microview Posted November 1, 2011 Share #1 Â Posted November 1, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) The push-in lens cap made by Zeiss is often criticised: fiddly and, some have suggested, could slip across and mark the lens face. So I have just bought a 43mm B+W filter to replace the plastic cap. No likelihood of damage and easy to unscrew and pocket when the lens is in use - better for preventing dust getting on the glass too. A bit demeaning to use such a relatively costly alternative for this purpose, but far less frustrating and I'll enjoy the ZM more! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Hi microview, Take a look here Zeiss ZM lens caps. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bill Posted November 1, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted November 1, 2011 You are so right. They drive me nuts. Whoever put the grooves longitudinally instead of latitudinally deserves to be shot. On both my Zeiss lenses I have a generic cap with lugs on the rim - more positive and far easier. Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted November 1, 2011 Share #3 Â Posted November 1, 2011 Yup, Zeiss really screwed the pooch on these caps. For one thing, they're light and thus flimsy feeling. Secondly, the finger grooves run in the wrong direction! They don't help grip at all and actually make it worse. Finally, despite being a pinch cap, they're not fun to get back into place with a hood attached, often going on crooked or not fully engaged. Â I've never had a cap leave a mark on the lens though there have been some frightening misplacements... Â You do get used to them - but yeah, they suck. Â I even mentioned all this in my overview of the Zeiss ZM Lenses as a "known issue." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted November 1, 2011 Share #4 Â Posted November 1, 2011 All true. Â But...A Zeiss cap from the 21 2.8 fits perfectly on my 28mm Summicron with the metal hood, where no Leica cap works because you can't get your fingers in to squeeze the side tabs. Â And it seems to grip and work perfectly too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted November 1, 2011 Author Share #5 Â Posted November 1, 2011 Â I even mentioned all this in my overview of the Zeiss ZM Lenses as a "known issue." Â I know: I reread it this morning! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted November 1, 2011 Share #6 Â Posted November 1, 2011 The push-in lens cap made by Zeiss is often criticised: fiddly and, some have suggested, could slip across and mark the lens face. So I have just bought a 43mm B+W filter to replace the plastic cap. No likelihood of damage and easy to unscrew and pocket when the lens is in use - better for preventing dust getting on the glass too. A bit demeaning to use such a relatively costly alternative for this purpose, but far less frustrating and I'll enjoy the ZM more! Â Thanks for this post as I am always dropping my ZM lens caps. Wonder if someone makes a metal cap that would even screw on like the filter you mentioned. Although then I'd have to take off the lens hood to get that cap off since with a filter on it you just shoot away. I guess for travel the metal cap would be OK. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted November 2, 2011 Share #7 Â Posted November 2, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I do the same thing microview, but with all my lenses, a new lens gets a new filter and the lens caps stay in the drawer:) Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiver Posted November 2, 2011 Share #8 Â Posted November 2, 2011 +1. At the same time that I buy a lens, Zeiss or otherwise, I also buy a good filter, and that becomes the permanent lens cap. Those Zeiss caps are poorly designed. Besides, lens caps can get in the way, get lost, be accidentally left on... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted November 2, 2011 Share #9  Posted November 2, 2011 All true. But...A Zeiss cap from the 21 2.8 fits perfectly on my 28mm Summicron with the metal hood, where no Leica cap works because you can't get your fingers in to squeeze the side tabs.  And it seems to grip and work perfectly too.  This is exactly what I use my Zeiss lens cap for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted November 2, 2011 Share #10 Â Posted November 2, 2011 Besides, lens caps can get in the way, get lost, be accidentally left on... Â Glad to hear I'm not the only one that does that from time to time. You know you are all correct, if you have a protective filter on it then why even use the lens cap. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted November 3, 2011 Share #11 Â Posted November 3, 2011 Lens caps are overrated, I agree. The only time I use mine are when they're in the bag. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted November 6, 2011 Share #12 Â Posted November 6, 2011 Small horizontal grooves can easily be added with a Dremel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted November 6, 2011 Share #13 Â Posted November 6, 2011 Small horizontal grooves can easily be added with a Dremel. Â Indeed... But is it really worth it? You can buy a 46mm cap for $1 each on the 'bay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted November 6, 2011 Share #14 Â Posted November 6, 2011 Personally, I have had no problems with them, but I thought it may help those who do. The grooves take only a few seconds to cut. I use the Zeiss caps on the scalloped metal Leica hood on the 2.0/28 Summicron as it is quite recessed, and on the 4.5/21 Biogon with Zeiss hood, but use a leica cap on my 1.5/50 Sonnar. Â Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted November 6, 2011 Share #15 Â Posted November 6, 2011 Personally, I have had no problems with them, but I thought it may help those who do. The grooves take only a few seconds to cut. I use the Zeiss caps on the scalloped metal Leica hood on the 2.0/28 Summicron as it is quite recessed, and on the 4.5/21 Biogon with Zeiss hood, but use a leica cap on my 1.5/50 Sonnar. Â Couldn't hurt, right? Â I wonder if a little sanding might also work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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