The ThinkTank Street Walker Pro seems tailor made for the 1DX plus the 400 II w/reversed hood, although it could ideally be a cm or two longer. I can't find anything similar for the 500mm II. Anyone care to share their bag experiences for these lenses?
PetKal wrote:
Db, I use Tenba LL400 for both lenses.
On occasion, I'll also put 400II into Think Tank's Streetwalker Pro, although the fit is very snug, and one can't even have 1.4xTC on the lens.
Thanks Peter,
Those bags are certainly from different gene pools. Sleek vs boxy. I suppose the Tenba is effectively utilitarian.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I highly recommend the <a target=_blank href=http://www.kgear.com/store/l/l611.html>Kinesis L611</a>.
It fits my 500 II with hood attached + 1.4x extender + 1D mark IV ready to go!
If you prefer to have the hood reversed, get the <a target=_blank href=http://www.kgear.com/store/l/l511.html>L511</a> instead.
All the best,
Fred
Thanks Fred,
Those are serious looking bags. Streamlined and well compartmentalized.
Fred's choice is one major bag which is normally meant for 600/800 lenses, plus it is $100 more expensive than Tenba LL400. I guess, Fred is a young buck who doesn't mind carrying an oversized bag for the benefit of having in it his 500 II with the hood mounted in the shooting position.
Based on a couple of Kinesis bags I have owned, I think Tenba's LL bags are better made, and that is why I currently have six Tenba LL bags in continuous use (for lens storage at home as well). Although I do have two Tenba LL600 bags which are similar in size to Kinesis L611, I certainly do not carry any shorter lenses in them, only 600 and 800 because those two lenses. even with their hoods mounted backwards, do not fit into anything smaller. Now, I still haven't seen a dedicated long lens/camera bag which would allow you carry 600/800 with the hood mounted in the shooting position, but I have no doubt that such bags and backpacks do exist.
argonaut wrote:
I am a fan of the gura gear bags. Very light weight, padded and user friendly
Their smallest backpack which can accomodate 500mm lens is still quite large and probably intended for different purpose such as when multi lens-camera photography needs to be done on the road, travel, etc. Such bags are also expensive: $379 for the smallest model which holds the 500.
The main reason I went for the Kinesis is because they offer a shoulder harness option to use as a backpack when hiking. Their L511 and L611 are also extremely light and share the same diameter fitting the 500 II like a glove.
The L611 is taller but you would never have to waste time attaching the hood in the field.
The L511 is shorter and if you don't mind carrying the 500 II + 1.4x + 1D Mk IV with hood in reverse position it's a great choice.
Gura Gear is another unique, large glass backpack. The Kiboko and Betaflae bags have a "butterfly" arrangement that keeps the one half of the bag cover closed while accessing the other half. While these bags are perhaps $100+ more than many competing bags, I don't see someone with a $12k lens quibbling over the price differential if it serves the purpose better. On the con side, I find the tripod mount to be minimal, given large telephotos need larger tripods. Along with Thnk Tank bags, Gura gear also are designed to address the concerns for airline requirements.
If the man goes to an African safari, or a two week photography trip thru Amazon, then perhaps those huge and expensive backpacks would make sense.
However, for stepping out for 2-3 hours worth of bird shooting in his or my neighbourhood wetlands, those airline travel multi lens, multi camera backpacks are absolutely and ridiculously unneccessary.
Mike K wrote:
Gura Gear is another unique, large glass backpack. The Kiboko and Betaflae bags have a "butterfly" arrangement that keeps the one half of the bag cover closed while accessing the other half. While these bags are perhaps $100+ more than many competing bags, I don't see someone with a $12k lens quibbling over the price differential if it serves the purpose better. On the con side, I find the tripod mount to be minimal, given large telephotos need larger tripods. Along with Thnk Tank bags, Gura gear also are designed to address the concerns for airline requirements.
