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Anonymous
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Review Date: Sun July 9, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Superb construction, general bag layout clearly had the adv amateur/pro in mind
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Cons:
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Empty bag is fairly heavy (~6 lbs), looks expensive...probably contains something expensive
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I don't own this bag but have examined it twice at B&H Photo trying to figure out if the exterior dimensions of the #555 over the #550 (1.5 inches less depth but an inch taller) would make it easier to carry and more suited to my needs; plus, whether I'd be giving up any padding since the listed interior dimensions of the #555 are larger all around than the #550.
Additionally, I was a bit surprised at the weight of the (empty) bag...it's actually pretty heavy...nearly six pounds. All that leather and the brass buckles add a fair amount of weight. I have a carbon Gitzo tripod to reduce my carry weight and I hate to just add weight back in by buying a heavy bag, no matter how well it's constructed nor how long it'll likely last. I'm not trying to make a fashion statement; rather, take pictures. If the "Mercedes" of camera bags will significantly prolong the longevity of my equipment or make it easier to get to in a hurry or easier to carry, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. As it is, I've been back twice to look at the #555 and still haven't bought it...not because of the price but because there are other options that may better meet my needs.
The bag is superbly constructed and laid out very well for an advanced amateur/pro. You can pack a ton of gear in there yet still be able to find it quickly. But it's BIG (as is the 550) so you need to consider how much it'll weigh if you have the temptation to fill it up with everything you own. Actually, the #445 would be my preference if it would hold my Canon 1D with a mounted 70-200 zoom, a 5D body and several other primes and a couple flashes plus other ancillary equipment. But, alas, it doesn't so I'm forced into considering the #550/550 series.
One last thing, I've read folks writing online that they like carrying (or maybe they'd LIKE to carry) a Billingham because it doesn't look like a camera bag...thus, less likely to attract attention. I don't buy into that. First of all, a camera bag is still distinctive and anyone specifically looking for one will have no problems determining what a Billingham is. Secondly, Billingham bags look expensive...and expensive-looking luggage likely contains expensive items. Enough said?
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Anonymous
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Review Date: Sun July 9, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $321.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Well constructed
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Cons:
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Heavy
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I don't own this bag but have examined it twice at B&H Photo trying to figure out if the exterior dimensions of the #555 over the #550 (1.5 inches less depth but an inch taller) would make it easier to carry and more suited to my needs; plus, whether I'd be giving up any padding since the listed interior dimensions of the #555 are larger all around than the #550.
Additionally, I was a bit surprised at the weight of the (empty) bag...it's actually pretty heavy...nearly six pounds. All that leather and the brass buckles add a fair amount of weight. I have a carbon Gitzo tripod to reduce my carry weight and I hate to just add weight back in by buying a heavy bag, no matter how well it's constructed nor how long it'll likely last. I'm not trying to make a fashion statement; rather, take pictures. If the "Mercedes" of camera bags will significantly prolong the longevity of my equipment or make it easier to get to in a hurry or easier to carry, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. As it is, I've been back twice to look at the #555 and still haven't bought it...not because of the price but because there are other options that may better meet my needs.
The bag is superbly constructed and laid out very well for an advanced amateur/pro. You can pack a ton of gear in there yet still be able to get to it reasonably quickly. But it's BIG (as is the 550) so you need to consider how much it'll weigh if you have the temptation to fill it up with everything you own. Actually, the #445 would be my preference if it would hold my Canon 1D with a mounted 70-200 zoom, a 5D body and several other primes and a couple flashes plus other ancillary equipment. But, alas, it doesn't so I'm forced into considering the #550/550 series.
One last thing, I've read folks writing online that they like carrying (or maybe they'd LIKE to carry) a Billingham because it doesn't look like a camera bag...thus, less likely to attract attention. I don't buy into that. First of all, a camera bag is still distinctive and anyone specifically looking for one will have no problems determining what a Billingham is. Secondly, Billingham bags look expensive...and expensive-looking luggage likely contains expensive items. Enough said?
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;)
Registered: November 2005