I have the Lens Trekker 600 AW.Great bag for my 500 and cam attached.Mono-pod strapps to the side and i'm going to send off for some extra pockets for the otherside.The bag is very well padded, but you need to take out the bottom padding if you want your 500 to fit.
BUT
I found out that the "rounded" padding that is attached to the inside of the front flap, that goes around the neck of the lens(500f4L) stuck out to much for the flap to be zipped up .What i had to do was take out the fome in the middle and cut away, one sliver at a time, so i was able to close the zip.Everything is spot on now i might add (just thought i'd warn you about that just incase you have the same problem).
Other than that bag, how about the Kinesis range.LINK HERE.But i did'nt know where i could get one , because the company is from the states.Thats why i chose the Lowepro.
Brian,
Before you spend a lot of cash on a bag, first make sure that you will really use it.
Most folks I know with a 5 or 600 lens have spent a lot on a bag to carry it in and find they rarely use it.
I know that I always carry my 500 on the tripod over my shoulder, I find this much more comfortable than any bag.
I would add however that when I go on a long trek (10-15miles) that I do so on a quad rather than on foot and the 500 and tripod are bungy corded to the front carrier rack, sandwiched between a jacket and a rucksack.
The Photo Trekker is bigger than you think and will take the 500/4 comfortably, but not with the camera attached (probably better that way anyway.) You can also get camera, extenders and another couple of longish lenses in down the sides too.
The Pro Trekker again swallows the 500/4 with ease (with camera + extender attached this time), and a load of other junk to boot!
So, wait and see if you can re-arrange your PhotoTrekker and save some cash
The LensTrekker 600 is OK if you only want to carry the 500/4 and camera - forget taking anything else unless you want to attach the smaller sliplock lens cases to the harness. The front pocket is stuffed full of the all-weather cover, so there ain't really much room in there and the main compartment has a lot of empty air around the body of the 500/4. I've not had any issues with the compression collar fitting - simply pull the zips upand compress the foam . Where the lens trekker scores over the other cases is simply as a discrete bag "chuck-around bag" for the time you've only got the 500/4 and want something to stuff it in to stop it rolling around the boot, to hide it in when you leg it in to the cafe for a butty & coffee, or if you have to go in to work with it and don't want it to be on view under the desk in the office. I very rarely use it as a proper backpack, and the couple of times I've used it along with a shoulder bag at the same time I've found it to be a pain in the backside!
BTW, in all the bags you will need to reverse the lens hood and stuff either a tupperware cover or the proper leather lens cap over the front element.
Had Kinesis Long lens - now sold, Lens Trekker - now sold, Pro Trekker - used sparing for very long hikes with additional kit, but I have settled on a CCS Heritage 600mm (note 600mm as the 500mm is too small) long lense case... will take the lens and body and 1.4x attached, and the accessories can fit in the two rather large side pockets --- am now a happy chappy...
I have augmented it with a Kinesis donut to stabilise the lenses when carrying.
Just to add to what has already been said, I use the lens trekker 600 for my 400 , as a bag for carting it from location to location it is fine but it does limit you to that one lens and body with no real good storage for anything else unless you start adding sliplock pouches or are prepared to leave bits and pieces in the car. I will often leave the body attached, not a good idea I know and have taken the padding that normally sits around the bottom of the lens, cut one side off it and have it fixed at the top of the bag as extra protection for the body, plus some extra padding just under the collar fitting to stop it all moving.... It works well but is not ideal.
I'm in the Tim camp. Here's my secret that I've never seen anyone else using.
The Lowepro Rover AW is a small looking rucksac that just fits a 600mm F4 lens (so 500mm with ease) with space to put a large slr body, a flash gun, a 300mm lens plus another small lens (macro or wangle). I carry 10-12kgs regularly and it's comfy enough to trek in the mountains (but not waterproof in heavy rain). It is also small enough to carry on all airplanes (will fit into easyjet's test frame thing) - no problem. It looks just like an ordinary rucksack so doesn't attract unwanted attention. Best of all it costs about £70. I've had mine for 3 years now, use it loads, and is only just beginning to show signs of stress. Downside is lack of padding. I have to wrap my camera body and the small lens in a woolly hat and nestle it on top of the 300mm up against the big lens. Why blatantly parade so much gear and look like a rich mugging target? Go light!
