Holster-style case for K-x with kit zoom?

[runswithsizzers]

<p> </p>

 

<p>Can anyone recommend a holster-style or "fanny pack" (apologies to our Brit friends) design case that can be worn around the waist, which will hold a Pentax K-x and kit zoom lens? My goal is to protect the camera from dust and abrasion when hiking/scrambling in areas like Utah's Canyonlands, while keeping the camera easily accessible. For now, all I'll want to carry is the camera, lens, a 52 mm polarizer, and 4 AA batteries.</p>

<p>I'm presently using a combination of:</p>

<ul>

<li>A Lowepro Nova 3 AW shoulder bag - which is left over from my multi-lens 35mm film kit. I use this mostly for transport in the car, and on very short hikes, only. More bulky and less comfortable than I would like.</li>

<li>A padded neoprene camera shoulder strap. Great for keeping the camera at-the-ready, but the camera swings like a pendulum, pounding me and the camera with every step. Very risky when scrambling over rocks.</li>

<li>A day pack for long hikes. Good comfort and protection, but very poor accessibility. (Take off the pack, find a safe place to lay it on the ground, unzip the pack, take out the camera, etc.)</li>

</ul>

<p>I imagine a holster-style pack worn around the waist would eliminate most of my complaints. Has anyone found something similar to what I have described that will for-sure hold a K-x-plus-kit-zoom?</p>

<p>thanks,<br>

-gw</p>

 

 

 

[michael_kuhne]

<p>I have 3 belt cases for use with varying size outfits. Often the way to go for me. The perfect one for your stated need cost me just $10, and I've had it for several years. I bought it at a Michigan/Ohio supermarket-department store chain. Made in China (of course), but branded for the store. Where are you located, Gary?</p>

[michael_kuhne]

<p>Actually, I just found out they now have stores in parts of Indiana, Illinoise, and Kentucky too.</p>

<p>It is a neat, very compact belt holster. Zippered trap-door lid top with a carrying handle, zippered inner compartment in the top lid, probably just enough room for a small filter and batteries, with a K-x + kit lens in place. It handles my K100D or K200D bodies perfectly with the kit lens or other small lens. For a very small lens, like a Limited prime, I sometimes go to a yet smaller strong leather "fanny" style belt pack I located at JC Penney's, I think.</p>

[mountainvisions]

<p>I use a lowepro top load zoom and a either a TLZ harness, a kinesis strap system, or a few biners and an around the waist strap.The around the waist strap keeps pendulum to a minimum. I actually toss the TLZs over my shoulder with a sling and 2 locking biners when climbing and use the waist strap (just a piece of 1/2in webbing with a QR buckle) to keep it close to my body, like this is can be flipped if going up chimneys.</p>

<p>I have 3 TLZs. Mini, 65AW and 70AW. I tried selling the 70AW some time ago, but these things don't sell used (so you might want to look for a used model, you should score a good deal). Worked out, I now use it for my 645N kit. The 65AW fits my DSLR perfectly (with plenty of extra room for accessories), and the Mini will fit a K-7 and a small zoom or prime just barely when I need to keep things simple.</p>

<p>I've also used the Zing neoprene adventure pouch when I shot more film. It's a form fitting neoprene case that hugs the body until you release it (thus eliminating the pendulum). However, it doesn't work with LCD screens and all the buttons DSLRs have.</p>

<p>It's a shame really that no one has designed a Zing for DSLRs, as they are the perfect low bulk adventure case. It would have to use a clear acrylic rear window for it to work.</p>

<p>The all the AW TLZs have sliplock attachment points on the sides, allowing you to add 2 lens cases, or a flash, or just slide an ultrapod in a slot.</p>

<p>Here are a few sample shots with the various cases and attachment configs:</p>

<p>TLZ Mini w/ K-7 and DA 21mm Limited. Kinesis system directly to the pack, simple 1/2 webbing with quick release around torso. Very stable, not to bulky.<br>

<a title="Clouded in on Summit of Mount Lafeyette, New Hampshire" href=" <img src="http://static.flickr.com/4005/4232176108_53b32bb76a_d.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p>

<p>65AW with Lowepro harness. No pack needed, and this is nice for the summer when you aren't adding and subtracting layers too often.<br>

<a title="Summit Shots On Giant - July 2008" href=" <img src="http://static.flickr.com/3308/3222296380_25fdd02613_d.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p>

<p>TLZ Mini using biners on the backpack straps...<br>

<a title="Wallface from Algonquin" href=" <img src="http://static.flickr.com/126/399536927_c7fb3c5d98_d.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a title="Wallface from Algonquin" href=" </a></p>

[MattB.Net]

<p><a href="http://www.rei.com/product/799686?preferredSku=7996860016&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-7996860016&mr:trackingCode=1419CE29-B020-DF11-9B13-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA">This</a> looks interesting but might be overkill. Anyone try one?<br>

But maybe the simpler design of just a <a href="http://www.wolfes.com/photo/straps.html">stabilizer strap</a> would be enough a lot of days (bottom of the page) It's also cheap!</p>

<p>And of course that<a href="http://www.kgear.com/store/index.php/all-in-one.html"> Kinesis stuff</a> does look sweet too. And versatile. They also sell the same knee pads I ski in. Nice!<br>

