Cap Cover for LF Lenses...

Dorothy Blum Cooper

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I've searched a bit on APUG for this topic but had no luck. If this has been discussed previously, could someone point me in the right direction?

If not..here's my question. Still 'fresh' in this larger format, do any of you make or know someone who makes lens cap covers for the larger format lenses? I have a case to carry my camera paraphernalia around in, but I'd sure feel better knowing the glass was covered. Call it added protection.

Any input would be appreciated on how to make my own or purchase.
 

Nick Zentena

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B&H has various caps. The B&W ones actually seem to be cheaper in some sizes. Never thought I'd say B&W was cheaper Just pick your favorite style and size.

I just wish MF rear caps were easier to find.
 

Peter Schrager

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Caps

The boys/girls in Providence, R.I. will make you one up custom!
Best, Peter
 

Tom Hoskinson

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Yes! SK Grimes will custom manufacture lens caps for your lenses. I have several of their lens caps - they are excellent and the fit is perfect. The down side is that for a perfect fit, you need to ship your lens to SK Grimes. They are also a bit "pricey." Look them up in the APUG Sponsors.
 

juan

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I found perfect fitting lens caps for a few of my lenses among the PVC pipe caps at the hardware store. For some lenses a little felt glued inside helped the fit.

juan
 

df cardwell

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PRICEY=starvation wage for somebody working skillfully with their hands
and tied into the US economy.

Better we send them to work McDonalds: buy Chinese.
 

John Koehrer

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There's an article in "Restoring Classic and Collectible Cameras"
by Thomas Tomosy on making lens caps using card stock & leather.
I've done this for several lenses and it isn't all that difficult. I'll pick up an old leather purse at the local thrift store for an for material.
 
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colrehogan

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Depending on what lens you have, you may be able to find a 35 mm lens cap that will fit just fine too. I recently had front and rear caps made by SK Grimes for my 203 mm Kodak lens.
 

DeanC

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Peter Schrager said:
The boys/girls in Providence, R.I. will make you one up custom!
Click to expand...

Woonsocket, actually. ;-)

I'm shipping them my new (to me anyway) 14" Commercial Ektar tomorrow to get the flange mounted to a lens board, the shutter sniff tested for correct functioning and a couple of lens caps made. I'll report back when they return the lens but based on all the reports here and elsewhere, I expect to be very happy.
 

Dan Fromm

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Dorothy, I use a variety of front caps, including original equipment, snap-in and slip on ones bought at camera shows, and even some from SKGrimes. For rear caps, I use the same combination AND, for some of my lenses, caps from medicine bottles. To keep dust off of lenses hidden in drawers, I use plastic bottle caps, some quite large.

Since I don't like to let my lenses float around loose in my gear case, I transport them supported on foam in food storage containers, mostly Rubbermaid or Martha Stuart. Depending on the lenses' sizes and the containers' shapes, I can safely pack as many as four little lenses in barrel or two lenses in shutters and on boards in one container.

IMO, suspending lenses in food storage containers when they're not in use is at least as important as keeping caps on them.

Good luck, have fun,

Dan
 

jimgalli

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Dorothy I do something similar to the nice leather cap method but not nearly as nice. I use a ruined sheet of 8X10 film. I seem to have lots. Go figure. Anyway, I score the film around the end of the barrel to get the circumference, cut it out with scissors, cut a long narrow side section from the film, then tape tape tape with black gaffers tape until a nice black lens cap is made. I always dig my wifes old purses out of the trash to make bellows corner repairs. I should invest the time and make some nice caps like the ones Tomosy illustrates. The key word there of course is TIME!
 

David A. Goldfarb

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JG Motamedi said:
The best caps are homemade leather ones. I have a dozen beautiful ones I made with Nigerian goatskin (any thin leather will do)
Click to expand...

Careful. I know you've been out of town, but have you kept up with the case of Vado Diomande? He contracted anthrax while making drum heads from African animal skins.
 

JG Motamedi

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That is plenty weird. From now on I will stick with domestic goats.

Perhaps it was African goats who were mailing those envelopes?
 

raucousimages

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Tupperware measuring cups. They look funny but in a pinch they work.
 
OP
OP

Dorothy Blum Cooper

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Wow! Thanks so much for taking time to answer. There's some great resources and 'do-it-yourself' ideas in here. Sure do appreciate it!! I'm finally realizing that there is no end in sight regarding 'things' that I'm always wanting/needing for my 8x10. I think that's photography in general though. Again, thank you all for the help!!
 

glbeas

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For the 300mm 5.6 Symmar that my 8x10 Korona sports I finally found a lid from a Jif peanut butter jar that was a perfect fit after reaming the threads off of it.
I couldn't find a commercially made cap for it anywhere around here.
 

naturephoto1

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As mentioned earlier, B&H Photo carries many slip on lens caps. These included a large selection of Kaiser caps. To find the right size for your lenses (front and back) it is best to use a caliper to find the correct diameter. Disregard adding several mm (as stated on the B&H site) to slip on the lens, you need the outside diameter of the caps to be equal to or slightly smaller than the lens diameter. Once the caps are in place, I like to carry my lenses in Gnass Gear Large Format Lens cases. Kevin Saitta, http://www.kjsphotography.com/ also makes very nice single lens cases.

Rich
 

Jim Jones

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I've cut down tin cans and lined the sides with velvet for slip-on caps and lens hoods. Other lenses have adaptor rings from long ago with series screw-in lens caps.
 

John Koehrer

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Continuing the lens cap saga, with a twist.
I have found that using Tupperware lids to be a great source of caps also. With some lenses I'm able to put the cap on the front of the lens hood, eliminating the need to fumble around with a bunch of loose bits.
 
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