mark_s Posted August 14, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 14, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm considering the M8 Billingham bag - it looks like a great top-quality bag and doesn't shout out "I am a camera bag". But I am just wondering how secure the lid's buckles are. They look like some kind of quick-release variety, which is good for getting out your camera quickly and silently. (My Crumpler has a hook-and-loop fastener, which makes an awful ripping noise in quiet environments.) However, I'm just wondering how secure the Billingham's buckles are against pickpockets in crowded places. Would be interested to hear your views/experiences Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 14, 2009 Posted August 14, 2009 Hi mark_s, Take a look here How secure is a Billingham against pickpockets?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted August 14, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 14, 2009 My Crumpler has a hook-and-loop fastener, which makes an awful ripping noise in quiet environments Which is precisely why I'd never use a bag like that. I've used Billinghams for 10 years or so, never had anything stolen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted August 14, 2009 Share #3 Posted August 14, 2009 I can vouch for the Billingham's quality, but there is no substitute for keeping an eye on the bag and your surroundings; pickpockets will cut if off your shoulder if they must. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Lemon Posted August 14, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 14, 2009 Had one for years too without pickpocket problems and much better than a rucksack in my opinion as you can quickly flip the bag around in front of you in crowded areas. Good for travelling too as on mine there is a large zip pocket at the back for passport etc. and this would be very difficult to get into without you knowing (assuming you are wearing it at the time!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minos Posted August 14, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 14, 2009 Billingham bags are great, but the quick-release is as easy for the owner as for potential thieves. It's all in the way you wear it. In total, I use four storage items: - Billingham Hadley Classic: Daily at work or if I need more equipment with me - Blillingham Hadley Digital: daily travelling light & discrete - Lowepro AW Primus Minimus Backpack: hiking, travel in "hairy" places - StormCase iM2300: storage at home When using a Billingham, I wear it crossed over my chest. In "safe" areas, I wear it turned three quarters to the back on my right side. In the underground, train stations, crowded areas, unreliable areas, I wear it one quarter to the front, really in front of me. Using it this way, a thief would have a hard time trying to get in. But always remember to close it, though. I sometimes forget. So a Billingham, when used sensibly shouldn't be a problem. And it doesn't scream "camera bag" to everyone... When I'm in humid/dusty areas or when I have some longer trekking to do , I use the Lowepro. It allows for plenty additional storage and even an external Camelbak. And a great plus: you can really go and stand in the middle of a crowd of officially known pickpockets. There's no way to get in when you have it on your back: you can only access it via the inside of the backpack after having taken it off. Brilliant! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Pope Posted August 14, 2009 Share #6 Posted August 14, 2009 Good advice from Minos. One addition to it is to wear the bag with the buckles facing inward - so the bag then opens away from you. A bit inconvenient, but it means that thieves can't get to the buckles. Cheers Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt Calahan Posted August 14, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 14, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) When using a Billingham I have the top flap facing towards by body, not facing out. This trick I learned from women and their pocketbooks. Makes it much harder for someone to slip their hand in, especially when the top flap is securely closed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danyves Posted August 14, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 14, 2009 No bag. At best fishing vest under jacket. Safer. Do not advertsie photographic and expensive gear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted August 14, 2009 Share #9 Posted August 14, 2009 This takes this week's prize for the most irrelevant "M8" thread... Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 14, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 14, 2009 Can anyone actually put their hand up and say " they were pickpocketed from their camera bag, while they were awake that is? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted August 14, 2009 (edited) This takes this week's prize for the most irrelevant "M8" thread... Regards, Bill Thanks for your input, Bill. I guess to some my question must seem rather trivial, however, I've only ever had camera bags with zips, strong buckles, and hook-and-loop fasteners, which generally make it pretty tough for someone to open. Never having seen these Bellingham-type buckles before, I was just curious as to how secure they were. Please excuse the newbie question. Edited August 14, 2009 by mark_s Added "my question" for clarity. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share #12 Posted August 14, 2009 Thanks to everyone for your feedback with these bags. I guess the best thing is to just check it out at a dealer and ask him to try pickpocketing me without me noticing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted August 14, 2009 Share #13 Posted August 14, 2009 Thanks to everyone for your feedback with these bags. I guess the best thing is to just check it out at a dealer and ask him to try pickpocketing me without me noticing. I think that my dealer already does that. My purse is always emptier whenever I leave his shop anyway! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcuthbert Posted August 14, 2009 Share #14 Posted August 14, 2009 Happily used the M Billingham bag in rather dodgy places* and nothing has been stolen yet. I guess it's more down to how you present yourself over a product that prevents theft. *johannesburg *squatter camps *crack dens Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiralx Posted August 14, 2009 Share #15 Posted August 14, 2009 Can anyone actually put their hand up and say " they were pickpocketed from their camera bag, while they were awake that is? Wasn't there a guy who posted here that he was walking through a dense crowd in the USSR with an M-series camera, only to emerge and find someone had unmounted the lens and made off with it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted August 14, 2009 Share #16 Posted August 14, 2009 Mark, my point was it has buggerall to do with the M8... I use Billingham and Safrotto myself and have no doubts that a determined thief will get into anything if you stand still long enough and are daft enough to let them. Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share #17 Posted August 14, 2009 Mark, my point was it has buggerall to do with the M8... I use Billingham and Safrotto myself and have no doubts that a determined thief will get into anything if you stand still long enough and are daft enough to let them. Regards, Bill Hi Bill, Ah, I understand now; you were referring to the irrelevance of my reference to the "M8" and not to the relevance of my question. It's just that your initial reply was quite short, and sometimes it's difficult to read correctly how something is meant. Oh the wonders of internet communication! Yes, you are right, it doesn't have anything to do with the M8. I just called it an "M8 Billingham", because I saw Leica's version of the Billingham bag on the M8 accessories page, and before that I wasn't familiar with Billingham bags at all. I come from the world of Crumpler and LowePro. Anyhow, I've been to the dealer this afternoon to have a look at said bag and was really impressed with the quality of workmanship and materials. It looks very discreet and the buckles don't come undone so easily. Looks like it'll last and continue to look good for years. So, I took the credit card out for some exercise and am now enjoying my first Billingham bag. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted August 14, 2009 I think that my dealer already does that. My purse is always emptier whenever I leave his shop anyway! Yes, I'm beginning to notice this too. It was bad enough when I went to Nikon dealers. My wallet has seen enough daylight this week at the Leica dealer. I shan't go back there for ages... well, only unless there's an announcement in September, and then I'll only go to look but will leave my wallet at home. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted August 14, 2009 Share #19 Posted August 14, 2009 Most Billinghams have both the QR buckles and a zip. If you keep your zip shut as well as the buckles, you'd be hard pushed to open both without you noticing. Charlie Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgray Posted August 14, 2009 Share #20 Posted August 14, 2009 I thought a lot of pickpockets just cut the bag/purse strap and run off. Or am I wrong? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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