500 mm FD 4.5 telephoto lens bag, help please

<p>Hi all,<br>

I recently purchased a FD 500mm 4.5 lens, at roughly 16" length its a heft piece. It comes with a metal case, which is quite bulky and heavy as well.<br>

I'm struggling with this in the field, not surprisingly. My main bag is a F Stop Loka, which is a great bag, it's served me well, I can fit a couple of bodies, flash, 200mm macro, 80 macro, and a 28mm wide angle in it just fine, but this lens is far too big.<br>

I'm exploring a "side car" soft lens bag to attach to the side of the Loka, with the other side having the tripod, but I can't find anything big enough to fit this large lens.<br>

<br />Any ideas on where to look? Or other options?<br>

Thank you.</p>

<p>How about going to a local store and getting an inexpensive fleecy type throw blanket...take it home, sew up the bottom and one edge with a drawstring across the top. Invert it so the seams are inside. I've been using one of these for a couple of years when transporting my 400/6.3 with a 5 inch lens hood and long tripod foot on it for about 5 years with no problems. I'll probably make another one late this year with a sling on it.</p>

<p>Hmmn, it's an idea, not exactly water resistant, and I have absolutely zero craft skills (the dry cleaners does my buttons), but I guess it is a last resort. </p>

<p>You could use it as a liner and have an outer covering from a $1 shower curtain. If you lack the skills, maybe you have an ambitious girlfriend, wife, mother, or significant other.</p>

<p>How about something like a Lowepro Flipside 500 AW? It will protect your super-telephoto lens much better then a sidecar bag will and those things aren't cheap to replace.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>How about something like a Lowepro Flipside 500 AW?</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

I also was going to suggest Lowepro. I prefer bags that enable me to leave the lens attached to the body. For example, I found a Lowepro bag that accomodates my Canon EF 100-400 L II attached to my 5DII w/ grip.<br>

<br>

If you go to Lowepro's website, you can check to specifications of their various products to find a suitable bag. They even have a "Bagfinder" tool.<br>

</p>

<p>Thanks, I'll look at that, but I'd hate to invest in a whole new bag, and definitely not a bag that is larger than carry on size. I've not had great luck with old Lowepro bags that I've had, and this F-Stop is overall dynamite. </p>

<p>Quick look, at $200.00+, I don't think that is going to happen, and pushes carry on size in depth. I also don't think carrying the telephoto in a carry on bag is very feasible as there won't be room for for other lenses and bodies, but again, I appreciate the idea. </p>

<blockquote>

<p>I've not had great luck with old Lowepro bags that I've had, and this F-Stop is overall dynamite.</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

James, I'm curious about the negative experiences you've had Lowepro bags. I've always loved the features and functionality of mine.<br>

<br>

I'm also wondering what you mean by the second conjunct of your statement, namely, "this F-Stop is overall dynamite."</p>

<p>Look on ebay for a used large camera backpack</p>

<p>Mark, I've had a few, and they never fit my body right, and the ones that fit my gear were too big for carry on, which is critical for me. I haven't particularly cared for their durability either. This statement:<br>

"this F-Stop is overall dynamite."<br>

Was regarding my F Stop camera bag. I love it. It fits well, is durable, it doesn't look like a camera bag (bonus), I can fit my three main lenses, flash system, couple of bodies, filters, spotmeter, etc in the main body and use the top section for film, batteries and more. I don't want to change main bags. I just want a way to deal with the larger telephoto for when I will take that out. </p>

<p>Hmmn, the specs on the Lowepro 500 do look good. Just a little bigger than carry on sizes, usually not a problem, but can be on occasion. </p>

<p>Thanks for the clarification, James. It's interesting how our experiences differ. I have always found Lowepro bags to be very functional and durable.</p>

<p>I think that tenba used to make special lens bags. I carry the 500/4.5 inits metal case to keep the lens safe, but I switch over to the lens bag when I arrive at the target destination.</p>

<p>As an update, I decided to buy a (bootleg) Lowepro 500 for the lens. It's fine construction, and for $70, I think its a good option. I'll have two bags on travels, but I will adapt. Thank you all for the advice. </p>

apparently, pasted in images as well as pdfs are destroyed by the new display. Sorry folks.

jdm I fixed it for you.

 

As to the 500mm f4.5 run a search on eBay they do pop up a boot for a newer lens will also fit. In the mean time a Shower Cap would add some protection for a few pennies.

As far as bags go, I usually just use a sock shaped fabric bag filled with dried beans from the supermarket. Just can't get it wet .