BILLINGHAM HADLEY ONE
Does this camera bag offer enough features to justify its high price tag?
Looking for both style, functionality and protection? This could be the camera bag for you
Billingham has an enviable reputation in the camera bag industry. With over four decades of experience under its belt, the British manufacturer has built a loyal fanbase of enthusiast and professionallevel photographers, who choose Billingham products for their unique, retro design, solid construction and simple functionality. The Hadley range of camera bags covers a variety of size requirements, from the ultra-compact Hadley Digital up to the Hadley Large Pro, for greater capacity. The Hadley One fits neatly into the range, between the Hadley Pro and Hadley Large variants, measuring 370mm width x 140mm depth x 280mm height along the external dimensions. This size offers a great balance between capacity and easy handling – the Hadley sits comfortably at the hip when using the adjustable main strap over the shoulder and is not cumbersome when on the move. The strap itself is pleasingly wide, so as not to feel as if it is cutting into the shoulder when used for extended periods. As for construction, the Hadley One is impeccably manufactured, crafted from Billingham’s Fibre-Nyte material, which has a coarse and durable finish. All seams appear to be expertly stitched, which gives the bag the impression of being very ‘safe’, permitting the confidence to head out in all weather conditions and know the equipment within is fully protected from the elements. Furthermore, the use of metal bolts, poppers and buckles, with heavyweight leather strap loops and attachments, should ensure the longevity of the bag structure. These elements also contribute to the classic Hadley design and maintain a brand-continuous colour scheme that will appeal to users of other Billingham products. In use, the Hadley One provides easy access to cameras and lenses, for which there is ample space – there is capacity to comfortably fit a mid-range DSLR with lens mounted and two further optics, up to around a 70-200mm f2.8. The biggest issue is the buckle-and-strap latch system, which is not as rapid to operate as many other ‘street’ bags on the market, and may inhibit photographers requiring fast access for spontaneous shooting. Overall, the Hadley One is a voluminous camera bag which, despite the high retail price, should provide value for many years of demanding use.