Recommend a case (350D/XT + 17-85)

A friend of mine is thinking of getting a 350D with a 17-85 lens, and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a case?
I think he wants to travel light, so the smaller the better. I was thinking maybe a Tamrac Digital Zoom or similar?
Any favourites?

LowePro Toploader 65 AW...perfect fit.

http://www.lowepro.com …ther/Toploader_​65_AW.aspx

Looks good Dave - thanks!

Bakewell wrote:
...perfect fit.http://www.lowepro.com …ther/Toploader_​65_AW.aspx

He now has his camera (although his wife won't let him at it until his birthday!). He also got the battery grip (a package deal that was cheaper to ge the grip than to not bother) and is undecided as to whether to use it yet.

From your sig, Dave, it doesn't look like you have the grip, but do you think the body with grip would fit? (i.e. how 'snug' a fit is the toploader?)

Anyone else know?

I have a simular setup as your friend and I got this bundled with my camera and at first I thought it was a bit rubbish but use it all the time now. I would be intertested too to see what people rate as the most suitable as there is too much choice and my birthday is coming.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

Well, looking at that bag, I'd have to say I don't like it. Not much room, not easy to keep a lens attached and no real space for growth. You are better of with a good name brand bag with some room to grow.

The 20D and upwards need a Toploader 75AW to have enough room at the top of the bag for a grip. I have a feeling that the 350D and grip is a little shorter, but probably not by much, and you probably still need a Toploader 75AW for a 350D with grip.

I have a Toploader 75AW anyway, because I'm using fairly large lenses (up to the size of EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS).

David

If he wants some room for growth and a few accessory items and over-the-shoulder is suitable: Lowepro Stealth Reporter 100 AW. Capacity: SLR, 2-3 lenses, film and accessories Size (Interior): 9.8W x 6.1D x 5.9H in. / 25 x 15.5 x 15 cm

I don't know about 350 with grip height, but the dimensions about should provide an idea of the space. I have (and love) the Stealth Reporter 200 AW (Capacity: pro SLR, 3-4 lenses, flash, film and accessories. Size (Interior): 9.3W x 6.9D x 7.7H in. 23.5 x 17.5 x 19.5 cm) for my 20D outfit, but I do not have/want the grip.

As for the toploader style: Toploader 65 AW. Capacity: SLR with attached small-to-medium zoom lens and accessories. Size (Interior): 6.5W x 6D x 8H in. / 16.5 x 15 x 20 cm. For comparison, the Toploader 75 AW that was mentioned earlier: Capacity: large pro SLR (including Nikon® F5) with attached 80–200mm f/2.8 lens (most makes) and hood (reversed). Size (Interior): 7W x 6D x 12.5H in. / 18 x 15 x 32 cm

For a DSLR together with some extras and 2-3 lenses, the Lowepro Rezo 170 AW works perfect for me.
And you still can choose a lower/upper number whether you need less/more gear.

http://www.lowepro.com …lWeather/Rezo_1​70_AW.aspx

One of the sources of confusion among Lowepro bags is that make so very many different models of bags, many of them similar in interior dimension but different in other aspects! One nice feature of the Strealth Reporter series is that there are attachment point for placement of Lowepro lens cases and accessory cases, and they all are compatible with the padded belts and shoulder straps. Other bags, like Nova etc may have similar dimensions but lack the expansion capability thru the attachment points. I actually prefer using two external len cases to place my lenses, so that I open the main compartment less frequently and have fast access to my most-used lenses.

I just got the Lowepro Nova 3AW and am VERY happy with it. It fits my 350D w/grip. 70-300mm on it. 2 smaller lenses and a flash with room to spare.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
I think my friend was after more of a 'case' than a 'bag' as such: just enough to protect the body with the lens fitted, maybe a pocket or 2 for CF's and such. I think the Toploader or Tamrac Travelzoom are probably about the right kind of size.

If your friend want a holster take a look at the Kata H-14.

Thanks for the suggestion Doc - I'll let him know! This is the one isn't it?

I have the same camera/lens and the Lowepro Toploader works perfectly. Fits great - as long as what you want is a small case for protection, rather than a 'lug everything around' bag.

I've used mine on hiking trips, and it works well with the strap removed, just fed through a backpack's lapbelt.