cash, I would just get another combination Leica bag from Billingham.

 

[dave lackey]

Happened to see these on Ebay this morning:

Mini size:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181788051255?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Small size:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171755963944?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

They look like they'd fit the X series cameras very nicely. Quality, etc, I have no idea, but the price is reasonable.

G

Hmmm... First time seeing those. They have a variety of colors.
It will be hard to beat the 5xb, though. Maybe those 5xb zippers could be removed or something... but I have gotten used to the security of zipping the bag and using the sleeve.

😕