Please Post Your Billingham Bags!

2mnycars wrote in post #15380469
I wish the Hadley bags came with the pad.

I agree

I wonder if I should just buy one strap and share it or buy 2 (one for each bag). Will the buttons hold up over extended opening and closing?

So I used my 307 today and kept my kit light. I took 5D3, 24-70 II mounted, 100L macro, 600 ex flash. Went to Bronx Botanical Gardens holiday train exhibit. Very cool show. Bag was great, ez to work from too.

Mashimaro wrote in post #15386955
I agree

I wonder if I should just buy one strap and share it or buy 2 (one for each bag). Will the buttons hold up over extended opening and closing?

I started with one. Used it on my Digital, and Maxpedition Colossus that has a wider strap. My experience? Snaps are really good quality.

Could you use a Domke Postal Pad instead?

I don't think those snap buttons will wear out anytime soon. As Dave says, they are top-shelf! Just like the rest of your Billingham bag.

2mnycars wrote in post #15387347
I started with one. Used it on my Digital, and Maxpedition Colossus that has a wider strap. My experience? Snaps are really good quality.

Could you use a Domke Postal Pad instead?

When I loaded up my Billy Large for a Seattle trip, I used the pad that came with my Crumpler bag. Wasn't pretty but it worked

Rudi wrote in post #15387634
I don't think those snap buttons will wear out anytime soon. As Dave says, they are top-shelf! Just like the rest of your Billingham bag.

Excellent. Debating if I should buy a black one to match or buy a different color like dark brown. I cancelled the order on the SP-50 since it was probably too big (thx guys for the info!)

mag10 wrote in post #15370578
After reading this thread, I decided to order a Hadley Pro over bags I was considering from Lowepro and Think Tank. I ordered mine from Unique Photo, who had the best price I could find. I've never ordered from them though, so hopefully everything works out. Looking forward to getting the bag!

Received my Hadley Pro yesterday and decided I had to return it today. The bag is great and I am very impressed with the quality and materials, but my 5D Mk III will not fit with a lens attached facing down without causing a significant bulge. The bulge also means that the top flap of the camera insert doesn't cover the entire top when closed, though the main flap of the bag will close with no problems.

I decided I'm going to try a Packington instead. The dimensions look to be just want I'm looking for.

For those looking at the Hadley Pro and using a 5D Mark III, just be aware that the bag may be a bit less deep than it needs to be to fit the camera body in a top-loading position.

Just ordered a 307 khaki/chocolate with two 9-15 inserts. I have no clue how I'm gonna make the inserts fit now as I noticed the two 8's are a tight squeeze in an earlier post. I'll post pics and everything when I get it tomorrow.

mag10 wrote in post #15390109
Received my Hadley Pro yesterday and decided I had to return it today. The bag is great and I am very impressed with the quality and materials, but my 5D Mk III will not fit with a lens attached facing down without causing a significant bulge. The bulge also means that the top flap of the camera insert doesn't cover the entire top when closed, though the main flap of the bag will close with no problems.

I decided I'm going to try a Packington instead. The dimensions look to be just want I'm looking for.

For those looking at the Hadley Pro and using a 5D Mark III, just be aware that the bag may be a bit less deep than it needs to be to fit the camera body in a top-loading position.

What lens have you been using and which way are you trying to fit the camera in? I've had no issues fitting my 5DIII + sigma 35 in the Hadley Pro in a top loader config.

Hadley Pro with 450D/Sig35:

mag10 wrote in post #15390109
Received my Hadley Pro yesterday and decided I had to return it today. The bag is great and I am very impressed with the quality and materials, but my 5D Mk III will not fit with a lens attached facing down without causing a significant bulge. The bulge also means that the top flap of the camera insert doesn't cover the entire top when closed, though the main flap of the bag will close with no problems.

I decided I'm going to try a Packington instead. The dimensions look to be just want I'm looking for.

For those looking at the Hadley Pro and using a 5D Mark III, just be aware that the bag may be a bit less deep than it needs to be to fit the camera body in a top-loading position.

These pictures are from my 5D- II days, but the 5D-III works great for me using the Hadley Pro.

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=12963257&po​stcount=48


-howard

hfgarris wrote in post #15410687
These pictures are from my 5D- II days, but the 5D-III works great for me using the Hadley Pro.

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=12963257&po​stcount=48


-howard

I think mag10 wants the top padded flap to cover the entire camera back. I don't really know why that is important to him, but that is what he wants. And the Hadley Pro will not do that.

mag10, personally I feel that you are over-thinking the "camera protection" aspect of a camera bag. Any bag that protects a camera from any possible danger whatsoever will also be very hard to shoot out of spontaneously. The Hadley series of bags will protect any camera gear inside it more than adequately (better than most other bags). Exactly what damage do you think can be caused by the top flap being just that little bit too short, and what would have to happen to your bag for something to damage your camera? (Something very heavy would have to be dropped on top of your bag, striking it precisely where the top flap doesn't overlap with the camera body inside the bag. It would have to strike the top of the bag hard enough to rip the bag from your shoulder, likely injuring your shoulder in the process. I think that a damaged camera would be the least of your worries in that particular scenario).

