Replacement Lens Caps: Nikon, Tamron or ebay 'Made for Canon'?

[TMR Design]

I am completely fed up with trying to use the stock Canon lens caps with hoods.

I've been looking at different center pinch caps and see that Tamron makes very good ones and people seem to like them, Nikon makes center pinch caps but they look like they're no better than Tamron for twice the price, and then there are the ebay caps that are 'Made For Canon' and I know nothing about them.

I've looked at hood hats and don't think they are for me.

So can anyone recommend one or the other? Anyone use the Tamrons? That's the direction I'm leaning.

[jrsforums]

I am completely fed up with trying to use the stock Canon lens caps with hoods.

I've been looking at different center pinch caps and see that Tamron makes very good ones and people seem to like them, Nikon makes center pinch caps but they look like they're no better than Tamron for twice the price, and then there are the ebay caps that are 'Made For Canon' and I know nothing about them.

I've looked at hood hats and don't think they are for me.

So can anyone recommend one or the other? Anyone use the Tamrons? That's the direction I'm leaning.

Hi, Robert....

Welcome to the club. I abandoned Canon caps a long time ago. I don't even like them without a hood.

I use all Nikon caps. The Tamron's are close and a bit less expensive, but the Nikon's just have a better "feel".

:oops: Embarassed to advertise the "enemy", I tape over the silver 'Nikon". :lol:

John

[TMR Design]

Hi John,

I'm looking at the Nikon and Tamrons now. I can understand the Nikon's having a better feel but is there anything wrong with the Tamron's? Do they work just as well?

[tunin]

I use the tamron's and they are pretty good. Take a look at this as well: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=343678

[TMR Design]

Hi tunin,

The problem I have with many of those ebay caps is that the 'nubbie' for the cap keeper won't fit with the hood on my Sigma 17-70mm lens and although many would just say cut it off or file it off.... uh uh, that's just not me. I would rather have a cap that just worked as is.

I have seen some that don't have the nubbie but I haven't used them myself so I'm leary of quality.

[tunin]

I see where you're coming from. I have the canon 70-200 f.2.8 (77mm) and the tokina 12-24 (77mm) so I switched the caps between the two as the hood on the canon is quite deep so it is much easier to reach the cap so I understand what you need. Just order one or two made by tokina.

[jrsforums]

Hi John,

I'm looking at the Nikon and Tamrons now. I can understand the Nikon's having a better feel but is there anything wrong with the Tamron's? Do they work just as well?

Tamron should work fine. I have not actually used them, but I did "play" with them when I made my initial evaluation.

You may want to try a local camera store. I found many of them had a box of used caps....usually Tamron, etc. Did not find any Nikons...probably too popular.

[TMR Design]

HI John,

Unfortunately I've had some negative experiences with my local camera shop and they never really want to entertain "can I just see a lens cap?" customers. I'll probably just try the Tamron, order one and see how I like it. After all, it is just a lens cap, so if it works and it grabs and holds well then I'm sold.

Honestly, I don't know why some people act as if "I would never put a Nikon (or other non-Canon brand) cap on their Canon lenses? Why not? Is it that hard to accept that there are other manufacturers of camera and photo gear that are quality products? I don't know why this is always a Canon vs. Nikon head to head war.

I buy the gear and tools that will do the best job. If it happens that I need a Nikon product to do that then why the heck not?

[jrsforums]

HI John,

Honestly, I don't know why some people act as if "I would never put a Nikon (or other non-Canon brand) cap on their Canon lenses? Why not? Is it that hard to accept that there are other manufacturers of camera and photo gear that are quality products? I don't know why this is always a Canon vs. Nikon head to head war.

I buy the gear and tools that will do the best job. If it happens that I need a Nikon product to do that then why the heck not?

I'm not sure who this was directed at.....

[tunin]

Honestly, I don't know why some people act as if "I would never put a Nikon (or other non-Canon brand) cap on their Canon lenses? Why not? Is it that hard to accept that there are other manufacturers of camera and photo gear that are quality products? I don't know why this is always a Canon vs. Nikon head to head war.

