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Billingham Hadley Pro 2020: two-minute overview
Billingham started making luggage in 1973. The world’s modified loads since then, however its satchels have stood the check of time. Known for his or her premium supplies and basic model, Billingham luggage are the type you should utilize for years, then present to the subsequent technology.
So it’s with the Hadley Pro 2020. A gently up to date model of the established Hadley Pro, it’s a digital camera bag constructed within the British custom of leather-based and canvas craftsmanship. It’s additionally one which’s completely sized for many photographers on the go. Combining field-ready performance with rugged beauty, it’s simple to see why the Hadley Pro is a best-seller.
Granted, it calls for a fairly important up-front funding. In our record of the best camera bags, you’ll discover choices that value half the worth of the Hadley Pro which may carry the identical quantity of substances (or extra). But what you’re paying for right here is enduring high quality. Read round on-line and also you’ll discover reward from customers who’ve carried a Hadley for many years.
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Unboxing the bag, it’s instantly clear why. From the straps to the bolstered deal with, each inch of the Hadley Pro 2020 offers a way of sturdiness. You can spec the bag with a cotton canvas or artificial FibreNyte shell. Either means, you get three-layer waterproofing. That’s complemented by stable brass fittings and full-grain leather-based edging. It’s all acquired a hard-wearing, workhorse high quality.
So a lot so, that I initially discovered the leather-based quick-release straps not so fast to launch. I’m assured that these will ease up with use over time. In reality, the entire bag appears like one that can put on effectively. It’s actually one which’s designed to adapt to your gear. Those buckles on the entrance enable you alter how tightly the lid straps shut. You even have the choice of looping further accent pockets onto every finish.
Most customers received’t want to do this. What seems at first look to be a modest messenger bag really seems to be one thing of a Tardis. With the padded insert slotted into place, the capability of the Hadley Pro 2020 is surprisingly cavernous. Thanks to its versatile sides, the satchel can swallow numerous equipment. You additionally get two vertical and two horizontal dividers which may be organized utilizing velcro tabs that will help you handle the house.
It can comfortably accommodate an APS-C system with a trio of mid-sized lenses. Equally, I had no hassle becoming an fanatic DSLR physique with a nifty fifty connected, plus wide-angle and telephoto zooms. Those velcro dividers provide the flexibility not simply to separate lenses, but additionally to create cabinets which droop smaller equipment nearer to the highest of the bag. The insert additionally has a padded lid piece as effectively, which may be folded again out of the way in which for simpler entry.
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Longer lenses are the place you’ll discover the boundaries of the Hadley Pro. The bag isn’t precisely shallow, however greater physique and glass mixtures will must be laid sideways to slot in. If you need your entire equipment stacked vertically, you’ll have to divide digital camera and barrel within the identify of neatness. This is admittedly the one compromise to talk of: the Billingham is larger than you suppose.
The padded insert is complemented by entrance pockets which might be equally roomy. These are ideally positioned for fast entry to equipment. The 2020 model of the Hadley Pro additionally advantages from a weatherproof zip pocket for storing paperwork on the rear. What you don’t get is a devoted laptop computer slot, though you possibly can unofficially match a 13-inch MacBook Air between the padded insert and the again wall of the bag.
In brief, the storage capability of the Hadley Pro is restricted extra by the load you possibly can bear than by house within the satchel itself. The benefit of a messenger bag is which you can maintain your gear inside arm’s attain, however the single-strap setup means the burden falls on one shoulder. You also can haul the Hadley Pro utilizing its bolstered carry strap or sling it over a suitcase deal with utilizing the built-in retainer. But most customers are going to depend on its detachable shoulder sling.
And in case you do, you’ll need to shell out for the optionally available SP40 shoulder pad. This clip-on leather-based strip is as fantastically made as the remainder of the bag and ships in 4 colorways to match. For the worth of the pack, it ought to actually be included as customary. Without it, the cotton webbing can reduce into your shoulder when the bag is closely laden.
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Still, in for a dime, in for a greenback. Adding the shoulder pad makes an already costly digital camera bag that bit extra expensive. But it’s arduous to really feel arduous finished by. If you’re severe about images, both as a pastime or a occupation, it is a digital camera bag that can see you thru. Count up the price per use over the numerous years you’ll be toting it and the equation quickly turns into a extra affordable one.