By all means, try the Packington. But keep in mind that it's not that much larger, only deeper and much heavier bag.

i have both bags, the packington is way bigger than the hadley pro, so if you need to bring 2-3 lenses and a flash, the packington is a better choice.

Ilike the versatility of the Hadley Pro, and Domke F3X.
I can carry my d300s with 2 zooms, and a flash. I can put my grip on the camera. Sure the bag bulges. But it works. Next choice for me then is my LP Stealth Reporter, 300 AW. Then my Domke F2.

I wish I had Howard's or Docs selection, but my addiction is costly!

The bag that really amazes me is the Hadley Digital. It will just take my d300s with grip and a walk around lens. So if they asked me what Hadley I would design myself, it would be a stretched Pro with a little more space, and a bigger flap on te insert. Then I would load it up, and complain about the weight.

We sure are a special interest group here. I really like my Billingham bags. They simply work better for me.

2mnycars wrote in post #15412227
We sure are a special interest group here. I really like my Billingham bags. They simply work better for me.

Agreed. My favourite shoulder bag is the Hadley Large. It can carry an amazing amount of stuff (more than I want to carry all day ), yet is extremely light and sits comfortably close to me when on my shoulder. I've tried other Billingham bags (Hadley Pro, 207, 445), and only kept the Hadley Large and the original 550 (for when I need to transport everything under the sun).

Sirrith wrote in post #15410441
What lens have you been using and which way are you trying to fit the camera in? I've had no issues fitting my 5DIII + sigma 35 in the Hadley Pro in a top loader config.

I tried out the Hadley Pro with a 17-40L attached. The problem I had wasn't really the height of the bag, but more of the slim depth. I probably should have known from the dimensions, but sometimes it's hard to tell how things will look or fit just by looking at the dimensions.

Rudi wrote in post #15411866
I think mag10 wants the top padded flap to cover the entire camera back. I don't really know why that is important to him, but that is what he wants. And the Hadley Pro will not do that.

mag10, personally I feel that you are over-thinking the "camera protection" aspect of a camera bag. Any bag that protects a camera from any possible danger whatsoever will also be very hard to shoot out of spontaneously. The Hadley series of bags will protect any camera gear inside it more than adequately (better than most other bags). Exactly what damage do you think can be caused by the top flap being just that little bit too short, and what would have to happen to your bag for something to damage your camera? (Something very heavy would have to be dropped on top of your bag, striking it precisely where the top flap doesn't overlap with the camera body inside the bag. It would have to strike the top of the bag hard enough to rip the bag from your shoulder, likely injuring your shoulder in the process. I think that a damaged camera would be the least of your worries in that particular scenario).

By all means, try the Packington. But keep in mind that it's not that much larger, only deeper and much heavier bag.

I wasn't actually concerned about the "camera protection" aspect of the bag - it really was just because I get a bit anal about these kinds of things. I like for things to fit and close as designed and keep clean lines, so the bulge just bothered me personally. I'm sure for many people, it is no problem. Also, I plan to carry my 13" Macbook Air in the bag on occasion, which made the fit even tighter.

The photos posted by hfgarris are pretty good - I just didn't notice the bulge from those pictures. They also don't show how the flap of the camera insert doesn't cover the entire opening. I wish I took some photos of the bag from the top with my 5DIII in the bag to show everyone what I'm talking about, but I was in such a hurry to return it, I forgot. Like I said above, this is probably more of a personal preference and I know that the bulge would not bother everyone.

I received the Packington this week and really like it so far. It is a much better size for what I want to carry. It is not just a bit taller, but also over an inch thicker, so the 5D III fits perfectly. I can also carry my Macbook Air with no problems. It is about 1 lb heavier, but I think the extra capacity and pockets will come in handy and make it a more versatile bag for me. I really wanted the Hadley pro to work because I like the compact size and handle on the top, but the Packington just fits my needs better. I plan to do a thorough review of the bag when I have time after the holidays, and it will certainly include many photos. I found very few photos and reviews of the Packington when I searched online, so hopefully my review will help others considering the bag in the future.

Yes, carrying the Macbook Air would make the bag less flexible (more rigid), and a deeper (thicker) bag would work better in that scenario. The Packington is not a very common bag, there aren't many out there in the wild, so a review will be really welcome. Thanks in advance for taking the time!

P.S. What colour Packington did you get?