Exactly!

[TMR Design]

Sorry John,

The first paragraph (in my post, not your quoted text) was in direct response to your post and the paragraphs that follow were just thrown out there to all those that express this opinion and refer to Nikon as "the enemy" or think that typing N*k*n somehow won't send them to hell (oh my!). There were similar remarks in the linked thread and I see this all the time.

Didn't mean to have you think it was directed your way John :D

[TMR Design]

Again, sorry John. It was not an attack but just an observation that I find amusing.
I respectfully apologize.

[TMR Design]

Maybe you expose your "...negative experiences at the local camera shop..."

I don't even know what you're implying John. I've never discussed what those negative experiences were.

[DavidEB]

The tamron caps are excellent. I use a dremel tool to take off the "tamron" label, leaving a simple black cap.

[Wilt]

There are multiple caps on eBay. SOME have that lens keeper thingajig; others do NOT have the lens keeper nuisance! I have ones that say 'Design for Canon', and love them. Nice, strong springs that hold them on the lens firmly. I also own some Tamron lenses, so I know what those are like. The 'Design for Canon' caps are not noticeably different quality from the Tamron caps.

[TMR Design]

Hi Wilt,

You wouldn't happen to have a link or the seller name for those caps with no nubbies?

[Wilt]

Hi Wilt,

You wouldn't happen to have a link or the seller name for those caps with no nubbies?


Sorry, I would merely go thru the same effort as you in looking on eBay for caps that fit Canon and picking each ad and reading the description and looking at the photo for 'Design for Canon'

[Dorman]

I love Tamron caps. Their lenses aren't too bad either. ;)

[JWright]

I fail to see the problem here. Yes, I will agree that removing or replacing a cap is difficult if a hood is mounted on a lens. Are you trying to replace the cap after every shot or group of shots? There's a simple, inexpensive way to avoid the difficulty of removing and replacing lens caps... Just don't do it. I usually remove my lens caps at the beginning of a shooting day and replace them at the end of the day. This way I don't have to deal with the caps and I can concentrate on my photography. Besides, it removes the risk of missing a shot because the cap is on.

[TMR Design]

Hi John,

I think you're reading into this. There is no real problem and no, I'm not trying to replace the cap after every shot. The issue is simply that it's a pain in the neck to try to take off and put on a lens cap when the hoods are mounted. There are times when we're done or done for the moment and are not ready to put the camera away so we want to put the cap on. With some of the hoods it's just impossible. SO the simple solution is a center pinch cap. That's the gist of the thread.

If it's not a problem or issue for you then that's cool. It's not a universal problem, just one I brought up so I could make it easier for myself, especially in low light, and from what others are saying and the posts here, it's obvious that it's not just me that has done something about it.

[DDan]

Hi Robert. I just got 2 of the caps that were mentioned above without the nub for the capkeeper. They work fine. Here is the link to the ones I purchased.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250139480262&rd=1&rd=1

[JWright]

Hi John,

I think you're reading into this. There is no real problem and no, I'm not trying to replace the cap after every shot. The issue is simply that it's a pain in the neck to try to take off and put on a lens cap when the hoods are mounted. There are times when we're done or done for the moment and are not ready to put the camera away so we want to put the cap on. With some of the hoods it's just impossible. SO the simple solution is a center pinch cap. That's the gist of the thread.

If it's not a problem or issue for you then that's cool. It's not a universal problem, just one I brought up so I could make it easier for myself, especially in low light, and from what others are saying and the posts here, it's obvious that it's not just me that has done something about it.

OK, we just work differently. I rarely replace the caps until I put the lens back in it's case at the end of the day. Even if there's a lull in the shooting, I won't replace the cap. Lots of times I take the cap off at the beginning of the day, stick it in my pocket and it doesn't go back on the lens until the next day...

