Billingham 555 - camera bag review
Share
Beautifully made, well designed Billingham 555 camera bag from a classic English brand, reviewed by The Kitmaster.
UK price: £199.99.
Pros: Looks and feels great, sophisticated design features, flexible storage.
Cons: Very expensive, thief magnet.
Verdict: Gorgeous bag for serious photographers.
Rating: 
Available from:www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk
Product Review
Billingham is a classic English brand like Robert Radios and Aga cookers. It has survived by producing top quality, classically-styled, beautifully-made products - in the tiny niche of camera bags.
If you're into photography you've probably heard of them, otherwise they'll be a mystery. But rest assured, of the hundreds of professional photographers I worked with over the years, the vast majority use Billingham camera bags. But they have another traditional feature - they're really expensive. Are they too pricey for the average traveller? I had a look at their latest offering - the Billingham 555.
This is one of their largest bags and is easily capable of acting as a small suitcase. I could get a week's clothes in this lovely waterproof canvas and leather shoulder bag. But it's primarily designed for cameras - and you'll need a lot of kit to fill it. The Billingham 555 camera bag will easily hold three SLRs, three lenses and a large hammerhead flashgun.
At least they will be safely packed away. The design of this bag is pretty sophisticated. The main compartment includes four full-depth pockets and is double protected by a large rain flap, which folds away when you're working with the bag open. The zip can even be folded out of the way when it's open too.
There are two other zipped compartments, two front pockets, and a selection of flexible dividers to Velcro into place inside the bag. The adjustable strap has a chunky leather shoulder pad designed to stop the bag slipping however heavy it is. There are to grab handles too and loops to attach a backpack harness or tripod straps (they cost £40 or £15 extra respectively).
Its external measurements are: 470 x 220 x 315mm. The bag comes in khaki or black, weighs just 2.5kg and feels like its going to last a lifetime, from the zips to the seams.
Read the Billingham 307 camera bag review.
Average customer rating
awaiting 5 vote(s)...
Email
Why Register?
