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Billingham Question, sorry!

ldhrads

By ldhrads
in Leica M9 / M-E

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ldhrads

ldhrads

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Recently acquired a Billingham 555, large bag, full of old Canon junk, stinks like cigarettes.  Once I get it cleaned up, I'd like to use it for my Leicas when I go and take a lot of gear (not typical).  

 

Question is, the inserts are shot and they're not original.

 

What inserts should I consider, I have an M9 and MM body and a bunch of lenses.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Lawrence

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ramarren

ramarren

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I wrote Billingham to find a complete list of the available SuperFlex inserts and their dimensions for the different bag series. They sent me an excellent PDF which I've somehow managed to misplace now ... Just write them and they'll send you one. Most of the major vendors carry the inserts but I often find it hard to locate them without the Billingham part numbers and designations.

 

The 555 is a very large bag for M equipment so as others have said, just pick whatever inserts you need for your bodies and lenses. I use the 225 that I bought at the beginning of the year for my Hasselblad SWC kit now, it's just right for that and has enough room for camera, two backs, film, ground glass back, prism finder, releases, meter, filters, etc.

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ramarren

ramarren

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But the inserte are not cheap, to put it mildly.

I this case (no pun intended ;) ) you might want to look at some cheap Chinese copies on eBay .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Waterproof-DSLR-SLR-Camera-Insert-Padded-Partition-Camera-Lens-Bag-Handbag-Case-/171752477625

(no experience myself)

 

In my experience, you get what you pay for. 

 

I've tried cheap copies like these and they work. But they don't last.

Original SuperFlex inserts last about 15-20 years of heavy usage and fit the bags better. The ones in my L2 are now 14 years old and still feel like new. 

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jaapv

jaapv

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In my experience, you get what you pay for. 

 

I've tried cheap copies like these and they work. But they don't last.

Original SuperFlex inserts last about 15-20 years of heavy usage and fit the bags better. The ones in my L2 are now 14 years old and still feel like new. 

Certainly true - but a smelly bag for occasional use...

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ramarren

ramarren

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Certainly true - but a smelly bag for occasional use...

 

 

I don't know what you put into your bag that would make it 'smelly' or dirty. The L2 I referred to previously has been all over the world with me these past 15 years and still isn't smelly, is only lightly soiled in spots. 

 

Clean the bags the way Billingham recommends. Don't put the SuperFlex inserts into the washing machine either ... that will destroy the padding. Hand-wash them in Woolite or other gentle soap and warm water to prevent damage, rinse thoroughly, and allow to dry overnight. The SuperFlex pads' stuffing eventually loses its structure which is when you replace them—no need to accelerate that process.

 

(I have a model 815 sitting here that is in perfect shape but the stuffing is dead. I could unstitch the bottom seams, dump out the old stuffing, re-stuff with pieces of closed cell foam, and re-stitch it. It would just cost me three times the cost of the insert in my time, that's all. ;-)

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SanDiegoMike

SanDiegoMike

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B&H in New York also carries many of the inserts and dividers. I would recommend looking at the Billingham website and seeing what they recommend as a set. You can then order them from B-ham or from B&H.  I had an old 550 from the 1990's and the foam inside the green pads was breaking down and sticky. I ordered a full replacement set from B-ham. Try a box of baking soda to remove the smell.

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ramarren

ramarren

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B&H in New York also carries many of the inserts and dividers. I would recommend looking at the Billingham website and seeing what they recommend as a set. You can then order them from B-ham or from B&H.  I had an old 550 from the 1990's and the foam inside the green pads was breaking down and sticky. I ordered a full replacement set from B-ham. Try a box of baking soda to remove the smell.

 

 

Indeed ... I bought this 225 in January and replaced the inserts and bottom pad with new ones from B&H, after I figured out which ones I wanted from the Billingham brochure. 

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jaapv

jaapv

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I don't know what you put into your bag that would make it 'smelly' or dirty. The L2 I referred to previously has been all over the world with me these past 15 years and still isn't smelly, is only lightly soiled in spots. 

 

Clean the bags the way Billingham recommends. Don't put the SuperFlex inserts into the washing machine either ... that will destroy the padding. Hand-wash them in Woolite or other gentle soap and warm water to prevent damage, rinse thoroughly, and allow to dry overnight. The SuperFlex pads' stuffing eventually loses its structure which is when you replace them—no need to accelerate that process.

 

(I have a model 815 sitting here that is in perfect shape but the stuffing is dead. I could unstitch the bottom seams, dump out the old stuffing, re-stuff with pieces of closed cell foam, and re-stitch it. It would just cost me three times the cost of the insert in my time, that's all. ;-)

Read the OP... ;) Mine aren't, well, not that dirty... :)

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pgk

pgk

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Recently acquired a Billingham 555, large bag, ..... I'd like to use it for my Leicas when I go and take a lot of gear (not typical).  

If you fill a 555 with Leica Gear you never get it off the ground! Word of advice from someone who found out the hard way. Large Billinghams full of gear will finally cause back trouble as they sit on one shoulder. I know! As regards the partitions, well Billingham will supply and although not at all cheap they will last. Another word of warning about cheaper options is that they use unknown foam which might just off gas depending on their material/manufacture so I'd be wary of putting expensive stuff in cheap inserts. The Billingham inserts are tried and tested and don't seem to have adverse effects on gear. You do get what you pay for - reassurance of viability if nothing else.

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Jeff S

Jeff S

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As post #12 observes, I would follow Billingham's recommendations for cleaning.  If the bag still stinks like an ashtray afterwords, try some Febreeze:  https://www.amazon.com/Febreze-Fabric-Refresher-Extra-Strength/dp/B00I40ZSFU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1470752103&sr=1-5&keywords=febreze

 

Placing scented dryer sheets inside for a period may also prove useful; also good in luggage when traveling or inside shoes in need of deodorizing.

 

First time I've been called "post #12".   :)

 

Jeff

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