Billingham Hadley Pro

Interesting that it also has the attachment button in the same place, most 3rd party dividers (I've had a few) don't have that.

Did you get a response from Billingham at all?
 
freecom2 said:
Interesting that it also has the attachment button in the same place, most 3rd party dividers (I've had a few) don't have that.

Did you get a response from Billingham at all?
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No response yet but as weekend maybe they are not open. I am hopeful that they take charge of this matter and send out the correct insert. I'm not even sure the whole unit is real now. I'll wait for a reply before refunding. I have a week or so to wait. If no reply I'll refund and not do business with amazon again (I've had a few disputes now).


www.andyhayballphoto.com
 
Hi all. I have just received my Hadley Pro from Amazon today and the insert is also same as Andy's. Not padded at all. I rang Billingham to check and they said the insert for the Hadley range had been changed. No longer the soft padded type! Really disappointed consider the price charged for the bag is not exactly cheap! But the rest of the bag is really cool and nicely finished.
 
Wow that is surprising as it sounds like a retrograde step.
 
Forgot to say I only paid £146 for the Black canvas version when Amazon had it for that price for a day before it went back up to £175. I think I will keep it cos its a genuine Billingham apart from the 'cheapened' insert.
 
Yes agree the soft padded inserts look lovely and luxurious!
 
Alphahoho said:
Forgot to say I only paid £146 for the Black canvas version when Amazon had it for that price for a day before it went back up to £175. I think I will keep it cos its a genuine Billingham apart from the 'cheapened' insert.
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Thanks everyone for such great response and feedback. Glad everyone has each other's back. Indeed since the start of the year this is the "new insert" not happy at all. Very disappointed. This insert is not in line at all with the quality of the rest of the bag at all. Disappointed doesn't even cover it.


www.andyhayballphoto.com
 
AndyHayball said:
Thanks everyone for such great response and feedback. Glad everyone has each other's back. Indeed since the start of the year this is the "new insert" not happy at all. Very disappointed. This insert is not in line at all with the quality of the rest of the bag at all. Disappointed doesn't even cover it.


www.andyhayballphoto.com
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Would never happen with ONA....:D
 
Just had a peep at the ONA bags, they look average at best & just std buckles with no quick release is a major minus point.
the insides look plush & they do have a decent selection of finishes tho but not for me :)
 
I'm erring rapidly towards the ONA Brixton in leather - both finishes look terrific IMO. Adam - if you think they look "average at best", I'd love to know what you think looks good. Maybe take more than just a "peep"? The "standard buckles" hide clips that latch underneath them (at least, they do on the Brixtons).
There's a number of great reviews on YouTube and they all comment on the high quality.

F'rinstance -

or -

The reports above about BIllingham changing their interiors is pushing me down the ONA path.
 
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Billingham website still showing pic of 'old' insert instead of the cheap ones you get with the Hadley range! That's very cheeky of them. I emailed them about it and asked for a replacement for old insert or else I will return the bag back to Amazon for refund.
 
BT Bob said:
The reports above about BIllingham changing their interiors is pushing me down the ONA path.
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Yes, you'll be fine till the rain p***es down, especially in winter with the wind behind it ... or maybe you don't venture far from cover?
 
Alphahoho said:
Billingham website still showing pic of 'old' insert instead of the cheap ones you get with the Hadley range! That's very cheeky of them. I emailed them about it and asked for a replacement for old insert or else I will return the bag back to Amazon for refund.
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Hope you get the old insert....The Ona Brixton looks massive compared to the Hadley Pro and distinctly average messenger bag to me...And what is it with an American brand calling it after a not so great area in London? (and I'm being polite here....)
 
Alphahoho said:
Billingham website still showing pic of 'old' insert instead of the cheap ones you get with the Hadley range! That's very cheeky of them. I emailed them about it and asked for a replacement for old insert or else I will return the bag back to Amazon for refund.
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Same as me I emailed yesterday requesting the exact same thing.

It's a great bag but mis advertising is mis advertising. I bought the bag thinking I would get what the pictures showed. A nice padded interior not a cheap synthetic scratchy thin plastic inner. When your carrying 5000+ quid of gear it really does matter if it's padded.


www.andyhayballphoto.com
 
IMO, the Hadley Pro is a far nicer looking bag than the Brixton, and I think it doubles up as a smart briefcase in a much better fashion than the Ona bag (this is predominantly what I use mine for).

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I bought mine around Feb and it came with the old insert, I had spoken to a couple of retailers and no one mentioned anything about a change to the insert or stock changes (aside from the new Hadley Large Pro).
 
That's disappointing to hear about the change to the Hadley's interior - I wonder if it's something they are doing with all their bags, as quite a few have similar inserts? You can still buy the inserts separately, be interesting to see if the price/description of those changes...

The Ona bags look nice but a bit hefty at 3 pounds with nothing in them.
 
AndyHayball said:
Same as me I emailed yesterday requesting the exact same thing.