The Pro trekker is a great bag on paper, but the bigger the bag the more you carry and the back and the photography suffer as a consequence.
When I had a 500mm lens i used a Photo Trekker AW which was great and i found i could carry everything i needed with a few extra pouches on the bag (500, 300, 70-200 or 180macro, 17-35 (all heavy L- lenses) & 90 macro along with 2 bodies, extenders etc etc ) then the zip broke so i had to buy another bag..carrying all the above gear in my bag along with a bean bag in the add on day pack was starting to tell and i was suffering alot of back pain..and my photography was suffering too as after trekking for a few miles with a bag load of heavy glass on my back i was just too tired to think about taking any photo's
after the zip broke (as a result of too much gear in the camera bag..which was bulging...the zip couldn't cope!) I decided to downsize my bag to a smaller bag and save my back one of my friends was using an old Lowepro Trekker Classic to carry his 500mm F4 along with a 1d2, 100-400 and extenders, & extension tubes...and he only ever took what lenses he needed..if he was out and suddenly found he needed a macro lens then he would put extension tubes on his 100-400 (some of his best dragonfly pics were made with a 500mm lens).
So I got a Lowepro Trekker Classic (£89) and only carried what I needed, my back pain eased and suddenly the 500mm lens was a joy to carry again along with my 1D2, 70-200, extenders and extension tubes, I even started to have more energy and walked further as a result, taking more photos along the way...
...then my life went tit.s up and I was forced to sell all my gear..I kept my 1d2 however along with my 300 f2.8 and my Lowepro Trekker Classic i also just got a Rover AW2 (£70) which is great and extremely comfortable to carry...it's small and limits you to being really selective about what lenses to carry..which IMHO makes you think about your photography more...
Brian keep your Lowepro Photo trekker AW2 (just a tad bigger than my Lowepro Trekker Classic) for the time being and see how you get on with it..Photography is an expensive business...why pay £200 for an extra 2" of camera bag?
Travel light...enjoy your photography more.
ps...if you find you do want a bag solely for your 500mm lens then I'd take Tom W's advice and get the Heritage Lens bag for the 500/600mm (£100 ish from Warehouse express)a nice bag, Mike Lane uses one to carry his gear all over the world..he has had extra pockets sewn (spelling???) on to his.
Good luck with the big lens...super bit of kit..miss mine like crazy..
I use the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW £100-150 I think. Fantastic rucksack. Really well padded in the right places and doesn't break the bank. Fits a 500/4, 1d2, 550ex, 1.4 and 2x and my tripod (strapped to the outside. I love it. Weighs a ton, but my wife's really strong!!!
No room for any other lenses which is problematic - I could always leave the converters out I suppose.
Discussion
13 repliesWhat bags do people use for carrying there 500mm Lenses.
My Lowepro Photo Trekker AW bag will soon be too small
I need some ideas...I`m thinking of a Lowepro Pro Trekker AW II or/and a Lens Trekker 600 AW.
I know the size and carrying capacity is differnce,What do people think of these 2 models?
BUT
I found out that the "rounded" padding that is attached to the inside of the front flap, that goes around the neck of the lens(500f4L) stuck out to much for the flap to be zipped up
Other than that bag, how about the Kinesis range.LINK HERE.But i did'nt know where i could get one
Regards Alan
Before you spend a lot of cash on a bag, first make sure that you will really use it.
Most folks I know with a 5 or 600 lens have spent a lot on a bag to carry it in and find they rarely use it.
I know that I always carry my 500 on the tripod over my shoulder, I find this much more comfortable than any bag.
I would add however that when I go on a long trek (10-15miles) that I do so on a quad rather than on foot and the 500 and tripod are bungy corded to the front carrier rack, sandwiched between a jacket and a rucksack.
John
Rene de Heer
The Photo Trekker is bigger than you think and will take the 500/4 comfortably, but not with the camera attached (probably better that way anyway.) You can also get camera, extenders and another couple of longish lenses in down the sides too.
The Pro Trekker again swallows the 500/4 with ease (with camera + extender attached this time), and a load of other junk to boot!
So, wait and see if you can re-arrange your PhotoTrekker and save some cash
The LensTrekker 600 is OK if you only want to carry the 500/4 and camera - forget taking anything else unless you want to attach the smaller sliplock lens cases to the harness. The front pocket is stuffed full of the all-weather cover, so there ain't really much room in there and the main compartment has a lot of empty air around the body of the 500/4. I've not had any issues with the compression collar fitting - simply pull the zips upand compress the foam
BTW, in all the bags you will need to reverse the lens hood and stuff either a tupperware cover or the proper leather lens cap over the front element.
