billingham camera bags

[mmmel]

I found this while googling. Thought maybe you guys would like to see it as well..

Hadley Pro vs Small

 

[whizzard]

Thanks for the info and discussion on this thread.

After some consideration, I have decided on buying the 206 (khaki/tan) from PKChan. It should fit what I need to carry around for the time being, with just a little bit of allowance for future expansion. Billingham's classical design and time-tested built quality won me over.

PK will deliver to my house tomorrow ..... can't wait!

 

[nicky]

I like their Hadley series but can't say the same about the rest of their shoulder bags. Their 5 series (335, 445, xx5 etc) and Presstops don't seem very practical to me. Nice looking yes, but not very functional. Example, I find it difficult to access the contents in a jiffy, compared to say a Domke. The top zipper tends to get in the way, and the 'tuk-top' doesn't seem to keep the zipper at bay as claimed. The worst part, and a design flaw, imo is the way the handle hangs down when the top is opened, ready to snag anything in its way. Front pockets are secured via press-studs and it takes some strength to open or release it. Lastly the bags are relatively heavy. Imo, the shoulder bags are elegant bags to transport your equipment in transit. But if you work out of the bag and need fast access, get a no-frills but functional bag like the Domkes or the likes.

 

[CS TAN]

I like their Hadley series but can't say the same about the rest of their shoulder bags. Their 5 series (335, 445, xx5 etc) and Presstops don't seem very practical to me. Nice looking yes, but not very functional. Example, I find it difficult to access the contents in a jiffy, compared to say a Domke. The top zipper tends to get in the way, and the 'tuk-top' doesn't seem to keep the zipper at bay as claimed.

I have a 445 and I found the 'tuk-top' very convenient to use. Are you having the old design? Billingham has improve the 'tuk-top' on the 5 series a couple years ago.

The worst part, and a design flaw, imo is the way the handle hangs down when the top is opened, ready to snag anything in its way.

I don't see a problem with this. If you notice, there are 3 handles with the bag. When the bag is closed, you use the outer handle together with the one from the front. Once the top flap is open, there is another handle inside so even with the flap open, you can still move the bag.

Front pockets are secured via press-studs and it takes some strength to open or release it.

The front pockets are deep enough so you can leave them open if you want. anyway, the press-studs are one of the most convenient way of locking and unlocking IMO. I can use one hand to open the stud vs the clips from others that will require two hands. This is also one of the features in the Hadley bags. It might be a little tight when new but after a while, it will get loose but not loose enough to have it open accidentally.

Lastly the bags are relatively heavy. Imo, the shoulder bags are elegant bags to transport your equipment in transit. But if you work out of the bag and need fast access, get a no-frills but functional bag like the Domkes or the likes.

I don't carry the bag on the shoulder during an event as it has a lot of gears in it and it gets quite heavy. I use it mainly to transport my gears.

 

[hjbyeo]

I have both Domke and Billingham, and I agree with CS Tan that the press studs are certainly more convenient than the domke's clip ...

 

[nicky]

I have a 445 and I found the 'tuk-top' very convenient to use. Are you having the old design? Billingham has improve the 'tuk-top' on the 5 series a couple years ago.

I'm using the 335 new design - just bought end of last year. I also have the Presstop 106. Yes you can tuck the zipper under the tuk-top but it doesn't stay there especially when you're moving around. The zipper can 'dislodge' itself from the confines of the tuk-top, and when this happens, I find it irritating as the zipper scrapes my cam when I draw it out.

I don't see a problem with this. If you notice, there are 3 handles with the bag. When the bag is closed, you use the outer handle together with the one from the front. Once the top flap is open, there is another handle inside so even with the flap open, you can still move the bag.

Yes I'm aware of this. What I meant was the grab handle hanging precariously close to the ground when the handle is unbuckled. The grab handle is like a cowboy lasso ready to get entangled with something. I usually leave the zipper and grab handle unbuckled for quick access while on the move. If I keep everything closed up, it's going to be a 3 step process to access the bag contents - (1) unbuckle the grab handle, (2) release the top flap by releasing the leather straps from the studs, (3) unzip the zipper. It's a fine bag with good padding if you use it as a transport medium, but accessibility on the go isn't very ideal imo.

The front pockets are deep enough so you can leave them open if you want. anyway, the press-studs are one of the most convenient way of locking and unlocking IMO. I can use one hand to open the stud vs the clips from others that will require two hands. This is also one of the features in the Hadley bags. It might be a little tight when new but after a while, it will get loose but not loose enough to have it open accidentally.

By press-studs, I'm referring to the fastener in which one part - the brass projecting knob snaps into the brass hole on another part. Not the leather strap (with cut-out holes) that snaps into a brass stud. I find it difficult to secure the front pockets since you need to align the two parts (of the press-studs) before snapping them in place. Compare this to Domke front pockets which are secured via velcro, it's doesn't take as much hassle relatively speaking.

I don't carry the bag on the shoulder during an event as it has a lot of gears in it and it gets quite heavy. I use it mainly to transport my gears.

The bag (xx5 & x06 series) is fine as a transport medium, but less so if you work out of the bag on the go. The Hadleys are ok though and they are my most utilized bags, so much so that I got the Hadley Small, Hadley Pro, as well as the Original to cater for different loads.

