Lowepro Lens Case 3 (Black)

by Lowepro

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 5.7 x 9.7 inches ; 9.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009R89G
• Item model number: Lens Case 3
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

The Lens Case 3 by Lowepro is a black pouch to protect and carry an extra lens. Extra padding and rigid bases protect and support valuable lenses. All Lowepro Lens Cases are compatible with their Street and Field modular system and SlipLock base products.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice fit for the EF70-200mm F/4L IS USM lens + hood, April 6, 2010

By 

John Grooms (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lowepro Lens Case 3 (Black) (Electronics)

I like to pack my Canon lenses in lens cases with their lens hoods reversed. That way I always have the hood to use when shooting. But this also means over-sizing the lens case a bit to accommodate the hood. I simply measure the diameter of the lens with its hood reversed, as well as it's length with protective caps at both ends, and go to the Lowepro site to find the closest fit. I don't like to "fit" my measurements any tighter than about 0.25" to any specific Lowepro inside published dimension, as I find that this can mean the fit is TOO tight, and this can be annoying in the field with a case strapped to your belt as you try to remove the lens with one hand, while holding your camera with the other. Too tight means pulling too hard, and that can spell disaster with a fumbled lens as it "pops" out.

I simply adore the Lowepro lens case line for it's ample padding, weather sealed case design, dual zipper system, and its AWESOME belt strap system. You can put this case on any belt without removing the belt or unfastening the belt, and it's dual-velcro belt fastening system is basically foolproof, and very secure. Easy on, easy off. I enjoy field work with one to three lenses strapped to my belt, or tucked safely in to a backpack. I absolutely hate shoulder straps of any kind - they always fall off, snag on things, and beat me to death when walking or jogging. I keep my camera in a waist belted holster for the same reason when in the field and not shooting. The Lowepro cases are low-key, black, and don't stand out too badly, even though you may be toting around 3 or 4 lenses and a camera.

This Lowepro lens case #3 is a bit large for one's belt, but it works if necessary for field work. I think I would prefer putting this lens case in a backpack for field work though. I currently do that with my EF100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM lens and case. It's much more comfortable on one's back, than beating against your leg for a lens that size.

I sized and ordered the Lowepro 3 lens case for my EF70-200mm F4L IS USM lens with its EW-74 lens hood installed backwards. This lens came with a soft, collapsable case from Canon, but this afforded NO padding at all, and basically just served as a dust cover and scratch protector. Not good enough for a $1000+ lens in my humble opinion. I was delighted to test fly the Lowepro 3 lens case with the EF70-200mm lens & reversed hood and to find it was a nice fit, without being too tight at all. This included the add-on tripod ring mount on the lens, which does not come standard with the lens. I will place the filter-end of the lens in first, which leaves the smaller diameter lens base for firmly grasping when the lens needs to be removed. Note that the case fits the lens with the optional tripod ring mount installed "bracket forward" or "bracket backward", for maximum flexibility.

Another Lowepro lens case reviewer complained of a bad smell with newer cases when they received them. I ordered both a Lowepro 1W and a Lowepro 3 case at the same time, and didn't notice any odor at all with the 1W case. However, I can smell an odor of some sort in the Lowepro 3 case (not too bad), so I'll air it out with the case propped open for a few days just to be safe. I've never noticed this with other Lowepro cases (and I have several). Not sure it's a big deal, but wanted to corroborate the other reviewer's observation.

The height of the case and lens is a nice fit as well. The top of lens EF-mount cap is just short of the top of the padding inside the case. I have a regular UV filter on the lens, with the Canon lens cap. There's an elastic netting storage pouch inside the top of the lens case as well that could hold a couple of CF memory cards, or even a lens filter in a its own protective plastic case. I always find this handy for "distributing" extra memory and battery accessories for field work.

I am very pleased with the Lowepro 3 case for the intended application, and will put the Canon soft case in permanent "storage". I am baffled that Canon includes a nice case with its EF100-400mm L lens, but not its EF70-200mm F4L lens, given that they are both expensive "L" lenses. But the former lens also comes with a tripod ring mount, wheras the latter does not. I suppose I can "justify" the tripod ring difference based on lens weight, perhaps, but not the significant difference in the lens case???

I did try the EF100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM lens with its ET83C lens hood reversed in the Lowepro lens case 3, but it didn't fit. The hood was too tight. The lens would fit fine without the hood, just FYI.

I can't say enough positive about how the Lowerpro lens cases mount securely to one's belt, and don't require removal or unfastening of the belt to put on or take off, should you need to. I mount the Lowepro lens cases to my trousers belt, or to the camera holster belt, and couldn't be happier. If traveling by air, I pack my lenses in their Lowepro cases and pack them in to a backpack/daypack which is inconspicuous and taken as a carry-on so that it's always ME who's carefully storing them for flight.

I also ordered a Lowepro 1W case for my EF28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens at the same time, and have posted a separate positive review for that as well.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome for Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM!, June 4, 2008

By 

Bogus Exception (Norwich, Connecticut United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lowepro Lens Case 3 (Black) (Electronics)

See my 4 images for this product, as I show how the lens fits. I know that Marc LeFevre wrote a review where he had trouble, but you can't argue with the pictures.

When I first put the lens in, it was so loose I was afraid I wold have to return it (like I had to do with the 1W, which LowePro says works for the 50mm f/1.2, which is DOES NOT. You need the normal "1" case).

Also, not all Lowepro cases are equal. I have a "1" case which has metal zipper "pull tab". Another "1" case I have has then string and plastic thingy system. This "3" case has the string & plastic thingy pull tabs, which are my favorites.

The case has 4 "loops" that are 2 on each side, and are about 5/8" wide. Not sure what you would hang off of those. I'm open to anyone making suggestions!

I could not be happier! The padding is really thick, and as it is holding a $1600 lens, that is fine with me. It is just as big as it needs to be, no more. That matters to me as I am a location shooter.

Another winner, Lowepro... Thanks!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice case but won't fit a Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM, June 13, 2007

By 

Marc LeFevre (Boise, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lowepro Lens Case 3 (Black) (Electronics)

I purchased this case to protect a Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM lens. The lens comes with a fairly nice case but after the lens and case fell out of the back of my SUV, I got to looking at it. The sides of the case are not padded. So I decided to get a LowePro case since they have a nice layer of padding on all sides, top and bottom. I consulted the lowepro.com compatibility chart and this case was supposed to fit. However, it will only fit with the lens hood and tripod ring removed. I returned it and ordered a lens case 4. It should be a better fit.
I gave this product 5 stars since it is a great value and is well made. It would just be better if LowePro's web site gave you more details on the fit with each lens.