Lens / Filter Cases

The Tamrac MX5288 is a nice filter case. It is made from rugged canvas with a belt loop on the back (that is secured with Velcro and 2 button snaps). It also has a handle on the top. Opening the top flap (secured with Velcro) reveals slots for 5 filters. These slots are quite spacious so no worries on fitting in a filter. The holder is also tall enough to fit rectangular filters. To give you an example, I fit 2 rectangular filters, the rectangular filter holder and mounting ring, a Circular Polarizer and a white balance cap in mine.
If you care to have a look in the Flickr slide show below, there are more pictures, a side view (showing the back belt loop) and the inside of this case. To show size I've used a 77mm lens cap and a rectangular filter.
I really like the versatility of this case the non fixed belt loop and the top handle allows me plenty of options to attach for easy access onto any of the camera bags I own!

As you can see in the picture, this lens case will fit the Canon 70-300 IS USM WITH lens hood reverse mounted with room to spare at the top. Before deciding to purchase this case, I tried the Lowepro lens case 3. The Tamrac is slightly bigger. Meaning my lens (pictured) was a very tight fit in the lowepro so putting in the lens and taking it out doesn't feel "right". The lens fight "just right" in the Tamrac and looked like it had a bit more room left at the top. The outer material and padding feels the same to me.
Other differences is the that the Lowepro has 2 zippers, side "buckles" and top/back corner loops. The Tamrac only has 1 zipper and none of the rest. The back of both cases is the loop flap which extends all the way down the case and fastened there with a big patch of hook and loops ("velcro"). the differences in the two: Tamrac has two button type fasteners amongst the velcro and the Lowepro has a small additional flap that overlaps the loop flap. If this sounds confusing, check out the photos in the slideshow below. Tamrac's loop is also a bit wider than the Lowepro.
I bought the Tamrac but I also have a Lowepro lens case 1, which you'll see further down this review.

As shown in the picture the Canon 24-105 L lens will fit nicely as will the EFS 10-22. But not with the hoods. The design of this case is identical to the #3 case except there isn't "buckles" down the sides. Also, the #1 has a mes pocket in the inside of the lid to hold something slim. I don't recall seeing that in the #3.

You can see photos of the mesh pocked and the fastening system in the slideshow below.

I think if you have multiple lenses, you should have at least one lens case, it just gives you so many more options on what bag and kit you can bring and still travel light.
Even when I'm traveling I bring along the lens cases and the TLZ 2. That way, I can decide what I need to bring and what I don't. Saves my back from having to carry the backpack full of gear around.
If you're like me and always use a hood on your lenses, then if the Tamrac MX5379 is great because not only will it fit my 70-300 with hood reversed, it will also fit my 24-105 with hood AND it will fit the 10-22 plus hood (you'll have to unmount the hood tho). Check out the photo. I love this! Such a pain to carry the 10-22 with hood before but not anymore!
Note: the new TLZ2 has loop on each side so you can fasten the lens cases. The previous one does not but there are plastic eyelets to fasten things to. Check out my TLZ2 review to see what I mean and what I use to attach the lens cases.