[Tee Why]

I have some cheapo lens caps that look like Tamrons with that little strap.
I wouldn't recommend them as they feel very flimsy and cheap.
Tamrons are nice and of good qulaity, the round pinching buttons are a bit uncomfortable.
Tokina and Nikons are nicer in design/ease of use/feel but cost more than Tamron.

So I think I'll stick to Tamrons from now on.

[Skip Souza]

These are serving me well and the price is right.
http://www.fotodiox.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=1_16&products_id=382

[Cathpah]

I'm a big fan of the tamron caps...but you may have seen that in the other threads on this topic.

[Jon]

I've got Tamron caps on all my lenses - even the Tamron 90 mm macro.

[Gadgetholic]

Hi Robert. I just got 2 of the caps that were mentioned above without the nub for the capkeeper. They work fine. Here is the link to the ones I purchased.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250139480262&rd=1&rd=1

I used DDans link and bought the "design for Canon" caps for all my lenses and am I very happy with them. They are good quality and the spring is firm and holds them in place nicely....so thanks for the original post, and thanks DDan for the ebay link.

[overclock]

I went and replaced all of my Canon 77mm lens caps with Tamrons and haven't looked back. I sold my Canon ones on the FS forum and just about broke even. The Tamrons are superior in every way to the Canon caps and I can't justify buying an overpriced Nikon labeled piece of plastic. The only downside is now everytime I look at my camera I think I have a Tamron lens on it but instead it is my Canon 24-70 L or 24-105 L.

[TMR Design]

Well, after 12 business days I finally received my 'Design For Canon' lens caps from Hong Kong. I'm surprised they arrived in perfect condition considering how they were just thrown into an envelope with a small piece of bubble wrap and no other protection.

Despite the packaging and endlessly long wait I really like thse caps. The center pinch is great and I can replace or remove the cap with the hoods on.

I got 1 77mm, 1 67mm and 2 58mm caps. They seem secure and there's enough tension on the spring to hold them firmly in place.

I recommend these caps for price, design and construction. Thanks for everyone's input.

[BBrat]

Well, after 12 business days I finally received my 'Design For Canon' lens caps from Hong Kong. I'm surprised they arrived in perfect condition considering how they were just thrown into an envelope with a small piece of bubble wrap and no other protection.

Despite the packaging and endlessly long wait I really like thse caps. The center pinch is great and I can replace or remove the cap with the hoods on.

I got 1 77mm, 1 67mm and 2 58mm caps. They seem secure and there's enough tension on the spring to hold them firmly in place.

I recommend these caps for price, design and construction. Thanks for everyone's input.


i have these as well and they are solid. for the price they are worth the wait (shipping times).

[Jon]

I don't believe I paid much different than what DDan's link shows for the Tamron caps I got from B&H, and I didn't need to wait 12 days, either.

[TMR Design]

HI Jon,

Yup, it was between the Tamron's and the ebay caps and when I was totalling things up the ebay caps came to a few dollars less and I went for it. After it was paid for, that is when I realized it was going to be 10-14 days from Hong Kong. In hindsight I probably should have just gotten the Tamron's but I had no deadline and I saw enough good things being said about the ebay caps.

[Wilt]

HI Jon,

Yup, it was between the Tamron's and the ebay caps and when I was totalling things up the ebay caps came to a few dollars less and I went for it. After it was paid for, that is when I realized it was going to be 10-14 days from Hong Kong. In hindsight I probably should have just gotten the Tamron's but I had no deadline and I saw enough good things being said about the ebay caps.

Yahbut...you have caps with the Canon logo on them, as rightfully should be on Canon lenses. Who wants Canon lenses to masquerade as Tamron lenses which cost 1/3 the price, when you can show off!

[TMR Design]

Hi Wilt,

I do have to admit that I liked the idea of having the Canon logo on the caps.

[Cathpah]

Yahbut...you have caps with the Canon logo on them, as rightfully should be on Canon lenses. Who wants Canon lenses to masquerade as Tamron lenses which cost 1/3 the price, when you can show off!

haha...not all of us want to show off. I personally like the tamron on the front, so people looking see a brand they either don't recognize or don't think is very expensive. maybe a bit of theft deterrence? I have also put duct tape on my cameras in the past to make it look old/broken/not valuable for the same reason.

but i'm doing travel photography in places where the price of my camera can be equal to several years work to the locals....taking such measures may not be as needed for others.

