The Billingham That Never Got Old

For years in London, a Billingham was simply part of my working equipment.

My original one had a proper working life. It was carried, knocked about, put down on pavements, filled with cameras and lenses and generally treated as a camera bag rather than an object that might one day deserve looking after. By the end it was in terrible condition.

So I bought another one.

The logic was impeccable. The old Billingham was finished, I knew the bag, I liked it, and therefore I needed a replacement.

Except I didn't.

For whatever reason, this second one was probably used three times, if that. Then cameras changed, the way I worked changed, other bags arrived, and the Billingham quietly disappeared into storage.

Years later, it has emerged in remarkably good condition.

There are virtually no signs of photographic use. What ageing there is comes mostly from not being used: a little oxidation on the metal fittings and the subtle changes that happen when an object spends twenty years sitting quietly rather than travelling.

I find that rather wonderful.

Camera bags are normally interesting because of what happened to them. They become accidental diaries: worn corners, stretched straps, stains, repairs and marks whose origins we have completely forgotten.

This one is almost the opposite.

It represents a moment in my London years when I assumed that something would continue exactly as before. My old Billingham had reached the end of its life, so naturally I bought its successor.

Then life moved on before the bag had the chance to.

And somehow, all these years later, the replacement has survived better than the thing it was bought to replace.

THE OBJECT

Object: Billingham 335 camera bag
Maker: Billingham
Origin: England
Date: c. 2005–2007
Serial / UI number: 0000034467
Material: Khaki canvas, leather trim, metal fittings
Dimensions: approx. 40 × 25 × 25 cm
Condition: Remarkably preserved, having apparently been used only a few times. Minor oxidation to metal fittings from long-term storage.
Provenance: Purchased in London around 2005–2007 to replace my original Billingham, which had been used heavily and was by then in very poor condition.

STATUS: Available
This object is currently for sale at Euro 225 plus shipping ask me for more photo