Preventing lens cap loss

Quicksand · 08-05-2008, 06:17 PM

I don't want to lose my lens caps, so I use those "keepers" or "leashes" that are really cheap -- you know, with an adhesive disk that attaches to the lens cap, and a string and an elastic loop that goes around the corresponding lens.

Dang, but I HATE those things. Even on my lumpy lenses (e.g. Super Takumars) the elastic loops are forever sliding around and getting caught in focus/zoom rings, extending/contracting barrel segments, aperture rings, etc. They even get stuck on the bayonet mount when some lenses are removed, especially the straight-as-a-beer-can F and FA lenses.

I don't think the two improvement ideas I have had so far are very practical:

(1) a "shock collar" of sorts that delivers a mild electrical shock to the lens cap if it tries to wander off too far, causing it to yelp and return home; and

(2) inspired by gas station restroom keys, attaching some kind of large object like an old steering wheel to the lens cap to prevent it from being overlooked or tucked into a pocket.

Does anyone have any more practical ideas? I don't want to overcomplicate things, but I'm getting annoyed.

bkc · 08-05-2008, 06:59 PM

i usually put mine in my pocket or stick it in the slingbag i carry. i tried those attachments and i took it off in less than 24 hrs.

SpecialK · 08-05-2008, 08:20 PM

Glue a bit of the loop to the barrel of the lens. Maybe white glue, as you could probably chip it off easy enough later.

*Russell-Evans* · 08-05-2008, 10:16 PM

Way back on the technology evolution time line, there was a period when a properly dress geek felt naked without a pager and there were these universal belt clips that you could get anywhere.

If you don't like the idea of pocket lent, about all I have in my pockets, contaminating the lens cap and then transferring to the lens, this might be a way to go. Stick the disk to the front of the lens cap and clip the holder to your belt, bag, bill of your baseball cap, or maybe a lanyard around your neck.

There are also the Optech Flilter Caps.

Thank you
Russell

*monochrome* · 08-05-2008, 11:23 PM

Glue is no no, but a bit of masking tape would work just the same and wouldn't permanently disfigure your lens. I'd cut a 1/4" strip crosswise and tape the elastic loop on the bottom of the lens.

woof · 08-05-2008, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by Quicksand

Does anyone have any more practical ideas? I don't want to overcomplicate things, but I'm getting annoyed.

I am all about simplicity, but this is so simple it will PROBABLY reveal me for the idiot I probably really am. But always willing to help, so...

I have found that the key to not losing stuff (read: my keys, my glasses, my phone, my wallet, etc.) is consistency. Find a place for the thing and ALWAYS, without fail, put it there. For example: When my wallet is out of my pocket or hand, it had better be in the top drawer of the desk near the back door.

So, as for lens caps, I take off the lens cap and immediately place it in my left front pants pocket. Without fail. Every time. I have not lost a lens cap since I discovered this simple solution. As has been mentioned, I do look to see if it's been contaminated, and since I also usually have a micro-cloth in another standard location, will often swipe it clean before putting it back on.

woof!

*Venturi* · 08-06-2008, 12:55 AM

I pretty much always wear pocketed shirts - even my t-shirts. So I merely developed the habit that as soon as the cap comes off the lens it goes in my shirt pocket. If by chance I'm not wearing a pocketed shirt then it goes in front or back pants pocket.
I still have senior moments and "lose" the cap but it's also always one of 3 places.

rogerstg · 08-06-2008, 06:56 AM

I too always put it in one of my left pockets. Lint transfer has never been a problem for me.

FWIW, I always thought that having a lens cap dangling from the lens was the photog fashion equivalent of wearing tube socks with sandals.

Wheatfield · 08-06-2008, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Quicksand

I don't want to lose my lens caps, so I use those "keepers" or "leashes" that are really cheap -- you know, with an adhesive disk that attaches to the lens cap, and a string and an elastic loop that goes around the corresponding lens.

Dang, but I HATE those things. Even on my lumpy lenses (e.g. Super Takumars) the elastic loops are forever sliding around and getting caught in focus/zoom rings, extending/contracting barrel segments, aperture rings, etc. They even get stuck on the bayonet mount when some lenses are removed, especially the straight-as-a-beer-can F and FA lenses.

