Carrying a 500F4 L IS

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Archive 2005 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

colincarter46
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p.1 #1 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

Hi Guys

Do any of you rate the Lowepro lens trekker 600 for carrying the Canon 500F4L IS lens.

I have been carrying my big lenses in a Lowepro Super Trekker up to now but would like something smaller for when I am just taking one big lens and a body.

I know Kinesis are probably better, but here in the UK you cannot get hold of Kinesis and by the time you add on international shipping and customs duties the price is getting quite high. (I know still small compared to the cost of the equipment been carried)

Any help would be much appreciated

Colin.

Nov 12, 2005 at 05:44 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #2 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

I also have the 500/4 IS lens and I just bought the Lowepro lenstrekker AW 600 for it. I have only used it two times so it's a bit to early to give any real opinion of it.
I also looked at both Lowepro and Kinesis but Sweden didn't have the Kineses either.
But I think the Lowepro is better if you walk a lot or do some trekking with your lens.

Nov 12, 2005 at 07:05 PM

colincarter46
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p.1 #3 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

Thanks Lars

I appreciate your comments.

I have also seen some Lightware and Domke long lens bags but cannot seem to source them in the UK either.

I think I might have a look at the Lowepro, it seems to do the job.

Thanks again Lars

Best wishes

Colin.

Nov 12, 2005 at 08:19 PM

eeprete
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p.1 #4 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

The Kinesis bags are one of the best investments you can make for this lens. I have the L520, which is now the L521 (some minor changes), but is a great bag, and you can get a backpack adapter for and wear it as a pack. The size is not overbearing as they are designed specifically for the specific lens you are looking to use it with, and not a general design to accomodate several different lenses. The Kinesis modular system also has smaller bags/packs that you can add on as you need to in order to only carry what you need.

Nov 12, 2005 at 09:26 PM

colincarter46
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p.1 #5 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

Thanks eeprete

If I could get hold of one in the UK, a kinesis bag would be my first choice.

I may just have to bite the bullet and order one from the US and pay whatever taxes i get charged.

A good bag would, as you say, be a very good investment for a lens costing as much as it does.

Thanks

Colin.

Nov 12, 2005 at 10:22 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #6 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

eeprete wrote:
The Kinesis bags are one of the best investments you can make for this lens. I have the L520, which is now the L521 (some minor changes), but is a great bag, and you can get a backpack adapter for and wear it as a pack. The size is not overbearing as they are designed specifically for the specific lens you are looking to use it with, and not a general design to accomodate several different lenses. The Kinesis modular system also has smaller bags/packs that you can add on as you need to in order to only carry what you need.

The Kineses L 521 case is great together with his 500/4 IS lens. But it's not specifically designed for that lens.

Kineses say this about that case on their site:
[L521] PolyCore™ Long Lens Case 500, $233.00

Primarily designed for 400/2.8 lenses with a body attached and hood reversed.
Primarily designed for most 600/4 lenses without the body attached and hood reversed. Also will hold some 600s with a body attached.
Also holds 300/2.8, 500/4 or 500/4.5 lenses with a body attached and hood reversed -- we highly recommend the $19 L029 Foam Insert when using these smaller lenses. Otherwise choose the more compact L311 or L511.

Nov 12, 2005 at 10:23 PM

eeprete
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p.1 #7 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

Lars Johnsson wrote:
The Kineses L 521 case is great together with his 500/4 IS lens. But it's not specifically designed for that lens.

Lars is correct, my apologies. Its actually designed for several of the larger lenses. My intention was to convey that it's not a one-size fits all design like some of the other possibilities out there and is more specific to a general size range.

Collin, you might also consider seeing if you can locate a used one from the states and have it shipped to you. I got my older L520 for a bargain in comparison to the newer case. Would probably be a bit less. Or if you have a relative or yourself visiting here anytime soon, and have it shipped to their hotel. Just trying to throw out some ideas, and not trying to confuse you.

-Ed

Nov 12, 2005 at 10:28 PM

Amateur Tom
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p.1 #8 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

colincarter46 wrote:
Hi Guys

Do any of you rate the Lowepro lens trekker 600 for carrying the Canon 500F4L IS lens.

I have been carrying my big lenses in a Lowepro Super Trekker up to now but would like something smaller for when I am just taking one big lens and a body.

I know Kinesis are probably better, but here in the UK you cannot get hold of Kinesis and by the time you add on international shipping and customs duties the price is getting quite high. (I know still small compared to the cost of the equipment been carried)

Any help would be much appreciated

Colin.

Colin,

I've owned the"Lens Trekker' since purchasing my 500mm in August. After hiking and cycling with it, my CF tripod, Sidekick, and Misc attached, I would have to say it's great ! The waist belt and shoulder strap adjustments work very well to adjust the load for your long distance comfort. The bag is very well padded and the Canon EF 500mm fits perfect.

I couldn't find a reason to justify spending more on a Kinesis. My lens and camera are usually attached to my tripod via the Sidekick and slung over my shoulder......ready at a moments notice

. The bag stays in my car for transport storage on hikes under 3 miles.

I would highly recomend this bag..........spend the money saved on future camera goodies .

Tom T

Nov 12, 2005 at 11:27 PM

psimison
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p.1 #9 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

Lightware also makes nice cases for long lenses. They also make a shipping case that you can put two long lenses in their respective Lightware cases for double protection when travelling. These cases are expensive, but so are the lenses.
www.lightware.com

Nov 13, 2005 at 12:27 AM

colincarter46
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p.1 #10 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

Thanks everyone for your help.

I think that I might go ahead and buy a Lowepro Lens Trekker for now and see how I get on.

I am coming to the states in the new year so might pick up a Kinesis then.

There is a shop here in the UK that stocks Lightware so I may have a trip out and see what they are like. The shipping case to carry 2 lenses sounds tempting and the price does not bother me, these lenses are worth protecting.

Again, thanks everyone and happy photography to you all.

Best Wishes

Colin.

Nov 13, 2005 at 08:15 AM

wtlloyd
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p.1 #11 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

Well, I'm not impressed with Kinesis, personally.

I can only base that on one bag, so perhaps mine is not a fair assessment. I bought the custom case for the 200 f/1.8 - Waaaaayyy overpriced for what you get, doesn't even come with a shoulder strap. Completely unimpressive, waste of $90.

I'm really turned off on Kinesis.

I have the LowePro Lens Trekker 600, use it with my 600 f/4.0 IS, and it is an excellent pack. My only complaint is I wish there were more built-in outside pouches for accessories - guess I'll have to buy a couple LowePro addon pouches, there are numerous strapping points on the bag..

The Tenba large lens pack looks pretty good too, you might check that out.

Nov 13, 2005 at 12:29 PM

colincarter46
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p.1 #12 · Carrying a 500F4 L IS

Hi wtlloyd

Thanks for that

I didn't even consider Tenba. I think domke also make a long lens bag so there are 2 more choices to consider.

A few of you are now starting to recommend the Lowepro Lens trekker, so I think I will order one of them to have a look at.

I wish there was a store like BandH over here in the UK, it would make a fortune.

Thanks again

Colin.

Nov 13, 2005 at 06:58 PM


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