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There are certain names in the world of photography that command instant respect; names such as Leica, Zeiss, Nikon and Canon. Among those revered names is that of Billingham, a family-run British company of old-school craftsmen, who have been making some of the best camera bags in the world since the 1970s. I'm glad to report that their reputation for quality and performance is still just as well earned as it always was.

The first thing that really struck me about the Billingahm 335 was the attention to detail, simple things like the Delta sling, to add stability and to stop the bag rolling while moving, or the extra carrying handle on the inside of the lid so you can move or carry it without having to close it all up first.

The 335 is very traditional in style, indeed the basic design has changed little in nearly 30 years. It has a large main compartment with removable dividers to hold the key equipment, along with a variety of generous-sized pockets, some zipped for security others buckled as part of the carrying system. It is available in khaki or black, with tan or black leather.

As you would expect the bag performs flawlessly. It is made from 100 percent waterproof rubberised canvas (It is also available in black Nytex) and top quality leather so it is extremely weather resistant and built to last. There is plenty of space for your gear and accessories with room to spare, and the double-thickness padded inserts provide a very high level of protection. A recent addition to this classic design is the ‘TukTop', which allows the flaps of the main closure to be tucked away allowing quick and easy access to your equipment.

The build quality is absolutely first rate. Combine this with top quality materials and construction methods and you have yourself a bag that will go pretty much anywhere and last a lifetime. The 335 definitely wears the crown today.

Verdict
It must be said, the level of quality for all the bags in this round up was very high. They all offer excellent protection from the elements, and from the odd knock. But for simple usability and quality, the Billingham wins hands down, a very versatile and durable carrying system with excellent features. When working on value for money however, the Tamrac definitely shines through, especially with Christmas coming!

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