I don't think the two improvement ideas I have had so far are very practical:

(1) a "shock collar" of sorts that delivers a mild electrical shock to the lens cap if it tries to wander off too far, causing it to yelp and return home; and

(2) inspired by gas station restroom keys, attaching some kind of large object like an old steering wheel to the lens cap to prevent it from being overlooked or tucked into a pocket.

Does anyone have any more practical ideas? I don't want to overcomplicate things, but I'm getting annoyed.

Put your lens cap in a pocket if you are in the habit of just taking the cap off the camera long enough to take a picture. Leave the lens cap in your camera bag if you are in the habit of leaving the cap off for longer periods of time.

Confused · 08-06-2008, 10:50 AM

Hi Quicksand

Put your lens cap in a pocket if you are in the habit of just taking the cap off the camera long enough to take a picture. Leave the lens cap in your camera bag if you are in the habit of leaving the cap off for longer periods of time.

Now if ONLY I could remember precisely WHERE I put my camera bag down, I might stand a chance of recalling what I actually did with that confounded lens cap........LOL !!!

Incidentally Russell, I've never seen those Optech Filter Caps before and at first sight they seem like an excellent idea. I wonder whether they are especially expensive and if not, can they be easily obtained in Europe ?

Best regards
Richard

*Russell-Evans* · 08-06-2008, 10:56 AM

I think we can all come up with using a pocket, geniuses that we are, and I have to admit to using a pocket to hold the lens cap, but in the winter time, I'm wearing gloves so the pocket idea doesn't work well.

Have you also noticed that while pants for males all seem to have pockets, a lot on women's pants don't. I don't think my wife owns a single shirt with a pocket either. So it seem that not everyone can always have a pocket handy.

Keeping it in the bag might also be an issue when you don't carry a bag. I see lots of single lens DSLR and SLR carrying by people. Would you keep the lens cap in the bag if you were wearing a backpack style camera bag? I suppose maybe, if it had a side pocket or pouch you could reach, but the chances of missing and not noticing in a rush seems pretty high.

It seems to me that while both the pocket and bag idea are very workable solutions for a lot of people, they are not universal solutions.

Thank you
Russell

*Russell-Evans* · 08-06-2008, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Confused

Incidentally Russell, I've never seen those Optech Filter Caps before and at first sight they seem like an excellent idea. I wonder whether they are especially expensive and if not, can they be easily obtained in Europe ?

I have never used the Optech Fast Caps, but in thinking about it, they might cause issues in some cases with using a flash and when used in windy weather. The flip up cap idea is used on some hunting gun sights so maybe only flash is an issue?

I don't know where in Europe to buy them, but I am getting pretty used to the idea of shopping anywhere on the globe via the Internet as long as the vendor takes paypal, offers reasonable shipping, and I can get a recommendation. In the US, the caps go for about US $8 or about 5 Euros before shipping and taxes.

Thank you
Russell

Quicksand · 08-06-2008, 12:06 PM

Hey R-E, thanks, those Op-Tech Fast Caps look pretty interesting, but I suspect they are mostly incompatible with hoods and wide angles. But they can be rotated to any angle, it appears, so I wonder whether they can be flipped back underneath the lens (and stay there) to avoid flash issues.

I think I might try a couple (they are pretty cheap on amazon.com). And also maybe pick up some cheapo step-up rings and screw-on extension tubes to act as hoods on my tele lenses, then attach these caps on the end of those. I wonder how well that will work.

I'll report back.

What was that I said about not overcomplicating things? Oh well.

Thanks for the input, everyone.

CJSpangler · 08-06-2008, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by rogerstg

I too always put it in one of my left pockets. Lint transfer has never been a problem for me.

FWIW, I always thought that having a lens cap dangling from the lens was the photog fashion equivalent of wearing tube socks with sandals.

I drop them in my pocket or slide them in the front pocket of the lense/camera case I have. Never really had an issue with loosing one. As they do need to go back on before I put the camera/lense away

ChrisA · 08-06-2008, 04:46 PM

Sadly, no one (like myself) for whom this is a problem, will succeed with any solution that boils down to "you need to be more organised, you fool".

For us, there is one solution, and one only, that stands a chance of success, and it is this:

You need to own enough of them, so that you always have a few extras. Then the lost ones have a chance of turning up at the same rate as you lose them.