So many choices...</p>

[mountainvisions]

<p>Kinesis is good stuff.</p>

<p>I have a few additional Kinesis bits, and I like everything they make.</p>

<p>Although, I might as well own stock in Lowepro, I have way too many of their bags, and other than the zippers (which Lowepro replaces free) I cannot kill the bags!</p>

[c_wyatt]

<p>Not sure if this is what you're looking for, I've got one of these - it's certainly too big for a camera with kit zoom, but it's weather proof.<br>

<a href="http://products.lowepro.com/product/Outback-200,2154,7.htm">http://products.lowepro.com/product/Outback-200,2154,7.htm</a></p>

[steve_t.1]

<p>Well, perusing the back pages of Popular Photography has finally served it's purpose-<br>

How about leather? Watch the 4 minute video for 4 ways to wear it, just down from the top of the page. I think others would offer better weather protection, but what a departure from the modern age synthetic camera cases! Can't beat the retro cool factor. I'd wear it in the across-the-chest mode. Made in Colorado, USA. http://www.skytoptrading.com/ </p>

<p>Or how about this option-<br>

http://www.cottoncarrier.com/</p>

<p>It's not a fannypack, but I just bought a Lowepro Slingshot 202 AW sling bag (~$90). Way more carrying capacity than you need, but the Slingshots come in a few different capacity sizes, the 100 series being the smaller, 200 the mid, 300 the "swallow it all". http://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Sling-Bags,4.htm And Lowepro has belt pack styles, too- http://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Beltpacks,7.htm See the product category list on the left side of their screen.</p>

<p>My last idea, staying with the sling bag style, would be Pentax's own accessory sling bag, which when I compared it is the same size as the Lowepro 100 series. I got a Pentax sling bag free with my K20D purchase and it works great for the body with attached lens and a couple extra lenses, without being bulky at all. I upgraded to the Lowepro Slingshot 202 because I'm keeping the battery grip on the K20D now and the body with grip is just a hair too tall for the Pentax bag, plus I can safely carry one more lens (total 3-4 extra lenses) in the 202. I never thought I'd like the sling bag style until I tried the Pentax which sat here untouched for a good 6 months, but the first time I tried it I was hooked. Rides across the back, and when you need the gear you just rotate it around your body, unzip the bag, and go. With all sling bags, be careful not to open the flap so far as to accidentally let stored lenses fall out and go boom. The Lowepro has a safety strap across the main flap that when engaged properly only allows the grabbing of the camera, the stored lenses are retained inside the bag unable to come out. The Pentax brand sling bag does not have this, so be careful.</p>

[MattB.Net]

<p>I've also heard good things bout the <a href="http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/digital-holster-10-shoulder-bag.aspx">Think Tank Holster bags</a>. Looks like lots of good choices out there!</p>

[michael_kuhne]

<p>I needed some things from the store, so earlier I browsed through the photo dept at Meijer's. My little case is no longer offered, but the Lowepro TLZ Mini was, and it's not much larger. It has a little more room with a much more ample outer pocket. Their regular price is about $25 but they have them now on closeout sale at $17.50, so I think I'll drop back over and pick one up as well. Sounds like that would be an excellent choice for your purpose, Gary. I think TLZ stands for Top Load Zoom...? Quite compact, carrying handle on top, can be worn on belt, or using included shoulder strap.</p>

[seaain.gray]

<p>Lowepro Off Trail (I). Will just hold a K10D with the 55-300mm, and will easily hold the 18-55mm and 55-300mm in the side pouches. Will be a very nice fit for your K-x kit and some additional lenses and/or accessories. i actually use one of the side pouches for my battery grip. <br>

make sure you get the one (1) model. The Two (2) is quite large and perhaps a little too much so. <br>

woof</p>

[henkc]

<p>I use a cheap bag which takes my K20D with a 35mm f2 attached or a Kata H12 for a larger lens - usually the 16-45.</p>

<p> </p>

[runswithsizzers]

<p>Doh! I forgot to click "Notify me of responses" so I've missed all the helpful suggestions here, until today.</p>

<p>Michael Kuhne - I'm in SW Missouri, sadly, an area apparently not serviced by your chain store.</p>

<p>Justin Serpico - thanks for the photos and tips, especially about Lowepro replacing zippers. One of the zippers on my Nova AW3 is failing, and it never occurred to me that they might replace it!</p>

<p>Steve T. - the Skytop leather bags perfectly cater to my belief in buying quality goods from local craftsmen. Too bad my recent camera purchase and imminent road trip plans have strained the budget past the point of spending that kind of money right now.</p>

<p>I found a Lowepro TLZ 1, used, at KEH for $16 - haven't got it yet - hoping it's not too big. I might be happier with the TLZ Mini, but several people reported it as too small (none of which had a K-x). I won't know 'til I see it, but if it comes with a shoulder strap, only, I my have to improvise a belt or waist strap.</p>

<p>Matt Burt - The Think Tank holster bags look just about perfect. If the Lowepro TLZ 1 doesn't work out, I think I might try the Think Tank Digital Holster 10 with their Pro Speed Belt.</p>

<p>Thanks to all,<br>

-gw</p>