to billingham or not to billingham?

back alley

back alley

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there is no doubt in my mind that the ona bowery bag is the bag for me!
it's like they looked into my mind for the blueprint and then made that bag.

to be clear, there are times when i will need a bigger bag..to carry all my fuji kit plus flash etc...i have the billingham 1.4 for that and it's a fantastic bag.

but i want the new leather ona bowery bag! come hell or high water i want that bag! however, other than using a c.c. there is no way i can just outright buy it at this time.

my thinking is to sell my billingham L2 bag (formerly the alice bag, formerly the leica bag), it's like new, worth apporximately the same dollar value as the leather bowery.
i really like that L2 bag though...and i can see me regretting selling it. the big problem is that it pretty much holds what the bowery can hold but the bowery just has a much lower profile and is easier to carry/use/love!

i know, what a whiney, first world problem! and i do see that!
it doesn't change anything for me though.

so off i will go, to the classifieds and post an ad...need to take a few shots of the L2 first...
 
A bag based on the interior design of your mind would be interesting ... facinating in fact!

Just saying. 😀
 
good advice ive taken....cry only once.

do the deed, invest in quality, and never kick yourself over it again.

because eventually what you grab as secondary, you end up wasting money later to get what you had originally intended.
 
raphaelaaron said:
good advice ive taken....cry only once.

do the deed, invest in quality, and never kick yourself over it again.

because eventually what you grab as secondary, you end up wasting money later to get what you had originally intended.
Click to expand...

actually, they didn't have the leather version of the bowery when i bought the canvas version...i like leather much better...
the L2 is no slouch by the way...excellent in every way.
 
wow, the leather version is almost twice the price as the canvas one. frankly speaking, for the price, I am more willing to get a Sanddleback bag if they were not that heavy.
 
Bowery Problems

Bowery Problems

I think the ONA Bowery bag looks great. The size is fine for me: it'll hold a Leica camera with the lens on it and have room for a second lens and other stuff. I use now a Domke F-5XB bag that's almost the exact same size So I know what it'll hold without having bought a Bowery bag--which has those extra pockets in the front and on the sides.

My problem with the Bowery bag is related to security. I know some people like that it's easy to open and has no velcro. But for me, I worry about pick pockets and the like. Crime is low here in Milan (e.g., the murder rate is only a few percent of what it is in a large city in the U.S.), but there are plenty of thieves who will open a bag and steal stuff out of it. The rate of such thievery is probably lower than in New York, but it's enough that I'm aware of it. The Bower bag is too easy for a thief to open quietly without me noticing.

The Domke F-5XB is not as nice looking--which is why I'm thinking about upgrading--but with a zipper and velcro, it's not easy for someone to get into it without me noticing.

As a more expensive alternative, I've been thinking of getting the A&A Evans Walker model. This is a little shorter and not as long, but it's wider. I haven't done the math to determine if the cubic area inside is the same or much less, but it's close enough. The price, though, is almost double. It has zippers, which can be opened quietly, but seem a bit more noticeable than just a little tab that the Bowery bag has. I don't like the bright red interior: that attracts attention to the contents when it's open, especially if I forget it's open.
 
the bowrey holds my fuji x-e1 with lens attached plus 2 other lenses...the perfect small everyday carry kit, for me.
or both bodies with a lens attached to each...

it IS very easy to open and close, with one hand...i guess that makes it easy for a thief to open/close as well.
i am usually pretty aware of my surroundings, check the bag frequently, by feeling for the latch etc.
i love the lack of a zipper as it gives me a large opening to grab a lens or put back a lens...and i geuss i could add some velcro but i don't really miss it.
it's like a very classy 5xb, for sure...
i want to enjoy my shooting experience and not live in the fear of a possible robbery...so i choose to be as aware as i can and just go about my day.
 
russelljtdyer said:
...
The Domke F-5XB is not as nice looking--which is why I'm thinking about upgrading--but with a zipper and velcro, it's not easy for someone to get into it without me noticing...
Click to expand...

That's true, but my cousin's two year old unlatched the strap from the bag while it was around my neck! Same thing could happen with the ONA, as far as I can tell. (Not that that is stopping from seriously wanting the Bowery)
 
back alley said:
...the big problem is that it pretty much holds what the bowery can hold but the bowery just has a much lower profile and is easier to carry/use/love!...
Click to expand...

Curious about this lower profile...as in smaller/slimmer or less conspicuous? And why is it easier to carry?
I won't question how you can love it 😀
 
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