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Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

jchabalk
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

Longtime Domke user here.

I've had and have a number of Domke bags. I've worn through a couple of older F2 bags and the newest one i've got the sizing seems to be just a little different (it's tighter than my older ones in a way that makes it frustrating to use). Similar thing with the smaller bags of theirs i've got: My ~20 year old F3X is also about at it's end of life, i bought a replacement a year or 2 ago but the new one is noticeably larger and everything flops around in it.

I've never owned a Billingham bag but my curiosity is getting the better of me and i think i'm going to get a Hadley. Their line of bags is super confusing though (it's not like Domke's is a whole lot easier to understand but still

)

The Hadley Pro is the bag I want to get but i see there's a "Hadley Pro" and a "Hadley Pro 2020," and various sizes of each. B&H seems to be pushing the "Hadley Pro" as the 2020 version doesn't even have pictures available at BH and they're all special order.

Is the 2020 still the most current version or has it fallen out of favor back to the "Hadley Pro" I'm looking for the 'normal' middle size of the bag. (not the small, large, or "one")

The FibreNyte vs canvas options are also kind of frustrating too mostly because it's impossible to see them both side by side anywhere except for in pictures. I'm probably just going to go for black on black FibreNyte and call it done but any advice on which model of Hadley would be appreciated for those with experience.

May 26, 2024 at 11:57 AM

pr4photos
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

I think it very much depends on what you intend to carry in it. The capacity of the Hadley Pro and Hadley Pro 2020 are identical, as they use the same inserts.

I carry two Nikon Z7's side by side in my Hadley Pro. One fitted with a 14-30mm, and the other with a 24-120mm.
It's a snug fit, but it works. If you want to carry anything else, you have to use the front pockets.

They are expensive bags, that's for sure. Whether they are worth that extra, I'm not sure.
When I need to carry more, for photoshoots, I use my Lowepro Flipside 400 AW II - which certainly allows me to carry a lot more. Different style bag of course, but a lot more comfortable when walking any distance, and it has a greater capacity.

But I still love my Billingham, and use it for press shoots, because of the quick access

May 26, 2024 at 12:10 PM

jchabalk
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

Thank you! I'll be using it to carry a few different setups all mostly casual walk around stuff. Hasselblad 5xx, Fuji X, Leica M, some other 35mm stuff.

Seems like it'll work well for that. It also seems like the Leica M stuff will probably be swallowed up by it but my larger cameras will fit nicely.

May 26, 2024 at 12:57 PM

sjms
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

you know that Domke makes bakes from ballistic nylon. mine is into it 25 years or so now and i have modded it to my needs over that time. started off holding my F4s in the model J2

May 26, 2024 at 01:18 PM

foto16
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

The Hadley Pro 2020 is the newer version. The changes include a removable shoulder strap, a luggage trolley strap in the back, and other minor upgrades. From what I read, the FibreNyte doesn't show wear and tear as easily and is lighter, so I bought all my Billinghams in FibreNyte.

May 26, 2024 at 01:53 PM

jchabalk
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

Yes! Actually my first Domke bag was a J1 that i used for a number of years in the mid-90s while i was a stringer. I loved that bag, it was what got me hooked on Domke bags to this day. My first F2 was the ballistic version and i used that for about 10 years with my Hasselblad equipment. One of the side pockets blew out at the bottom and the ballistic nylon was mostly irreparable in the way that it failed, i've stuck to their canvas bags since and I have a few.

Everyone I asked about repairing the ballistic bag at the time told me to go to a luggage repair shop, over time i asked at about 15 different luggage shops and cobblers around San Francisco and they all told me they couldn't do it

Anyway, i've also checked out that new line of bags that Domke sells but they cost about as much as a Billingham and i can't find anyone who's ever used one, or even pictures of them being used. I can't find them on their website even, i just looked, perhaps they dropped them.

May 26, 2024 at 02:54 PM

sjms
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

https://tiffen.com/collections/domke

they aren't quite in the same pricing as Domke.

May 26, 2024 at 03:49 PM

genjy
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

I use a few Domke bags (F2, F4, F3 Backpack) and a Hadley Pro for work. My Hadley Pro is black-on-black fibernyte and pre-2020 with the fixed shoulder strap. The main difference between a pro and a non-pro is the pro having a top grab handle, which is something you _really_ want.

In terms of overall capacity, the Hadley (Pro) is a bit less than the Domke F2's main compartment excluding the side pockets. The Hadley is more flexible though since it uses traditional dividers whereas the F2 comes with that not-very-useful four-compartment insert.

Since the Hadley doesn't have side pockets and the Billingham Avea pockets cost a small fortune, I just use inexpensive MOLLE-style dump pouches from Amazon to carry more. I have to bring along some amount of gear to on-location shoots, so it's great to be able to expand my Hadley Pro on the cheap.

