My Short Story with my Recently bought Q2 and its Lens Cap

[BobsFirstLeica]

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2nd thread.  Yes I could have posted in the thread about the disintegration of the felt and alternatives but I thought of posting a new thread.  Why?  Because of my experience with Leica!

I had no idea there was a problem with the inside felt that would cause it to disintegrate so quickly.  The real problem is I am on holiday in Italy, 6000 miles away from home as the crow flies.... and little opportunity of where to find a replacement?  In Rome the Leica store was out of lens caps and Google search only showed another Leica store in Milan.  Called them and the same story.  No lens caps.

Our group then traveled from Rome to Florence.  Having an hour of free time I looked up a Leica Store and, miraculously, they had one.....however if you have ever walked in the area it is a zoo.  We started out from the hotel and soon realized we may not be able to effectively find it.  Passed by a fellow in a 2-seater bicycle rickshaw, asked him to take us to the store, and 15 Euros later arrived at the Leica store, Florence.  Admittedly small, quaint, but expertly designed, we walked in and presented the cam and faulty cap.  To my amazement the sales person calmly looked at the serial number, then reached into a flat box containing maybe 9 new caps, took one out and said it was free of charge!  No explanation other than saying the newer ones were better designed.  (We'll see.)  But having bought the cam in the US and getting a free replacement in Italy was completely unexpected and a sign of good will, not to be forgotten.....even if a new cap costs a mere, 25 Euros. 

Bob

[bobtodrick]

1 hour ago, BobsFirstLeica said:

2nd thread.  Yes I could have posted in the thread about the disintegration of the felt and alternatives but I thought of posting a new thread.  Why?  Because of my experience with Leica!

I had no idea there was a problem with the inside felt that would cause it to disintegrate so quickly.  The real problem is I am on holiday in Italy, 6000 miles away from home as the crow flies.... and little opportunity of where to find a replacement?  In Rome the Leica store was out of lens caps and Google search only showed another Leica store in Milan.  Called them and the same story.  No lens caps.

Our group then traveled from Rome to Florence.  Having an hour of free time I looked up a Leica Store and, miraculously, they had one.....however if you have ever walked in the area it is a zoo.  We started out from the hotel and soon realized we may not be able to effectively find it.  Passed by a fellow in a 2-seater bicycle rickshaw, asked him to take us to the store, and 15 Euros later arrived at the Leica store, Florence.  Admittedly small, quaint, but expertly designed, we walked in and presented the cam and faulty cap.  To my amazement the sales person calmly looked at the serial number, then reached into a flat box containing maybe 9 new caps, took one out and said it was free of charge!  No explanation other than saying the newer ones were better designed.  (We'll see.)  But having bought the cam in the US and getting a free replacement in Italy was completely unexpected and a sign of good will, not to be forgotten.....even if a new cap costs a mere, 25 Euros. 

Bob

Been a Leica owner for 40 years, both cameras and bino’s.  Sometimes the has been a parts availability issue…but their actual service is top notch 😀

[gotium]

1 hour ago, BobsFirstLeica said:

2nd thread.  Yes I could have posted in the thread about the disintegration of the felt and alternatives but I thought of posting a new thread.  Why?  Because of my experience with Leica!

I had no idea there was a problem with the inside felt that would cause it to disintegrate so quickly.  The real problem is I am on holiday in Italy, 6000 miles away from home as the crow flies.... and little opportunity of where to find a replacement?  In Rome the Leica store was out of lens caps and Google search only showed another Leica store in Milan.  Called them and the same story.  No lens caps.

Our group then traveled from Rome to Florence.  Having an hour of free time I looked up a Leica Store and, miraculously, they had one.....however if you have ever walked in the area it is a zoo.  We started out from the hotel and soon realized we may not be able to effectively find it.  Passed by a fellow in a 2-seater bicycle rickshaw, asked him to take us to the store, and 15 Euros later arrived at the Leica store, Florence.  Admittedly small, quaint, but expertly designed, we walked in and presented the cam and faulty cap.  To my amazement the sales person calmly looked at the serial number, then reached into a flat box containing maybe 9 new caps, took one out and said it was free of charge!  No explanation other than saying the newer ones were better designed.  (We'll see.)  But having bought the cam in the US and getting a free replacement in Italy was completely unexpected and a sign of good will, not to be forgotten.....even if a new cap costs a mere, 25 Euros. 

Bob

Try using it without the lens hood. It's the lens hood that chews up the felt. I don't think there's any other solution. 

[beewee]

Another option is this: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1504719-REG/match_technical_mt_lc_sr_01_lens_cap_for_leica.html

[BobsFirstLeica]

7 hours ago, gotium said:

Try using it without the lens hood. It's the lens hood that chews up the felt. I don't think there's any other solution. 

From everything I have read (the felt will be chewed up) this is true save buying a 3rd party alternative (looks like one was suggested in a post below).

If the sales fellow in the store is correct, and Leica changed the design to make it less susceptible to disintegration, I'm willing to give it a try since the cap feels so much better than a snap-on cover on every other lens I've owned.  No issue with $$$ for a 3rd party choice.  The felt lens cap feel and fit has been part of my new "Leica Experience" even with its drawback.  Hey, when it falls off, it sure makes a more distinctively loud sound!

