CAMERA BAGS: THE COMPLETE GUIDE

Transcription

1 CAMERA BAGS: THE COMPLETE GUIDE How To Find The Right One For You & Your Photography

2 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. Hadley Series Hadley Pro / 2 / / 3 /

3 SH OULDE R B AGS Also known as the messenger bag, it s hard to To balance the weight distribution and reduce in all sorts of sizes - from small ones with just choosing a camera bag that has a wide strap go wrong with such a classic style. They come enough room for one camera to large ones with room for 2-3 cameras, lenses and accessories. the pressure on your back, we d recommend and even a shoulder pad. Yet you might want to consider the weight the bigger the bag is. A not he r b e ne fi t of re mo v a b l e i ns e r t s : You c a n e a s i l y c onv e rt y o u r c a m e r a b a g i nt o a ca s u a l b a g a nd b a c k a ga i n, w i th mi n i ma l e ffor t. The H a d l e y P ro a n d H a d l e y S m a l l b ot h h a v e t h i s fe a t ure. T h e B i l l i ngha m 7 Se ri e s, as well as t he 5 Ser ies, all feat ure o u r D e l ta W i ng stra p that pro vides ext r a suppo r t and prevent s t h e ba g f rom ti p p i ng over o r ro lling whilst o n t he mo ve. Hadley Series Hadley Small SIZING It s always important to think about what size bag you want. It needs to be big enough to carry what 5 Series 555 you own? Or do you want to travel light to be flexible enough to catch those unexpected shots in the spur of the moment? Any good camera bag should have padding to protect your gear from knocks. However in some Here s some considerations around the specific technical features that will maximise the bags the padding is stitched in and in others, it s removable offering extra possibilities. performance. Remember you aren t just protecting your gear from outside bumps - internal dividers can help Pockets for documentation, memory cards, Carry handle whether internal dividers can be adjusted with Velcro or are stitched in and whether you ll get Inserts and dividers Removable padded insert you organise your gear and stop lenses crashing against each other. What s important to check is enough of them for your individual needs - if not can you buy them separately? /4/ you need, but ask yourself some questions such as do you need space for a laptop and every lens lens filters Tripod attachment functionality Laptop space Option to attach pockets/pouches /5/

4 C AMER A R UC KSA CKS 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. /6/ So me camer a r ucksacks have re mo vable padded inser t s so yo u can t ur n it int o a c a sual bag and g et mo re fo r your invest ment, such as t he Bi lling ham Rucksack 35. Rucksack Series Rucksack 35 /7/

5 S TOWAWAY S Whether you need assistance with your travel organisation or merely just want to go out on a pointand-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. Stowaway Series Compact /8/ /9/

6 CAMERA POUCHES 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. These are traditionally attached by strong leather straps or press studs on the side panel, or on the strap itself. This offers ultimate ease of access and prevents any disruption to the inner workings of your bag. Delta Series Delta Pouch Avea Series Avea 5 / 10 / / 11 /

7 OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER... 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 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. 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. Billingham use canvas or Fibrenyte fabric bonded to impermeable butyl rubber to create the ultimate weather resistant camera bag. A Billingham exudes style, yet doesn t look like a stereotypical camera bag, allowing you to discreetly carry your expensive gear around the country. 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. / 12 / / 13 /

8 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. Essentially what you re looking for is protection, quality, versatility and durability. 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. To really understand what this means, visit Quality Stitched In and peruse the core range of Billingham camera bags. 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. Designed to perform, built to protect. SHOW ME QUALITY 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 / 14 / / 15 /

9 Tel: +44(0) Fax: +44(0) M.Billingham & Co. Limited City Estate, Corngreaves Rd Cradley Heath West Midlands, B64 7EP