Long Nosed Camera Case

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:13 pm

Does anybody know who makes a top loading long nosed camera case similar to this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Superb-top-loadin ... dZViewItem

I was going to bid for that one but the seller told me it was just half an inch shorter internally than I require. I want a top load holster type case similar to that to take my Nikon D200 plus 70-180 micro nikkor when I am on outings that are not really photography related and I don't want to lug around a full kit in my Billingham gadget bag, just the camera and lens hung on a strap over my shoulder as with the old ever ready cases..

The internal dimensions need to be at least:-

9.5 inches long (24cm) (rear of camera to end of lens nose)

6.25 inches wide (16cm) (camera dimensions)

4.5 inches high (11.5cm) (camera dimensions)

The lens diameter is 3.25 inches (8cm)

I have seen some like the Tamrac and Lowepro, but these have a lot of extra pockets for equipment and are starting to move towards a gadget bag again. I want a holster type bag with the weight kept down to a minimum whose sole purpose is to protect the camera and lens. The above EBAY one would have been ideal if the nose were just 3/4 of an inch longer internally.

DaveW

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 4:52 pm

I have a Tamron one that I know for sure holds my Canon 1Ds and 100-400mm lens. It does have an additional large but flat pocket that I suspect put you off of it. I find it very convenient for purposes similar to yours, when I want to carry the camera, one lens, and nothing else. I keep a set of allen wrenches on a ring (these are small tools about the size of a key, not sure if that term for them is used in the UK, but they have almost no bulk) in the extra pocket, plus the pocket has two small slots for CF cards, and I've put two old 512 meg cards that aren't of much use for anything else to stay in there for emergency use. I believe the one I have would be good for what you want if it will hold the 70-180 and your camera.

If you want me to check, I can get the Tamrac bag and measure the exact internal dimensions (The empty bag 14 stories below me in our car park right now, or I'd just do it!). Let me know if you'd like me to check.

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:00 pm

I just went to the B&H website and looked, I believe the one I have is the Tamrac 519. If it's marked on the bag, I'll be able to check for sure if you want me to measure it.

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:22 am

Thanks Mike I would be glad of the check for depth. We do use allen wrenches over here in the UK where they are known as allen keys.

DaveW

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 2:59 pm

The internal length of my Tamrac is 10 1/2 inches, and the inside of the top opening is 9 by 5 inches. Hard to measure the very base, but it appears to be about three inches internally (a bit more, actually), definitely is four inches externally.

My Canon 1Ds (a huge camera) with the 100-400L lens mounted and the hood reversed is over 13 inches long (even the lens cap adds measurably to the length), and the front end of the lens with hood is over four inches wide. The Tamron will definitely hold this (I've done it often), including some space to wad up the strap behind the camera, though this is definitely the maximum capacity of the bag, and you have to stretch it a bit to close the top with this combination in there, mainly because of the strap.

The additional pocket you mentioned extends from the main body of the bag perhaps half an inch, and doesn't add appreciably to the dimensions or weight. I use one of those elastic spring camera straps on the bag when I carry it over my shoulder, and it gives a sort of illusion of it being lighter than it is.

I can't find any sign of a model number on mine, but I am pretty sure it is the one I mentioned earlier--I believe the literature when I bought it talked about being able to carry a "professional" camera and a 70-200/2.8 lens (which is a gigantic lens).

For me, it works well to carry my 1Ds and 100-400L, or (an easier fit) 180mm macro lens. Hood reversed in either case, and of course the trombone-like 100-400L is collapsed to minimum dimensions. I don't have a 70-180 macro zoom to try in it, of course, but you may be able to compare your lens to one of those lenses in a camera store or from a friend who hasn't been captured by the Dark Side (hee-hee).

My impression is that the 100-400L is probably a bigger lens than the 70-180, and I'm pretty sure the 1Ds is bigger than just about any 35mm camera body, it is a brick! I can't claim to be familiar with the 70-180 or Nikon bodies for real of course. I bought this Tamrac case at a local camera store when I had an "emergency" need for it, you might check at a really big camera retailer where you can actually try it out with your lens and camera.

Hope this helps!

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:16 am

Thanksa Mike for all your troubles on my behalf. That sounds what I need unless anybody comes up with something better.

DaveW