Vintage 1991/96 Take 3 Billingham Bag

I found this very old and well-worn Billingham bag – model :Take 3 – on a second-hand site for the price of €50. The bag had some serious signs of wear here and there, and the inserts were missing. Still, even though it was in less-than-perfect condition, it was still an attractive bag to look at. I couldn’t resist taking the chance—not that I’m short on bags, of course! But a Billingham is something special. Plus, the bag is the perfect size for me right now, and Billinghams are known for being very lightweight yet durable. It’s a great combination for cycling. With a waterproof insert, I could give this bag a new lease on life, and it would serve me well for years to come.

I found online that the Billingham Take 3 is considered the predecessor of the Hadley One, but having owned a Billingham 225 myself, I believe it has much more in common with the 225. The shape and dimensions are quite similar, whereas the Hadley One is more of a messenger-style bag that’s a bit flatter and taller. So, to me, the Take 3 is more like the old 225. The Take 3 was produced between 1991 and 1996 and has approximate external dimensions of 360 mm (length) x 180 mm (depth) x 260 mm (height). In comparison, the 225 measures about 320 mm (length) x 180 mm (depth) x 260 mm (height).

By using a foam sheet that I cut from a larger piece, I can organize the bag into two layers. The bottom layer holds a camera with a telephoto lens—in this case, an E-M5 MKIII with a Leica 100-400mm lens. Then, I place the foam on top, and in the upper layer, I can fit two more cameras with smaller lenses or one camera along with some personal items. The two front pouches have enough space to carry a TG-5 camera and a good pair of binoculars. There’s plenty of room to arrange everything as you like, making it perfect for a day trip.

I treated the bag with a FjällRäven Greenland Wax block, but you could also use an old candle to make it waterproof—it works just as well. For the dried-out leather, I used a cloth soaked in some kitchen olive oil, and after a few treatments, the leather regained its original softness and color.

The great thing about a Billingham bag is that, no matter how much it’s been used, you can take it anywhere. It’s the perfect bag for a day out in the city, but it’s just as at home in the woods or on a family outing. You can always carry a Billingham with you, wherever you go.

The reason I love this bag so much is because its size is just right. You can fit your lunchbox, a water bottle, something to read, your camera, and a few other small items like your phone and wallet—so it’s spacious, but not overly large. After selling my old 225 bag, I really regretted it, but now with this Billingham Take 3, I’ve got that same great feeling back.

All the photos of the bag were taken with the Olympus TG-320 camera, which was previously reviewed here: /2024/07/21/the-olympus-tg-320-my-tiniest-every-day-camera/

For those interested in the insert, I found it on AliExpress for around €25. This insert is essentially a bag in itself, featuring handles, a drawstring closure for secure sealing, and several small pockets on the outside for items like a battery or lens cap—small things.

The insert is foldable and comes with dividers. The padding thickness is about 10mm, which is thick enough to provide good protection. The exterior feels like canvas—I’m not sure exactly what material it is, but it is at least water-resistant.

Regarding the size, as mentioned above, it is tall enough to work in two layers. This allows me to fit an Olympus camera with a 100-400 lens in the lower layer, and a second camera with extra lenses in the upper layer.

You can use the provided photo to search for this item on AliExpress using the image search function.

Other things in the pictures above :

• Olympus TG-5, a new Every Day Camera (review soon)
• Barr & Stroud Sahara roof prism binoculars
• Olympus Pen F
• Olympus E-M5 MKIII and Leica 100-400 camouflaged

If you ever wonder how I always find such good or cheap deals, here’s my secret: most online second hand shops allow you to set up a search function for a specific item. Whenever a new one appears, you receive an email. While this might result in a lot of emails to sift through, you won’t miss a single bargain.

The same goes for second-hand shops, flea markets, and similar places—visit them regularly, and the deals, sometimes even real steals, will come to you naturally.

Now on “La Gallerie” :