to billingham or not to billingham?

[cz23]

can we really put a price on food for the soul?

I expect the poor cow who gave his skin for this bag would say "Definitely!".

Make the world a better place by sticking with your canvas bag.

John

 

[back alley]

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 😀

lower profile physically...dimensions are 10.5x7x4...next to the L2 which carries about the same amount it is much smaller on the outside...and lighter also.

 

[back alley]

I expect the poor cow who gave his skin for this bag would say "Definitely!".

Make the world a better place by sticking with your canvas bag.

John

or compromise and have both!

 

[ruby.monkey]

Eat the cow and enjoy the bag guilt-free.

 

[back alley]

i have no guilt...i grew up in nyc...we didn't believe in feeling guilty...

 

[Godfrey]

...
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. ...

I bought one of these used a year or two back at a very good price. It's a lovely piece, but holds much less than the F5XB or Billy L2.

I've had my F5XB for twenty years now, I think, and it's an all-time great bag. I was disappointed in the quality of the canvas and stitching on the latest ones I saw at the store, which is any I started looking at other bags again.

G

 

[Al Patterson]

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...

If this type of problem keeps your mind off of other things, why not? still want a Moop messenger, but need to make some more bucks first, or sell some other stuff. Or, get the house in another state sold, or...

 

[Al Patterson]

A bag based on the interior design of your mind would be interesting ... facinating in fact!

Just saying. 😀

Yeah, the only thing cooler than that might be a TARDIS bag. Small as the Bowery, able to carry ALL your gear...😛

 

[Al Patterson]

Eat the cow and enjoy the bag guilt-free.

Exactly the way I think. Use the whole cow, from the moo to the rump roast...

 

[burancap]

So, a few weeks on... how do you feel going from a Bilingham to the Ona?

I am considering the same move, but would be going for the waxed canvas.

 

[back alley]

So, a few weeks on... how do you feel going from a Bilingham to the Ona?

I am considering the same move, but would be going for the waxed canvas.

i sold both my billinghams and bought the leather ona...and i love it.
decided to keep the canvas one too and use it for the extra body/lens (x-pro1/35) plus flash kit...or as a day bag with camera/lens, ipad mini, phone etc...

the leather ona is something i have wanted for a long time...at least it's the bag i have imagined for a long time...even in my rf days as it's a perfect bag for a small kit...body, 28/40/90 kit...
the leather ona stays till it wears out.

 

[burancap]

Thanks! This is much tougher than I was expecting. I have been all over looking and evaluating. I am really torn.

 

[back alley]

i see you went with an incase bag...it looks a bit narrow for easy use.

 

[burancap]

i see you went with an incase bag...it looks a bit narrow for easy use.

I did! At the price, it shall be an experiment. It is indeed quite narrow, but I think I can squeeze an M and an X100 in it. I will get *some* kit in it -if not my primary. So, the hunt for a main bag is still on. The canvas Ona is a valid near direct replacement for my smaller Billingam. My problem is: I really like my Billinghams, but often think I may have too much invested in them. The Ona would be a step in the right direction. The Incase ... a giant leap!

 

[back alley]

i wanted to like the billinghams more than i did.
the L2 was bigger than the ona but only carried as much as the ona did.
and i thought i would love the leather straps for holding the cover closed/open...i didn't! it was sometimes a 2 handed operation to close the straps down while the ona has that old time clasp which is always a one handed deal.

 

[roundg]

you may like billinghams or not like it. But it's the best value for money at this price range. Many hi-end bags are much more expensive and offer nothing more or better than a Billingham.

The only reason I quit billingham is because it's too common here in Singapore. I don't want to be tagged as a leica shooter by the bag.