MINI TEST
Billingham
72 Camera Bag
£109/$140
http://www.billingham.co.uk
uality and style are two words that
spring to mind when the word
‘Billingham’ is mentioned. Established
in 1973, the company has finally
entered the holster arena with its new 72 Camera
Bag. As usual, it’s beautifully crafted from choices
of three-layer waterproof canvas, or synthetic
FibreNyte, with top-grain leather and brass
details, including the studs, rivets and strap loops.
The shoulder strap is removable and there’s a belt
loop at the rear, but no top carrying handle.
Internal dimensions are 110x90x140mm and
the bag is quite weighty for its size, at 460g.
As with Billingham’s larger camera bags,
a quick-release brass ‘ClogBall’ and leather
fastening strap enables one-handed opening and
closing of the cover flap. This reveals the main
compartment with an adjustable and removable
divider, which is large enough to accommodate a
small to medium sized mirrorless body and
standard zoom lens, or some smaller items.
The bag is sumptuously finished and comes in a
range of colour combos including the classic khaki
and tan (pictured), black and tan, full black,
understated sage and chocolate, or the lively
burgundy and chocolate.
PROS Impeccably turned out with alternative
high-quality material and colour options
CONS Comparatively pricey for a holster;
no larger sizes available for SLRs
Verdict 4.0
Crumpler
Tr iple A Toplo ader 150
£30/$38
http://www.crumpler.euonsidering the variety of exotic
and, frankly, bonkers names that
Australian-based Crumpler has given
to some of its bags over the years, the
Triple A Toploader sounds almost boring. It’s really
not though, and comes in an eye-catching range of
red, green and blue colour options, as well as plain
black. It’ll just about take a small SLR and kit lens
with a bit of a squeeze. It also comes with an
adjustable and removable divider for smaller
compact system or bridge cameras. The main
construction materials are weather-resistant
300D nylon on the outside, with a 150D RipStop
polyester lining around the main 140x75x170mm
inner compartment, and it weighs in at just 179g.
The shoulder strap is easily removable with
Velcro fasteners and there are dual belt loops at
the rear of the bag, plus a grab handle on the top.
Stretchy mesh pockets are featured on both sides,
while a third, smaller mesh pocket nestles on the
inside of the top flap, ideal for storing memory
cards or batteries.
The bag only comes in one size, but Crumpler
also offers Quick Delight Toploader 150 and 300
bags, which are slightly smaller and slightly
larger respectively.PROS Lightweight at 179g, but nicely made
with alternative colour optionsCONS Won’t fit anything larger than a CSC
or small SLR and kit lensVerdict 4.0
Lowepro Toploader
Zoom 50 AW II
£40/$40
http://www.lowepro.comegendary Lowepro is famous for
camera bags and backpacks. Its
current line-up of toploaders includes
the Adventura TLZ II in two sizes and
the more up-market Zoom AW II in no less than five
sizes. We chose the second smallest of the latter,
which is large enough to accommodate a chunky
full-frame SLR with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.
A removable and adjustable lateral divider
enables the holster to alternatively carry a smaller
SLR with a kit zoom lens, plus an extra lens or
accessory below. Internal dimensions are
165x130x220mm and it weighs 300g.
The smallest ‘45’ bag in the range is a better
fit for a small SLR or mirrorless camera with an
18-55mm kit lens or similar, while the largest ‘Pro
70’ and ‘Pro 75’ models can accommodate a
professional SLR complete with an integral battery
grip, plus a 24-70mm f/2.8 or 70-200mm f/2.8
lens respectively.
The shoulder strap is removable and there’s a
belt loop on the rear, plus a grab handle on the top,
and side loops for attaching extra pouches and
accessories. One internal pocket is fitted into the
closure flap and a larger external pocket on the
front has an internal mesh divider.PROS Extensive range of sizes; optional
additional chest harnessCONS 45 and 50 models available in blue
or black, others only in blackVerdict 4.5
Camera holsters
Cut the clutter and travel light with top-loading holster for your
camera and an attached lens
QCL