billingham camera bags

[whizzard]

The reason why i like Billingham bags is the aesthetic value besides the functional purpose.

On a form vs function basis, I feel that the Billingham bag will retain its character as it gets used over time. I mean, the bag just looks great despite being used and worn.

BTW, the 7 series looks good! I am now having second thoughts on the 206.

 

[paisatge]

I definitely like my 307 over the 335.

 

[pentaxme]

Hi Paisatge, very nice bag :thumbsup:

How about posting some pictures on the interior and the presstop? really curious to see how it look like? Thanks very very much in advance ;p

I definitely like my 307 over the 335.

 

[nicky]

Looking at paisatge's comparison photos of 307 vs 335, I already noticed some design improvements that I bitched about in my earlier posts. Apparently Billingham must have gotten similar feedback from users and made the changes :thumbsup: Notable improvements on what I call the 'dangling-lasso-handle' and also the way the front leather strap is secured. I will explain with a photo instead so that you can visualize what I'm trying to say. Hope paisatge don't mind I use your photo for illustration.

The 335 (right) grab handle (red) hangs dangerously low such that it may get tangled up with something. The 307 (left) anchored the grab handle loop higher and also made the loop shorter hence it won't hang below the baseline of the bag.

Secondly, the 307 (left) front leather strap (blue) can be secured to the studs much quicker since the leather strap is located just in front of the studs. The 335 has this weird arrangement where the leather strap is located behind the grab-handle-loop. The leather strap has to thread through a brass loop (like threading a needle) before it can be secured to the brass stud.

The rest of the 07 series design seems similar to the PressTop 06 series. One thing I can't visualize from the photo is how the weight will be supported if the bag is held by its grab handle. The photo seems to suggest that the entire weight is transfered to the brass studs? Seems unlikely since this will stretch the leather strap hole over time. Paisatge, can you help enlighten how the weight is supported? Is there a secondary secure mechanism hidden behind the top canvas flap?

 

[CS TAN]

The rest of the 07 series design seems similar to the PressTop 06 series. One thing I can't visualize from the photo is how the weight will be supported if the bag is held by its grab handle. The photo seems to suggest that the entire weight is transfered to the brass studs? Seems unlikely since this will stretch the leather strap hole over time. Paisatge, can you help enlighten how the weight is supported? Is there a secondary secure mechanism hidden behind the top canvas flap?

I have the exactly same question when looking at the 07 series design. From the look of it, the entire weight of the bag is going to be rested on the studs which which will surely going to tear the leather strap or make the bag change shape if the gears are heavy.

Perhaps paisatge can enlighten us on this...

 

[paisatge]

Nicky is correct in terms of the improvement. No more dangling handle, etc. In fact, you open the flap by just using the leather strap without having the need to touch the handle at all. The leather strap itself is also better. The hole is larger and as you can see, the ending of the leather straps are larger and thus, easier to hold and pull.

The weight will indeed be on the leather strap if you use the handle. I guess this bag is meant to be a shoulder bag and the handle is just for carrying it for a short moment.

The inner handle is leather made and the front piece can be taken off as you can see in the picture below. Hope that helps.

All in all, comparing to my 335, it's lighter, easier to use/access and the material (fibrenyte) is more flexible - though I don't really like the texture but not a big deal.

 

[nicky]

Thanks for the photos. It's very clear to me now. Though I don't feel comfortable with the idea of the weight being channeled to and concentrated on the studs, like you mentioned, the bag was probably not meant to be carried by the grab handle for extended period. I'll take a more detailed look once a sample is available locally.

 

[phatshin]

paisatge where did you get your 307 from ?

 

[clubgrit]

I use the grab handle on my Hadley Pro only when I need some rest from my shoulders, or when I have to put down the bag. This makes it really useful for me, and the reason I selected the Pro over the non-pro.

Anyway, I don't carry very heavy stuff, I'll use a trolley for that ! Save your shoulders or back

At any rate, the Billingham is certainly my favorite camera-related shoulder bag so far. I saw PK Chan the distributor carrying the Hadley Pro too, and he's had it for 10 years++. Looks like I'll have mine long too, even if I don't use it for camera stuff .



.

 

[pentaxme]

Hi paisatge, thanks very very much for the pictures I want one of this 7 series

 

[nicky]

Not cheap. Prices online suggests that the 207 and 307 are priced even higher than the 555. Fyi you can get a 555 for about $560-$600. So expect the 207 & 307 to be S$600++.

 

[paisatge]

paisatge where did you get your 307 from ?

got it from the UK. After conversion, it's about S$400+

 

[paisatge]

well, hadley pro is relatively smaller (volume wise and hence stuff you can put in) than the 307. So I guess they can't really compare.

