That effing lens cap has fallen off again

[Michael-IIIf]

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I do get tired of the constant anti-Leica moaning - Leica should do this, Leica shouldn't do that, my Canon this, my Nikon that - this is, after all, a Leica forum for Leica enthusiasts. But I have to have this one moan:-

 

[rant]

I am lucky to own and use a current 35 mm Summicron. What a magnificent lens, one of the best lumps of glass made by anyone ever. But at GBP £1,600 nowadays it really really should be shipped with a suitable-for-purpose lens cap.

 

My umpteenth replacement one dropped off and got lost on the street AGAIN yesterday. Every single time I've used this lens results in bending down to pick the lens cap off the ground at least once during the day. Inevitably they get lost.

 

My 1953 Elmar 5 and 9 cms lens still have their beautiful and functional caps. Please Leica, can you have a look at one of those caps and see how it should be done. Those cheaply made (but expensive) bits of plastic sh!t are totally under designed for the job and do not become your design heritage.

 

They are so rubbish one could reasonably expect Leica to hand out replacements for free, but they don't, they charge an obscene amount for them.

 

[/rant]

[andybarton]

I feel your pain, Michael.

 

I just take mine off and out it in my pocket. The filter protects the lens just fine.

 

Or, I use an old 12504 hood, with a standard cap - that also works just fine.

[bill]

Michael, I too feel your pain.

 

If it's the one I'm thinking of - the stoopid soft plastic rectangle - some years ago I dropped one into the sea in Cornwall, while sitting on a rock trying to get some "tide" pictures. I watched it wash back and forth for ten minutes before it came within grabbing range again...

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[alun]

I *never* carry my M with the Summicron 35 mounted and the lens cap on. I always, always take it off and stick it in my pocket and only ever put it on when the camera goes away... At thirteen quid each every one lost = about five rolls of film!!

 

Having said that, I have often thought it would probably be possible to push a heated needle through the cap and, using twine or tailors' button thread, put it on a loop that attaches to the camera lugs or somewhere. You'll often see pictures of HCB sporting some such arrangement (although I have read that this was convenience in his case rather than fear of loss as his lens caps were -- it is said -- frequently jam jar lid improvisations....)...

[smiway]

Hi Guys!

 

The same thing has happened to me. Unfortunately, I had no idea where it fell off. I tried retracing my steps but no luck. I decided not to buy another one. Too expensive for a piece of plastic that I would only loose again. Has anyone seen any difference in pictures not using one?

 

Regards,

Wayne Smith

[rob_x2004]

Drill two tiny little holes close together in the cap, one for the string to go in, one for the string to go out, then drill one tiny little hole in the lens hood. Take one tinly little piece of string ....

[Michael-IIIf]

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Or, I use an old 12504 hood, with a standard cap - that also works just fine.

 

Andy,

 

I tried that once but because my 'Cron is a thread mount it screws home in its M-mount adaptor in an ever so slightly off-square angle. This matters not in normal use and has never caused any focus issues that I've noticed but does look a bit silly when the 12504 hood is attached and it leans slightly over to one side like a drunk sailor with one leg shorter than t'other.

 

[wda]

Michael, I share your frustration. I lost mine in Galway and spent a lot of time searching for it, in vain. I bought a replacement and tried a new drill; parking it in a specific vest pocket. I still lost, this time at Avebury, where it had brushed off the lens. I returned the next day and my guardian angel took me to the very spot where it lay near the dovecote. I refuse to buy another and will consider the thread anchor, but it is not the most elegant solution for a Leica.

[vertekijker]

I don't even put them on any more. The filter does all the protecting for me.

-------------------------

Frans

[johnastovall]

I've replaced all my Leica hoods and caps with ones from Heavystar. No more problems.

[leicar7]

The last time a front lens cap resides on a lens chez moi is the moment after I remove it from the box. It lives in the box from that moment on. There is absolutely no need for a front lens cap whether the lens in on a camera on my chest, in a bag, or on a shelf waiting for the next time I pick it up.

 

Forget about the front lens cap, and your problem will go away.

[octo]

Having said that, I have often thought it would probably be possible to push a heated needle through the cap and, using twine or tailors' button thread, put it on a loop that attaches to the camera lugs or somewhere. You'll often see pictures of HCB sporting some such arrangement (although I have read that this was convenience in his case rather than fear of loss as his lens caps were -- it is said -- frequently jam jar lid improvisations....)...

 

I have been doing that for years, but I confess I use the threaded elastic bands that are used, here, to truss fowls:o . On the old metal caps, I have tightened a Colson ring ( little strips of plastic with a serrated end on one face that ratchets through the other end and cannot be loosened, often used by electricians to keep a bunch of cables together )and run the same elastic between it and the cap. It's not pretty to look at when they dangle, but it's useful, and it works. I guess that's all that can be said for them.

A small closed hook running around the band can be attached to a swivel buckle permanently fixed to the camera rings; all available from any fish & tackle store.

FWIW.

Since then, touch wood, not a single loss.

[wizard]

I tried that once but because my 'Cron is a thread mount it screws home in its M-mount adaptor in an ever so slightly off-square angle. This matters not in normal use and has never caused any focus issues that I've noticed but does look a bit silly when the 12504 hood is attached and it leans slightly over to one side like a drunk sailor with one leg shorter than t'other.

 

Micheal,

 

I believe the 12504 hood Andy was refering to is a ROUND hood, so it shouldn't lean over in any way. As a matter of fact, my Summicron 35 asph., which is a screw mount version, too, came factory delivered with a 12504 hood, and I believe this was exactly for the reason of preventing the 'leaning over' effect.

 

Andreas