| Author: | | Junior Member Registered: December, 2012 Posts: 37 | | Review Date: January 28, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $202.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Absolute quality, weatherproof | | Cons: | none | |
I have used Billingham bags for years, occasionally using Thinktank and Domke, but at the end of the day I return to Billingham.
The sheer quality of the Bag speaks for itself, it will not require a waterproof cover I have never had rain seeping in, the bag has plenty of cushioning, the main closures are leather straps [replaceable] the brass will not rust and does not scream 'camera' to all and sundry.
You just know that your expensive gear will be protected, from weather, knocks and prying eyes.
The bags are all hand made in England, no far east sweatshops for this item. Yes they are expensive but you get what you pay for.
I went for the Hadley Pro as not only would it take my KP and Metz 58 flash plus all the extra bits and pieces, but that it has and excellent handle.
My bag is Burgundy Canvas / Chocolate leather and there was a hefty reduction on the list price! colour does not bother me at all.
Update November 2019.
I now can fit my Pentax K-1 into the bag. I was out with the bag the other week in torrential rain and 52mph + winds the out side of the bag was absolutely drenched, however the inside was bone dry! Apart from taking the bag for a swim the bag is waterproof.
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: December, 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Posts: 3,706 | | Review Date: September 30, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $240.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very well made. Soft fibernyte material | | Cons: | | |
I purchased this bag to carry the majority of my Pentax gear. I was surprised to find out just how much room this bag has available. I was able to comfortably fit the following items:
1) Pentax K-5 with DA*50-135 lens attached
2) Pentax F*300mm lens
3) Pentax DA*16-50
4) Pentax FA 31
5) Flash
6) Grip
Here's a quick video that also compares the Domke F-803 and Domke F-5XB for size comparison.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgyvtGWocZk | | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 273 | | Review Date: August 23, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, Adjustability, Weather-Proofish, Style | | Cons: | No Included Shoulder Pad, Price | |
I bought this bag online, and realised it doesn't come with a shoulder strap! But, on the performance size of things, this bag was left outside sitting in a puddle for and hour by accident, and although the exterior was drenched, their was not a drop of water on the interior of the bag. Also, fits nicely to my frame and can fit a small fortune worth of equipment in it, without becoming unwieldy.
I can fit my K-5, 70-300mm, M 50mm, 18-55mm, 28-80mm and several compact cameras, and still have room for my wallet, change and any other equipment like hoods or SD cards. Also, can fit my Surface Pro in the rear pocket.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2007 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,056 | | Review Date: January 11, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Construction, materials, doesn't scream "This is a camera! Steal me!" | | Cons: | Interior partitions | |
This bag is amazing. I use it to carry a digital body, a film body, a zoom or two, and 3-4 primes. The front pockets are great for small accessories. After a few years of use, the canvas is well-worn and the leather (yes, actual leather) is nice and pliable. This thing is built to last and look classy for years. I can carry it anywhere and it doesn't scream "camera bag" to everyone around me.
My only minor gripe is that the Velcro on the interior partitions has frayed much of the fabric and barely sticks anymore. But that's pretty much the only downside.
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2011 Location: Aylesbury, Bucks Posts: 492 | | Review Date: May 5, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Spacious, compact, luxurious, ergonomic | | Cons: | None whatsoever | |
Buy right or buy twice. Or three times in my case.
First bag I bought was a Lowepro 160 because I didn't know better. I replaced that last week with a Crumpler Cupcake 4000. The advertised capacity of DSLR + two lenses was a lie. By leaving out one of the dividers I could squeeze in my k5 with something small mounted and another limited lens in its bag. And by squeeze, I mean squeeze. Not good.
Learning that Billingham was the make for bags, I pulled the trigger on a Hadley Pro. My concern that it might not be big enough for my needs (k5 + two limiteds plus another) were dispelled when I actually tried it out.
The exterior appearance is a rather posh messenger-style shoulder bag, finished with leather trim and equipped with two generously sized front pockets. The characteristic release system (leather straps and brass studs) both looks and feels better than a plastic pinch clip. The tough canvas is supposed to be just as waterproof as any manmade fibre, although I've not had an opportunity to put that to the test.
The padded interior is an attractive racing green and exudes quality just like the exterior. You use the two main dividers to form the camera compartment and store lenses down the sides. Besides the main dividers you also have two small square ones that allow you to stack lenses. Here's what I've got in mine: k5 with lens attached, WR kit zoom, 70mm limited, 55-300 mm telezoom and I still have space for another limited or my FA 135 lying on its side. That's pretty good if you ask me. The pockets at the front will hold cleaning equipment (room for a rocket blower, for example), filters and, if you're so inclined, a flash. There is an additional interior compartment at the back for papers and the like (maybe a Kindle if you're taking it on a plane) and yet another zippered compartment on the outside for even more stuff.
While it would probably suit a wedding photographer (and exude reassuring professionalism) it may not suit sports / wildlife photographers who use large, fast glass. I'm thinking you could maybe fit a body and two large DA* lenses in here so long as one was attached to the body. Otherwise you're probably better off with a large backpack.
Cost was £139 new. At the time of purchase, this included a voucher for a shoulder pad (the absence of one is a criticism above) and a luggage tag. It may seem a little pricey, but given the quality and utility, I reckon it's good value for the money. If you're going to buy one bag you might as well buy the best.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: November, 2008 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 88 | | Review Date: September 7, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $59.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, looks, waterproof | | Cons: | non-padded shouder strap | |
Well I got this bag for a steal from a weird wedding photographer. My edition is fairly old (no zipped compartment for documents) and is labelled 'Fox Talbot 25 Years'. It also has a nice used look to it, which many folk seem to be after, maybe to appear more like an old British war photographer or something 
The joy with Billingham bags in general is that you feel like they will last forever, and the bits that wear the most you can get replacements. My inner padded bag for example is looking a little bobbly - the Velcro barely sticks! But I'm sure when it gets too irritating I'll bite the bullet and buy one.
It's a nice sized bag, I fit my gripped k20D, DA 40mm & 55mm, Kit lens, rocket blower, cloth, PTTL lead, charger, Metz 48 and case without too much cramping. I much prefer shoulder bags as you look a little less pro photographer (I'm not) and it's much easier to get at your gear quickly.
You can easily fit A4 sized stuff inbetween the inner and outer bag, but not quite big enough for a laptop (not my 13 inch macbook pro anyway). The newer edition has probably fixed this and made it a little wider with a zip etc.
All in all, a great bag!
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2009 Location: The British Isles Posts: 2,402 | | Review Date: October 22, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | small, waterproof, convenient, shoulder strap, handle | | Cons: | | |
Lovely bag to hold 1 body, a couple of lenses and just a few other bits and pieces such as a map, wallet, phone. If you don't want to look like someone with a billion bits of expensive photo equipment it's a pretty classy alternative to the usual black camera bag.
- It has a handle on the top and a shoulder strap - having both of which makes it very convenient
- It has quick release straps which easily undo so you don't always have to unzip etc.
- There are a couple of pockets in the front for filters, a remote etc
- There is a document compartment for a notebook or a map
- The canvas is waterproof so your stuff stays nice and dry
- The handle has some metal embedded in it so it's strong
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