The Ona Berlin (or Berlin II) Smells So Good!

[dcsang]

I picked one up yesterday (traded in my "LNIB" Billingham Hadley Pro).

While the Berlin doesn't have the long history that the Hadley Pro may have, it certainly has a wonderful smell to it 😀 😀 😀

The leather is "firm" (i.e. it's not a soft supple leather just yet.. the bag still has to be "broken in" - like a nice leather jacket etc.) and has a wonderful look and feel to it.

The only "knock" against this spendy bag is the following: Ona has made the bag relatively deep/tall - approx 8" from the bottom of the bag to the top "lip" where the top flap folds over. Ona only supplies the "short" inserts for the bag, which are a mere 3" tall. Sort of disappointing on that end.

Other than that.. it's a stylish bag that fits the M(240) or any M, and a number of lenses. It's spendy but once it's broken in, I would hope it lasts and lasts.

I have their Bowery and it's been my go-to day bag - the Berlin just makes it "nicer" to carry my system around when I'm going to work or to a nice function that may require more than just casual dress.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Ben Z]

Congrats but check the strap attachment: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...8-careful-trusting-strap-your-ona-berlin.html

 

[dcsang]

Congrats but check the strap attachment: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...8-careful-trusting-strap-your-ona-berlin.html

Thanks for that Ben!!

Hopefully (since I only got mine yesterday) they've been able to correct that issue (if it was an issue to begin with).

I've had an Ona bowery for about a year or so now and have had zero issues with it so I guess it depends. Just like Leica after all.... there are some that get lemons (I had one when I bought a new M8) and others that have had no issues at all... 🙂

Cheers,
Dave

 

[majid]

My main beef with the Berlin is that its pockets are too snug and are mostly useless, specially the side pockets.

 

[hausen]

Just got the Ona Brixton in dark truffle leather. It is gorgeous.

 

[back alley]

ona leather bags are beautiful…i love the look of the berlin.

 

[Ben Z]

The size (shallower), design (just one clip) and price of the Bowery appeals to me more than the Berlin. I especially like the Bowery in black with tan leather trim. All my Billinghams (except the Panexia which I think was only ever made in tan) are the black-on-brown. Light-colored bags get soiled too easily to suit me. I'm not sure I'd pay another $100 to get leather, although the "dark truffle leather" appeals to me. I wish they made it in black leather, that would tempt me.

 

[ellisson]

I am expecting delivery of an ONA Bowery bag in a few days. I could not resist the brown leather bag. It should get better with age. I plan to use this for my minimal RF kit (camera with 35mm lens plus one or at most two other small RF lenses), usually for street shooting. If it is too tight with camera/lens plus 50mm and 90 mm RF lenses, I will just pocket one lens. The sales listings say it fits one camera and one lens or accessory, but some owners state they fit two additional RF lenses in this small bag.

 

[The Clam]

I have a Bowery as well. It makes for a nice, compact kit. M(240) with a lens and 1 extra lens fit fine. 2 extra lenses is possible if they are small. I keep mine in padded Micro Lens pouches and haven't had a problem. One word of caution: I find the clasp on the bag has a tendency to open unexpectedly at times.

 

[ellisson]

I have a Bowery as well. It makes for a nice, compact kit. M(240) with a lens and 1 extra lens fit fine. 2 extra lenses is possible if they are small. I keep mine in padded Micro Lens pouches and haven't had a problem. One word of caution: I find the clasp on the bag has a tendency to open unexpectedly at times.

The Bowery just arrived today, a very compact package for a small kit. I see what what you mean about being able to carry two extra small lenses if in lens pouches. I may also be able to use a thin divider from another bag to subdivide the second compartment, small though it is.

The more I consider how I will use this bag, I will most often just carry the lens on the camera and one extra for roaming the streets of Philadelphia, New York, and elsewhere. That is really all I need to carry for the way I use the camera, and the fewer lens changes, the better. I'll just use my feet as the "third lens"! Great looking bag, though.

 

[noisycheese]

...The only "knock" against this spendy bag is the following: Ona has made the bag relatively deep/tall - approx 8" from the bottom of the bag to the top "lip" where the top flap folds over. Ona only supplies the "short" inserts for the bag, which are a mere 3" tall....

Cheers,
Dave

What the fork is that about??

If you don't keep the bag properly oriented (top up) your lenses will end up out of their cubbyholes, banging into each other. Design defect - no, thanks.

While I like the leather and the styling of the Berlin, that issue combined with this http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...8-careful-trusting-strap-your-ona-berlin.html are enough to keep my kit safely ensconced in my Billingham Hadley Pro.

JMHO but it sounds like the Hadley Pro is an all-around better bag.