Billingham VG380: Perfect for M + 3E

[Photar]

Not a question but a camera bag recommendation:

When I use a Leica M I limit myself to one lens. Since the lens in question is rather big in my case, either a Tri-Elmar or (in future) the recent 35mm 'lux with hood, I had some problems to find a suitable camera bag. The usual recommendations, Domke F5XB, Billingham L2 etc., are too big for one body with a single lens, and most smaller bags are too small for these lenses and not very well made because they are intended to be used with cheap P&S cameras. Some Crumpler bags like the Lollypop looked nice on paper but I did not like them at all in the shop (too heavy, not wearing comfortable,..., ugly). I do not like ER cases either.

Now I found the perfect bag: it's the smallest bag in the new range of "Venture Gear" bags made by Billingham: VG380. Very well made, nice looking (in black), very well padded and with a couple of nice features: 1) the easily removable strap is fixed asymmetrically to the bag such that the bag wears extremely comfortable, 2) the bag opens with a (padded) spring mechanism, which keeps the bag open as wide as possible so there is no danger to scratch the lens on the zipper. If I put a Leica MP into the bag such that the body lies on its back and the Tri-Elmar (old version) points to the sky, I have roughly 5mm space around the camera and 10mm space on top of the lens. In other words, the bag is just perfect for this combination!

Highly recommeded! I bought mine from RFF sponsor Robert White in the UK.

 

[skimmel]

Great info, thanks. Two questions:

1) How much room is there for film/filters?

2) The description on the Billingham website says "Please note that the VG series uses Acetal Loops on the Shoulder Sling." What does that mean?

Thanks again for the tip on this bag -- it looks very interesting.

 

[Photar]

Room for additional stuff is very limited. The front pocket is more suitable for a passport but should be OK for a couple of small filters as well. When you use a Leica M with a Tri-Elmar or a lens of comparable size then there is not much room for films. You can put them into the main compartment on both sides of the lens but then you won't be able to pull off the camera quickly. I have enough pockets on my clothes for films. If you use a smaller camera-lens combination you can use the two included dividers to separate some space for additional stuff. The carrying strap looks like the one on my Tamrac bag, nothing unusual there. Don't know what Acetal loops are.

 

[skimmel]

Thanks JoNL.

 

[jaapv]

Very nice; but don't forget Leica makes the "Kleine Kombitasche M" Also very small and handy, very beautifully made of leather,more original and of course the interior fits a Leica camera exactly; albeit at a Leica price. On e-*ay it comes along from time to time at more affordable prices. Highly recommended. I use the "Grosse Kombitasche M" which is about the same size as the smallest Billingham Presstop and it is so intelligently laid out tha it will take two bodies,six lenses fom 21 to 135, flash,films, odds and ends. Another must-have that came from e-#ay 🙂

 

[Laki]

did you try this one?

http://www.leicacamera.com/produkte/msystem/m7/zubehoer/index_e.html

it fits a m7 body with 3 lenses or 2 bodies each with lens, plus in the side pocket a flash and some additional accessoires

 

[Tim]

Billingham Bags are a bit hard to obtain down under, but I know the problem of trying to find a small bag to fit an M. I hate having to carry big kit bags with me (of course, when packing the Linhof small bags are not an option), to me, the whole point of a RF is that it's small and compact.
I found a LowePro Bag, in their 'Digi' range, it just fits either:
M6, 35 'cron with hood, 90 macro elmar, 3 rolls film, spare batteries.
or....
M6 + Tri Elmar + 2 rolls film.

With an Optech strap, it's sweeeeet, and has the added bonus of not looking fancy.