The Hadley Pro is indeed a very nice shoulder bag and one of my all time favourite. I sometimes use it to carry a laptop :bsmilie:

I use the grab handle on my Hadley Pro only when I need some rest from my shoulders, or when I have to put down the bag. This makes it really useful for me, and the reason I selected the Pro over the non-pro.

Anyway, I don't carry very heavy stuff, I'll use a trolley for that ! Save your shoulders or back

At any rate, the Billingham is certainly my favorite camera-related shoulder bag so far. I saw PK Chan the distributor carrying the Hadley Pro too, and he's had it for 10 years++. Looks like I'll have mine long too, even if I don't use it for camera stuff .
.

 

[xiutian]

Would the 206 be enough to carry a Canon 40D with 24-70 attached, 135mm and 10-22mm? Would there be space leftover for other stuff like filters, wallet,etc? Thanks!

 

[whizzard]

Would the 206 be enough to carry a Canon 40D with 24-70 attached, 135mm and 10-22mm? Would there be space leftover for other stuff like filters, wallet,etc? Thanks!

The answer to your question is yes!

I carry my 5DMII with 24-105, a 70-200 and a 580EXII and there's still space for your wallet, filters, etc.

However, do give PK Chan a call. Say you want to consider the 206 and try it for yourself. He's a very nice gentleman. When I bought my 206 from him, he has no ready stock so he offered to lend me his old 206 as I needed to use it for a number of events until the new stock arrived. He left his old 206 with me based solely on trust (no deposit, nothing). Of course, I bought from him and paid him when the new 206 arrived about 3 weeks later.

 

[xiutian]

The answer to your question is yes!

I carry my 5DMII with 24-105, a 70-200 and a 580EXII and there's still space for your wallet, filters, etc.

However, do give PK Chan a call. Say you want to consider the 206 and try it for yourself. He's a very nice gentleman. When I bought my 206 from him, he has no ready stock so he offered to lend me his old 206 as I needed to use it for a number of events until the new stock arrived. He left his old 206 with me based solely on trust (no deposit, nothing). Of course, I bought from him and paid him when the new 206 arrived about 3 weeks later.

So you did decide to go with the 206 in the end How is it? Can give a mini review?

 

[clubgrit]

Indeed ... my only issues with the Billinghams are the weight (when empty), at least if you compare to a Lowepro of similar volume or larger, even with my little Alice L2. Sometimes, that little weight can be the straw that breaks the camel's back during long treks , which is why I love the handle on the Hadley Pro (even if I only have a small camera in it). Leather and the other materials used are of course slightly heavier than the usual camera bags. It's just me I guess, I am amazed seeing photographers lugging around camera and equipment that seem to weigh a lot like they were nothing. 2kg total is already heavy for me.

well, hadley pro is relatively smaller (volume wise and hence stuff you can put in) than the 307. So I guess they can't really compare.

The Hadley Pro is indeed a very nice shoulder bag and one of my all time favourite. I sometimes use it to carry a laptop :bsmilie:

 

[nordleadx]

I own domke , Billinghams bags..

Billinghams bags dam nice and well build but dam heavy... Nwdays perfer US army bags, add lots of pad in it and use as camera bag. They are tough, lightweight and are build for war. Looks trendy too, camera bag just lack the trendiness ...

 

[PrimePhotog]

Indeed ... my only issues with the Billinghams are the weight (when empty), at least if you compare to a Lowepro of similar volume or larger, even with my little Alice L2. Sometimes, that little weight can be the straw that breaks the camel's back during long treks , which is why I love the handle on the Hadley Pro (even if I only have a small camera in it). Leather and the other materials used are of course slightly heavier than the usual camera bags. It's just me I guess, I am amazed seeing photographers lugging around camera and equipment that seem to weigh a lot like they were nothing. 2kg total is already heavy for me.

Agree...But think of it this way...When you buy Lowepros, they are generally (If not always) bigger than Billinghams for the same price.IMHO, bigger bags make you want to carry more stuff.Despite the weight, I love my Billingham 306 although I would prefer a smaller bag for most of the time.

 

[whizzard]

So you did decide to go with the 206 in the end How is it? Can give a mini review?

I am not qualified to give a review lah. :sweat: This is my first camera bag and I have no basis of comparison with other bags. Maybe others who have used more than a few camera bags would be in a better position to give a review.

What I looked for in the bag is for it to be not too big or too small to carry what I need when I go for a shoot. It has removable foam partitions for flexibility in terms of configuring the interior compartment which is also useful. Should also be a bag that holds its looks and Billingham has a classical look especially the khaki coloured ones, with brass buckles and buttons and tanned leather lining and straps. The build quality is also good.

I ended up with the 206 because PK Chan says that he does not have stocks of the 7 series yet. Not good to defer the purchase since he has already been so nice about lending me the bag earlier so I carried through the purchase. If he had the equivalent size in 7 series, I would have bought it as I like the new sleeker look but alas ........