The Hadley Pro is actually at dwelling on the job. Its conventional aesthetic may not be to each style, however the basic strategy is each skilled and versatile. It can go from wilderness to wedding ceremony and never look misplaced. Plus it’s sturdy sufficient to outlive each, 100 occasions over.
If you actually need room for extra gear, the Hadley One is a good bigger model with a correct laptop computer sleeve. But for my cash, the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 will get it excellent. It’s a unbelievable each day satchel for photographers. Practical to the core and well-crafted in each respect, it’s arduous to search out fault. If you just like the look, it is a digital camera bag that’s very a lot well worth the funding.
Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 overview: value
Billingham launched the Hadley Pro 2020 digital camera bag in August 2019. It’s a barely up to date model of the corporate’s best-selling Hadley Pro. New options for the 2020 version embody a bolstered carry deal with, built-in suitcase retaining strap, detachable shoulder strap and weatherproof doc pocket.
The Hadley Pro 2020 is formally priced at $383 / £308 (round AU$625). It may be discovered for much less from some on-line digital camera tools shops. There’s no escaping that it is a premium digital camera bag, however you get what you pay for. Use it for many years and the actual value per use turns into very affordable.
Every Hadley Pro 2020 has leather-based detailing and may be ordered with a canvas or FibreNyte exterior. The bag is available in eight customary shade and materials mixtures:
- Navy canvas / chocolate leather-based (chocolate lining)
- Black canvas / tan leather-based (olive lining)
- Black FibreNyte / black leather-based (olive lining)
- Khaki canvas / tan leather-based (olive lining)
- Khaki FibreNyte / chocolate leather-based (olive lining)
- Burgundy canvas / chocolate leather-based (chocolate lining)
- Sage FibreNyte / chocolate leather-based (olive lining)
- Sage FibreNyte / black leather-based (olive lining)
Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 overview: specs
|
External dimensions |
41 x 16 x 28cm |
|
Internal dimensions |
34 x 80 x 21cm |
|
Weight |
1230g |
|
Total quantity |
8.5L |
|
Carry-on pleasant |
Yes |
|
Laptop sleeve |
No |
|
Waterproofing |
3-layer waterproof material |
Should I purchase the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020?
Buy it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 overview: Also think about
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 |
Peak Design Everyday Messenger 13 V2 |
Gomatic McKinnon Camera Pack 35L |
|---|---|---|---|
|
External dimensions |
41 x 16 x 28cm |
39.5 x 36 x 19cm |
56 x 34 x 23cm |
|
Internal dimensions |
34 x 80 x 21cm |
35.3 x 31 x 9.5cm |
53 x 32 x 13cm |
|
Weight |
1230g |
1210g |
2600g |
|
Total quantity |
8.5L |
16L |
35L |
|
Carry-on pleasant |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Laptop sleeve |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Waterproofing |
3-layer waterproof material |
Water-repellent coating, waterproof backside liner |
Optional rain cowl |
How I examined the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020
- Carried round every single day for 2 weeks
- Packed with a DSLR plus three lenses
- Used in numerous settings and circumstances
If you’re shopping for a digital camera bag that guarantees to final for years, you’ll need it to carry out in all types of capturing situations. So that’s precisely how I examined the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020. My goal was to get a first-hand impression of its sturdiness and utility, working in a spread of environments.
To check its carrying capability, I loaded it up with all of the gear I’d need to keep on an ordinary shoot. That included a DSLR physique, a 50mm prime, a 70-300mm telephoto and a 10-24mm wide-angle zoom. I additionally packed out its pockets with equipment, together with battery chargers, lens hoods and a compact flashgun.
I then took the Hadley Pro out and about, strolling extensively by streets and fields alike. I attempted carrying the bag each with and with out the optionally available shoulder pad fitted, to see how a lot of a distinction it made when it comes to consolation. I additionally switched lenses from bag to physique, to get an thought of how simple the Billingham can be to work with on the fly.
While the comparatively transient length of my check means I can’t give long-term suggestions, a fortnight was sufficient time to type an in depth impression of the construct high quality and usefulness of the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020. It helps that I’ve been working with cameras – and carrying them round – for greater than a decade, so I do know what to search for in digital camera bag.
First reviewed June 2025