Q: Which case is best for my 400/2.8 lens?
A: If you plan to carry the lens without a body, then the L321 is our first recommendation.
If you want to carry the lens with a body attached, then we recommend the L521 or the lighter weight L526.
Some newer 400s with a body may just fit inside the L321 which is 41cm (16") tall I.D. -- measure your rig from the end of the lens cap to the back of the body and compare against the inside dimensions on our site. There is about 10mm (3/8") of fudge factor with the Velcro floating lids.
Q: Which case is best for my 600/4 lens without a body attached?
A: Choose the L521, L521a or L521b. A body will fit in the outside pouch provided by models L521 or L521b.
Q: Which case is best for my 600/4 lens with a body attached and the hood reversed?
A: Choose the L521c, L521d or L521e. This a new hybrid case (May 2008)-- we took our standard L521 case (originally designed for the shorter 400/2.8 with a body) and substituted the standard long lens case flat lid with a new "slightly deeper" lid (the L128 lid adds 30mm to the case) to accommodate 600/4s.
We can also provide you with the light-weight L526 case with a L129 lid. Inquire about this combination as it is not on the online "Add to Cart" system yet.
Double check your own camera/body combination however, some 600s may just barely fit inside the L521, L521a or L521b without the slightly deeper L128 lid. Measure your rig from the end of the lens cap to the back of the body. It will definitely fit if the measurement is 53cm (20-7/8") or less. The Velcro/buckles on the standard flat lid do have some give and will max out at 54.5cm (27-7/8").
Q: What happened to the L621 Long Lens Case?
A: The now discontinued L621 (phased out in early 2008) was originally designed for a 600/4 lens with a body attached (hood stowed or reversed). We have found that some of the newer 600/4 lenses are just fitting inside the shorter L521 case, which was nearly the same size. Because of this we decided to phase out the L621 in favor of much taller case, the L622. The L622 is also useful as a ready-go case as it will accommodate 600/4s with the hood in the shooting position and with the body removed.
Q: How do I turn my long lens case into a backpack?
A: Add a H245 or the larger H250 padded harness along with a H130 strap. The whole rig can be worn without a waist belt, but we recommend one as it provides additional stability. Some customers have complained that the bottom edge of the case digs into their back when a belt is not used, so we typically recommend one when a harness is attached. As a rule, the standard-weight Kinesis Black Belt (B108, B109 etc.) is adequate when attached to long lens case. The heavy-duty belts (B307, B308 etc.) are primarily designed for use with the Heavy-duty Pack Frames or when carrying a heavy "waist belt only" load around your waist.
Q: Will 400/2.8s or 600/s lenses fit inside your 1-series cases (L311 or L511)?
A: No, the diameter of these cases are too small for the front element. One customer reported (2005) that the following combination will fit inside the L511 case: Nikon 600/4 AF-S with the larger diameter hood piece removed and with a Moose Peterson lens cap & Kirk low-profile tripod foot.
Q: What if I'm shooting with a Nikon 600mm?
A: A 2-series cases (L521, L526 or L622) will not will not hold Nikon 600/4 AF-S or AF-S II lens unless a Wimberely adapter plate is used (#AP-652 or #AP-452, $79.00) in place of the OEM "very tall mounting foot" supplied by Nikon..