Bob

[BobsFirstLeica]

5 hours ago, beewee said:

Another option is this: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1504719-REG/match_technical_mt_lc_sr_01_lens_cap_for_leica.html

As I mentioned in my other response this is an option I may pursue if the newer one fails.  The owner of the store I bought the Q2 from insisted, having been a Leica shooter his whole life, to just put on a real good quality UV filter and leave the lens cap off.  Not a terrible suggestion.  The lens hood is designed so very little "injury" would occur if something gets close to the lens..  

I did that for a day or 2 but I have always been a "naked" lens shooter my entire life.  Never want to put any additional glass over the lens unless I am shooting CPL or some sort of grad filter specifically for the subject.  Yes I am being very picky but my experience has shown even the best quality filter is still an extra piece of glass in front of the sensor or film do degrade the IQ.  But that's me.  YMMV.

[Carrot]

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Try this, it fits tightly and flush and won’t damage paint. 
https://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/q-accessories/18530-rdc-hood-cap-replacement-for-leica-q-camera.html

[Guest]

20 minutes ago, Carrot said:

Try this, it fits tightly and flush and won’t damage paint. 
https://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/q-accessories/18530-rdc-hood-cap-replacement-for-leica-q-camera.html

The original cap is just too big and lumpy, and It's also attracted to concrete like a magnet.

I used the rubber B&H cap for a while and it's much better, but the Red Dot Cameras cap is perfect. It's a great, streamlined fit and flat enough so that you can stick it in your back pocket and not notice it when shooting.

[BobsFirstLeica]

1 hour ago, Corius said:

The original cap is just too big and lumpy, and It's also attracted to concrete like a magnet.

I used the rubber B&H cap for a while and it's much better, but the Red Dot Cameras cap is perfect. It's a great, streamlined fit and flat enough so that you can stick it in your back pocket and not notice it when shooting.

I am not in the UK but will try to find a vendor in the US.  Thanks to you and Carrot for the info as well as others who have mentioned alternatives.

Bob

[stuny]

4 hours ago, BobsFirstLeica said:

From everything I have read (the felt will be chewed up) this is true save buying a 3rd party alternative (looks like one was suggested in a post below).

If the sales fellow in the store is correct, and Leica changed the design to make it less susceptible to disintegration, I'm willing to give it a try since the cap feels so much better than a snap-on cover on every other lens I've owned.  No issue with $$$ for a 3rd party choice.  The felt lens cap feel and fit has been part of my new "Leica Experience" even with its drawback.  Hey, when it falls off, it sure makes a more distinctively loud sound!

Bob

Yes, you will hear it falloff, but only if it falls on something hard.  Grass, carpets, etc. will not alert you to its having fallen.

[Farrell Gallery]

The first thing I did was get rid of that oafy lens cap and hood. Bought this instead. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081S6GH72/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[BobsFirstLeica]

2 hours ago, stuny said:

Yes, you will hear it falloff, but only if it falls on something hard.  Grass, carpets, etc. will not alert you to its having fallen.

Indeed!  But we've been touring areas primarily with rock, brick, and cobblestone.  And I was able to replace the cap on the fourth day.  Up to that point I became very adept at adapting the felt strategically inside the cap.  Furthermore, I was walking with my hand against the lens cap. 😁

Bob

[Genoweffa]

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

I am using a leather one on my mono

[BobsFirstLeica]

4 hours ago, Genoweffa said:

 

 

I am using a leather one on my mono

Is it part of the half case?  While traveling abroad I don't want to draw attention to the cam.  I put a small piece of gaffers tape over the red Leica emblem.  Your solution is very functional but also announces a Leica is coming!

Bob

[Genoweffa]

50 minutes ago, BobsFirstLeica said:

Is it part of the half case?  While traveling abroad I don't want to draw attention to the cam.  I put a small piece of gaffers tape over the red Leica emblem.  Your solution is very functional but also announces a Leica is coming!

Bob

1.no, it separate...cost ~Cad30 delivered from where almost all things come from..

2.depends where you travel plus cap is is for storage/transport not when I am walking

3.my q2s don't have logos

Edited May 10, 2023 by Genoweffa

[Blackadder978]

9 hours ago, Farrell Gallery said:

The first thing I did was get rid of that oafy lens cap and hood. Bought this instead. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081S6GH72/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I did exactly the same and I am very happy with the small hood. The Q2 also now stands flat on its bottom and the lenshood and does not tilt forward anymore

[Tomas Eriksson]

I don't bother with the cap. I use good quality UV filter for protection. Take more abuse than one imagine, doesn't come loose and is quick to replace.

[ianforber]

Otec cap for me. I have used it for 18 months with no problem. 
 

https://otect.co/products/q-cap-v2-for-leica-q-q-p-q2-q2-monochrom

[irenedp]

I have a Q1 will this september will be 5 years old. Obviously my felt has disintegrated and the cap has a liking for asphalt …actually any kind of ground. It is full of scratches, and I think it gives it a kind of distinction, a sense of having been used which I like. I only wish it didn’t fall so often, but same happens with the plastic cover of my Summicron 50. 

Leica caps crave the ground. 

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[Daniel C.1975]

Hi, 

thanks for the story and it's good to hear that Leica most of the times gets it right with the service level. Very good!

 

For me it is the original lens-shade and be with it. No cap at all when walking around. Why should I. Handling it like that since ... like forever and never had an issue. If the environment is bad (e.g. salty sea) I use an B&W clear filter. 

 

Best

Daniel