What else is like a Hadley Pro?

[ChrisN]

Just about settled on the idea of a Billingham Hadley Pro bag. To me these cost a lot of money, so just need to check on whether anyone knows of something similar. The features I like are:

• shoulder strap is fixed to the ends, not the back of the bag

• top flap will flip completely over and stay out of the way for access

• pockets

• removable padding

• big enough to do double duty as a briefcase

• presentable

• no velcro or zips

• rainproof

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[jky]

Chris, take a look at bags from Arts & Artisans and also the Leica-M bag... I don't have personal experience with these, but am also considering purchasing one...
j

 

[markinlondon]

Chris, the Domke F803 is quite similar but with less padding and stiffer canvas. Here in the UK there's nothing in it on price. for less money search eBay for safrotto bags ("like domke" usually gets it) they're really well put together Domke copies with padding exactly like the Hadley. I think FrankS wrote a review of his here. The Domke and Safrotto may need a dose of Nikwax to be truly waterproof, the Hadley just is waterproof.

 

[rover]

And M Classics are pretty nice.

 

[Sparrow]

I have no experience of the others but I’ve been living happily with the Hadley pro for three or four years now, for me it was worth the money

 

[back alley]

billingham bags are bulletproof.
if you like change and get bored with things quickly, don't get a billingham as i think they will last forever.

except for the velcro, the domke 802, the bigger one, is great for a day bag combined camera bag - i used mine for the first time today.

joe

 

[markinlondon]

Hey, I wasn't saying "don't buy a Hadley", mine is in daily use. They don't quite last forever, Joe, but they look pretty good even with quite heavy wear. Mine is black, now fading to brown (just like my cat!) 🙂

 

[anglophone1]

I have both an 803 [mekko copy] and a hadley pro.
I use the 803 as a daily briefcase and the hadleypro for kit.
Reasoning,comparing the two side by side, the hadleypro is built to really take a lot of gear and protect it well the 803 less so IMHO .............
The hadley pro is my mainstay travel equipment bag [I'm a pro travel photographer] and I can't speak highly enough of it or their other stuff [I have five billinghams, one is over twenty years old and still going strong]
Another case of "you get what you pay for"
BTW I bought a second hadley pro [hardly used] on ebay recently for GBP 56 so doesn't HAVE to cost the earth............
Clive

 

[ChrisN]

Sounding like the Pro is the go! Thanks all!

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I have the Hadley Original, it's a great case, although costly. I use mine for my notebook. I didn't find it wide enough for my camera gear and have been looking for something equally small but still able to hold a camera on it's back.
Rob Skeoch
www.bigcameraworkshops.com

 

[Calvin]

I am also using a Harley Original for 2 - 3 yrs. Besides using as a camera bag, I use it in causal way or even at work (when I wear suit and tie!). Anyway, I found the bag professional and I am looking to buy the discontinued Rucksack 25.

 

[demian]

Dear Chris:

I own the Hadley Pro, recently purchased about a month ago. Researched all brands and aspects of them all, and decided on the Billingham.

Take some time on Ebay and you will find them reasonably. More reasonable than buying from a dealer, although RobertWhite is very good and reasonable. I highly recommend him/them.

Buying a leather shoulder pad SP20 from him now.

Purchased mind from a guy out of Scotland, new with tags for not much less.

Anyway, when amortize it over time it is well worth it.

What I wanted was one bag to last forever (or as long as possible) and have qulaitied you describe. Furthermore, I did not want a large bulky model or something that screamed camera bag.

The Hadley Pro was actually smaller than I anticipated. Even after of course taking measurements from the site.

I am a 2 body and 2-3 lens guy. CArry a sketchbook, other things, etc. it is ideal.


Above all what I wnat to mention, is the aspect of the quality overall and especially the padding within.

There are few if any that have such padding within. It will not ever scratch or damage the camera and does away with the never-ready case forever which I used only as protection when the camer was not in use.


I highly recommend it, and I researched everything...the only thing to come close is the Art and Artisan...worht looking into as mentioned above.


Best

D