Billingham Bags (445 & 555)

[Franko515]

After searching forever for camera bags, I have decided to go with either the Billinham 445 or the 555. I wanted a bag that made it easy to get at my equipment if I was out shooting, but I found the lowepro 200AW too foamy (if that makes since) and the lake of tripod holder put me off the Domke (didnt want to end up with a seperate tripod bag) So that left with with the Billinham (why does it have to be so pricey).

My questions are these, which bag between the 2 (445 & 555) would be best to hold the following

Canon 30D or Mark III (but not both together)
16-35 2.8 L
24-70 2.8 L
70-200 2.8 L IS
50 1.4
580 Flash
manuals
note pad
pens
rocket blower
extra batteries (for camera and flash)
lens hoods
remote shutter release

with a little room to spare (just dont want things crammed in)

Am I trying to fit too much in either bag?
Also how would I have to position my camera with a load like this? Would I be able to put the camera on its side with a attahed lens horizontial to bottom of bag?
With the 70-200 being the longest could I carry the camera with this lens attached?

Sorry to ask many questions at once, and thanks for any help you can provide

[René Damkot]

A 445 will fit that.
Here's mine, and you've got a lens and flash less...:
http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/POTN/Billingham445.jpg

It does get a bit heavy after a few hours...

[Franko515]

Thanks for the reply :D

Does your camera always sit lens down, lcd up?
Could your put it in on the cameras side or bottom?

[René Damkot]

Yeah, I could, but that's a tight fit. It's easier accesible this way.
If you pack the 24-70 where I have my 100, and the 50/1.4 in the place where I have the 28/1.8, you'll have plenty room.
Used to carry it like this in my 335:
http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/Billingham335.jpg
That was before the second flash and 80-200 arrived ;)

On a side note: The 'divider' holding the 50 and 28 in my 445 comes out of my 335...

[Franko515]

Thanks again.

So in order to carry my camera like you have displayed in the second shot, I could only mount my 50 1.4 without it being snug? Maybe the extra 2inches of length the 555 has would give me just enough room.

This maybe a crazy questions but does having the weight of your camera placed on the lens (like the first pic you posted) cause any problems? I wouldnt want to break the mount or anything (maybe im just a bit to paranoid).

[Jon]

Not to discourage your interest in the Billingham, but I use the assorted D-rings on the typical Domke to secure a monopod or small tripod. A big tripod is just too long to be anywhere close to comfortable attached to a shoulder bag IMO.

[august23]

Well for tripod holding, why not something like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=FvQvm1x8Zy!-393477442?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=216475&is=REG

Not necessarily for a manfrotto if you don't have one, but something similar. Seems easier to carry over your shoulder than having it latched onto your camera bag.

[Franko515]

Not to discourage your interest in the Billingham, but I use the assorted D-rings on the typical Domke to secure a monopod or small tripod. A big tripod is just too long to be anywhere close to comfortable attached to a shoulder bag IMO.

Not exactly sure what D-rings are :oops: (sorry I am new and have a disfunction :lol: ) and how they would work. Do you have any pictures of your setup?

Well for tripod holding, why not something like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=FvQvm1x8Zy!-393477442?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=216475&is=REG

Not necessarily for a manfrotto if you don't have one, but something similar. Seems easier to carry over your shoulder than having it latched onto your camera bag.

I was trying to avoid carrying two different things, but I am willing to investigate more.

Thanks for all the replies thus far ;)

[Freff]

Try this thread. I posted my 550 there which is the biggest Billingham. Some interesting posts which may help you choose.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=204695&highlight=billingham

[Jon]

Not exactly sure what D-rings are :oops: (sorry I am new and have a disfunction :lol: ) and how they would work. Do you have any pictures of your setup?"D" rings are, not surprisingly, "D"-shaped. The flap snaps clip to a pair, there are a pair on the back for attaching the backpack strap, and usually 2-4 on the top edges of the sides so you can clip a handle to the bag in addition to the shoulder strap. No pics of the combo in use, I'm afraid. this page (http://www.cambags.com/canon/300d_10_20d/shoulder/domke_f2_desc.htm) at Cambags.com will show a couple of F-2 Domkes with their D-rings visible.

[Franko515]

Try this thread. I posted my 550 there which is the biggest Billingham. Some interesting posts which may help you choose.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=204695&highlight=billingham

Funny I just ran across that thread then came back and you had poted a link ;) Thanks

"D" rings are, not surprisingly, "D"-shaped. The flap snaps clip to a pair, there are a pair on the back for attaching the backpack strap, and usually 2-4 on the top edges of the sides so you can clip a handle to the bag in addition to the shoulder strap. No pics of the combo in use, I'm afraid. this page (http://www.cambags.com/canon/300d_10_20d/shoulder/domke_f2_desc.htm) at Cambags.com will show a couple of F-2 Domkes with their D-rings visible.

I see the D-rings Thanks. Do Domkes only have a shoulder strap and no handle on top?

I really appreciate your patience with me :oops:

[René Damkot]

Thanks again.

So in order to carry my camera like you have displayed in the second shot, I could only mount my 50 1.4 without it being snug? Maybe the extra 2inches of length the 555 has would give me just enough room.

This maybe a crazy questions but does having the weight of your camera placed on the lens (like the first pic you posted) cause any problems? I wouldnt want to break the mount or anything (maybe im just a bit to paranoid).

In the 335 I have a Sigma 20/1.8 (about as big as the 20-35L, don't know about the 16-25L) on the 1D2... If I remove either the 28 or 50 lens from my 445, the camera fits sideways no problem....

I've encoutered no problems whatsoever with the camera facing down.

[Franko515]

Thank you so much for your help and patience :D

[Jon]

Funny I just ran across that thread then came back and you had poted a link ;) Thanks



I see the D-rings Thanks. Do Domkes only have a shoulder strap and no handle on top?

I really appreciate your patience with me :oops:Some come with a handle, others have an available snap-on one. My F-1x came with a removable handle with 4 attachment points; the F-3X has a 2-point removable, the F-802 has a sewn-on handle, the F-2s came with no handle (I added the $10.95 list one), and the F-7 has attachmetn points for the 4-point handle of the F-1x but no handle.

[Franko515]

Some come with a handle, others have an available snap-on one. My F-1x came with a removable handle with 4 attachment points; the F-3X has a 2-point removable, the F-802 has a sewn-on handle, the F-2s came with no handle (I added the $10.95 list one), and the F-7 has attachmetn points for the 4-point handle of the F-1x but no handle.

Thanks for so much info. I thought after I got my camera the hard choices would stop but no, now I need to decide on a bag, monopod, ballhead and something else im sure im still missing.

Again thanks everyone for your input :D

[Jon]

A bag? You starry-eyed dreamer, you!

[Franko515]

A bag? You starry-eyed dreamer, you!

Yeah after further thought I may end up with two bags and a case.

Something to hold me over till I can afford the billingham
Billingham 445
Pelican 1510 or 1550 (cant remember # right now.)