Billingham or Think tank?

Cistron

Cistron

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Mike
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I'm mostly pondering about the 335 and the Retrospective 10. A though choice.

One has a timeless look, lots of room, but somewhat tedious buckles. I might even fit a small notebook into the front compartment. They seem to go on eBay for around £100.

The other seems very practical, but it is out of stock. Should I wait for it?

A problem I encounter with most other bags: they don't have reasonable storage for everyday things. I always carry A4-printed papers around with me, often a diary, umbrella and a water-bottle.

All thoughts appreciated.
 
I like my Billinghams a lot but they always seem just too small - lenses fit perfectly but not with hoods on them, papers/magazines are too wide to fit into the pockets and I cannot get my netbook/laptop into pockets without it feeling too tight a squeeze. I don't find the buckles and zips a problem - leave the ones you don't use open and the rest work fine. Personally, I close up everything each time. Quality of construction of the Billinghams is very high, but design isn't the most accommodating. Never seen the ThinkTank so not much to say about them.
 
I've been humming and hawing over the Retrospective 20, but after seeing what you can cram into the 10 I'm beginning to wonder if that wouldn't be more than enough for a walkabout bag, although I'm not sure if a 70-200 would fit.....
 
ThinkTank Retros are very nice indeed :thumbs: But so are the Billinghams. (And the Lowepros and Crumplers etc etc... :D )

I sold my big Billingham to get a TT Retro, but ended up with a smaller Billingham! Bags are so personal, very dependent on what you've got and how you like to carry it. I use three on different occasions.
 
Thanks for the comments.

HoppyUK said:
Bags are so personal, very dependent on what you've got and how you like to carry it. I use three on different occasions.
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Indeed. If it wasn't for the filthy lucre, I would get them all and test them for a month. So far I've only concluded that I want an adaptable soft-ish bag, not filled to the brim.

FITP said:
I've been humming and hawing over the Retrospective 20, but after seeing what you can cram into the 10 I'm beginning to wonder if that wouldn't be more than enough for a walkabout bag, although I'm not sure if a 70-200 would fit.....
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From the specification the only difference seems to be the height. There is a review of the #20 on cambags.com and it actually looks quite large in the last image.

Graham, do you know if the #10s will be in stock anytime soon? I thought I've seen you post on the think tank facebook page some time ago.
 
Cistron said:
Thanks for the comments.

Indeed. If it wasn't for the filthy lucre, I would get them all and test them for a month. So far I've only concluded that I want an adaptable soft-ish bag, not filled to the brim.

From the specification the only difference seems to be the height. There is a review of the #20 on cambags.com and it actually looks quite large in the last image.

Graham, do you know if the #10s will be in stock anytime soon? I thought I've seen you post on the think tank facebook page some time ago.
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I'm sure I read somewhere that they'd be back in stock sometime next month,so if the difference is just the the height I might reconsider the 20.
 
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Flash In The Pan said:
It might not be all that large, it depends on whether the guy in the pic is 5'2 or 6'2 :lol:
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He claims to be 5'11''. I'm about 6'2'' and less bulky, might not look too bad if I don't fill it up completely ;)

I'm sure I read somewhere that they'd be back in stock sometime next month
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Sweet. I might get a Billingham on eBay, if I spot a decent price. I suppose I could sell it on again.

so if the difference is just the the height I might reconsider the 20.
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The #20 is the "highest" of the three and the #30 is the widest.
 
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I have a Retrospective 20, really awesome bag, can fit in a notebook, A4 pad (well, almost completly) as well as 3 lenses and a body, and have space :)
 
aligibbs said:
I have a Retrospective 20, really awesome bag, can fit in a notebook, A4 pad (well, almost completly) as well as 3 lenses and a body, and have space :)
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That A4-pad. Do you fit it vertically or horizontally?
 
And, I should have said, the next shipment for London (UK) will be in and available (All things being equal!) 2nd week of Oct.
 
I use a Billingham 445 when I want to carry lots of stuff around, but I had to buy extra partitions to accommodate several lenses. The bags aren't to everyone's taste, but I'm very fond of them and they are extremely well made and will last you a lifetime. In fact, they were recommended to me by various members here when I asked about them over a year ago.
 
OK, a short stint on the Bay has left me with a 335 that came without base-padding and inserts. However, the seller was really nice and took it back. He even refunded my postage, so I've had my hands on a half-usable bag in exchange for a little bit of stress.

Certainly a nice thing, but I think I'll pass until Billingham produces a 335 with a half as wide camera compartment.

Now, any recommendation as to where I should order that Retrospective?
 
I have a Billingham 335 but never use it. Lovely looking bag, very well made, plenty of room for all the gear, including 14" laptop, but unfortunately when fully loaded with gear it was very heavy and uncomfortable to carry. I sold a Lowepro Mini Trekker backpack to get the Billingham but now have another Lowepro backpack.
 
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My Billingham Hadley is now 13 years old and has been hammered but still although looking a touch faded is in good nick with all the buckles and pockets still 100%,thats why I would always go for a Billingham

Oh and the factory is 10 minutes from my front door
 
Harrison cameras are awesome., and I'm a massive fanboy of thinktank, pure, insanely well thought out gear with every single detail paid great attention to, and bags made to a spec, rather than a price - and a great corporate viewpoint on helping professional photographers around the world.

1 sec, think I've got a 20% off code for thinktank stuff from them.... edit: 2ABM7
 
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itsdavedotnet said:
Harrison cameras are awesome., and I'm a massive fanboy of thinktank, pure, insanely well thought out gear with every single detail paid great attention to, and bags made to a spec, rather than a price - and a great corporate viewpoint on helping professional photographers around the world.

1 sec, think I've got a 20% off code for thinktank stuff from them.... edit: 2ABM7
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Wow, big tanks! I can't believe I just struck one for less than 100 quid. Well, once it is available again at the end of the month.
 
Cistron said:
Wow, big tanks! I can't believe I just struck one for less than 100 quid. Well, once it is available again at the end of the month.
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hah, no worries... they extended an offer for me when I was buying one of TTP's top line bags so I'm more than happy to throw a load of customers their way ;)
 
david1701 said:
oh and grab a memory card pouch while you're there they're the sex
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aye, though most /normal/ people only have a couple of cards, unlike some of us who can fill a pocket rocket...
 
Hey, Mike... well - you certainly won't now... Drop me an email simon at gtvone dot com --and I'll post you one of the custom PPR's ...nice work on the Retro - I hope they come into stock pretty much any day!..

Sime
 
Well F*** me! that link and code came in handy itsdavedotnet :)

I've been umming and arring over the Retrospective 20 for ages and that pushed me over the edge, I have a TT Streetwalker pro which is great when you want to carry the kitchen sink and the light stands to light it but wanted a wander around with friends and not look a photo geek bag, hopefully it'll fit the bill :)
 
Oh yeah forgot to say I spoke with Harrison and the Retro 20 is due in Monday so I should have it on my shoulder by Tuesday :)
 
Depends what you are doing, I shoot weddings, so when I fill a card, I put them back in the holder back-to-front, so I know that's a full card.
 
Those Retrospectives do look rather nice. I have had my Think Tank Speed Freak for almost a year now and it's blown everything else I have owned out of the water. I thought I'd never need another camera bag, but now I've seen the retrospectives I'm thinking about something for urban shooting...
 
No email for me :( Although the stupid website wouldn't let me register and went round in a circle. I spoke to real people, it was scary ;)
 
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