Is anybody using a billingham?

I used to have a Billingham 335 and while I found it roomy enough for my kit at the time I hated the inability to access my kit easily and having push aside the top to get a lens in and out.

I know have a Tamprac Pro 8 which is just about big enough for my current kit and great for access. It will be too small for my currently planned purchases (70-200 2.8 is and 100-400).

I really loved the quality of the Billingham and wondered if anybody was using one of the new ones with the tuk top. Does it make swapping a lens easy or is it still a juggling act where you wish you had a third arm?

Long story short: It's still a tucking act. I'm going to go to the local camera store on Sat. and buy some sort of backpack with easier access.

Hope that helps. I, too, love the Billingham and will continue to use it as a urban walking around pac, but as for traveling/hiking/wilde​rness, it is very cumbersome.

Ole Joe

Well, I have a 335 as well, and find it very easy to access it to change lenses. Frankly, I dont understand what you are referring to.... Mine is some 7 years old, so I'm not sure if it features the tuk top? Do you open both zippers and then flip open the main compartiment? Thats what those push-buttons on the inside of the front compartiment are for.... So, I flip it open _outward_ instead of folding it inward like this picture shows (thats a tuk top I presume).

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

dochall,

I sympathise - I too have a lovely 335 sat in the cupboard as I found it just too clumsy to use as an on-the-job bag. I loved it as a carry-on bag but found it just wan't getrting the use. Hence I now have a Lowepro Orion II and am shortly about to investigate a Tamrac Expedition 5 for a growing lens collection!! The 335 is sat in the cupboard awaiting me putting it up for sale.....

' knew I had a picture lying around somewhere:

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

I have a 555 and it accomodates 2 x 1D (a MK-I and a MK-II), one with a 70-200 2.8IS and the other with a 100-400L, plus 17-40, 24-70, 50 1,4, 85 1.8, both TC's, spare batteries for everything, hoods, cleaning stuff (including blower), FlashTrax and P2000, plus a few other bits and pieces. With that lot in it is heavy, real heavy and not practical for carrying long distances. I usually unload it into a backpack when I am working on the race circuits as I only need a bag for one camera, the other being attached to my 300 2.8IS on a monopod over my shoulder.

Thanks Kenny, sounds like too much for my back To cram all this in, I suppose you have to put some lenses on top of each other? I'm looking for a bag that allows me to 'work from it', so with the camera + 1 lens out, I don't want any lenses on top of each other, but everything 'whithin reach': lenses with hoods attached, caps removed, so I can switch fast when required... It would need to fit in an extra flash (580EX) and 80-200/2.8

Sorry, Slightly off topic and I know I have already posed the question here -> http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=98272.

Do you ever fly (alone) with the 555 full of kit and the 300mm? I assume a 300 f2.8 in its carrier could pass as one piece of hand luggage. Or if you are flying first class, as a briefcase?

Also everyone seems to recommend the 555 over the slightly more expensive (£18 more at warehouse express) 550. Can anyone tell me why?

Any advice or experiences you could share would be greatfully received.

I don't fly with all my gear. I sometimes rent the gear, or more often have it provided when I go abroad. The last time I was in the US I was provided with a 1D, 70-200 2.8IS and 300 2.8IS to do a couple of motorsport shoots. Much easier than dealing with airlines and touchy security people. The 555 is deeper than the 550 and the pockets are better to use.


Rene, I don't stack the lenses. The 555 has enough room, and if you buy the correct dividers, can accomodate even more than I fit in it. Carrying it is a different issue and you really need to be ultra-fit. I am now looking to upgrade my backpack to something a little larger than my current one.