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Long Lens Cases Features
"long lens" = 300/2.8, 400/2.8, 400/4, 200-400/4 500/4,
500/4.5 or 600/4 lenses with or w/o a body attached
500/4.5 or 600/4 lenses with or w/o a body attached
Our tough long lens cases have become the envy of photographers using big glass. They are designed for use in the field and as carry-on luggage. Although not specifically designed to be checked in the belly of the plane, some customers use our PolyCore™ cases for this purpose.
Page Directory
Also Consider…
E584 or E660 is our compact case for your 300/2.8 lens only,
without a body attached
E970 is our compact case for your 400/4, 200-400/4 or 500/4
lens only, without a body attached
Related Pages
Which case for my 300/2.8, 200-400/4 & 500/4 lens?
Compare our long lens cases to the competition!
Harness & Waistbelt Assembly Instructions (PDF files)
George D. Lepp's comments about our PolyCore cases
Excepting the L621, all our long lens cases (w/o the A257 pouch)
meet U.S. Airline carry-on regulations
Standard Options
All models are harness compatible --
carry like a backpack with optional padded harness.
All models include a Y515 shoulder strap.
Exterior pocket choices…
Standard Option, A257 pouch. Large enough for a pro-sized SLR with a neck strap attached. Detachable.
Option "A," No Pouch. No A257 pouch. Deduct $43 from the standard price.
Option "B," E330 instead of A257. The M330 Small Multi-Pouch is more versatile and is slightly larger than A257. Add $26 to the standard price.
Fabrication Styles
PolyCoreTM Long Lens Cases
- For 400/2.8 & 600/4s (but will also holder smaller lenses)
- Semi-rigid PolyCore™ side walls and rigid 19mm PolyCore base. PolyCore™ lens cases are heavier than our LightWeight or Compact versions, but they offer protection unmatched by any other long lens shoulder bag.
- The lid opens to the back or front and is removable & interchangeable.
LightWeight Long Lens Case
- For 400/2.8 & 600/4s (but will also holder smaller lenses)
- Soft-side case with protection equal to other shoulder bags on the market
- The lid opens to the back or front and is removable & interchangeable
- Same size as L521 PolyCore model, but lighter weight
- Case breaks down flat for air shipping
Compact Long Lens Cases
- Lightweight and more compact than other Kinesis long lens cases.
Designed for 200/1.8, 300/2.8, 200-400/4 & 500/4 lenses with or w/o body attached. - Soft-side case with protection equal to other shoulder bags on the market (1/2" [12mm] high-density foam side walls and 13mm PolyCore base.
Design Features
D-shaped Design
The flat part rests comfortably against your side or mounts as a backpack. The curved or flexed "D" part of the case provides rigidity unlike a flat substrate (i.e. like the curve of Hoover dam).
Kinesis long lens cases have a curved "D" shape.
Why make a square case for a round lens?
Why pay $9,000 on a lens and then skimp on the case?
PolyCore™ -- A Kinesis Exclusive
The bottom of the L321, L521& L622 cases have a thick 13mm layer of rigid PolyCore™ base, supplemented by an extra layer of 6mm foam (providing a total of 19mm [3/4"] of padding). These L321, L521 and L622 cases also have a 13mm PolyCore on the sides providing a semi-rigid container. The L311 & L511 cases have a 13mm Polycore base and 12mm closed cell foam foam for the sidewalls (this is similar to other brands of long lens cases). This foam is more flexible than the PolyCore found on the L321, L521 & L622.
PolyCore™ is composed of two layers of 6mm (1/4") closed-cell foam
laminated to a 1mm semi-rigid Polyethylene (HDPE) substrate.
It is then sewn between two layers of waterproof nylon fabric.
This provides increased protection for your long lenses.
You can buy a cheaper long lens case, but you can't buy a better one.
Four Carry Methods
1. Carry at your side with sewn-in padded hand strap
2. Wear over a shoulder with provided Y515 shoulder strap
3. Carry as a backpack by attaching the H130 stabilizing strap and a padded harness (H245 or H250) to the case.
Although a padded waist belt is not required, it is recommended for more 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.
Visit this link for additional information on how to attach a harness and waist belt to a long lens case.
Left: L521 shown with H250 harness (but w/o recommended H130 strap).
Right: H130 stabilizing strap (pulls weight of case toward your back).
Shown above is back side of the L511.
Other models have similar features.
4. Attach to a Kinesis internal frame pack frame. For short hikes and smaller tripods carry method #3 is perfect. For longer all-day excursions and/or when you wish to carry a heavy tripod then the Kinesis pack frame is preferable. The long lens case can be carried on the left two thirds of the pack frame and the tripod on the right third providing a "near even" weight distribution and balance.
