Billingham bags

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raider2727

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I have been offered a Brand new Billingham 555 bag for a good price of £150, the reason being my friend says it is too big for him and it was a present from his parents last May and he has never used it, still in bag tags attached.
I have never spent more than £20 on a camera bag and this majestic beast in Black and Tan is tempting me as i could keep 2 bodies and 4 lenses in it easily.

My question is what are your thoughts on Billingham bags are they worth the money, would my tatty old lowepro not shout out come and steal my kit unlike the Billingham, plus it seems to take an age to get into your kit having to undo the handle 2 leather straps and a zip just to get to your camera.
 
Billingham bags are built very well and seem to last for longer than most of their owners but I can't see how the price tag is actualy justifyable these days. Lowepro and quite a few others seem to be able to make very sturdy kit for far less.

I do still kinda want one though. :lol:
 
The new prices are horrendous but the quality is superb. I've had one for years and it looks better now than when it was new.

I suppose it depends on how you look at it really. It's likely to last for decades, you're unlikely to wear it out, and even if you manage to break it somehow, Billingham will fix it for you as they're that kind of firm. It may not compete as a fashion item like some of the bags around now but it has a class that they'll never have.

Just my opinion of course :)

cheers
 
I've had my large billingham bag since 1985 cost £85 then. Outside its still flawless and the leather straps strong and fix to brass fittings ok. Inside it is a mess, as back then they used velcro fastenings with stiff covered separators. Thats all been changed on modern ones. I tend not to use mine now as the more room you have the more you lug around. Instead I have a large suitcase with foam that stores all cameras, lenes and accessories. I then extract what I think I need and carry it in a medium size lowebro.
 
Billingham bags are lovely :love: but I wouldn't want one, for the simple reason that you may as well hold a neon sign above your head saying "expensive camera kit inside"..

I keep my 5D and attached lens in a Lowepro zoom toploader, which I wear bandolier-style. Everything else goes in my nondescript rucksack.

A.
 
I can highly recommend them myself. Actually, I asked on the forum myself a little while back about Billingham as I required a larger bag for those occasions when I needed to carry around most of my gear, and everyone highly recommended them. They will certainly last a very long time. Some models are available in black as well as tan.
 
I have 2 Billingham’s and I use them both - the largest is a 445, I admit it can get a very heavy if you fill it, but as a bag to work out of at an event they are great. However as an everyday bag the 445 and 555 are possibly on the large size, but then again you do not need to fill it. They are designed to keep on going and should see you through several cameras and many years – of course if you don’t like it you can always move it on, you should not lose money...
 
Right well i am now the proud owner of a Billingham 555 black and Tan bag, my thoughts were i will use to store all my kit in it at home and should the need arise for a day out with everything i have something suitable if my shoulder can take it.
I have a Lowepro 75 Toploader for body and 70-200 and a Toploader 2 for Body and walk about lens.
I still have my very old Stealth reporter 500 so all bases covered.
If i find i dont want it i will put it on flea bay and hope to make a little profit.
i have to say though i am very impressed with the quality and it is huge!
 
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