Rangefinder sized lens cases?

Denton

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SLR cases are just too big. Thought about using the Domke wraps. Any creative/cheap suggestions/DIY?

My particular lenses are 35f2.5 CV skopar (amazing lens), CV 40mm f1.4, 50f2 Planar-T, 28f2.8 Biogon and CV 75mm f1.8. All pretty small except the 75mm.

Denton
 
Have you checked out the cases sold by CameraQuest? They still sell the VL-1 case. These are great for the smaller lenses. And they have a special section for the matching accessory viewfinder if you have one. I've had several of these and they are very nicely built.
 
P&S digital cases

P&S digital cases

I use the little cases made for digital P&S cameras. They com in a variety of sizes, typically with a front pouch (for memory cards?) that I use for lens caps, filters, lens tissue, etc. Here in USA the Quantaray ones are cheap, and LowePro is available anywhere. Oddly, computer/electro-gear storeas are almost better places to get them than camera stores - the store is mainly into selling the expensive electronics and sells cheap accessories to give the customer one-stop-shopping.

Combinaation of belt-loop and small nylon shoulder strap let me stash the spare lens under a jacket. I've learned to get the "larger"size so I can put the big lens in it when I pull the little Skopar-C out to use. Shop around and you're looking at US$10 and under.-alfredian
 
I use rubbermaid small containers for hard storage, and the black ebay C1, C2, C3 for soft ones.

The VL1/VL2 from CQ is great if you can find one, and need to hold a finder too.

For medium size lenses, I use a washed paremesan cheese container.
 
Mni-digi cases

Mni-digi cases

I have two of those lenses: the CV 35/2.5 fits snugly into a Quantaray (Ritz Camera) zipper case for teensy digicams. The Planar 50 goes into the next size or two up. This afternoon the 35, in case, was on my belt (it has a belt loop) and the Planar went over-the-shoulder, under-the-shirt.

They are, if not cheap, then "reasonably priced." They also have little front pouches where you can stash the lens cap &/or lens tissues.
 
I don't know if they have these outside the Antipodes but I use "stubby holders". They're made out of material like wet suits are made from and are designed to keep your stubbies (small 375ml beer bottles) cold and secure. Just slip on and off and seem to be around the right diameter for some of the CV lenses. You can cut the length down to suit.
Then they just go into the camera bag and give the protection I want.
 
I recently found some nice little soft neoprene eye glass cases at my optometrist's office. These have a drawstring top and a plastic clip for attaching to a belt or similar (although I would not use it for this purpose.) They are about perfect size for anything up to a 90mm tele-elmarit (but a little too narrow in girth for say a Voigtlander Nokon 50mm.) These are just about perfect to provide a reasonable level of protection inside a camera bag. (Similar to the stuby holder concept explained below in another post.) Neoprene is good as its soft, water proof and resiliant. Having some thickness it gives good protection against small bumps as well as abrasion.
 
Check out the bonsai lens pouches sold at fedka.com (not my brother-in-law, nor do I own shares in the enterprise).
 
I make them myself, since I did not find anything, that was good enough...

For the lenses, where I had no time to make one, yet, I use micro fiber cloths, as suggested by back alley, but without rubber, because they are in a small bag anyway.
 

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Check the little neoprene pouches made by outdoor gear supplier Sea to Summit. They come in various sizes which I find are perfect for rangefinder lenses. They are readily available here in OZ from hiking shops etc so imagine Stateside or in Europe they wouldn't be hard to locate. Only a few bucks each.
 
Blanton's single barrel bourbon makes a very nice one. My favorite. Crown Royal also makes a decent bag.

Phil Forrest
 
I second the climbers chalk bag. Try the kid's chalk bag at REI. They are cheap and designed so the climber has secure but easy access while 1000 ft up a cliff.
 
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