ktmrider
Well-known
I stumbled into the Leica Store in Florence today and checked out the small Leica bag made by Billingham. My impression is that it is too small to hold two M bodies with attached lenses and a couple extra lenses. Am thinking a small Hadley Pro would be a better fit.
Anyone have the Leica bag who can speak to the issue?
Anyone have the Leica bag who can speak to the issue?
burancap
Veteran
You are correct. Yes, the "Hadley Small" is a bit bigger, but I prefer the more secure, zippered single pocket of the Leica while shooting. Either way, I usually would have two lensed M bodies in them, or occasionally one lensed M body and two lenses. I always preferred the former as when actively shooting, the bag was under half a load.
A "Hadley Pro" might be about right, unless you like everything in the bag. But be careful being seduced by the even larger "Hadley Large" or "Hadley Large Pro" -they are genuinely immense! I use the larger Billinghams exclusively for storage and travel, not shooting.
A "Hadley Pro" might be about right, unless you like everything in the bag. But be careful being seduced by the even larger "Hadley Large" or "Hadley Large Pro" -they are genuinely immense! I use the larger Billinghams exclusively for storage and travel, not shooting.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I have the Billingham L2, which is similar in size. Two Ms (M9 and M4-2), each with a modest sized lens, do fit but with little additional space. It's better for one M and three lenses.
For two Ms, each with a lens, and two additional lenses, I like the Artisan & Artist ACAM 1000 (or 1100, can never remember which is the slightly smaller). It's more 'satchel' shaped and sized, but holds almost as much as the much larger Billingham Hadley Pro. I put the Ms at the ends of the bag and stack the two additional lenses in the middle.
G
Ben Z
Veteran
I only had the Leica bag for a short time, but I have the A2 (Alice), Billingham Hadley original, Domke F5XB and J803. The Hadley and J803 hold a surprising amount because they stretch/bulge better than those others. That said, I can get 2 bodies and 4 lenses (using the coupling end caps) plus a small flash in the A2 and F5XB. Not with the lenses mounted though, but then when I'm shooting I don't keep a camera in the bag.