I'm looking for a good shoulder bag to carry my outfit (1 M6, 35 mm Summicron, 75 mm Summilux, 21 mm Elmarit, L-508 Sekonic Zoom meter, about 30-50 rolls of film, universal polarizer) in and I heard good things about Billingham. Particularily the 206 which I am currently interested in but I can't see one up close. Does anyone have any experience with the Billingham line of bags (particularily the 206, 225, 335, or Hadley???) and if not.... can you recommend some bags that are not so photo-obvious and are easy to use (not a chore with fasteners, layout, etc...)

Thanks.

John

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), December 27, 2000

Answers

John --

I good (but pricey) option are Fogg bags. Several are well designed for Leica kits. You can see them on line at www.tamarkin.com. I have two and love them. The Fogg b.major might be a good size for your kit.

Hope this helps.

-- David Enzel (dhenzel@worldnet.att.net), December 28, 2000.

John,

Look at the Domke F6 ("little bit smaller" bag), or for something totally photographically inconspicious their Reporter's Satchel (model #803, I think).

The F6 is my favorite Leica outfit bag. It's just the right size, comfortable for extended carrying, offers a really low price (compared to Billingham), extremely simple to use, protects your stuff with a variety of padded inserts and it's very durable.

-- Sergio Ortega (s.ortega@worldnet.att.net), December 28, 2000.

I'll second the suggestion of the Domke F6. I have one in Emerald Green with leather trim - stylish, comfortable and very easy to work out of.

It will carry an M6 with any lens mounted, with three other lenses and the light meter in the 4-pocket insert. The only drawback might be the amount of film you can carry in it, but I think the front pocket would hold about 20 rolls with no problem (especially if they're out of their cans).

When I carry it I usually load it with something like: an M6 with the 75 in the end compartment, another M6 with a 35 in one of the insert pockets, a 24, a 50 and a 135 in the other three insert pockets, then about ten or fifteen rolls of film in the front zip pocket. It gets heavy (which defeats the Leica ethic more than a bit), but it handles the load well. And once you have the cameras out where they belong, it's a very easy bag to use.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul_chefurka@pmc-sierra.com), December 29, 2000.

Go with the Domke. I've owned a total of 6 Billingham bags and have now pared that down to their briefcase (not for cameras), and their daytimer. They are extremely well made, true works of art as far as bags go. I really wanted to like them. I owned a Hadley (too tall, always tipping over), a 335 (bigger bag for my R series. I liked it, except it was heavy and quite bulky), and a 'Alice' (very small, M6 and two lenses). But after a couple of years I went back to Domke. Not a lot of outside padding (though the inserts are well padded), but very form fitting and comfortable to wear.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), December 29, 2000.

Thanks all,

Does anyone know if the F6 is padded at the bottom (like the F2?). I seems the logical choice for a working photographer and I like the fact that you can change the strap for a better one (a provision that is sorely lacking on the Billinghams as I understand). Fogg stuff seems nice too but WAYYYY overpriced (except to show off your equipment). Nope.... if the Domke F6 is comfortable to use, relatively cost effective, and weather-resistant then I'll go with it and spend the rest of the $$$$$$$ on film and developing costs.

Thanks all,

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), December 29, 2000.

Yes, the F6 has a padded bottom. Did I mention I think it's a great bag? ;-)

-- Paul Chefurka (chefurka@home.com), December 30, 2000.

The Hadley is a great bag. I would also recommend the Alice, which is ideal for a couple of bodies with lenses and a small flash. One thing about Billinghams is that they really are waterproof. Shooting in heavy rain would fill your Domke with water from the wierd flap design, while the Hadley and Alice hoods are excellent. I would avoid the boxy 225's and so on like the plague. They are not easy to work out of, although good for transporting equipment, if you want a separate bag for that.

You'll notice one thing: you'll often see postings about 225's and so on for sale secondhand or find them in shops, but a Hadley almost never. I gave mine to a friend in Bombay on a whim and just bought another. _The_ bag.

Rob.

-- Robert Appleby (laintal@tin.it), December 30, 2000.

Like many of you, I have tried all many bags, including the Fogg B minor, Billingham Hadley and Domke F-6. When I was shooting with an M series Leica, the only one that really makes any sense is the Domke F-6. It is cheaper and better for most situations. While the othe bags may look better, they are not as good for shooting.

-- Jim Howard (jimh@bycs.com), December 31, 2000.

I had a Billingahm years ago and while it's a beautiful bag, it's also heavy and stiff, as already noted. I replaced the Billingham with the Domke Satchel 803 and it maybe just what you're looking for. I think the F6 is smaller and comes w/ more inserts, but the 803 may give you more room for your film. I recommend you consider both these bags.

-- KL Prager (www.pragerproperties@worldnet.att.net), January 10, 2001.