Posted by Paul Inglis on January 24, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Hi Everyone,
Sorry for not being around much but I've been so busy working on my latest projects!
Anyhow I need some suggestions about a case for my 600mm f/4 lens. For those of you who know the 200-400 f/4 comes in a nice little light-weight case that offers some degree of protection while slung over the shoulder but doesn't weigh a ton. The 600mm f/4 comes in a chunky metal case which is way too heavy and bulky.
I don't want a bag like the lens trekker or anything like that just a simple case that'll fit the 600 in (nothing else) and a shoulder strap. Any suggestions folks?
You can opt for the bag that Tom W. does, or something like it, such as my “Heritage” bag. Which are both designed to take a 600. But if you want cheap, then get some foam and a haversack, it will work just as well.
Saying that, what really determines what you will need, is what you want it for, trekking, air travel etc, all determine size etc..
Posted by Rene de Heer on January 24, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Paul, i have a bag for you. If you email me then i can give you the details. i bought it for my 600 AFS but as i know use the 500R dont need it anymore.
Rene de Heer
The 600 fits in the 200-400 bag (minus body) with hood in the storage position - you just need to remove the bottom foam insert from the bag, you probably know that already though...! I used that with the body in a small seperate bag whilst I waited to get the lens trekker bag.
Posted by Paul Inglis on January 24, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Hi Ray,
The Big Glass Bag that Tom designed is too big and heavy! I need a light-weight bag that just holds the lens (no body or any other kind of accessories - just the lens).
Hi Rene,
Emailed you.
Hi Richard,
Nope never tried it! Thanks will give it a whirl tomorrow! Just remove the foam eh! I don't need the body attached just needed a bag to carry the 600mm in. Super Duper! And it's free too!
No worries, it was a handy thing to discover thats for sure
I even did a article on my blog about it after telling some other folks on another forum who said they'd tried to fit it in and couldn't! They said I was lying so I took some pictures to show them and turned it in to an article
Posted by Paul Inglis on January 24, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Hi Richard,
Funny I had just finish reading your article before I noticed you'd posted again! All I need now is an additional CL-L2 bag! Anyone, anyone!
Posted by Rene de Heer on January 24, 2009 at 4:53 PM
I have emailed you Paul.
Rene de Heer
Posted by Mike Smith on January 25, 2009 at 8:11 AM
I'm abit confused on what you want, is it just a means to carry the lens in field to a site, or a means to be able to deply quickly (your sling reference)
For the "approach walk" to site all the nature photographers I know use a form of rucksack be it a dedicated camera style or a simpler walking rucksack wich is more comfortable on very long hikes. The weight of the rucksack is de-minimis compared to some 7Kgs of kit you are carrying, I doubt that Tom's version is heavy considering teh weight o fkit it is transporting - beetr to have a robust bag that can take teh weight than have a failure and dump £7K of camera gear on the ground
For quick deploy you simply sort out padding on your tripod/head to prevent shoulder rub/neck rub and carry the rig over your shoulder, its as simple as that, no need for additional padded cases.
Occassionally I will separate tripod and lens/camera and simply carry the lens by the lens foot plate. An additional sling is OTT and will get in the way very quickly
Mike
Posted by Paul Inglis on January 25, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Hi Mike,
While actually using my photographic equipment in the field I use my trusty MP-1 Rucksack!
But in this case I don't want to be burdened with another big bag!
Basically I am carrying a tripod in it's bag, a Jib in another bag, and my video gear (plus D300) in another bag. I also want to be able to take the 600mm f/4 with me but didn't really relish the though of my 600mm being on a sling with no protection (as it will be placed on the ground and dragged against shrubbery and so forth).
Knowing the 600mm f/4 fits snugly into the CL-L2 bag is just what I wanted! It'll protect the lens and reduces the sheer weight of an additional rucksack or bag!
Hope I've made it clearer now!
