Slimmer lens case/pouch/holder?

I'm looking for a compact, lightweight lens case to go on a belt or attach to the outside of another bag. Main use would be for trekking, so lightweight is a must and collapsible when empty would be handy (but not essential).

I've seen the Lowepro range in store, and they have about a half inch of padding - more than I want. The ones I've seen online seem to have a similar amount of padding.

Does anyone know of a range of lightweight lens cases?

here's one:
http://www.ebay.com …48047?hash=item​35f8d187cf

and if you need to spend a bit more money:
http://www.maxpedition​.com …CCW-Belt-Pouches-c136.htm

Cheers. Now, how do I edit the thread title? I've no idea how I managed to mistype "pouch" . . .

EDIT: Thanks for cleaning up my thread title, Jon!

Dear DODGYEXPOSURE/Damien,

Pssst, have some "kool-aid",
specifically, this...
Think Tank SKIN BODY Bag [Mfr# TT052]:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Skin_Body_Bag_​Black.html
https://www.thinktankp​hoto.com …es/products/ski​n-body-bag
- for the TT Body Bag #TT052 (with its versatile bottom zipper/pop-down expandable feature) see the 2:15 minute point of the inserted video which is in the middle right-side of the manufacturer web page.

I have had this product since it was first introduced to the market - use it for on location & destination events/weddings. Less is more!
[I have it configured as follows/it holds: spare lens (either a 24-70Lf2.8Lmkii, 70-200Lf2.8 IS mkii, or 85f1.2L), with: 600EX-RT, Rogue Flashbender-small, 4-spare AA batteries, spare CF memory cards, business cards, cell/smart phone, paper & pen, car keys, mints, etc].

Everyone has to analyse & find what works best for their individual needs and after years of careful iterations of various products & manufacturers(includin​g quality but bulky Lowepro products) and several years of use with this TT item, I can HIGHLY recommend this Think Tank product for the following reasons:
- solving a carrying/storage problem in a lean efficient way
- good design/layout
- folds flat (when empty; great for travel, or photographer's waist profile & in crowded areas like wedding receptions)
- has a top flap (minimizing dust, beach sand,rain, snow, etc. in harsh environments and enables a feeling that its contents are secure)
- high quality, durable workmanship.

Cheers & good luck with whatever works best for YOU.

Just one view.

Mary

P.S.
Think Tank Photo SKIN series products sold,
individually: https://www.thinktankp​hoto.com …ches?sort_by=be​st-selling
or
as a set: https://www.thinktankp​hoto.com …ducts/modular-skin-set-v2
however, I find only the above individual item [TT SKIN Body Bag #TT052] is needed.

Thanks, Mary. That looks interesting.

I've had enough close encounters with gravity, that having that extra half-inch of padding would definitely give me more peace of mind when coming up to a particularly technical stretch of trail Especially if it's just biner'ed out in the open.

Just an FYI - the Think Tank SKIN series products all have a wall thickness that I am comfortable with (but that is an individual decision).
I love my lenses too, with TLC - I married my lenses, but only date my cameras!

Mary

+1 on the think tank skin series. If padding is not enough, you can add padding if you needed it. It's enough for me as well. Biggest drawback is the belt attachment, it's too cumbersome to work with a normal belt, which I use often. A similar lowepro bag would be the utility 100, which I also like very much, but a tad too small for what I shoot with, and doesnt have the pocket system. Both are fairly lightweight, however the think tank can fit a lot more.

I know its not a case/pouch but have you looked at the Peak Design CaptureLENS (Lens Kit)? I just received my unit today and should have a review of it soon.

https://www.peakdesign​.com/product/clips/cap​turelens

Or even the GoWing Lens Flipper? This doesn't clip to bags but has a sling strap for it

http://www.1kindphotog​raphy.com …ony-e-a-mount-lenses.html

*UPDATE*
Review of the CaptureLENS

http://www.1kindphotog​raphy.com …-kit-changing-system.html

Charlie wrote in post #17859175
+1 on the think tank skin series. If padding is not enough, you can add padding if you needed it. It's enough for me as well. Biggest drawback is the belt attachment, it's too cumbersome to work with a normal belt, which I use often. A similar lowepro bag would be the utility 100, which I also like very much, but a tad too small for what I shoot with, and doesnt have the pocket system. Both are fairly lightweight, however the think tank can fit a lot more.

Good points CHARLIE, I agree with your comments, but I often use it with the Think Tank Slim SKIN belt, or a regular belt.

[I still have a Lowepro Utility 100 which is stiffer with less capacity; it carried my Pocket Wizard stuff (2-TT1's, 5-TT5's & 2 AC3's); before I leaned things out, reducing the clutter & migrated to 6 Canon 600EX-RT's].

The only other thing in the Lowepro product line that comes close to the Think Tank SKIN series is the unfortunately discontinued several years ago Lowepro Pouch 60AW:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …SlipLock_Pouch_​60_AW.html
which was flexible & good capacity (which had a slim "SlipLock" attachment for attaching to waist belts or packs; not to be confused with the less effective pouch Apex 60AW).
(My assistant still uses the discontinued Lowepro Pouch 60AW to carry 3-Canon 600EX-RT's at the back of his waist, in case I need them on-location for OCF run-n-gun situations, when not using the Profoto B1 strobes). But I haven't even seen that on Amazon nor e-Bay anymore. It was one of Lowepro's better pouch products, so I don't know why it was discontinued.

Mary

Mary/Charlie,

Thanks for the great info. I'm now much more actively researching a purchase, and the TT skin bags are top of my list. The belt attachment system does look quite cumbersome, though.

I'd be looking to attach this to the side of an existing bag, such as a holster bag. Are you able to tell me whether the belt attachment fits with a Lowepro Toploader Pro side attachment? Alternatively, how wide is the vertical strap of the attachment system? Would it fit through standard Molle attachment straps?

dodgyexposure wrote in post #17918262
Mary/Charlie,

Thanks for the great info. I'm now much more actively researching a purchase, and the TT skin bags are top of my list. The belt attachment system does look quite cumbersome, though.

I'd be looking to attach this to the side of an existing bag, such as a holster bag. Are you able to tell me whether the belt attachment fits with a Lowepro Toploader Pro side attachment? Alternatively, how wide is the vertical strap of the attachment system? Would it fit through standard Molle attachment straps?

no, the think tank attachment will only work on belts. Lowepro lens pouches do fit on the side of the toploader pro, I happen to have that bag as well, and do occasionally attach a small lens case to the side.

Charlie wrote in post #17918343
no, the think tank attachment will only work on belts. Lowepro lens pouches do fit on the side of the toploader pro, I happen to have that bag as well, and do occasionally attach a small lens case to the side.

Hmmm, that's what I thought. Scratch the TT skin bags, then.

Is the lens case that you are talking about one of those rigid, heavily padded ones? I'm trying to find a lightweight, collapsible option. I may end up with a generic Molle compatible pouch . . .

dodgyexposure wrote in post #17918516
Hmmm, that's what I thought. Scratch the TT skin bags, then.

Is the lens case that you are talking about one of those rigid, heavily padded ones? I'm trying to find a lightweight, collapsible option. I may end up with a generic Molle compatible pouch . . .

yes, the heavily padded ones. What you could do is get some cheapo safrotto cases on ebay: ebay link, they use a similar slip lock to lowepro, and being a cheesy china product, the padding is not nearly as stiff. With some sewing skills, you can remove the padding if you wanted to, that's what I did with one of my lowepro cases to turn it into an effective "skin bag". I dont like the bulk and skin bags provide enough protection for me.