Weatherproof Lid Design
PolyCore and LightWeight models have lids which attach with Velcro® and three quick-release buckles and can be opened in the regular or reverse mode. Generous lid overlapping for maximum weather protection. The Compact models have a overlapping lid design.
The underside of the lid has a zippered compartment. Because the PC or LW lids are completely removable they are often used on Africa safaris with the lid removed and strapped behind the seat of the Range Rover. The camera and body are then ready to grab for fast breaking shots, yet still protected from the bumpy ride.
Don't take the Kitchen Sink!
Please note that our long lens cases are not a substitute for your Trekker or other large "carry the kitchen sink" system backpack (i.e. 1 long lens, 2 DSLR bodies, 5 smaller lenses, 2 teleconverters etc.). Our long lens cases will hold one long lens plus two to three smaller lenses. Our cases are a more streamlined approach for those looking to carry minimal gear while actively shooting. Because the weight of a "complete system backpack" is such a burden to carry, they are often only used as storage containers.
Product update: We are transitioning from a solid nylon fabric pocket (as shown in most product photos) to a mesh pocket as shown above. As of late 2009, nearly all long lens cases feature this newer pocket.
Adding Accessories
Piggy-back Modularity -- A Kinesis Standard
On the sides of each case is a pair of nylon-corded pockets. It is large enough for a 1-liter water bottle or a 70-200 lens (careful, it is not padded) or for one or two feet of a small tripod. Included with each case is a removable, padded pouch (A257) suitable for a DSLR body or a Wimberly Side-kick. When traveling by air, this pocket may be removed for easier overhead luggage storage. Additional Kinesis pouches (E165, E280, M330, A126 are good choices) can be attached to the exterior of the cases. The webbing on the outside of these cases also servers as an attachment point for most Lowepro Street & Field pouches. Now you can mix and match!
Shown above is an old style L521. A monopod or small tripod will fit on the side of any lones lens case. Shown is a piggy-backed E280 lens pouch.
Tripods and Monopods
We don't keep track of specs on all tripod models and sizes, but following guidelines for carrying a tripod or monopod apply to any Kinesis long lens case. See photos below.
- A very small tripod or monopod can be attached to the side of a long lens case with the sewn-in side strap and side pocket.
- Larger tripods can be attached down the middle of the case. Remove the center-mounted A257 pouch and replace it with a T164 or T317 pouch. Add a Y204 strap and you're good to go.
- For heavy tripods, mounting the tripod down the middle (rear) of the case is awkward. We recommend the optional (and rather tall & bulky) P019 Heavy-duty Pack Frame.
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1 > L511 with a monopod in the side pocket (other long lens cases similar)
2 > L511 with the pouch removed showing the special attachment uniloops for the the optional T164 Tripod Feet Pouch.
3 > L511 with T164 and a tripod in place. The top of the tripod is held in place
with Y204 strap.
4 > T317 Ballhead Pouch mounted to a Journeyman pack. Mounting the tripod upside down is MUCH more stable when a ballhead is used. This pouch will attach to a long lens in similar manner.
5 > An L521 case mounted to a P019 Heavy-duty Pack Frame. Not shown is the recommended T164 pouch for the feet of the tripod.
Carrying Two Long Lenses
This is not for everyone, but illustrate the flexibility in the Kinesis system.
Shown to the left is the L321 & a L521 attached to the P019 Pack Frame. First attach the two cases together using the side straps and then attach the whole thing to the pack frame. Also visit this link for additional pack frame applications.
Shown is a L511 and a L521 attached to a P019. Attach to the two togther with the strap from one case inserted into the cambuckle of the other. Do this on both sides and then wrap a Y205 around both of them (or perhaps two Y205s) and secure the Y205 to the edges of the P019.
Here is a top view of the P019 with a L511 and L521 attached. Take the top two lifter straps from the P019 and clip them to the webbing loops on the long lens cases as shown. Adjust so the bottoms of the long lens cases sit flush with the bottom of the PO19.
L621 long lens case (replaced by the L622) & a C640 and an E280 attached to the P019 Pack Frame (a rather specialized application -- not for everyone!). This technique would allow one to carry a 600/4 lens with a body attached (or the 400/2.8 with the hood in the shooting mode with a body attached) plus another SLR body with a 70-200/2.8 or 80-400 attached with the hood in the shooting position. A monopod or tripod is attached on the side. With a ballhead it carries better inverted for better weight distribution. The ballhead is stuffed inside an E280 for protection. Although not shown, we recommend a Heavy-duty Belt with such a load.