Posted by Richard Peters on January 25, 2009 at 12:43 PM
It's a great bag the CL-L2 isn't it! Very compact, you'd never think a 600 would fit in just to look at it
Posted by Mike Smith on January 26, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Me thinks you need to just concentrate on one form of photography be it still or video, you cannot take it all with you every trip, my advice still stands, either take 1 set of kit in a bag and yomp with the tripod, or carry it all ready for action over your shoulder and leave behind the extrenous gear...
or by an off roader and stay within the car, but realistically you cannot carry four bags and hope to film on the fly
Posted by Paul Inglis on January 27, 2009 at 7:51 AM
Hi Mike,
True! The D300 is just a back-up if the camcorder packs up! I actually use the 600mm f/4 on the camcorder via an adaptor!
I have an up and coming trip that requires all this gear but most will be left at the camp and used as required! I have to hike four miles will all this gear to reach my destination - it's all just about doable!
Once again thanks all for your help and advice - appreciated as always!
Discussion
12 repliesSorry for not being around much but I've been so busy working on my latest projects!
Anyhow I need some suggestions about a case for my 600mm f/4 lens. For those of you who know the 200-400 f/4 comes in a nice little light-weight case that offers some degree of protection while slung over the shoulder but doesn't weigh a ton. The 600mm f/4 comes in a chunky metal case which is way too heavy and bulky.
I don't want a bag like the lens trekker or anything like that just a simple case that'll fit the 600 in (nothing else) and a shoulder strap. Any suggestions folks?
Oh, cheap would be good!!!
Thanks in advance!!!
Saying that, what really determines what you will need, is what you want it for, trekking, air travel etc, all determine size etc..
Rene de Heer
The Big Glass Bag that Tom designed is too big and heavy! I need a light-weight bag that just holds the lens (no body or any other kind of accessories - just the lens).
Hi Rene,
Emailed you.
Hi Richard,
Nope never tried it! Thanks will give it a whirl tomorrow! Just remove the foam eh! I don't need the body attached just needed a bag to carry the 600mm in. Super Duper! And it's free too!
Thanks for the replies guys!!!
I even did a article on my blog about it after telling some other folks on another forum who said they'd tried to fit it in and couldn't! They said I was lying so I took some pictures to show them and turned it in to an article
Funny I had just finish reading your article before I noticed you'd posted again! All I need now is an additional CL-L2 bag! Anyone, anyone!
Rene de Heer
For the "approach walk" to site all the nature photographers I know use a form of rucksack be it a dedicated camera style or a simpler walking rucksack wich is more comfortable on very long hikes. The weight of the rucksack is de-minimis compared to some 7Kgs of kit you are carrying, I doubt that Tom's version is heavy considering teh weight o fkit it is transporting - beetr to have a robust bag that can take teh weight than have a failure and dump £7K of camera gear on the ground
For quick deploy you simply sort out padding on your tripod/head to prevent shoulder rub/neck rub and carry the rig over your shoulder, its as simple as that, no need for additional padded cases.
Occassionally I will separate tripod and lens/camera and simply carry the lens by the lens foot plate. An additional sling is OTT and will get in the way very quickly
Mike
While actually using my photographic equipment in the field I use my trusty MP-1 Rucksack!
But in this case I don't want to be burdened with another big bag!
Basically I am carrying a tripod in it's bag, a Jib in another bag, and my video gear (plus D300) in another bag. I also want to be able to take the 600mm f/4 with me but didn't really relish the though of my 600mm being on a sling with no protection (as it will be placed on the ground and dragged against shrubbery and so forth).
Knowing the 600mm f/4 fits snugly into the CL-L2 bag is just what I wanted! It'll protect the lens and reduces the sheer weight of an additional rucksack or bag!
Hope I've made it clearer now!
or by an off roader and stay within the car, but realistically you cannot carry four bags and hope to film on the fly
True! The D300 is just a back-up if the camcorder packs up! I actually use the 600mm f/4 on the camcorder via an adaptor!
I have an up and coming trip that requires all this gear but most will be left at the camp and used as required! I have to hike four miles will all this gear to reach my destination - it's all just about doable!
Once again thanks all for your help and advice - appreciated as always!