It's a great bag but mis advertising is mis advertising. I bought the bag thinking I would get what the pictures showed. A nice padded interior not a cheap synthetic scratchy thin plastic inner. When your carrying 5000+ quid of gear it really does matter if it's padded.


www.andyhayballphoto.com
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Let's see what their responses are but the more I look and feel the new inserts the more I want to send it back to Amazon. That scratchy material will rub against the gear in no time and its something I don't want. So yes decided to return for refund. A real disappointment. The leather Onabags don't appeal to me at all regardless if price ,wanted a Billingham bag since my film Rangefinders days oh well just have to stick with my old Domke F6 for abit longer.
 
droj said:
Yes, you'll be fine till the rain p***es down, especially in winter with the wind behind it ... or maybe you don't venture far from cover?
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Not as a camera bag, to be fair but, like many others, whatever I get will need to "double" as a normal "man-bag", so it would be out in bad weather from time to time.
They're described as water-resistant - are you saying they're not?
 
Had no reply from Billingham re: inserts. Bag packed and ready to return to Amazon. Wont be buying a Billingham again.
 
Not smart at all Billingham, changing the material of the insert in the Hadley range. Why? The original soft cushion padding just so damn nice. I doubt the new ones are even made in England.
 
BT Bob said:
Not as a camera bag, to be fair but, like many others, whatever I get will need to "double" as a normal "man-bag", so it would be out in bad weather from time to time.
They're described as water-resistant - are you saying they're not?
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They most definitely are.
 
Could someone kindly post an image of the Billingham insert(s) on the Pro as I've been looking at getting one but having read this thread am having doubts.The Billingham website is confusing
 
It was posted earlier in this thread :)
 
The new insert is made from a synthetic pladticky material and not well padded. The dividers are really bad. Old version very soft and cushionish feel. Even has a Billingham logo tag sewn to the edge.
 
Such a crass difference? I have an "old" Hadley Pro (the olive variant) and the padding isn't that massive. Maybe I've just worn it thin over the last two years?

There certainly isn't a logo or tag on my insert though.
 
Update :

After a few emails back and fourth Billingham have agreed to send me the original insert. I have sent them the new insert and as soon as they receive that they will send me the old style.

Billingham have been very professional and understanding on email and would 100% recommend them to anyone buying. I will continue to buy there products and support a great brand such as themselves.

The new style insert is however low grade so anyone buying a Hadley pro now I'd suggest maybe buy the old stock somewhere.


www.andyhayballphoto.com
 
Thanks for the closure.
Incidentally my Billingham bag is 32 years old now. It's probably the 550. It's seen a lot of use and is still as good as new. OK it's faded a bit. But that makes it look even more Billingham!
I wonder if Billingham would change the insert for me after all this time? It doesn't have an iPad slot in it. When I bought it, the man said "an i-what?" I said "...er Nothing! That hasn't happened yet. Forget I ever mentioned it."
 
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ianp5a said:
Thanks for the closure.
Incidentally my Billingham bag is 32 years old now. It's seen a lot of use and is still as good as new. OK it's faded a bit. But that makes it look even more Billingham.
I wonder Billingham would change the insert for me after all this time? It doesn't have an iPad slot in it. When I bought it, the man said "an i-what?" I said "Never mind. That hasn't happened yet. Forget I ever mentioned it."
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Haha indeed :) great to hear you have had it that long!

The insert arrived in the mail today and it's excellent! The quality is far above the new insert they are using and this old style one really does fit better and offer padded protection against knocks and bumps. I LOVE this bag now!


www.andyhayballphoto.com
 
Just wondering, am I the only one who went down the ONA route because it's discrete in jeans and t-shirt? I'm surprised so many people on here rave about the the HP range doubling as a briefcase.... Must work in a very different environment to me!

Both great bags don't get me wrong.
 
AndyHayball said:
Haha indeed :) great to hear you have had it that long!

The insert arrived in the mail today and it's excellent! The quality is far above the new insert they are using and this old style one really does fit better and offer padded protection against knocks and bumps. I LOVE this bag now!


www.andyhayballphoto.com
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Thanks for the update and that Billingham sorted you out with a new 'old' insert. I had no reply from them and returned the bag to Amazon. Went for an Ona Bowery bag, very different to the Hadly but perfect for my Dp2/3Merrills. Nicely made too and the insert is nice and soft too.
 
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Alphahoho said:
Thanks for the update and Billingham sorted you out with a new 'old' insert. I had no reply from them and returned the bag to Amazon. Went for an Ona Bowery bag, very different to the Hadly but perfect for my Dp2/3Merrills. Nicely made too and the insert is soft and nic too.
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Excellent, how did you get an Ona out of curiosity, the only distributer here in Sweden charge a great deal for the privilege.


www.andyhayballphoto.com
 
I think only Fotosense and Harrison's Cameras are the only official distributors of Ona bags here in the UK. I bought mine from Fotosense in Bolton.
 
The small Bowery is perfect as a everyday bag for my compact system with the Merrills. There's room for another camera too. Will be adding another compact cam to my kit soon, either Ricoh GR, Fuji X-e1 or the new Sony RX100III due out soon.
 
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