Please Post Your Billingham Bags!

Anyone here have a small and a pro together? Is it worth it to have both? Right now I'm using my Pro and a Digital (for when I only need a few things) but finding myself wishing for a bit more space than the digital can give me, yet not wanting to grab something as large as the pro. I was also looking at the combination too, but I like a shape that's a bit less boxy than the combination. Thoughts?

Kim I have the same issue. Digital and Pro too.
Right now I am carrying a 15 lb LowePro Pro Messenger, wih Nikon1V1 and Olympus OMD within...as a briefcase.
I see the need for a Small too. However, I feel I have already spent too much on bags...

Thinking out loud...I have a Think Tank UD40 that isn't being used right now.

kcp1377 wrote in post #16134178
Anyone here have a small and a pro together? Is it worth it to have both? Right now I'm using my Pro and a Digital (for when I only need a few things) but finding myself wishing for a bit more space than the digital can give me, yet not wanting to grab something as large as the pro. I was also looking at the combination too, but I like a shape that's a bit less boxy than the combination. Thoughts?

I have the Hadley Pro, Hadley Small, and Hadley Digital, and I posted pictures of the Pro and Small side-by-side earlier in this thread. My Hadley Small currently holds a m4/3 Olympus OMD system with a pretty complete set of lenses. Although, if I don't quite adding lenses I may have to move it all into a Hadley Pro for easier access (and I like the handle on top).

I found the Hadley Small to be too tight for my liking when used with a 5D-III (with RRS plate), although others have decided that it works fine with a mid-sized DSLR and they like the smaller overal bag size. I also posted a picture here with the Small loaded with the 5D and some lenses to show the fit. You will give up a bit of depth from either the Pro or Digital when moving to the Small. I also have a Billingham f/2.8 bag which maintains the depth, but has a more "boxy" appearance and as such doesn't carry as well as the slimmer bags for me.

I find it useful for me to have both the Pro and Small Hadleys ... but then again I have way too many bags anyway, so what is one more to the collection?


-howard

Excellent Howard!
Your response helps me.
Last time I bought at www.rangefinderstore.c​om I looked at:
-Hadley Small and large
-L2
-2.8
-1.4
-pro...which I bought

Although I am using my smaller cameras more, all my bags were purchased with my dslr gear in mind. I seldom use that Nikon now.
I have changed straps...using the Peak Design strap exclusively now. My Black Rapid stap is no longer used. That helps me carry less in my bag. (I do not trust the carabiner on my BR strap. I like that strap otherwise, yet packing cameras in bags wasn't so easy with my BR strap

I got my vintage 445. It's freaking huge. Not sure if I need this much bag but we'll see. I'm thinking I'll get a 335 as well for walking around but obviously my kit isn't the largest so the 445 will be interesting. It's pretty dirty so I'm going to clean it. It needs a new shoulder pad (anybody know which one woks on the 445 strap?) and needs better inserts so that will be fun to try and figure out. It also smells kind of musty so I need to deal with that as well , but overall a great bag and I'm excited to use it. I have a Stowaway coming as well for those days where I need smething small for the x100. Goddamn these bags are nice.

Just bought a nwt 445 Billingham bag on Ebay -- can't tell if it has a tuktop -- when did Billingham do their "substantial redesign"? I found a reference to it as long ago as 2009, so I am assuming it is a safe bet that mine DOES have the tuktop, but was wondering if anyone knew for sure....

Thanks so much -- Angela

I have the Small, Pro and Large as well.

The Small is now the perfect bag for my Leica M9.

although I do use it with my 5D3 attached to 1 lens when I don't want to have a larger bag hanging off my butt.

You can never have too many Billinghams!

here's a pic I posted up many pages back showing you the size (Small is in front, Pro on the right and Large on the left):

Mashimaro wrote in post #16140648
I have the Small, Pro and Large as well.

The Small is now the perfect bag for my Leica M9.

although I do use it with my 5D3 attached to 1 lens when I don't want to have a larger bag hanging off my butt.

You can never have too many Billinghams!

here's a pic I posted up many pages back showing you the size (Small is in front, Pro on the right and Large on the left):

Awesome! Thinking of a small if I decide on the x100s, wish it had a carrying handle though!

