How To Find The Right OneFor You & Your Photography

CAMERA BAGS:THECOMPLETEGUIDE

Hadley SeriesHadley Pro

/ 2 / / 3 /

FINDING THE PERFECT CAMERA BAG CAN OFTEN BE A TIRESOME FEAT.

From shoulder camera bags to camera rucksacks, the choices are in abundance, but your ideal one is out there, we promise.

Follow this guide to see the different styles and discover which one is the ultimate fit for you and your photography.

/ 4 / / 5 /

Also known as the messenger bag, it’s hard to go wrong with such a classic style. They come in all sorts of sizes - from small ones with just enough room for one camera to large ones with room for 2-3 cameras, lenses and accessories. Yet you might want to consider the weight the bigger the bag is.

To balance the weight distribution and reduce the pressure on your back, we’d recommend choosing a camera bag that has a wide strap and even a shoulder pad.

SIZING

It’s always important to think about what size bag you want. It needs to be big enough to carry what you need, but ask yourself some questions such as do you need space for a laptop and every lens you own? Or do you want to travel light to be flexible enough to catch those unexpected shots in the spur of the moment?

Here’s some considerations around the specific technical features that will maximise the performance.

• Pockets for documentation, memory cards, lens filters

• Inserts and dividers • Tripod attachment functionality

• Carry handle• Laptop space• Removable padded insert • Option to attach pockets/pouches

Any good camera bag should have padding to protect your gear from knocks. However in some bags the padding is stitched in and in others, it’s removable offering extra possibilities.

Remember you aren’t just protecting your gear from outside bumps - internal dividers can help you organise your gear and stop lenses crashing against each other. What’s important to check is whether internal dividers can be adjusted with Velcro® or are stitched in and whether you’ll get enough of them for your individual needs - if not can you buy them separately?

SHOULDER BAGS

Another benef i t of removable inserts:You can easi ly convert your camera bag into a casual bag and back again, with minimal effort . The Hadley Pro and Hadley Smal l both have this feature.

The Bi l l ingham 7 Ser ies, as wel l as the 5 Ser ies, a l l feature our Delta Wing strap that provides extra support and prevents the bag from t ipping over or rol l ing whi lst on the move.

5 Series555

Hadley SeriesHadley Small

Rucksack SeriesRucksack 35

CAMERA RUCKSACKS

Spacious, comfortable to carry and perfect for outdoor use. The camera rucksack has the ability to transport your photography kit across any terrain without becoming a burden on long distances. Some rucksacks feature loops to attach potential tripod straps and internal compartments for various accessories and additional lenses, making for a great alternative to the messenger style bag. We’d advise to opt for ergonomic shoulder straps for increased comfort whilst you travel.

Some camera rucksacks have removable padded inserts so you can turn i t into a casual bag and get more for your investment, such as the Bi l l ingham Rucksack 35.

/ 6 / / 7 /

Stowaway SeriesCompact

STOWAWAYS

/ 8 /

Whether you need assistance with your travel organisation or merely just want to go out on a point-and-shoot expedition, a compact stowaway is the right camera bag for the job. Functional without any fuss, you can carry a small compact or mirrorless camera as well as your essential documents. They can be attached to your camera waist belt or carried over your shoulder on a removable sling, demonstrating versatility and ease of use.

/ 9 /

/ 10 / / 11 /

We appreciate that no single bag can be right for every job, and with photography comes changes. For times when you need to adapt, camera pouches are a sound investment. Rather than having to buy another camera bag, these attachments simply give you extra carrying capacity for shoots that require various different approaches.

Delta SeriesDelta Pouch

Avea SeriesAvea 5These are tradit ional ly

attached by strong leather straps or press studs on the s ide panel , or on the strap i tsel f . This offers ul t imate ease of access and prevents any disrupt ion to the inner workings ofyour bag.

CAMERAPOUCHES

OTHER THINGSTO CONSIDER.. .

/ 12 / / 13 /

WEATHER

Whilst travelling it’s likely you’ll find yourself trying to escape a downpour, but it’s your camera equipment that needs protection; not you (sorry!). The material of the camera bag

should be a major factor in your purchasing decision, so make sure the outer fabric is made of storm-proof material.

Billingham use canvas or Fibrenyte fabric bonded to impermeable butyl rubber to create the ultimate weather resistant camera bag.

HEIGHT AND DEPTH

The height of your equipment needs to be factored into your decision making. If you’re a photographer that prefers to store your DSLR face down, you need to ensure the camera bag has the height and depth to support this.

You’ll need to know the dimensions of your lenses to ensure they can be stored in the camera bag separately or whilst still attached to your camera.

The Billingham 5 and 7 Series are ideal for those with large cameras or lenses as their extra height and depth can be used to store them face down. For people with small and medium sized cameras and lenses the Hadley series might be a better fit as they are less bulky - great for pulling cameras out of on the move.

Remember soft bags, such as those made by Billingham, will expand front to back to fit larger camera bodies than their specification would suggest. This is especially true of bags without a zippered main compartment such as the Hadley Pro - it’s listed with an internal size front to back of 8cm, but this can comfortably expand to 12cm or even more at a real stretch.

UNWANTED ATTENTION

To really increase the level of security, consider the perception your camera bag will give off. A camera bag that looks like a camera bag could

potentially cause unwanted attention as it’s obvious it conceals expensive equipment.

A Billingham exudes style, yet doesn’t look like a stereotypical camera bag, allowing you to discreetly carry your expensive gear around the country.

Essentially what you’re looking for is protection, quality, versatility and durability.

To really understand what this means, visit Quality Stitched In and peruse the core

range of Billingham camera bags.

Designed to perform, built to protect.

SHOW ME QUALITY

/ 14 / / 15 /

COMFORT

For extra comfort on your journeys, consider the shoulder pads and if you feel they’ll offer you the right support. Camera bags that feature top carry handles are also super helpful for

general movement such as getting on and off transport.

MATERIALS

Some camera bags are made of nylon with plastic fixings, while others are made out of higher end materials such as canvas and

leather with metal fixings. If longevity or a luxury feel is important to you it might be worth looking for a bag with the latter.

Billingham bags are made with canvas (or its synthetic equivalent Fibrenyte) as well as full grain leather details and solid brass fixings for the ultimate in quality and longevity.

PROVENANCE

Where is the bag made? This can be an important thing to think about these days to

ensure that the camera bag has been made by people who have been treated well.

All Billingham bags are Made in England so you know that they have been made in accordance with strict environmental and labour laws.

GUARANTEE

What sort of guarantee does the bag come with? And how likely is that company to be able to honour it?

All Billingham camera bags come with a 5 year guarantee. As a company established since 1973 you can be confident of support well in to the future. After 5 years a paid repair service is available for most issues.

FROM:

The Billinghams

www.bi l l ingham.co.uk

Tel: +44(0)1384 412700 | Fax: +44(0)1384 412699

M.Billingham & Co. LimitedCity Estate, Corngreaves RdCradley HeathWest Midlands, B64 7EP