Case for a long lens: I have a 500mm f4.5 lens. Originally it came it a duffel bag with a shoulder strap attached at each end. Looking at the lens, I see where it is showing it's age...

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

I have a 500mm f4.5 lens. Originally it came it a duffel bag with a shoulder strap attached at each end.

Looking at the lens, I see where it is showing it's age with a slight wobble at the focusing ring.

Thinking about it, the wobble probably came from lots of use in it's earlier life but it isn't being helped with a soft bag and supported at the ends.

I'm planning to make a better carrier. So far assorted tool boxes looked promising then I thought about getting a large pvc pipe and carrying the lens vertically inside with some good padding added of course.

My question now concerns which way to insert the lens in the tube. I've seen both ways but does anyone know of a reason to carry it in the tube with the objective lens pointing up or down? Which way is better?

Any other suggestions are appreciated also.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

GENorkus wrote:

I have a 500mm f4.5 lens. Originally it came it a ... (show quote)

Is it the Sigma 500mm F4.5 or the Canon model?

torchman310 Loc: Santa Clarita, Ca.

Put the objective up. If you should drop it, the objective (padding or not) won't hit the ground and be damaged by the impact.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

GENorkus wrote:

I have a 500mm f4.5 lens. Originally it came it a ... (show quote)

https://www.lowepro.com/us-en/lens-trekker-600-aw-iii-lp36776-pww/

I have both the older Trekker 600 and the second one. I use the older one for my 300mm f/2.8 and the larger one for my 500mm f/4 lens. Your 500 f/4.5 is about the same size as my 500mm lens.

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

GENorkus wrote:

I have a 500mm f4.5 lens. Originally it came it a ... (show quote)

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

I use a Lowepro case that I purchased from B & H a number of years ago when I purchased my Tamron 150-600 lens which has worked fine and can even close the case with the Nikon D7100 attached although its a very tight fit, so most of the time I just store the lens in it.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

MT Shooter wrote:

Is it the Sigma 500mm F4.5 or the Canon model?

Sorry for not mentioning it.

It's the Asahi Pentax Takumar 500mm f4.5.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

GENorkus wrote:

Sorry for not mentioning it.

It's the Asahi Pentax Takumar 500mm f4.5.

Slightly smaller than either the Sigma or the Canon.
Take a look at the Kinesis model L511. It will fit your Pentax well.

https://kgear.eogear.com/collections/kinesis-long-lens-cases/products/kinesis-l511-compact-long-lens-case-500

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

MT Shooter wrote:

Slightly smaller than either the Sigma or the Canon.
Take a look at the Kinesis model L511. It will fit your Pentax well.

https://kgear.eogear.com/collections/kinesis-long-lens-cases/products/kinesis-l511-compact-long-lens-case-500

Wow, those are really nice looking cases!

With the hood slid inwards, it only takes up about 18". Add some padding and I think the small should fit. I'll have to contact the company to check things out.

Thanks!

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

jeep_daddy wrote:

https://www.lowepro.com/us-en/lens-trekker-600-aw-iii-lp36776-pww/

I have both the older Trekker 600 and the second one. I use the older one for my 300mm f/2.8 and the larger one for my 500mm f/4 lens. Your 500 f/4.5 is about the same size as my 500mm lens.

Thanks for the suggestion but those are a little bit more costly than I had envisioned. maybe something like that used in the future.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

GENorkus wrote:

Wow, those are really nice looking cases!

With the hood slid inwards, it only takes up about 18". Add some padding and I think the small should fit. I'll have to contact the company to check things out.

Thanks!

I have their L611 for one of my 600mm F4 lenses. I also have the Lowepro LensTrekker 600 for another one and the Kinesis is handier and less money.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

GENorkus wrote:

I have a 500mm f4.5 lens. Originally it came it a ... (show quote)

Most of my fitted cases and pouches are designed for the objective end down.
My longest lens is almost 24" long with the focusing tube - I wrap it in Domke 19x19" Protective Wraps and carry it in a padded 27" tripod case.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

GENorkus wrote:

I have a 500mm f4.5 lens. Originally it came it a ... (show quote)

MOST all manufactures load front element down. I believe the rationale for this is if you load body mount first it may put a lot of presser on that body mount, it also makes it a little harder to remove, the front element is now on top and may touch the sides of the case making it harder to get your fingers around it to pull it out. Of course you can simply turn it upside down and it should slide out.
Personally I buy old large Tenba or Tamrac bags for my big lens, my lenses lay on their side and I can adjust the padded inserts to make the lens snug in the bag.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's a shame that cameras and lenses no longer come with nice hard leather cases. Even third party lenses used to come with them. DIY is one alternative.

https://www.google.com/search?q=diy+lens+case&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&oq=diy+lens+case&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.2870j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland

Lowepro LensTrekker 600 AW III for my 500mm and a Kinesis L321 for my 300mm.