If you use lens pouches, whose do you use? I’ve always used Canon LP lens pouches for all my Canon EF lenses, but after a recent near catastrophe, just ordered them for all my Fuji...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I’ve always used Canon LP lens pouches for all my Canon EF lenses, but after a recent near catastrophe, just ordered them for all my Fuji lenses as well. Fujis come with nice cloth roll up covers, but as I found out the hard way, one can roll out of the cloth cover off the end of a table. By pure good luck, there was a wicker trash can filled with paper and tissues near the desk, and the lens fell in and landed softly, but it could have had a very different outcome. That wouldn’t Have happened with a Canon pouch, and if it had, they provide lots more protection, they’re made with soft draw string suede uppers and leather padded bottoms, and the model number indicates the size and diameter I believe. The first digit (or digits) are the diameter - 8, 10 or 12 and the last two digits indicate the height. So an LP811 is just right for small Fuji primes, and an LP1014 or LP1016 seems to fit the longer FLs and zooms. They’re not cheap new, but I can usually find them on eBay in the $15 range - lots cheaper than a lens repair.

That started me wondering what everyone else is using, and whether you use pouches at all or just your padded carrying bags (I use both)? Are there better solutions?

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Think Tank!

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

I have Slinger and JCC Pouches. Both provide good protection for my lens. Both have different sizes available.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

This may sound silly however I use three socks that I place inside each other. It does a good job of protecting them from each other. Using different color socks helps me know which lenses are in them.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

sippyjug104 wrote:

This may sound silly however I use three socks that I place inside each other. It does a good job of protecting them from each other. Using different color socks helps me know which lenses are in them.

Colored socks is a great idea.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

"By pure luck..." That sounds like so many movie scenes. The good guy falls off a roof and lands in a dumpster full of foam.

I liked the old days when cameras and lenses came with leather cases. I have a 28-80mm f/2.8 in a leather case, but that's all. I probably received a lens or two in a pouch, but I never use them, nor do I know where they might be. I keep my lenses in a camera bag.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

Op/Tech USA, available through Amazon and elsewhere. Every lens I use is in one, even in a padded photo bag or backpack.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

sippyjug104 wrote:

This may sound silly however I use three socks that I place inside each other. It does a good job of protecting them from each other. Using different color socks helps me know which lenses are in them.

I think that is very creative- not silly at all!

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

TriX wrote:

I’ve always used Canon LP lens pouches for all my ... (show quote)

OP/Tec, however for some lenses foam can cozies work, in a pinch a thick sock also works.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Think Tank...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Chris like so many other concerns "it depends" every lens has it's own unique requirements and so do most commercial assignments. Below I sharing one of my means of transporting my kit safely on assignment.

My Go-To for my AF-S 200-400mm f/4 IF ED VR is Nikon's CL-L2 Ballistic Nylon Soft Lens Case... This case has 2" padding that completely wraps around the lens... and only a single Nikon Logo which I've covered with Black Gaffer's Tap so make it look pretty much like a case for fan's portable folding chair etc...
It is so popular that B&H always has a waiting list to purchase it...
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/247039-REG/Nikon_4315_CL_L2_Soft_Case.html
I also use it to carry my AF 300mm f/2.8 and my AF 200-500mm f/5.6 since the padding is removable and can be configured to mate with whatever long glass you wish to carry.

The beauty of the Nikon CL-L2 case is that it allows you to leave your Pro-Body attached and it has padding that can be adjusted to protect the camera's body. This case was specifically designed for working commercial photographers.

Hope this helps Chris or is at least food for thought...

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Canon pouches (if the lens came with one) or OpTech pouches. I probably favor the latter simply because they offer a snugger fit.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I never use the original Canon L series pouches. I keep them to resell along with the lens, in a closet, only. Instead, I purchase the lens-size specific of the LensCoat neoprene "lens pouch" bags. I use a Sharpie 'paint pen' in either Gold or Silver to mark the bottom of the bag to indicate the contents.

In the comments section for specific models, you can find other customers who have identified the lenses each pouch size can handle. From LensCoat:

https://www.lenscoat.com/lens-pouches-c-30_28.html

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thanks for the LensCoat Link Paul...
I use the LensCoat Pull-On Lens Cap for my Nikon AF-S 200-400mm f/4
It is superior (in my estimation) to Nikon's Leather Drawstring "Bag" which they shipped with the original product.
And has withstood years of extensive use without the slightest sign of degradation.

LensCoat offers quality product at competitive pricing... at least for Pull-On lens caps.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thomas902 wrote:

Thanks for the LensCoat Link Paul...
I use the LensCoat Pull-On Lens Cap for my Nikon AF-S 200-400mm f/4
It is superior (in my estimation) to Nikon's Leather Drawstring "Bag" which they shipped with the original product.
And has withstood years of extensive use without the slightest sign of degradation.

LensCoat offers quality product at competitive pricing... at least for Pull-On lens caps.

For the lenses too big for a pouch, I too use the 'over the end of the lens' lens-cap.