Lowepro lens case. Anyone use them?

http://www.lowepro.com …s/Accessories/l​ens_cases/

I am looking to pick up a couple of these cases for normal storage and for the times I would want to take a single lens or two in my regular luggage. I am having some difficulty selecting the appropriate sizes. One of the lenses I would like to get this for is the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS. The lens measures 5.5" long with a diameter of 3.25". This is with the lens hood off. With the hood, it would be a 4" diameter.

The Lowepro lens matrix lists the Lens Case 1W for this lens. However, their dimensions for 1W is 4x5". This is obviously too short for the 5.5" lens.

Are the dimensions they provide conservative estimates? Meaning even though they say it is 4x5, I should be able to fit the 5.5" lens in there? Or is it just a mistake on the matrix?

I would appreciate any comments from those that have used this product. I would also like to know if they offer decent protection. Thanks.

I'm not a big fan of LowePro products, but I did buy a couple of these lens cases for my 24-105 and for my 70-200. I got them to attach to my LowePro SlingShot 100, but I'm so pissed at that bag that I don't use it anymore. However, I can say the dimensions are along the lines of what they claim. I have the 1 and the 1W and the 3 which I use for my 70-200. With the tripod ring on the lens, it's a really really tight fit into the 3.

I've bought them for my Off-Trail 2. My lenses got bigger than the standard pouches could handle and I like the OT2 so the upgrade made sense.

I have several, and I like them well enough, especially if you are using the Lowepro belt or putting the lens case onto the outside of another Lowepro bag.

The Lowepro lens cases are soft-sided (as well as top and bottom), so the extra 1/2 inch shouldn't be a problem - it should flex enough to allow you to close it. As for the hood, you would need to consider that diameter, and get a case big enough to hold it.

Have Fun,

I have a couple . use them attached to the side of my Lowepro bags. I also use the water bottle holder.... for water bottles not lenses

Thanks for all the feedback. SunTsu, can you tell me which case you are using for your 24-105? Are you able to fit the lens in that case with the hood reversed?

Thanks.

SunTsu wrote in post #4190803
I'm not a big fan of LowePro products, but I did buy a couple of these lens cases for my 24-105 and for my 70-200. I got them to attach to my LowePro SlingShot 100, but I'm so pissed at that bag that I don't use it anymore. However, I can say the dimensions are along the lines of what they claim. I have the 1 and the 1W and the 3 which I use for my 70-200. With the tripod ring on the lens, it's a really really tight fit into the 3.

I also have two Lowepro cases 1m for 50mm , and 1W for 24-105L lens fits fine with hood reversed , good cases .
after all canon case what goes with 24-105 looks like a joke.

I had a couple. I sold them with the lowepro harness.

I have the 1W, and I just put my EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS with hood reversed inside it and zipped it closed with no problem and no tightness. The top of the case is slightly raised, but the diameter is perfect.

In fact, I have two of the 1Ws and I'd like to sell one. If you're interested, PM me.

Have Fun,

i think the thinktank ones are better. Check out my sig.

samurai wrote in post #4192406
Thanks for all the feedback. SunTsu, can you tell me which case you are using for your 24-105? Are you able to fit the lens in that case with the hood reversed?

Thanks.

Sure. I was using the Case 1. The hood won't fit in there on the lens, so the only way I can store it is with the hood in another bag.

I looked at the 1W for the 16-35mm and the hood definitely didn't fit in that case - hood on reversed or forward. The hood on the 16-35 is wider than on the 24-105 though, I think.

I think I'll try Think Tank next time. The one good thing about the LowePro is that they have that velcro belt strap which you can latch onto parts of your main bag.

I have Lowepro, with lens cases attached to the outside. The cases make fine way to carry lenses inside non-photographic luggage and not worry about scratches. The ability to fit the hood is 'it depends'. I have a 70-200 f/4L and it fits with hood. And a 17-55 f/2.8 EFS and it fits with hood. The 17-85mm (which I sold) fit in the case with hood.My 10-22 hood is a pain in fitting nothing, and consuming lots of space inside the main bag! As for snugness, I even can store the 70-200 inside with 1.4x convertor attached. but the 17-55 is snug with hood.

nutsnbolts wrote in post #4193790
i think the thinktank ones are better. Check out my sig.

"better" how, exactly? Ergonomically? Superior fit & finish? ThinkTank makes nice products, but after looking at both I didn't feel they were superior to the Lowepro gear (although the ''pop-down'' feature is pretty trick).

I have the Lowepro S&F gear (Belt, Toploader-65AW, 1W case, 3 case) and I'm very happy with it. It all comes down to personal preference (and price point)...as far as bags are concerned, I prefer KATA.

It really depends on how you are using the products. Thinktank was designed as a shoot out of equipment. Although you can use it to store your equipment while on the move, it doesn't neccesarily mean you should. The Lowepro versions, you need to zip and unzip but will provide more "storage closure" capability as opposed to thinktanks strap. I can't recall, does Lowepro have a rain cover for all their products including the loaders?

I have two lowepro gear the Vertex 200, as opposed to their Airport versions and an Apex 60AW for my G9. And of course a Domke F-3x for casual carrying around. But regarding loaders, if I was going to move around carrying my lens outside my bag, I prefer that I don't hence that's not what I will use the loaders for. My lenschangers are used primarily for quick lens changes and when I'm done shooting for the day, the lenses goes back into the pack and the lenschangers are empty. I can even compress my lenschangers and store in my bag without having to worry about having empty "shells" outside my bag. In my opinion, ThinkTank is more versatile.

If you have a backpack/bag and you need more room for your gear (for lenses), yes, you can add more Lowepro "loaders" but I would not travel around (and I travel internationally) with my gear and having a backpack and stuff (loaders) attached to the outside, is not something you want to do.

So the question is what are the purpose of your loaders? The pop-down feature is an an extension to their capability where when I'm on the move, if I have no lens in my lenschangers, I can technically use the lenschanger Pop-down to stick one my camera into it (around my neck still of course), without it swaying around. I should mention it's pop down because (it's a shoot out of changer), you can store your 70-200 and 100-400 lens with their hood in ready position.

Like I said it's not about which is technically superior but Thinktank is far more versatile.

With Lowepro, if the model name includes "AW" it is an all-weather product. But, that is slightly misleading - the Toploader AW series comes with a rain cover, but if you have other items like lens cases or a water bottle holder attached, the rain cover won't fit over them.

Have Fun,