Billingham Superflex Partitions Padding Decomposing?

[Ben Z]

I dug out my Billingham 335 today and noticed that the Superflex partitions which used to be thickly padded are now basically just the green fabric with a few lumps in it, and the fabric feels a little tacky/sticky. I'm wondering if anyone else has had that experience,. I'm going to contact Billingham and the US distributor tomorrow to see if the new ones use a more durable padding material.

 

[yossarian123]

Yeah, I think it's common. I bought a used billingham that was in the exact same condition. And I've read about other people with the same experience.

 

[noisycheese]

I have three Billingham bags that are each 10+ years old; I have not encountered the decomposition that you describe. Your partitions sound as if they have mold or fungus growing in them, causing the material and the padding to decompose.

I keep one of these ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...LKDicq4xr8CFapcMgodUXYANA&Q=&is=REG&A=details ) in each of my Billingham bags, wrapped in a cotton hankerchief to prevent damaging lenses and cameras. Given the price of these bags, $10 per bag is cheap insurance.

 

[Ben Z]

No mold or fungus. Other padded bags I have are fine, as are the other Billingham partitions. It's just the superflex ones. Some foam materials self-destruct like those used on light seals and mirror dampers in older cameras. I have a bunch of those silica cannisters. I found they have to be recharged in an oven every few weeks or they stop working.

 

[Ben Z]

UPDATE!!!! Billingham customer service is AWESOME!

UPDATE!!!! Billingham customer service is AWESOME!

Was contacted today by Billingham, they are replacing my inserts. They said they have heard of this happening on older ones, and the new ones use new materials which shouldn't be affected. This is amazing customer service, and makes the cost of a Billingham even more worthwhile IMO.

 

[BillBingham2]

Great update Ben Z, Thank You!

Good to hear that Billingham stands behind their stuff. They are, well, come with a high expectation of quality and service.

Thanks again.

B2