[LaurenOE]

Sunny,
I got the plug/cover in the mail yesterday!
Thanks!
I will take some measurements and send it back your way ASAP!
Give me a week or so to turn it around ok?
Thanks again!

[LaurenOE]

Ok, here is what I have as far as measurements. Because the cap is rubber -ish, it's VERY hard to get exact measurements.

All pictures taken with my K5 and SMC Macro 1:4/50 Manual lens.

This first shot is with the plug/cap on the top of a 1/4-20 camera socket screw - yes those are my fingerprints!



Here is a crop to show the detail of the many ridges that are part of the cap/socket.
There is NO way I can make a replacement with all the little ridges and such. That is way too much detail.



Here you can see the bottom is flat.



Another angle showing the curve of the top part. I won't try to duplicate that curve either. Well - maybe I will *try*.



Another shot from the side. All pictures taken with my K5 and SMC Macro 1:4/50 Manual lens.



Another shot



The top is smooth too.



How I estimated the measurements and cross checked on my digital caliper







My digital caliper

[LaurenOE]

I went ahead and fabricated a plug/cap.

My first idea was to try and make it out of Delrin or a plastic that was similar.



The problem is that working at such small sizes, the heat of the lathe cutting tool was causing the pieces to deform.



I tried several pieces, and I was getting no love.



I realized that my original measurements were accurate, but because of the MZ-S cap being made out of rubber, the cap was slightly larger than the opening on the camera!
When I realized that I was going to have to do something different, as in use an 0-ring to give friction against the cap and the MZ-S body, I tried another design.



Finally I got it right.





Notice how o-rings are not perfect either!



Look at the detail of that o-ring close up!



Where the cap/plug is going!



Nice - Bling!!!!!



Bling! Bling!

[LaurenOE]

And because sunny16 lent me a cap, he gets the one in these pictures as a thanks!

[sunny16]

I got a big smile reading through these posts! I am very impressed with your work. You might make a little money on the side with this as I'm sure you're not the only one to be without that cover. :-)

I really enjoy my MZ-S but I'm always a bit down that the accessories/parts are so hard to come by. I'm still on the lookout for a grip for mine but not expecting anything anytime soon (though I probably have a better chance at getting one of the grips vs. a replacement lens hood for my FA 24mm.)

Glad I was able to help. You are more than welcome to keep the cover for as long as you need it.

- Jeff

[garythesnail]

Looks like an excellent home-made solution manufactured to OE quality to me.

Very nice job.

[LaurenOE]

Thanks!

@Sunny16/Jeff, I think I will try and get the plug back to you next week. I think I will try a few more tonight.

@Garythesnail, thanks!

I think I will try to get a better finish. Even with 2000grit sandpaper, there are still scratches.
Macro really makes you think I took a butter knife to the part!

[garythesnail]

Black enamel paint finish perhaps?

[LaurenOE]

Black enamel paint finish perhaps?

Paint would be cool. Anodizing better. I just don't have those at my disposal.

[monochrome]

Actually looks very nice as it is - maybe better than OE. Bookmarking your name for future custom work - the next Eric !!

[LaurenOE]

Actually looks very nice as it is - maybe better than OE. Bookmarking your name for future custom work - the next Eric !!

LOL!!! I am going into the garage tonight..maybe I will make a MZ-S Cap/Plug Mk2!!!

[LaurenOE]

I went ahead and made a MZ-S Mark 2 and Mark 3 plug/cap!
In the image below, from left to right, you can see the Mark 1, Mark 2 and Mark 3.



Mark 3 is the thinnest and smallest. I'm not sure I would go smaller, but who knows?

(In the Mark 2 image, the finish is mirror-like, you can even see a bit of my reflection as I was taking the pictures!)

[garythesnail]

I prefer the machine-finish look of Mark 1 . . . . . .

. . . . . but it doesn't matter what I think

[LaurenOE]

I prefer the machine-finish look of Mark 1 . . . . . .

. . . . . but it doesn't matter what I think

It does matter!

I have ordered some additional O-Rings, as I used up all my supply!

You never know what might come your way if you ask

I'm heading to the UK (as I do every year) this October.

[garythesnail]

It does matter! . . . .

It really doesn't - even with the implied offer of a better than OE part for a camera I'm too tight-fisted to buy

Nice ZX10R too. Never been a 'biker' - never likely to get one, but that's a nice, mean, green machine you have there

and 'Cyclepathic' . . . . very amusing . . . . . . . sorry for googling, but you design and manufacture spare parts and you have a green motorbike in your avatar-thingy . . . how cool is that? . . . and a 'girl' too (have I overstepped the mark now?)

Back on topic though - it's really nice to see someone make something to replace a missing or broken part. This type of approach is my preffered option when things stop working or just drop off, but I'm somewhat limited by talent . . . . or the lack thereof