Tags
Billingham, Contax, fuji, Hadley, Hadley Large, Ilford, KoDAK, Kodak TriX, Leica, M Mount, M series, M2, M3, M4, M6, M7, Nikon S, Nikon SP, Portra, Reala, S Mount, TRI-X film, UK, Velvia, Voigtlander, Zeiss Ikon, ZM, ZM Mount
This is a user review of the Billingham Hadley Large series. Made of the original canvas material, it’s the one of the remaining ‘old fashioned’ materials used for camera bags. Why do I say this? Well…..
The trend leans towards the newer materials such as ‘Ballistic Nylon’ as favoured by Domke. Or the ‘???’ by LowePro. Both have their advantages, and the Billingham’s have their special draw of their own too. So here we go…
(pictures will be added so stay tuned)
The main draw of the Hadley Large is that it’s slightly wider than the Pro, does not have a back zipper compartment (some users may find this a pain though) and two lovely large front pockets. These two pockets are expandable with the same stud buttons. The quality of the buttons are outstanding. The only concern I have with the buttons is that I ‘feel’ it’s possible over time to rip them off the canvas.
It can hold plenty of stuff, depending on how much weight your shoulder can take.
I shall use my Domke F2 (canvas) as a benchmark.
In my Domke I can have:
1. Nikon D3s (no lens attached)
2. Nikon 14-24mm AFS 2.8
3. Nikon 35mm AFD 2, Hood
4. Nikon 85mm AFD 1.4, Hood
5. Nikon 50mm AFD 1.4
6. Nikon F100 (no grip, but possible due to height allowance
7. Cleaning kit
8. Film canisters (average 15 rolls)
9. Passport
10. Wallet
11. Note book
12. Pen
13. Map + compass
Now, that’s plenty!
The Domke cost about S$225.
The Hadley Large (canvas) is S$330.
Quite a difference to a Hobbyist like me. I fall into the category of Bag Freak to my friends, and this is a serious vice.
But dang. The canvas of the Billingham’s are out of this world!
My first Billingham was the Fibernyte Khaki/Tan combination of the f1.4. It’s still with me after 8 months, and it has some serious advantages over the Hadley Large. I shall have to compare this at a later time.
The Large has a powerful height advantage (pun intended). it can safely include my Nikon 180mm AFD 2.8, and even a 70-200mm 2.8 (which I don’t have). The main question here when using a bag, is actually how you lay it out in the bag.
In all honesty, the Large has problems accepting my D3s with a 35/2 AFD with the original HN-1 hood attached. This is a small puny hood. The bag’s leather buckle still looks in place, but it looks thicker and clumsier due to the weight change.
The bag’s width can accept the huge 14-24/2.8, standing up or lying down.
The Large can have:
1. Nikon D3s
2. 14-24/2.8
3. 35/2 (with hood)
4. 85/1.4 (with hood)
5. 50/1.4 ( with hood)
6. Leica M3 with 50/1.5 Zeiss M Mount
7. Light meter, Sekonic 308L
8. Plastic container 9 rolls of film
9. Wallet, mobile phone
10. Notebook, pen, marker
11 cleaning kit