 

[nicky]

I have both Domke and Billingham, and I agree with CS Tan that the press studs are certainly more convenient than the domke's clip ...

Regarding the metal clip of the Domke, imo it is a design-flaw. Hit my face on several occasion when I flung the flap open. However my earlier post was comparing the relative ease of usage, of Billinghams front-pocket press-studs to Domke's front-pocket velcro, which in my opinion, the velcro wins hands down since it is self-aligned, unlike the Billingham's press-studs. I use both brands too.

 

[hjbyeo]

Regarding the metal clip of the Domke, imo it is a design-flaw. Hit my face on several occasion when I flung the flap open. However my earlier post was comparing the relative ease of usage, of Billinghams front-pocket press-studs to Domke's front-pocket velcro, which in my opinion, the velcro wins hands down since it is self-aligned, unlike the Billingham's press-studs. I use both brands too.

I guess that's why we have so many different bags!

 

[flowerpot]

i will design a Domlingham... best of both world... :bsmilie:

 

[CS TAN]

I'm using the 335 new design - just bought end of last year. I also have the Presstop 106. Yes you can tuck the zipper under the tuk-top but it doesn't stay there especially when you're moving around. The zipper can 'dislodge' itself from the confines of the tuk-top, and when this happens, I find it irritating as the zipper scrapes my cam when I draw it out.

Perhaps 335 is different from my 445 greatly, otherwise, I don't see the problem that you have. Here is a snapshot of the tuk-top on my 445:

It stays pretty much in place and the zipper doesn't get in the way...

Yes I'm aware of this. What I meant was the grab handle hanging precariously close to the ground when the handle is unbuckled. The grab handle is like a cowboy lasso ready to get entangled with something. I usually leave the zipper and grab handle unbuckled for quick access while on the move. If I keep everything closed up, it's going to be a 3 step process to access the bag contents - (1) unbuckle the grab handle, (2) release the top flap by releasing the leather straps from the studs, (3) unzip the zipper. It's a fine bag with good padding if you use it as a transport medium, but accessibility on the go isn't very ideal imo.

Yes, the handle with the buckle lying on the floor is a problem. I will usually put it inside the front pouch to avoid tripping over:

By press-studs, I'm referring to the fastener in which one part - the brass projecting knob snaps into the brass hole on another part. Not the leather strap (with cut-out holes) that snaps into a brass stud. I find it difficult to secure the front pockets since you need to align the two parts (of the press-studs) before snapping them in place. Compare this to Domke front pockets which are secured via velcro, it's doesn't take as much hassle relatively speaking.

We might be talking about different things. I am referring to the brass stud with leather strap with cut-out holes such as these:

The bag (xx5 & x06 series) is fine as a transport medium, but less so if you work out of the bag on the go. The Hadleys are ok though and they are my most utilized bags, so much so that I got the Hadley Small, Hadley Pro, as well as the Original to cater for different loads.

Agreed. I also have the Hadley small (which I sold off recently) and the Hadley Large (which I bought recently) in addition to the 445.

 

[jnet6]

i can fit 3 zoom lens with pro body to this hadley pro but it weights heavy.
(12-24,17-35 and 70-200)

And it looks compact through is heavily loaded.

 

[nicky]

CS TAN,

I stand corrected. Only the PressTop employs button press-studs for their front-pockets (refer to photos). The 335 similar to your 445 uses leather straps that hook onto the brass studs, which is easier to lodge/dislodge than button press-studs. I use my PressTop more than the 335 thinking that both uses the same scheme since both (to me at least) are equally cumbersome in strapping, unstrapping, aligning leather straps into brass loops.. etc.. Having said that, Billinghams are fine bags with the caveat that potential buyers need to weigh the pros and cons of its unique design against your type of usage.

PressTop 106 - front pockets button-press-studs closed

PressTop 106 - front pockets button-press-studs opened

335 - front pockets leather strap dislodged

 

[nicky]

i will design a Domlingham... best of both world... :bsmilie:

Good idea.... Domlingham - the love child of 'accessibility' & 'class'.

 

[cowmera]

The new 07 series is nice too and they come in 3 sizes.


107

Measurements

 

[CS TAN]

Was at PK Chan's home early this year when getting the Hadley Large but didn't realized there is a new 7 series. Looks like a bag that can hold some serious gears that we can carry around in events (not like the bigger 5 series such as 335, 445... which is too heavy and can only be use to transport stuff)

 

[CS TAN]

Hi Cowmera, where did you get the 7 series information? I went to Billingham UK website and there is no 7 series yet.

 

[Cheesecake]

the 7 series looks cool.

 

[cowmera]

Hi Cowmera, where did you get the 7 series information? I went to Billingham UK website and there is no 7 series yet.

Hi, I got the info from this link....Digital 4 U

The 07 series details were on the main billingham website previously. Maybe they are trying to redo the page?

the 7 series looks cool.

Yeah, they have it in black too.

 

[Cheesecake]

Hi, I got the info from this link....Digital 4 U

The 07 series details were on the main billingham website previously. Maybe they are trying to redo the page?



Yeah, they have it in black too.

prefer the new tanned color n look of the 7 series. :thumbsup:

 

[flowerpot]

Here is a brochure i found... looks good... maybe i should trade my J2 for this ;p

http://www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk/media/documents/billingham/brochures/Billingham_07_series.pdf