Hi, I just got a great deal on a small version Billingham Hadley. My intent is to give this as a gift. Anyone use this particular bag? How much can it carry? Im thinking of my Dad's Canon Elan, and 2 lenses kit...plus the usual debris... Thanks,

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), February 18, 2002

Answers

I've got one, it's a nice bag. I don't use it often because the strap isn't replaceable with an Op-Tech SOS strap, so it's more painful on my shoulder than a twice-larger bag. Last time I carried it I had an R8, R6.2, 35/2 and 180/2.8 plus a Metz 32Z2 and 32MX-3.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), February 18, 2002.

I have used the small Hadley bag close to four years. It has gone through quite hard use on an every-day basis, including almost twenty trips (work)in Russia and other countries. It does show signs of use, but it takes a lot of abuse. I have been out in heavy rain (2 hours maximum), and the cameras inside have always been dry. It is easy and quiet (no velco!) to use. The equipment is very well protected, but this is also one of the draw-backs since it makes the bag a little bit stiff and "boxy". If I should buy a bag today, I would probably buy the Hadley again but in the slightly larger "normal" size (probably the "pro" version since it allows a few extra pockets which is useful for other personal stuff during air flights, You can take them off when You don´t need them). The equipment I have used it for is two Leica M6 with rapidwinders, mostly with 35/2 Asph and 50/2 mounted, and two other lenses mounted back to back. Plus about ten rolls of film, notebook, wallet and some other smaller things. It is a good bag!

-- Göran Bjerklow (goran.bjerklow@swipnet.se), February 18, 2002.

Just like what goran said, but I put a large flash in instead of two extra lenses. Excellent bag - _the_ bag in fact. I think mine's the normal version.

Tough and good looking, what more could you ask for.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), February 18, 2002.

Haven't used the Hadley, but my Billingham 335 is a real gem. Worth the money. If you really want to give it as a gift, I'll send you my shipping address!

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), February 18, 2002.

I would think "small" is good for an M systems, but for EOS, you might consider a little bigger "original" Hadley. I found if I have a long or tele-zoom lens mounted, there's some extra space from the little bigger "original" Hadley. And even you're buying another lens for a 3-lens outfit, the space is still enough.

-- Fred Ouyang (yo54@yahoo.com), February 18, 2002.

Douglas, hmm... and giving it to you would benefit my inheritance how exactly? Best,

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), February 18, 2002.

I have the 225 (black and beige) and love it. It's a bit bulky on the outside given what it holds, but is top-notch. Fits the M6, 35 attached, a 75, and a small mini-DV camcorder, along withsome accessories.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), February 18, 2002.

I have a small Billingham Hadley, and it can take an 'M' with a lens, plus two other lenses OK. While it makes a nice compact setup it is a little small if you want to carry a lot of film and acessories though.

-- Steve Barnett (barnet@globalnet.co.uk), February 18, 2002.

I am a huge fan of Billingham, IMO their bags are unsurpassed in quality and quintessential 'British' style. I have the older F4.5 which is unfourtunatly discontinued now but similar in size to the Hadley. You can pack an awful lot more into their bags than at first thought, I also have an old 335 which is lovely and battered!

Remember a Billingham is for life not just for Christmas!

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 18, 2002.

I have the Hadley Pro. Decent enough bag with the added top handle and document storage compartment. Comfortable size for 2 bodies, 3 lenses and 20 rolls of film. The handle on top is handier than first meets the eye.

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), February 18, 2002.

FWIW, I use a Fogg E-Flat to hold a Rollei 6008, 180/2.8, hood, charger, remote cable, charger cable and have space to add a 90/4. I love the khaki/tan leather combo. The Billingham Hadley is pretty much the same, except smaller. Personally I prefer the Fogg ;-)

-- Vijay Nebhrajani (vijay_nebhrajani@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002.

I have the small Hadley and I use it when I need something a bit bigger than Domke 5XB.

I have divided the main compartment into two with the padded insert and put one lens in the bottom corner of one, sideways, and cover it with one of the small dividers (one velcro end attached to the middle divider). That leaves a nicely shaped space for a body with a lens attached. In the other compartment I could do the same, or I often put a Fuji 645 rangefinder there. A small notebook will fit in between the insert and the bag itself and that leaves the two pockets free for film, filters etc.

So I can carry two bodies and four lenses, or one body, two lenses and a medium format camera in this small bag. Plus six rolls of film, a couple of filters etc. And very comfortably, too.

Ilkka

-- Ilkka Kuusisto (ikuu65@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002.