Billy / BLB / BBB / Wotencraft - choices...

[glassportal]

Hi all,
Im after a shoulder bag to carry around pretty much every day. It has to hold an M240/28cron/50lux/90cron + accessories and my phone + wallet etc. I dont really have a price limit (ok maybe $400ish - i dont like Fogg anyway) but at the same time I wont ignore lower priced options if they fill my needs.

The problem is I like bits and pieces of every bag. I like the zippered front pockets of the Wotencraft Avenger, the buckle system of the billys and the size/unobtrusiveness of the bare bones evolution. On the flip side, I really dont like velcro and im a bit wary of the bare bones padding. If it helps im 6"4, 85kg and fit. Shoulder strap comfort also makes a difference to me as i have a few tendon issues from rock climbing.

I guess im just after some opinions from users... I will entertain any options

The current list and general ideas from the great interweb.
Black Label Oskars One Day MkII (good size, hate velcro, no trapdoor dividers)
Wotencraft Avenger (great hardware, superb protection, big + heavy, screams "steal me", unsure if comes with trapdoor dividers)
Billingham Hadley Pro (good handle, proven, apparently swings around a bit)
Bare Bones Bag (small, light and inconspicuous, dubious about protection, hate velcro)

 

[Marc G.]

several points that might help you:

-I wouldnt take the wotancraft as they are quite heavy and the pretty features get in the way (had one of those)
-BBB-E provides good protection and the velcro is very silent compared to any other velcro
-I recommend the billingham for the silence and ease of use, style (but still looks like a day messenger bag. not many people know billingham)

I sold the wotancraft. the billingham hadley large in all black was my first camera bag and while there were many others this is the only one that survived the buy and sell mania. for good reasons. you simply dont have to care for your gear at all if it's in that hadley. protected against any rain/snow/sand it simply stays clean as it is. my experience with the BBB is that it looks kinda small on me (204cm tall) but it fits 2 rangefinder bodies, film, and 2 other lenses...

when it comes to size I would have a look at the hadley small, rather than the pro, except when you often leave the 90 attached to the camera. both the BBB-E and billingham offer you protection for your gear against weather and bumps, they are small and in all black unobtrusive.

hope this helps

PS: no experience with the black label bags

 

[Vince Lupo]

What about the Domke F803? I have one, and it carries my Monochrom with a Noctilux attached, 21 Elmarit, 35 Voigtlander, 50 Summicron and 75 Summarit (the extra lenses are stacked using those M-Mount lens couplers), plus there is probably room for an iPad in the back pocket, and the velcroed pouches in the front can definitely carry a wallet and accessories.

 

[Rob-F]

What about the Domke F803? I have one, and it carries my Monochrom with a Noctilux attached, 21 Elmarit, 35 Voigtlander, 50 Summicron and 75 Summarit (the extra lenses are stacked using those M-Mount lens couplers), plus there is probably room for an iPad in the back pocket, and the velcroed pouches in the front can definitely carry a wallet and accessories.

+1. I have one, and use it to carry two Leicas and several lenses. You can use Domke or Calumet lens wraps as another way of carrying more than one lens per compartment.

For a somewhat smaller bag for the gear mentioned, a Domke F-10 works out very well. It has three compartments for camera with lens plus two more lenses; and a zippered front pocket large enough for the other items.

If carrying two Leicas, I will go either to my F-803 or my F-6. I have really gotten to like the F-6 as a Leica bag!

 

[glassportal]

several points that might help you:

-I wouldnt take the wotancraft as they are quite heavy and the pretty features get in the way (had one of those)
-BBB-E provides good protection and the velcro is very silent compared to any other velcro
-I recommend the billingham for the silence and ease of use, style (but still looks like a day messenger bag. not many people know billingham)

I sold the wotancraft. the billingham hadley large in all black was my first camera bag and while there were many others this is the only one that survived the buy and sell mania. for good reasons. you simply dont have to care for your gear at all if it's in that hadley. protected against any rain/snow/sand it simply stays clean as it is. my experience with the BBB is that it looks kinda small on me (204cm tall) but it fits 2 rangefinder bodies, film, and 2 other lenses...

when it comes to size I would have a look at the hadley small, rather than the pro, except when you often leave the 90 attached to the camera. both the BBB-E and billingham offer you protection for your gear against weather and bumps, they are small and in all black unobtrusive.

hope this helps

PS: no experience with the black label bags

Thanks for that excellent breakdown.
How much bigger is the hadley pro than the small? I would really like a carry handle. Also - with the Billingham bags, I've heard that they break in and start to conform to your body after a while. Do both the canvas and fiberbyte have these qualities?

Does the barebonesbag come with half size "trapdoor" dividers?

 

[SteveM]

The only one on your list that I have experience with is the Hadley Pro. After getting that and using it for a similar size kit as yours I don’t even think about using any other bag. I have the black canvas with black leather trim, which works particularly well in an urban environment, although I use it everywhere. If you load it heavily (more than you list) you might benefit from a shoulder pad, but for your need the bag itself is light and the strap is wide and comfortable. The handle is a big plus, as is the zip pocket on the back. The bag does conform a bit with time, but not much. Since it’s a slim bag that has never been an issue. For heavier loads or more gear, I would use a backpack, and for less – just enjoy how light it is; personally I wouldn’t go smaller.

Steve

 

[Marc G.]

i would say the pro is quite a bit bigger than the small. depending on your other purposes I'd make the choice regarding everyday use (laptop? -> pro, business bag usage -> pro, the small is more handy and lighter)

I would always pick canvas over fibernyte for pure subjective reasons. canvas is a beautiful material. I like it much better than synthetic materials

the BBB-E comes with 2 small trapdoor dividers, just like the hadleys

 

[glassportal]

After a lot of research (and reading Mark G's threads) Ive added the Domke J803 to the running. Can anyone tell me what trapdoor dividers I could get to use in this bag with the triple insert?

I dont really need room for a laptop. Ipad would be a plus.

Down to Domke, Hadley Pro and BBB.

 

[Marc G.]

I didnt like the J803 (I had it in my hands and sent it back) for the material. the F803 seems just better. the J was stiff and didnt conform to anything and the material felt cheap (or I have a preference for canvas)

to get a perfectly body hugging bag you might need a little surgery, removing the piece of plastic under the top handle. without that it conforms so much better

quality-wise the domke cant beat the billingham in any respect though.

the BBB wont hold an ipad safely, or at least I wouldnt try. the ipad mostly destroys the body conforming part, as most bags transport it in the back which sits at your waist

from what I can see from web pictures the billingham would be best suited as the compartment at the back has a weather-protected zipper. billinghams stand against rain perfectly which is why I got spoiled by them and dislike bags that have a opening-towards-the-top backpocket without any flap over it or weather protection...

gosh I am such a bag nerd😱😀

 

[MartinP]

I'd suggest looking at the Courierware site. They are the makers of the BBB bags and they also have a 'build-your-own' option where you can choose size, features (like zips and pockets) and padding. It is a company in the USA so that might result in import taxes for you, depending on where you live.