Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag Review

The Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag is a mid-sized bag that’s perfect for daily carry, whether you’re running errands, exploring a new area, or commuting to work. This versatile bag works as a dedicated camera kit or an everyday carry messenger bag for all the essentials when you remove the included insert. One of its most appealing features is its weather-resistant exterior, which incorporates waterproof materials into its design. The included camera insert adds a great deal of protection to the bag for photographers. It transforms into a standard messenger bag without it, offering a simple approach to storage in a timeless, heritage style. It’s also available in a variety of colorways, ensuring there’s an option that suits individual tastes. While it may not be the most feature-packed bag, it provides a minimalist aesthetic and philosophy when it comes to storage in a robust form.

It is important to note that this is the Hadley Pro version. There is another version (Hadley Pro 2020) that looks similar. While there are some significant changes to the internal features between the Hadley Pro and the Hadley Pro 2020, the external differences are minimal and sometimes difficult to distinguish. Therefore, it’s important to carefully note which version you are looking at if considering this bag.

External Components

The external materials of the Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag are made from a three-layer waterproof material, which feels smooth and high quality, similar to a well-made canvas but maybe slightly softer. This three-layer construction is especially beneficial in case it gets caught out in a storm. Water rolls right off, which is perfect when carrying sensitive gear. However, it is important to note that the bag itself is not submersible. Its ability to stand up to light rain is due to the combination of waterproof fabric and its sculpted top, which conforms to the front of the bag, keeping the main and secondary compartments covered by the same waterproof fabric.

Full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather is used primarily around the corners and as accents, adding to the bag’s aesthetic appeal. It also features solid brass fixings in key places, such as the clog balls at the top and the zipper pull on the rear compartment. The bag does not have any exterior attachment points or lash straps. Surprisingly, there is only one zipper on this bag that goes to the hidden rear pocket. The bag also has side patches that can be utilized with Billingham’s additional AVEA end pockets, which attach to the sides, providing extra storage capacity on either side.

The top handle of the bag is reinforced with fiberglass for increased durability and longevity. It is wrapped in a slightly more rugged fabric and feels really solid. Despite its somewhat rough texture, the top grab handle is incredibly secure and durable. The fiberglass core can be distinctly felt, maintaining its structured and rigid shape. This reinforcement also prevents the bag from bunching when you pick it up. The only downside is that when the sculpted top flap is not secured, picking up the bag by the top handle causes it to lean forward awkwardly.

The shoulder strap is composed of a strong woven polyester material similar to the coating on the top handle. It has a slightly rough texture but feels well-made. Adjusting the strap is decently easy but not always the smoothest. The strap doesn’t have any groundbreaking or unique functionality. This bag is also compatible with Billingham’s SP15 and SP40 shoulder pads, which are not included with the bag. As for branding, the Billingham logo is stitched in leather on the front of the bag for a nice accent.

Fit Notes

According to the brand, the Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag’s design is a “timeless” style, which we find hard to argue with. The heritage style, featuring a discreet and slim profile, is aesthetically pleasing and does not immediately reveal its function as a camera bag. This aesthetic is a nice deviation from the all-black, leather, and CORDURA® style bags seen today, mainly due to this bag’s lighter color schemes and heritage style. With 12 available colorways, there are plenty of options for everyone to find an option that appeals to them.

Inside The Pack

Secondary compartments are another area where the Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag provides a more minimalist approach. With only two front pockets or pouches, the bag’s front dump pockets are perfect for storing cables, film, spare batteries, and other miscellaneous items that you may need quick access to. However, these pockets lack internal organization, so you’ll want to add protection for sensitive items like film, batteries, and filters.

An interesting feature of these two pockets is a button located towards the top-outside corner that, when released, provides a small amount of extra expansion, increasing the available space inside. You can close it when not in use to allow the pocket to stay closer to the bag. These pockets work well for items like wallets, small portable power banks, smaller headphones, and snacks.

On the back of the Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag, underneath a flap, is a zippered pocket ideally suited for carrying flatter items, such as papers, magazines, documents, etc., as they will rest against the back and body when you wear the bag as a messenger. This pocket is protected by a flap composed of the same three-layer waterproof fabric as the rest of the bag’s exterior, providing some degree of weather resistance. Despite being largely flat, the pocket occupies about 80% of the bag, offering considerable space. 

The Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag’s main compartment can accommodate a 13-inch MacBook Pro despite not having a dedicated laptop or tablet compartment. However, to do so, you must place it in the main compartment, it would need to be placed in the main compartment outside of the padded camera insert, and there’s very minimal protection between the wall of the main compartment and the camera insert. It is also possible to just place it in the main compartment by itself or in a travel sleeve. However, it is crucial to note that this setup does not provide the best protection, so it is not advised but can work as a last resort. Without the dedicated camera insert, the bag essentially functions as a messenger bag with a spacious main compartment as a dump site. Without the camera insert, it lacks any built-in organization, so using pouches, tech kits, and organizers would be beneficial for maintaining organization.

The bag does not have a dedicated water bottle holder or pocket. However, if necessary, the camera inserts and the divider can be manipulated to create a makeshift water bottle pocket that functions reasonably well in a pinch. We’ve tested this setup, and while it didn’t cause any issues, it’s hard to recommend using it this way, especially since the materials aren’t water-resistant. We certainly would not recommend doing this while also carrying electronics like a camera or lenses.

The removable camera insert has a nice amount of padding for added protection. The insert is super dense, has a top flap, and is covered in a plush fabric, which combines to provide total protection on all sides. The insert is made of “closed cell” foam with a solid, non-porous structure, which adds durability and impact resistance. Similar to the bag itself, the insert has a degree of flexibility that accommodates slightly larger gear than listed in the dimensions. It comes with two vertical and two horizontal dividers, which can be attached anywhere inside with VELCRO®. When removed, the bag transforms from a camera bag into a casual messenger bag. The process of installing or removing it is pretty intuitive and seamless. An added snap on the front secures it in place.

The Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag is quite versatile as to what it can comfortably carry. It can accommodate most DSLRs with a small-to-medium lens attached, and there’s room for an additional 2—4 lenses, depending on their size. The bag is also suitable for just about any mirrorless camera, with space for 2—4 lenses. Some rangefinder and medium format cameras can also fit in this bag. It also has enough room to carry small foldable drones like the Mavic Air 2 or Mavic Mini 2, with some extra space to spare.

On the front of the bag, their Quick Release System Front Straps help keep the main compartment securely closed and protected while offering easy access on the go. These straps, made from top-grain leather with high-quality stitching, slide up and off the brass ‘clog balls’ on the front of the bag. Although they require a brief adjustment period and a little breaking in, opening the bag with one hand becomes easier once you get the hang of it, and the leather softens up a bit. The buckles at the bottom allow you to customize the fit.

The Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag is an excellent choice for those seeking a versatile, stylish, and durable bag. Suitable for photographers, videographers, or anyone who just wants robust protection in a timeless aesthetic, its weather-resistant exterior, removable camera insert, and quality materials make it a reliable companion for professional shoots and everyday use. While it may sit on the more minimal side, it does not compromise on functionality. Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, the Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag is a good choice if you are looking for something flexible and timeless.