HTH
Tim
Had Kinesis Long lens - now sold, Lens Trekker - now sold, Pro Trekker - used sparing for very long hikes with additional kit, but I have settled on a CCS Heritage 600mm (note 600mm as the 500mm is too small) long lense case... will take the lens and body and 1.4x attached, and the accessories can fit in the two rather large side pockets --- am now a happy chappy...
I have augmented it with a Kinesis donut to stabilise the lenses when carrying.
T
Phil
The Lowepro Rover AW is a small looking rucksac that just fits a 600mm F4 lens (so 500mm with ease) with space to put a large slr body, a flash gun, a 300mm lens plus another small lens (macro or wangle). I carry 10-12kgs regularly and it's comfy enough to trek in the mountains (but not waterproof in heavy rain). It is also small enough to carry on all airplanes (will fit into easyjet's test frame thing) - no problem. It looks just like an ordinary rucksack so doesn't attract unwanted attention. Best of all it costs about £70. I've had mine for 3 years now, use it loads, and is only just beginning to show signs of stress. Downside is lack of padding. I have to wrap my camera body and the small lens in a woolly hat and nestle it on top of the 300mm up against the big lens. Why blatantly parade so much gear and look like a rich mugging target? Go light!
The Pro trekker is a great bag on paper, but the bigger the bag the more you carry and the back and the photography suffer as a consequence.
When I had a 500mm lens i used a Photo Trekker AW which was great and i found i could carry everything i needed with a few extra pouches on the bag (500, 300, 70-200 or 180macro, 17-35 (all heavy L- lenses) & 90 macro along with 2 bodies, extenders etc etc ) then the zip broke so i had to buy another bag..carrying all the above gear in my bag along with a bean bag in the add on day pack was starting to tell and i was suffering alot of back pain..and my photography was suffering too as after trekking for a few miles with a bag load of heavy glass on my back i was just too tired to think about taking any photo's
after the zip broke (as a result of too much gear in the camera bag..which was bulging...the zip couldn't cope!) I decided to downsize my bag to a smaller bag and save my back one of my friends was using an old Lowepro Trekker Classic to carry his 500mm F4 along with a 1d2, 100-400 and extenders, & extension tubes...and he only ever took what lenses he needed..if he was out and suddenly found he needed a macro lens then he would put extension tubes on his 100-400 (some of his best dragonfly pics were made with a 500mm lens).
So I got a Lowepro Trekker Classic (£89) and only carried what I needed, my back pain eased and suddenly the 500mm lens was a joy to carry again along with my 1D2, 70-200, extenders and extension tubes, I even started to have more energy and walked further as a result, taking more photos along the way...
...then my life went tit.s up and I was forced to sell all my gear..I kept my 1d2 however along with my 300 f2.8 and my Lowepro Trekker Classic i also just got a Rover AW2 (£70) which is great and extremely comfortable to carry...it's small and limits you to being really selective about what lenses to carry..which IMHO makes you think about your photography more...
Brian keep your Lowepro Photo trekker AW2 (just a tad bigger than my Lowepro Trekker Classic) for the time being and see how you get on with it..Photography is an expensive business...why pay £200 for an extra 2" of camera bag?
Travel light...enjoy your photography more.
ps...if you find you do want a bag solely for your 500mm lens then I'd take Tom W's advice and get the Heritage Lens bag for the 500/600mm (£100 ish from Warehouse express)a nice bag, Mike Lane uses one to carry his gear all over the world..he has had extra pockets sewn (spelling???) on to his.
Good luck with the big lens...super bit of kit..miss mine like crazy..
Well a big thanks to everyone, this has given me more info than I anticipated, lots of help from every angle!!
I`m sure I`ll make the right choice now!
Thanks again!
I use the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW £100-150 I think. Fantastic rucksack. Really well padded in the right places and doesn't break the bank. Fits a 500/4, 1d2, 550ex, 1.4 and 2x and my tripod (strapped to the outside. I love it. Weighs a ton, but my wife's really strong!!!
No room for any other lenses which is problematic - I could always leave the converters out I suppose.
HTH a bit.
Graeme