Bag options for long lens?

[KENB]

I just received my Sigma 120-300 and am having trouble finding a shoulder bag big enough to hold the beast. It is 12" long with the shade reversed. Anyone have any suggestions on what might work. I do not want a backpack, but a comfortable bag I can carry while shooting sports. Thanks for the help.

[newfly5]

i think Lowepro has a toploader for big lenses

[Canuck]

I was wondering how you like the 120-300? My copy is from Aug, 03.
Sri, can't help you with shoulder bags, but backpacks I could.

[Nick C.]

Have a look at these Kata shoulder bags:

http://www.kata-bags.com/category.asp?id=69&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

I bought a Kata CC-191 because I was looking for something to hold my 400 5.6 attached to the body (the 400 is about 11" long). It did fit well, was comfortable to wear (with the APSS-DH or NSS-DH shoulder strap) and the bag will certainly protect your gear. Very well made! However, I found the linked zipper not to my liking. It looks like a good idea and would enable quick access but I found it a bit of a hassle if you want to grab something while moving or holding something in one hand. The zips on Kata bags are chunky and stiff (if that makes any sense), and that's generally a good thing but I found it does require you to hold the flap with one hand while pulling the zipper with the other. If you're not going to be in and out of the bag too frequently you may find the Katas quite suitable.
And just for your information I ended up going with the 7 Million Dollar Home from Crumpler for my shoulder bag. Another very nice bag indeed! It will hold your lens but probably not with it attached to your camera.

[Photo Gib]

Have a look at these Kata shoulder bags:

http://www.kata-bags.com/category.asp?id=69&perentId=4&ProdLine=4




Looks like solid stuff. And they carry body armor too! :)


I'm looking at their rain gear. Cool.

[KENB]

Hi Canuck. Just got the lens a few weeks ago. Plan to use it for highschool sports. Have shot a few football practice sessions, and like it a lot. However it is heavy, and I have tried handheld and monopod. Have a night game this friday, and should give it a good workout. I will try and post some pictures.

Regarding the seven million dollar bag, how were you able to situate the lens, horizontal, or vertical? It will fit in my backpack, but a shoulder bag is more comfortable for standing around the sidelines.

[Nick C.]

Regarding the seven million dollar bag, how were you able to situate the lens, horizontal, or vertical? It will fit in my backpack, but a shoulder bag is more comfortable for standing around the sidelines.

When you said the lens was 12" long, was that with the dust cap on? I was assuming yes.
I put my 1.4x on the 400 5.6 and that makes the combination 12" in length (with dust cap on so it is carried off camera). This will not fit attached to the camera. It will fit easily laying down horizontally. As for vertically, I can just close the bag but certainly not as well as it normally does. I'd take my backpack before carrying the setup vertically in the 7 Million.