Alternative lens cap for 50mm f/2

[james_h]

I have been using my recently purchased, current, 50mm f/2 and

have had some issues with the lens cap being easily knocked

off. I believe this is because it does not secure well to the inside

of the B&W UV filter I have on the lens.

 

I have no such problem with my 35mm lux (same B&W UV;

46mm instead of 39), but I have noted that the lux�s lens cap has

little springs that provide the resistance for its catches, while the

summicron has only pieces of plastic that provide a weak spring

action to hold the cap in place.

 

Is there another/better lens cap for the (39mm) 50mm f/2?

 

I�m also wondering if the smaller, shallower filter threads are

part of the problem?

 

Before I get numerous comments about the filter... I know, I can

remove the UV filter and let the lens go naked and the cap will fit

better. It does.

 

I have actually been considering the naked option as I bought the

50mm Summicron used/mint, and the lens is relatively

inexpensive in Leica terms should I damage or ruin the lens. It

also has the built-in hood which is always available to use

(though it collapses too easily) and the front element is slightly

further back from the front of the lens compared to my 35mm lux.

 

Anyway, other than removing the filter, is there a better lens cap

than the one I have or another suggestion?

 

P.S. Go ahead and let your filter objections fly... :-) maybe I can

be convinced.

 

AND, How many times can you wipe a new Leica front element

with a micro fiber cloth (hopefully after blowing the dust off)

before you start to degrade the coatings or leave cleaning

marks?

[andrew_lee2]

Yeah. Get a five or six dollar Kaiser push-on lens cap from B&H. They fit very snugly. 41mm for a lens with a 39 filter ring like the Summicron.

[charles barcellona www.bl]

double check that 41mm size, as you'll need to actually fit over the retractable lens shade....

[george_stewart1]

I use all metal screw on caps for my Leica lenses. They are strong, won't come off, and are flat (fit in your pocket well). B&H has them although you might have to ask online help for the product number as I did.

 

George

[john_boyle3]

A quick solution would be to cut a small piece of electrical tape and stick it to the inside of the cap. It should provide the required friction to hold the cap in place.

[roger_michel]

lenscaps and rangefinders are a very bad combination. if you

are using a filter, simply treat that as your lenscap. i have never

used lenscaps and have never scratched a filter. as for the

burning a hole in the shutter issue, there is a better chance your

camera will be destroyed by terrorists.

 

no filter is also a very bad idea. yesy, there is little chance you

will bump the lens and scratch it. however, you will accumulate

dust and grime quickly and need to clean the surface of the lens

often. every time you clean you scratch to some degree.

cleaning in the field (without compressed air -- always the first

step -- and lens solution) is a recipe for disaster.

 

use a filter and no lenscap. problem solved

[roberto_watson_garc_a]

If you dont mind the "looking", I have found some yoghurt bottle caps to fit some of my lenses perfectly, and you can losse them, and just buy another bottle of yoghurt, just clean it well before use, what´s hard is to find the one that fit, but once you do those don´t change. You can write "LEICA" with a marker if you can´t stand it.

[peter_n1664876959]

<br>

James, keep the UV filter on. With modern filters and lens coatings there is nothing to worry about except maybe in strong backlit situations. B+W, Heliopan & Hoya are all good. B+W & Heliopan use brass in the rings (won't bind).<br><br>

 

And you are right about the lens cap on the 50 'cron. Mine is the same. Why can't Leica sweat the details? Anyway, here is a link to the cap George Stewart talks about: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=102283&is=REG">39mm screw-in metal lens cap</a>, and also one for a <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=77679&is=REG">lens hood cover</a> which is made by Leica, so it's probably just as bad as the lens cap.

[jay_.]

The current "F-PRO" B+W rim style has deeper threads and the caps stay on well and fit almost flush.

[iwmac]

James,

 

I also have the current 50mm Summicron with the same cap you are using and the cap is continually falling off, to the point that I rarely carry the lens. (I tried the filter idea...old useless one, but the chrome was wearing off the threads.) The cap design is pretty poor, the plastic loop that pushes the contact area into the threads becomes oval and the cap has no grip.

 

I recently discovered that a 48mm binocular cap is a good fit, it goes right over the f stop markings, and over the hood, as well.

[charles_c._stirk_jr.]

I found a 40mm bino eyepiece cap works well with a filter .

[Robin Smith]

Roger

 

I don't quite see how it solves the problem. If the lens gets all gunked up as you say it does then so does your filter - you clean the filter - a recipe for disaster (so you say for a lens and a filter is an optical surface too) and yet you keep it on the lens. So what is better about that in terms of obtaining a clean optical path? To paraphrase you: I have never scratched a lens element during cleaning. A good blower bulb is sufficient for 99% of the time. so I don't see the advantage and yet you still have the filter with the attendent flare issues. Surely what is food for the goose is food for the gander?

 

To get back to the question - the lens cap is a pain on the current 50/2. Even without a filter it tends to come off - the 35mm/2 hood cap is also a bit of a pain.

 

I saw a soft neoprene lens cap which fitted right over most of the lens and that looked like a good solution, but I didn't buy it unfortunately. They are made by the same people who make the excellent neoprene ever ready cases for cameras. Someone else will know their name.....I've forgotten it.

[gubo]

What works aces for me is a 42mm Kaiser push-on

cap. The secret is that it fits inside the extended

lens hood, not outside the filter. Secure fit without

being tight -- cap pops off by slightly retracting the

hood, but not susceptible of being casually knocked loose.

Looks good, plain front, no logo.

 

-- PMCC