Wonderful - thank you Howard and Mashimaro. I would be using it for my Leica kit, so I'm not too worried about carrying larger DSLRs in it (although I did throw my 5diii and 70-200 2.8 into the Pro earlier along with a hasselblad 500cm and was pleased that it all fit even if I did have to take the lens off the body.) How would you feel about taking the small to say Disney? I really wish it had that back zip (really, it's the only reason I haven't gotten it yet.) I keep thinking there's a perfect bag out there, but every time I search everything is either super utilitarian (like thinktank) or very girly. I just want a nice looking bags with enough pockets and space for a small kit. How much is that to ask?

So I keep coming back to the Small. I would just take the digital (just want something small to wear messenger style for rides and when we leave the stroller) but it's just a bit too small if I do want to take a larger camera.

Really, if the Small had the pocket in the back it would be the perfect small kit bag for me.

I decided to go with the Pola Stowaway for my x100 as the Leica Combo bag was too big. Digging it.

I washed the 445 and it turned out good. The cleaning was good for the surface and still kept the character so that's nice. The only issue now is getting some extra padding and unfortunately the bottom pad was missing and the 400 Superflex seems to no longer be in production. That sucks.

So, called Billingham directly. They must have a small operation but talked to someone and was able to order the Superflex 400 base pad for the 445. Not too bad of a price ~20 GBP and now that I'm living in Belfast not too long of a wait to get it.

The 445 had a musty smell as well but a couple of days in a plastic bag wrapped and stuffed with newspaper has it smelling fine. I also had to replace the shoulder pad but that was easy enough. The bag came with two older inserts 9-15 and 8-15 I believe but I'll need to figure out what else to get. I'm thinking a bridge insert as well as a flap but not sure yet of what size that needs to be so if anyone has an idea thanks!

Looking forward to getting this thing all set but fixing it up is nice.

The Billingham 445 comes standard with the 9-15 and 9-18 SuperFlex partitions plus a horizontal divider flap. I added the 10-15 and 12-21 to mine to accommodate larger f/2.8 lenses.

This completes the bag to comfortably carry 4 large lenses, 2 of them mounted to bodies, and a couple of flash units. I sized mine to carry Canon 16-35L, 24-70L, 70-200L IS II, 100L macro, TC, 580EX II flash, 5D-III, and 7D.

Here is a simple chart showing the dimensions of the SuperFlex inserts:
http://www.rtsphoto.co​m/#!Accessories/sitepa​ge_14


-howard

hfgarris wrote in post #16143087
The Billingham 445 comes standard with the 9-15 and 9-18 SuperFlex partitions plus a horizontal divider flap. I added the 10-15 and 12-21 to mine to accommodate larger f/2.8 lenses.

This completes the bag to comfortably carry 4 large lenses, 2 of them mounted to bodies, and a couple of flash units. I sized mine to carry Canon 16-35L, 24-70L, 70-200L IS II, 100L macro, TC, 580EX II flash, 5D-III, and 7D.

Here is a simple chart showing the dimensions of the SuperFlex inserts:
http://www.rtsphoto.co​m/#!Accessories/sitepa​ge_14


-howard

Excellent that link is amazing. I wish Billingham would take the initiative on this as well.

Mackeral wrote in post #16140939
I decided to go with the Pola Stowaway for my x100 as the Leica Combo bag was too big. Digging it.

I washed the 445 and it turned out good. The cleaning was good for the surface and still kept the character so that's nice. The only issue now is getting some extra padding and unfortunately the bottom pad was missing and the 400 Superflex seems to no longer be in production. That sucks.

I should look at the Pola!

I must be OC. Went to car club meeting. Took out my Oly. Hadn't switched it off. Both Batteries were dead. Took out the Nikon1. Worked. Surprised I had both! Now I am reluctant to leave home without "both" small systems. Just need a 100-300 and 25/1.4 for the Oly. And 30-110 for the N1V1. I know. gear choice makes no sense...

Well, I've run into an issue with the new Superflex inserts and the older 445 interior. Unfortunately the velcro options on the interior lining are very limited. I guess I'll have to come up with an option to install some more velcro liners. This 445 is taking awhile to get into working shape!