Billingham... experience with their product????

[john_chan2]

I'm looking for a good shoulder bag to carry my outfit (1 M6, 35 mm Summicron, 75 mm Summilux, 21 mm Elmarit, L-508 Sekonic Zoom meter, about 30-50 rolls of film, universal polarizer) in and I heard good things about Billingham. Particularily the 206 which I am currently interested in but I can't see one up close. Does anyone have any experience with the Billingham line of bags (particularily the 206, 225, 335, or Hadley???) and if not.... can you recommend some bags that are not so photo-obvious and are easy to use (not a chore with fasteners, layout, etc...)

 

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Thanks.

 

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John

[david_enzel]

John --

 

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I good (but pricey) option are Fogg bags. Several are well designed

for Leica kits. You can see them on line at www.tamarkin.com. I

have two and love them. The Fogg b.major might be a good size for

your kit.

 

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Hope this helps.

[sergio_ortega]

John,

 

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Look at the Domke F6 ("little bit smaller" bag), or for something

totally photographically inconspicious their Reporter's Satchel (model

#803, I think).

 

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The F6 is my favorite Leica outfit bag. It's just the right size,

comfortable for extended carrying, offers a really low price (compared

to Billingham), extremely simple to use, protects your stuff with a

variety of padded inserts and it's very durable.

[paul_chefurka]

I'll second the suggestion of the Domke F6. I have one in Emerald

Green with leather trim - stylish, comfortable and very easy to work

out of.

 

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It will carry an M6 with any lens mounted, with three other lenses and

the light meter in the 4-pocket insert. The only drawback might be

the amount of film you can carry in it, but I think the front pocket

would hold about 20 rolls with no problem (especially if they're out

of their cans).

 

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When I carry it I usually load it with something like: an M6 with the

75 in the end compartment, another M6 with a 35 in one of the insert

pockets, a 24, a 50 and a 135 in the other three insert pockets, then

about ten or fifteen rolls of film in the front zip pocket. It gets

heavy (which defeats the Leica ethic more than a bit), but it handles

the load well. And once you have the cameras out where they belong,

it's a very easy bag to use.

[bobtodrick]

Go with the Domke. I've owned a total of 6 Billingham bags and

have now pared that down to their briefcase (not for cameras),

and their daytimer. They are extremely well made, true works of

art as far as bags go. I really wanted to like them. I owned a

Hadley (too tall, always tipping over), a 335 (bigger bag for my R

series. I liked it, except it was heavy and quite bulky), and a

'Alice' (very small, M6 and two lenses).

But after a couple of years I went back to Domke. Not a lot of

outside padding (though the inserts are well padded), but very

form fitting and comfortable to wear.

[john_chan2]

Thanks all,

 

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Does anyone know if the F6 is padded at the bottom (like the F2?). I

seems the logical choice for a working photographer and I like the fact

that you can change the strap for a better one (a provision that is

sorely lacking on the Billinghams as I understand). Fogg stuff seems

nice too but WAYYYY overpriced (except to show off your equipment).

Nope.... if the Domke F6 is comfortable to use, relatively cost

effective, and weather-resistant then I'll go with it and spend the

rest of the $$$$$$$ on film and developing costs.

 

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Thanks all,

[paul_chefurka2]

Yes, the F6 has a padded bottom. Did I mention I think it's a great

bag? ;-)

[robert_appleby]

The Hadley is a great bag. I would also recommend the Alice, which is

ideal for a couple of bodies with lenses and a small flash. One thing

about Billinghams is that they really are waterproof. Shooting in

heavy rain would fill your Domke with water from the wierd flap

design, while the Hadley and Alice hoods are excellent. I would avoid

the boxy 225's and so on like the plague. They are not easy to work

out of, although good for transporting equipment, if you want a

separate bag for that.

 

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You'll notice one thing: you'll often see postings about 225's and so

on for sale secondhand or find them in shops, but a Hadley almost

never. I gave mine to a friend in Bombay on a whim and just bought

another. _The_ bag.

 

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Rob.

[jim_howard3]

Like many of you, I have tried all many bags, including the Fogg B minor, Billingham Hadley and Domke F-6. When I was shooting with an M series Leica, the only one that really makes any sense is the Domke F-6. It is cheaper and better for most situations. While the othe bags may look better, they are not as good for shooting.

[kl_prager2]

I had a Billingahm years ago and while it's a beautiful bag, it's

also heavy and stiff, as already noted. I replaced the Billingham

with the Domke Satchel 803 and it maybe just what you're looking for.

I think the F6 is smaller and comes w/ more inserts, but the 803 may

give you more room for your film. I recommend you consider both these

bags.