Absolutely high quality products. I’ve purchased 9 bags and cherish each in its own way for its own purpose. Last night I finally gave in and purchased my 10th from Billingham, the long coveted and admired 550 in Kahki with Tan Leather and a 50 year leather key chain. Figure that Billingham is in its 50th year all my reasons and excuses for holding off on the 550 are mute. Couldn’t be happier with my bags. They are truly special artistic creations.
I have a hadley digital and i got caught on a downpour and i just prayed for the best and ended really surprised that my gear was safe afterwards. I would like having bigger bags to not have inserts but have the inside of the hadley digital. I would love more rucksacks models, one that has space for gear and also for personal items. So like the size of the big one perhaps but not all gear.
These bags do a great job of protecting gear from the elements. I picked up a 555 and found that it was able to carry more than I could comfortably lift although on a car trip, this bag can keep everything together. I also use it as carry on luggage. On a recent flight, I had to check it in because of too much carry on luggage and it survived the trip without a mark or tear. My main carry is a 307 that I have had for eight years - The bag is still fully functional, no damage despite frequent use, and it has brass feet to protect the underside. It is also comfortable for several hours of use at a time.
I want to see more Camera Rucksacks that opens from the backside, so when you lay it in the dirt, it is the frontside of the rucksack, then you do not get dirty on your own back.
Thanks for watching. I'm sure the team have read your suggestion. Looking forward to more products from Billingham - you never know, we might get a rucksack that opens from the backside!
The backpacks are too small for my gear and won't replace my Think Tank rectangular backpack for now.... They won't replace my custom made hiking back pack either (shame not a single camera backpack company can make a proper hiking backpack with suspension at the back and that I have to buy an Osprey and a photo insert ... But that isn't Billingham positioning). My gear: Canon + two or three f2.8 zooms, a 35mm 1.4, one or two flashes, remote for flashes, camera charger and Gary Fong Lightshere and other bits and bobs including batteries, memory card, passport and travel documents. So that will always be too heavy for a shoulder bag.
Thanks for watching! You're right, that's definitely quite a lot of kit for a shoulder bag. We will wait and see what Billingham will produce in the years to come.
