Will neoprene scratch lens/filter glass?

I have a Zeiss Hologon and am looking for a good wrap/insert for my bag. The Hologon is a rare camera with an exposed spherical lens (when not using a filter). I have the equally rare ND screw on filter which helps to protect the lens but is itself rare and valuable so I want to protect it as well. The lens cap doesn’t attach to the lens with the filter on and it’s difficult to find a replacement cap that’ll fit because of the very low profile of the lens body and the ring on the filter. I’ve been looking at a few soft inserts that may be good and I’ve got a hold of a neoprene wrap that seems nice but it’s very firm fitting and the neoprene does rub against the filter glass. Is neoprene a material that is going to be safe on the glass and not mar/scratch it over time or should I look for another solution?

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber, so I don't know how that would work. I would place something between it and your filter though since it's closed cell synthetic rubber. When you look at the white, cut-foam material that is normally used for filter protection in those round, clear filter cases, it's usually of a different type of material. Any open celled foam sheet would work.

Logically (for what that's worth), if debris gets between your lens and whatever filter protection material you use, it may just go into the open cell part rather than be mashed against the filter glass.

SKG in Rhode Island USA makes custom lens caps for a reasonable price

momus said:

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber, so I don't know how that would work. .... Any open celled foam sheet would work.

Logically (for what that's worth), if debris gets between your lens and whatever filter protection material you use, it may just go into the open cell part rather than be mashed against the filter glass.

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Neoprene indeed is a synthetic rubber, but that is not actually the material the OP has it about.
He has it about a rubber foam (open- or closed-cell) that is covered by a textile, likely knitted.


Fragomeni, why not make a lens cap yourself?

I recommend that you use a lens wrap to protect the lens and the camera.

Neoprene tends to break down over time, and might leave residue. Why not just ordinary bubble packing pouches? I use those all the time for lens padding, along with zip-lok bags.