Billingham make such a wide range of camera bags that it’s sometimes hard to decide which is best for a particular system. The Hadley Small Pro is my all-time favourite for a smaller system — typically an M rangefinder and a few lenses — but it struggles to accommodate an SL2, even when it is wearing a compact M lens.
If you need something bigger, which is the best to go for in order to keep down overall size but still enjoy sufficient versatility to house your gear?
Fortunately my friend Patrick Leong at Findingrange.com has the answer. Over the past couple of years he has become a prolific and trusted reviewer of Billingham bags and seems to have one of everything to hand. He is also a dedicated SL/2 system man, so his views on choice of bag are likely to be spot on.
I found his latest review, a comparison between the Hadley Pro, the Hadley One and the larger 207 bag extremely useful.
God o love this site!!!
Spot on!
A butler called Billingham to carry my bag, sir. I don’t have an SL/2, but, if I had, I could say “Billingham pass me the SL/2” when I wanted to shoot.
William
Bag caddy. Or maybe a golf cart? Electric and very environmentally friendly.
I actually have modified a golf cart to carry a camera backpack and my tripod. It makes an outing quite pleasant. The correct type of cart is not common as most fold the wrong direction.
If there is interest, I may do an article on it.
Always interested in a good story with an interesting quirk…
Even Ming Thein thought it was an interesting idea when I told him about it when he got injured in car accident and could no longer carry heavy camera. I get a lot of interest in it when photographers see it. I can carry extras such as wine and food to fully enjoy the experience. I can also carry a reflector for flowers and so on. I use it in urban areas and natural areas if I want to carry more than a small kit.
People do find me a bit quirky including my wife.
The best bag for my eventual SL2 system is my Billingham 307 which I wish was 2 inches wider but c’est la vie. I also own the real man Billingham 555 which is a fabulous event bag or left in the trunk for cherry picking from. The 555 is not a carry around bag for any length of time….
A 200 pound bag is a theft deterrent.
Almost a ball and chain…
Is that gentleman riding for Pony Express or is he British Postal service ? That bag loaded would break my back.
Yes, you are right. He hasn’t yet made a full recovery.