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Lost my lens cap ...!!!!


eduardoho

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Wooopieee!!! ...Yes sir...I lost my lens cap!...but found on the ground, so I made this contraption to tether it to my camera. I made sure that it does not clash with the esthetically pleasant look of the frontal view of the X1. This is what I did: (a) took apart the cap assembly; (B) started a 1/16" pilot hole at the 7 o'clock position; © enlarged it with a 3/32" drill bit; (d) threaded a nylon branded string from a fishing accessory kit; (e) tied a knot; put the cap back and tethered around the right hand side eyelet. It looks OK and it is a practical solution to my mishap. Couldn't find anything at my photo store. Please offer your commentaries.:o

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Hopefully, someone from Leica reads the forum.. They need to address this problem with their design.

 

jmt

 

What problem with their design? The lens cap is designed like many other lens caps and works just like any other lens cap.

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I've had the D-Lux 3 (cap not tethered) and found not having a tethered cap works much better for my shooting style. The last thing I want is a cap bobbing about while I'm trying to catch an action shot, or to have the cap/tether get caught in nearby equipment (for example, if shooting from a sailboat during a race). I just remove the cap and stick it in my pocket until I'm finished with the sequence.

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I don't like dangling lens caps. I removed the string from my Dlux4. I posted something here about getting a spare for my X1 and ordered a 46mm cap. It's not perfect but at least I'll have something just in case.

 

Btw, the lens cap fits the X1 better than the one on my Dlux4.

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What problem with their design? The lens cap is designed like many other lens caps and works just like any other lens cap.

I have compared X1 cap with my other lens caps, i.e. for Nikkor & Zuiko lenses, and look at the the critical detail difference. The detente tabs are within the outer circumferential rim, they do not protrude like that of X1. I never had any issues with caps of other lenses either, but on X1 with its shallower body, the cap do come off rather frequently. I did this cauz I did not have any other alternative rather than the predicament of ending up with a 2 grand camera without a lens cap... YES it is annoying to have a dangling cap! Why not a self closing protective shutter? ... and what is the sense in having a scratched/marred up Elmarit lens???:eek:

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Questions were asked of me:

(a) What did I use to take lens cap assembly apart?

(B) What kind of drill bits?

Answers:

(a) I used a set of watchmakers screwdriver set, the tips are made of hardened steel, precise but extremely strong. You need to apply forward pressure then turn the center screw counterclockwise very slowly. Do not strip the Phillips head.

(B) I used titanium tipped drill by DeWalt, size 1/16" to start the pilot and then enlarged with 3/32" drill, at very slow speed to prevent cracking. You can tape with masking tape to prevent scratching or marring of the cap surfaces. If you do, use toothpaste to bluff the scratches off.

The thinner string will still allow you to use the leather case (Leica Part No. 18709) without any interference. But a thicker string looks cooler and it is less obtrusive from dangling.

Good Luck...:cool:

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I'm planning to do the very same modification to the lens cap when I receive my replacement X1 . I have a mini electric drill which takes 0-1mm drills but anyone who wants to try this mod. could use an Archimedian drill which costs just a few ££ eg Archimedean Drill : Precision Tools : Maplin

 

dunk

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  • 2 weeks later...
The solution I would like to see is a lens cap like the Ricoh LC1 auto lens cap which eliminates the dangling lens cap while shooting annoyances and eliminates the hassle of taking off and putting on the lens cap so often and possibly losing it.

Sorry...I will NOT do it...you are messing around with axial thrust of the lens barrel which may be exceeded and/or prematurely worn by the constant rubbing of the flaps. The little servos that moves the lens in/out are sensitive, and in the case of X1 it will reverses itself once a resistance is encountered. A less damaging solution is to remove the retainer gland where the serial number is inscribed, find a UV filter (if it exists) and screw in its place, and then fit with a snap on cap of appropriate diameter; so now the snap on cap is less relevant. And if the replaced UV filter got an internal thread, you can still thread back the retainer gland with Leica inscription again. DLux 4 got a frontal screw thread while X1 lacks this feature. I surmise that the X1's Elmarit is of sufficient Mohs hardness to sustain the rigors of every day use and thereby no provisions made for any additional protection?

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  • 3 months later...
Guest MartinMann

I leashed it too, but i had not the right screwdriver to loosen the cap screw, so i drilled two holes (1,5mm) and used a thin Nylon Cord in "Leica Red" ;)

I drilled the holes on the other Side than the TO because I lift the Cam on the right side for Upright Pics, so it will not hang in front of the Lens, in my case.

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A gold-plated camera with a 10 cent lens cap. This week I really thought it was gone until I found it snug inside the cover flap of the Leica leather carrying case.

 

I would much prefer a screw in cap vice the cheesy one we have now.

 

-g

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Guest badbob
It's funny how everyone bitched and moaned about the tethered lens cap on the DLux4 / LX3. To their credit, Leica did listen to these users' complaints when designing the X1. I would've prefered the cap tethered though.

 

Actually they didn't complain about the tethering - they complained that the lens should retract and cover itself like a VL20 and most pocket digicams.

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