Nikon 14mm Lens Cap

[elliot]

If you are like me, you probably find the imitation(?) leather lens

cap for the 14mm Nikon lens to be less than ideal. I have no clue why

they didn't provide a normal plastic slip on cap like Canon has for

their 14mm, or like Nikon makes for the 16mm. That would have been

better. Anyway, since a better OEM alternative does not exist, I am

just posting this to suggest an alternative for anyone else who is

dissatisfied with the cloth/leather/whatever cap.<P>I'm sure there

may be other places that do this kind of work (if you're aware of

any, please feel free to post that info here), but I had a custom

lens cap made by <a href="http://www.skgrimes.com/caps/index.htm"

target="_blank">SK Grimes</a>. I have attached some pictures of this

cap so you can check it out to see if you might want to have one made

yourself.<P>I measured my lens with a digital caliper, and had the

lens made to those specifications. The outer diameter of the lens is

87mm, and I had the inside depth of the cap made to be 22mm. The 87mm

is accurate, but you could add or subtract a little bit for the

depth. 23mm might get a little closer to the gold colored ring

without covering it up.<P>The lens cap fits just right. The SK Grimes

site says that "<i>A really precise close fit will cause a pneumatic

action which can cause the air to be trapped and dust to be driven

between the elements.</i>" I don't know if the cap would fit over the

lens if it was made any smaller, but the cap doesn't really grip the

lens. What I mean by this is that if you pick the lens up by the cap,

the lens will probably slip out. Don't do this because you don't want

to drop your lens.. The cap fits well, though, and that it doesnt

fall off without you pulling it off. Its just that the friction won't

support the weight of the lens.<P>One alternative to having a cap

made is presented on this guy named Michael Weber's site. (<a

href="http://www.imagepower.de/IMAGES/imgEQUIPMENT/AF14.htm"

target="_blank">see here for link to page about 14mm</a>) On this

page, he says that the 2-piece cap for the 15-30mm Sigma lens fits

the 14mm lens perfectly too. He has a picture of this on his page. I

think this lens cap takes 82mm lens caps. I think that Nikon does not

make an 82mm front cap, so you would have to stick with the sigma

front front lens cap, or use one from another manufacturer.<P>Anyway,

here are the pictures:<div></div>

[elliot]

here is a larger picture (exact same picture, only larger):

[bob_champoux]

Thanks Elliot, for supplying us with this great info.

 

I have also been less than happy with the Nikon supplied lens cap.

I had inquired with Acratech about them making a cap for this lens when they offered this service but I didn't hear back.

 

I'll follow your route, assuming the cap is reasonably priced.

 

Cheers,

[stephen_shepherd]

This is a practical and yet elegant solution. Thanks for sharing it, Elliot.

 

I'm curious about how much it cost.

[bob_champoux]

Stephen,

I inquired with S.K. Grimes and the cost is $40.00 (US), plus shipping and handling.

[elliot]

..I think 14 is my favorite number. Or at least one of them..

[eric friedemann]

O.k., I read this excellent post and I called Grimes. Amazingly, they didn't save the measurements from the cap they made for Elliot, so I'd have to send them the lens to have a one-up cap made.

[elliot]

If you take a look at the post again, it lists the measurements I gave them to make mine. See the third paragraph. :D