Customer Reviews

Lowepro Lens Case 3 (Black)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

I have used several Lowepro camera cases in the past and I was looking for a protective case for my Canon EF 70-300 mm IS lens, so I bought this case. Unfortunately, the case is too big for that lens, probably because I don't have a lens hood. Otherwise, the case is excellent. It has a nice thick layer of padding and is very sturdy and I would say that the case is a pretty good value. Your lenses are definitely very safe in it! The case is Made in China.

Fits Canon 70-200L f4 IS with lens shade inverted. Very well padded - much better protection than the pouches that come with Canon L lenses. A bit expensive, particularly if you are not interested in the SlipLock mounting.

I have two of these cases. One houses a Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 IS II USM which I store with the hood reversed and tripod ring attached. It is a bit of a tight fit, lengthwise, but the padding seems good enough that I don't worry about it.

The second I use for a Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM that I also store with the hood reversed and tripod ring attached. This is a tight fit across the width of the hood, and it can be a little challenging to get it in and out of the case. Because of the setup I use (sometimes it's strapped to a bag, other times it will be on a belt) it's a compromise I can live with.

Both of mine (ordered from different places) have the pull-tab elastic zippers.

I'm a fairly new photographer that was looking to build a basic collection of professional grade lenses on a budget. I wanted to be able to produce high quality photographs, but since my budget was limited I opted to go with the Canon 7D first, since that was the body I wanted to (eventually) use as a secondary. Next, I needed lenses. I was willing to spend a little bigger on lenses because they tend to have a much greater staying power when it comes to their useful lifespan, and they tend to hold their value quite well over time (when compared to camera bodies). I decided my basic kit should include a fast 50mm prime lens (EF 50mm f/1.4 USM), a mid-range lens (EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II USM), a zoom lens (EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM) and a lens to do wide angle work (EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM).

I wanted to have the option to carry ALL of these lenses with me. These are BIG cases. I'm still not sure that it was the brightest idea I've ever had to decide to strap these on a belt or bag, but they do work for the purpose I wanted them for.

I purchsed this case because I wanted to keep my 80-200 Nikon 2.8 with the metal shade on, in a belt pouch for easy and quick lens changes. I didn't want to fuss with putting a shade on each time I mounted the lens. The shade mounted lens fits in the case without a problem. In fact the case diameter is a little too big but I'd rather deal with that than struggle to pull a lens from a too tight case. The quality of the case is first rate. The padding is exactly what you would expect to find in a top quality case. I like that they use a double zipper design which is handy in case one zipper breaks.
If you have any questions/comments please post them and I'll do my best to respond quickly.

I have already been using this case for a couple of months and I am competely setisfied with it. It is a high quality product. I am using it for Canon ef 70-200mm & ef 100-400mm lenses that perfactly fit in it and are easy to remove. I can attache or take it off my Lowepro camera bag with no problem and what is the most important it hase quite solid protection for the lense as against phisical as well mosture (rain) damage. I would highly recommend it for all telephoto lens users!

Fits my Canon 70-200 F/4 IS with the hood reversed snugly and provides great protection.

This case is very well constructed, I have no doubt that it provides solid protection for my lens and it fits nicely on the side of my SlingShot 300 bag.

I use it for a Canon 100-400mm lens, and although it is somewhat of a tight fit, it holds the lens with hood reversed and with the tripod ring installed just fine.