Billingham Camera Bags for Street Photography

(This review of Billingham camera bags for street photography was last updated in January 2021)

As a street photographer but more generally an outdoor photographer, Billingham bags have for years appealed to me and I’m really glad I could give them a try.

(I did review a selection of the best street photography bags but didn’t have a chance at the time to include Billingham)

This is for all of you lovers of well-made long lasting fashionable camera bags for your mirrorless camera, compact camera, bridge camera, DSLR or whatever it is you shoot with!

 

Billingham Hadley Pro (black):

The Hadley Pro is a messenger type camera bag priced at around £170.

It is a very good size bag for the mirrorless shooter. I particularly like the fact it has a handle (which the S3 below doesn’t have) and is able to fit a 13" laptop with camera or 15" without. The people at Billingham have thought it through by including as many pockets and zips as reasonably possible. Given the choice I’ll always choose a bag with numerous pockets over the opposite. My street photography bag has to be able to fit all I need for a day out: Camera, lenses, business cards, lens and camera cleaning accessories, keys, wallet, snacks,…

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The bag we tested was the all black version which I really like and think it’ll be less likely to look dirty after many trips in the great outdoors. The fabric is synthetic, harder wearing and colour-fast.

My wife who is a food photographer thought it’s one of the most suited camera bag for female photographers in terms of good looks.

It’s not the first time I hear female photographers mentioning the lack of fashionable looking camera bags or at least just good looking camera bags.

The inside padding on the Hadley Pro Black is dark green, of high quality and the padded insert is removable to turn it into a casual messenger bag.

I like the fact it does not scream camera bag and that’s important when carrying expensive camera gear.

I haven’t really got much to say about this bag but that’s for the right reason. It just makes perfect sense, looks good and feels like the fabric should last a very reasonable amount of years.

I would not hesitate to recommend it and find it good value for money.

Billingham S3 from the S-Series (Khaki/Tan):

Priced at £195, the S3 by Billingham is a smaller camera bag than the Hadley Pro. I personally prefer it as it is the smallest possible but at the same time has a very good amount of pockets, it does not compromise much.

According to Billingham, this particular S3 I reviewed is made of canvas which is mainly cotton with a bit of polyester to help it wear better.

The S3 I used for this review had a very attractive khaki fabric with tan leather straps. It has more pockets and can fit a tablet such as an IPad. It’s really smart, yet like the Hadley Pro it does not scream camera bag. The padding is excellent once again.

The stitching on those Billingham bags is really top notch.

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I recommend Billingham camera bags for street photography, based on the fact they mix good value and quality, they will most likely last long if reasonably cared for, have plenty of extra storage and the perfect choice for urban street photographers. Both bags are available in both synthetic or canvas both lined with butyl rubber which is impermeable to water - so they are rainproof.

I’m not entirely sure why the Hadley Pro is cheaper than the S3 since it’s the bigger bag.

The Hadley will allow you to bring a bit more with you but at the same time it also means carrying more. I find the S3 perfect for my needs. A tablet, a camera with lens and an extra lens on the side. That’s all I need for a good day out shooting around London.

My only regret? I now reluctantly have to send the sample bags back where they belong when I could have happily kept them both!

Head to the Billingham website now and check out the full range on offer!

Nico