Case for carrying lenses

[Michael Graves]

Currently, I have about half of them wrapped in lens wraps and the rest in tupperware containers. They all fit into a soft bag about 18" long. It works, but it's inconvenient as all getout. Does anyone know of an attache' case style or something similar to the old Speed Graphic cases that would let me carry them safely...but in such a way that I can see what lens is what when I'm looking for a particular one? Years ago, I saw a case that had a divider going down the middle, along with slats along the right and left edges of the case. Slots were cut into the divider and slats and you could slide the lensboard into the slots and they rode comfortably that way. But I know not whether it was custom made or what manufacturer might have made it. My handyman skills range from laughable to pathetic. So making my own is probably not an option.

[Walter Calahan]

I wrap my lenses and put them in a medium format camera bag with dividers. Now craftsmanship needed.

[Keith Pitman]

What size lens boards?

For smaller 4x5 sized lens boards, fishing reel cases work nicely. The are similar to the former Gnassgear cases.

[Eric James]

A local fly fishing shop carries a line called Fishpond. Fishpond makes reel cases that look a lot like the Gnass lens cases - the materials and workmanship appear to be top notch.

http://www.fishpondusa.com/sweetwater.cfm

[jeroldharter]

The Fishpond cases listed above are nice and reasonably priced. They are good for storing the lenses inside a larger bag. If you want a case just for the lenses, Fishpond makes a small briefcase style bag with partitioned intended for storing ~10 fly reels. Orvis makes a similar case. Cabelas used to have more basic versions that were inexpensive - perhaps I bought the last two at $20 each. You might also check out the multilens cases at Photobackpacker.com.

[ASRafferty]

Michael, Ted reviewed several bags for a VC Mag article about three years ago that you might be able to dig up. He came down firmly on the Orvis reel bag, and now that all his lenses are sold, there are 3-4 empty here, with the arrangeable (thanks to velcro) dividers. He also loved them because they had additional pockets everywhere, on the inside cover, the outside sides, etc. Feel free to write me if that's the way you decide to go.

[Eric James]

...He also loved them because they had additional pockets everywhere, on the inside cover, the outside sides, etc...

The absence of a zippered or Velcro pocket on the Gnass cases is an unfortunate omission. A clean inside pocket for a filter or a outside utility pocket for a cable release would be handy.

[Keith Pitman]

I've found that some of the larger Orvis bags are not so good for lenses. The tops do not cover the divided area tightly, and the lenses can fall out of compartments. Placing a folded dark cloth atop the lenses solves the problem, but I think other cases would work better and more securely.

[Songyun]

A local fly fishing shop carries a line called Fishpond. Fishpond makes reel cases that look a lot like the Gnass lens cases - the materials and workmanship appear to be top notch.

http://www.fishpondusa.com/sweetwater.cfm

My only question is that is the side of the cases as strong as Gnass cases. I had a similar case, but the side is not as strong as Gnass cases.

[ASRafferty]

I've found that some of the larger Orvis bags are not so good for lenses. The tops do not cover the divided area tightly, and the lenses can fall out of compartments.

Hmmm... could be true for other sizes, but don't see how on these -- the dividers are tall enough to make that nearly impossible. Here it is: