Know about the "Alice" bag for Leicas?

[Rob-F]

It's getting to be some years ago since I saw one. A small shoulder bag for a Leica M body plus lenses. It was made by one of the major camera bag makers. It was a bit on the snug side, or I might have bought it. Anyone remember it? They named it "Alice" as an anagram for "Leica."

 

[Godfrey]

It's getting to be some years ago since I saw one. A small shoulder bag for a Leica M body plus lenses. It was made by one of the major camera bag makers. It was a bit on the snug side, or I might have bought it. Anyone remember it? They named it "Alice" as an anagram for "Leica."

I presume you are referring to the Billingham L2 "Alice" bag. It's a bag model that had about a 25 year history and was only recently discontinued.

I've had mine since the early '00s and, far from snug, it is actually somewhat over-size for a Leica M kit, at least the kind of M kit that I carry (body and up to three lenses, plus accessories). I've used it to carry many different cameras over the past 20 years. Even at this age, and with near constant use, it remains in very nice condition and still does a great job for me.

A very similar Billingham bag, the "M Combination Bag", is stil in production. It and the L1 "Alice" are about the same size; the M Combination differs from the L2 "Alice" bag in that the front pocket on the M Combination Bag is 3/4 height and zippered, where the front pocket on the L2 Alice is full height and closed by the single, gusseted top overflap. I preferred the roomier, unzippered front pocket which is why I bought the L2 Alice...

G

 

[Saganich]

Over the years the M combination has been the one most often used (Alice is similar I think) for trips by air, sea, and land. It holds just the right amount of gear (makes you think about exactly what to bring), has a small footprint, tough, and very protective. Other bags I use occasionally are Billingham small Hadley, and an old Leica canvas messenger bag, which is great but less protective.

 

[Rob-F]

Looks like my old brain may have mixed up two different bags. The one I'm remembering was by a USA maker--and it was snug. Small. There couldn't have been two bags named Alice, could there have? I'll see if I can remember the maker's name. It's a common one.