Push-on lens caps... can you still get them?

[Yamaotoko]

G'day everyone,

I've been trying to track down a few plastic push-on lens caps for a couple of my lenses, but I can't manage to find them anywhere. I've been doing the usual ebay hunting but after coming up with nothing after a few tries, and having a few sapre minutes this afternoon, I popped into the local camera shop to see what they had (they've surprised me before). Not a thing, a whole heap of spring-loaded snap-on ones, but none of the good old plastic push-ons. The guy I spoke to said he doesn't think anyone even makes them anymore, which I'd find a bit hard to believe.

So, does anyone know of any places I might be able to look to find a few lens caps? Or, does anyone have any lying around they'd consider selling? I just got off the phone to the 'big' camera dealer in town, where all the other shops go to get things they can't source themselves, and no luck there either. Any ideas?

 

[heespharm]

Order from America... We have plenty here...

 

[Jon Shiu]

the shop B&H has Kaiser caps.

Jon

 

[thisismyname09]

I know places in the US that have them. KEH has a ton of plastic push-on caps for all sorts of cameras. I found some new generic brand ones from adorama that I use on all my RB67 lenses.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Schneider also makes them, and if you need an unusual size, you can even get custom made caps from SK Grimes.

 

[Yamaotoko]

Well there you go, you guys have EVERYTHING! I actually looked around KEH for them when I placed an order for other bits recently, but could only find a couple, and not in any sizes I was after. Thanks guys, I'll check out B&H... I didn't think to try any of those retailers, I got in my mind finding one locally to have quickly, and obviously wasn't able to 'think outside that box'!

Thanks.

 

[jmcd]

Also check filterfind.net. If you don't see what you want, shoot Tim an e-mail. He is very helpful.

 

[MattKing]

As jmcd says..

http://www.filterfind.net/Caps.html

 

[John Koehrer]

I believe SKGrimes has some "stock" sizes available now.

I just make 'em as olde fashioned leather caps. I'm just olde!

 

[Reinhold]

OK John...

Please post a photo or two.
I told my wife to save a bag full of shoe-weight leather "just in case".
Well, "just in case" has just arrived...

A tip or two will also be appreciated.

Thanks

Reinhold

www.classicBWphoto.com

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Just got off eBay. There are tons on there. Most were listed under Cameras&Photo/Lenses/LF.

 

[John Koehrer]

Reinhold,
I used the method in Tomosoy's book "Repairing Classic Cameras"
Not having illustrations will make it more difficult. Never stopped me before though. Shoe leather may be too thick though, I use leather from old leather purses, dresses or jackets.

1) cut a manila folder or hanging file into strips as deep as you want the cap and tape them around the circumference of the lens. You're going to need 1-2mm thick so it may take a couple of strips to build it up. Cover the strips and the lens with a plastic wrap to protect them from getting wet. Use a rubber band just below the strips to hold the plastic in place.

2) More strips, same size. This gets a little messy. Thin some white glue(Elmer's) or similar, carpenters glue also works. Put it in a small dish or bowl and thin it I use about 50/50. Dampen each strip in the glue, and wrap them around the front edge of the lens, line up the edges as you go so you don't have lumps under the leather.
I put the lens face down on my work area so the edges line up.
Hold the strips in place with rubber bands and let them dry.

3) Using the lens & strips as a guide cut a disc to fit the front of the lens. I use the backing from a note tablet, two pieces glued together +/- 1/16-1/8" thick. and glue the disc to the strips. Let it dry and sand the edges smooth.

4) Turn the lens right side up
I hope you have your leather handy now, it's beginning to look like a lens cap. You're going to need a large enough piece to go over the top and sides, both inside and outside. Won't hurt to have extra.

Coat the outside of the form with white glue(diluted), Wet the leather in water, wring it out and pull the leather over the top and sides. Smooth it out, hold it in place with another rubber band just below the strips and dry it.

The inside is sort of a PITA(to me). You need something for the inside of the disc, leather, whatever, glue it in place, apply glue to the inside edge and push it down on the lens. Leave it in place until it's dry. Some of that shoe leather might make a good lining for the end of the cap too.
TaDa! A Lens Cap!

 

[Reinhold]

Thanks John, that explanation is all I need...

My wife was about to toss a leather jacket, the kind made out of a lot of patched pieces.
I'm positive it'll work perfectly as you describe.

Hand made leather caps for my 1935 Deardorff.
Ooooooh....


Reinhold

www.classicBWphoto.com