^Hadley Pro Pre-2020
Sony A7IV with Tamron 28-75 G2 zoom
Fuji X-T4 with Fuji 50/2
Godox V1 in each MOLLE side pouch
Godox TT350 and Godox XPro II in front pocket
Batteries, wipes, and blower in other front pocket

^Domke F2
The main compartment doesn't really hold as much as it looks. I replaced the hard base board with a large Domke wrap (the red trimmed cloth) for better comfort.

May 26, 2024 at 06:33 PM

jchabalk
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

sjms wrote:
https://tiffen.com/collections/domke

they aren't quite in the same pricing as Domke.

-----------

A few years back Domke / Tiffen came out with a new line of 3-4 bags they billed as "Next Generation." Those are the ones i was referencing. They seem to have disappeared at this point. They were priced a good deal higher than the rest of the Domke line and more in-line with Billingham pricing.

The best i could find is this Amazon link where you might still be able to get one. If you haven't heard of them before i wouldn't be surprised because even right when they came out they were buried on the Domke site. I stumbled across them one day when i was looking for something else and was surprised.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Domke+Next+Generation&crid=390NVKVKLYLY1&sprefix=domke+next+generation%2Caps%2C168&ref=nb_sb_noss

May 26, 2024 at 07:46 PM

jchabalk
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

This is super useful, thank you!!

I can relate, I use a similar molle pouch on a Domke 803 and it works great. The ones i have are made out of a sail fabric and stand out much more than yours does. Yours blend in with the bag much better.

It looked like the usable space of the Hadley Pro and F2 were in the same ballpark, great to hear from someone who uses both, much appreciated!

genjy wrote:
I use a few Domke bags (F2, F4, F3 Backpack) and a Hadley Pro for work. My Hadley Pro is black-on-black fibernyte and pre-2020 with the fixed shoulder strap. The main difference between a pro and a non-pro is the pro having a top grab handle, which is something you _really_ want.

In terms of overall capacity, the Hadley (Pro) is a bit less than the Domke F2's main compartment excluding the side pockets. The Hadley is more flexible though since it uses traditional dividers whereas the F2 comes with that not-very-useful four-compartment insert.

Since the Hadley doesn't have side pockets...Show more →

May 26, 2024 at 07:51 PM

sjms
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

oh i modded my J2 through out its history,
- replaced the shoulder strap
- replaced the floor board with a stiffer lighter composite honeycomb from an Aircraft floor.
- remove the metal clips and went to fastex polymer

it just keeps on going

May 26, 2024 at 08:24 PM

Robin Smith
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

I have a Hadley Pro. Its plus feature is that it is a very handsome bag. I often use it without the padded insert as a briefcase. I don't really think they are particularly expensive given how nice they are. Nothing compared really to Compagnons and other beautiful lightweight leather bags. The issue with these bags is whether you want a tall, slim bag, or a fatter, shallower bag. It will depend on how much stuff you lug around. My usual kit is a body with lens attached and 3-4 extra lenses. This will not happily fit in a Hadley Pro unless you want to stack your lenses. A slim, shallower bag like a Domke F2, where there is a 4 + camera/lens compartment is much superior. On the other hand, if you have larger, longer lenses they will be too tall for the Domke F2 and will fit better in the Hadley, but you just can't have many of them as there are only 3 compartments. You can add extra external pockets to the Hadley which is a nice feature.

When I had my big Canon rig I also had the Billingham Hadley Large which, although bigger suffers from the same issue if you prefer to take a more smaller lenses rather than fewer bigger lenses. It also lacks a handle which is a definite disadvantage. I've always preferred the canvas. Much nicer looking and although technically not waterproof, I have never really had a problem when the Billinghams getting wet as they are well padded, so your kit is very unlikely to get soaked.

Jun 07, 2024 at 10:30 AM

jchabalk
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

I picked up a Hadley Pro earlier this week. I've only used it a couple of times after getting everything situated but my first impression is that i really like it.

- I was using a Domke 803 with this camera kit (primarily) before and it was always just a bit too tight, the little bit of extra room the Hadley Pro affords is great. I can slip the camera in and out much more easily and lens swaps aren't as much of a pain as they were before.
- The bag is very comfortable to shoulder carry, and the shoulder strap is much more comfortable
- It's a great looking bag. i don't think it stands out as a camera bag (neither does the domke) to most people, but to other photographers it definitely does stand out.

I've only use it with leica m and a few lenses, seems like it'll work great with most 35mm SLR cameras, and my hasselblad will fit in there well too although how you set up the lens dividers will dictate how comfortably it'll fit the medium format lenses without having to reconfigure.

So far so good though, i'm happy I went with this bag.

Jun 08, 2024 at 10:16 PM

sjms
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

Jun 11, 2024 at 07:15 AM

dormouse99
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Billingham Hadley Pro (Questions)

Are there camera bag brands similar to Billingham that avoid the use of Velcro and have similar styling? I love my old Domke F5XA except for the giant Velcro tabs that I've taped over to lower the noise level.

Jul 10, 2024 at 05:21 PM


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