ldhrads Posted August 8, 2016 Share #1 Posted August 8, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) 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 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 8, 2016 Posted August 8, 2016 Hi ldhrads, Take a look here Billingham Question, sorry!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pedaes Posted August 8, 2016 Share #2 Posted August 8, 2016 You can purchase the correct inserts individually from the Billingham website, It is a huge bag (for a Leica kit), so just some lens sleeves for each of your lenses should sort you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 8, 2016 Share #3 Posted August 8, 2016 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) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramarren Posted August 8, 2016 Share #4 Posted August 8, 2016 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramarren Posted August 8, 2016 Share #5 Posted August 8, 2016 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belle123 Posted August 8, 2016 Share #6 Posted August 8, 2016 B&h last I looked also has insert replacements for Billingham bags. Or check EBay. And there must be some similar third party inserts out there. The inserts I got with Wotancraft would work in Billingham bags. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 8, 2016 Share #7 Posted August 8, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) 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... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 8, 2016 Share #8 Posted August 8, 2016 Stick them in the washing machine. What have you got to lose? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 8, 2016 Share #9 Posted August 8, 2016 Good idea, I probably would stick the bag in as well. When the wife is not at home... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 8, 2016 Share #10 Posted August 8, 2016 Or a commercial laundromat ... rather than risk her finding out you know how to do the laundry. Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 8, 2016 Share #11 Posted August 8, 2016 Actually I'd stick the inserts in with a regular wash and hand wash the bag, carefully, with a sponge and soapy water then treat it with Scotchgard weatherproofing spray and leather food on the straps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 8, 2016 Share #12 Posted August 8, 2016 Best to follow manufacturer recommendations... https://www.billingham.co.uk/cleaning-care Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramarren Posted August 8, 2016 Share #13 Posted August 8, 2016 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. ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanDiegoMike Posted August 8, 2016 Share #14 Posted August 8, 2016 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramarren Posted August 8, 2016 Share #15 Posted August 8, 2016 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 8, 2016 Share #16 Posted August 8, 2016 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... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted August 9, 2016 Share #17 Posted August 9, 2016 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute-on Posted August 9, 2016 Share #18 Posted August 9, 2016 Use the 555 for your digital SLR or medium format gear (if you have any) and get a Hadley Pro for the Leicas. Seriously Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted August 9, 2016 Share #19 Posted August 9, 2016 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 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 9, 2016 Share #20 Posted August 9, 2016 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 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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