[Souwalker]

Where can we get those Tamron centre pinch caps?

Rgds
pat

[Jon]

Where can we get those Tamron centre pinch caps?

Rgds
pat
As you're in Oz, check with any of your major photo shops that carry Tamron equipment; you could always order from B&H here in the states, but then you'd need to deal with shipping, customs and the rest.

[Orbit]

Sorry for bumping the thread, but I couldn't find a recent thread about this. I just bought a pre-owned Sigma 17-70 and it came with no front cap. Does the Tamron cap 72mm work fine with it? Or are there other caps I should look for?

Thanks

[TMR Design]

As long as you get the correct size (filter thread size) you can use any of the third part caps. There are replacements from Tamron, Nikon and the 'Design for Canon' caps on ebay. I highly recommend getting the center pinch cap. The Sigma 17-70mm is a good example of a lens that is almost impossible to get a standard lens cap on and off with the hood on the lens.

[_aravena]

I have cheap Ebay ones that are blank with nothing on them. Love'em!

[rklepper]

I just ordered some of ->THESE (http://hvstar.net/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=226)<-. I hope they are okay.

[_aravena]

At least that has Canon. The ebay ones have "Made for Canon" or something dumb. I got the plain ones.

http://www.fedtic.com/ebay/camera_acc/lenscap/lvshi/52mm-e.jpg

[TMR Design]

I found that caps like you guys are showing have the 'nubbie' for a lanyard and that gets in the way. I had a cap like that that I could not put on the 17-70mm with the hood on. You'll find you have to cut that piece off. Rather than do that you might want to either get the Tamrons or the ones on ebay like THIS (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260184360532&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=250142484033&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget).

These are very good caps and the slot for the lanyard is flush with the cap. They work great.

[_aravena]

^Those are the ones I don't like because of 'Designed for Canon" And I don't use the strap so I broke off the little nub. So no prob!

[azpix]

I have 2 tamron lens caps and they're great. I also have some cheapos off of ebay and they're quality sucks IMHO!

[pourmeaguinness]

I'm going to get the hvstar.net 'canon' ones.

I have a 'design for canon' hood for canon every lens i own, I even bought one in advance for the 10-22.

Canon oem lenscaps are shiite, as is the price of oem hoods.

[rklepper]

I found that caps like you guys are showing have the 'nubbie' for a lanyard and that gets in the way. I had a cap like that that I could not put on the 17-70mm with the hood on. You'll find you have to cut that piece off. Rather than do that you might want to either get the Tamrons or the ones on ebay like THIS (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260184360532&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=250142484033&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget).

These are very good caps and the slot for the lanyard is flush with the cap. They work great.

A little handy work with an exacto knife and you would never know.

[Stefano7]

Here's another vote for the Tamron lens caps . . . reasons: (1) they seem a bit deeper (= less fumbling) and the perimeter "clasp" a bit bigger which makes for an easier pinch to release/put on (2) plus the ease of the center "pinch factor," as Robert noted, when using a deeper hood. I'll also second the use of either these or similar lens caps even without a hood . . . just much easier to use. I have ordered a number of the Tamron's from B&H @ $8.95 ea. and just recently saw similarly designed Canon's on HvStar, which I ordered to try/compare. They are $3.90 (before shipping). I haven't tried the Nikons but may pick on up just to have tried the full range of alternatives. I imagine all three are better than the stock Canon lens cap.

[cdifoto]

Wow. Four pages about lens caps. :lol:

[Orbit]

As long as you get the correct size (filter thread size) you can use any of the third part caps. There are replacements from Tamron, Nikon and the 'Design for Canon' caps on ebay. I highly recommend getting the center pinch cap. The Sigma 17-70mm is a good example of a lens that is almost impossible to get a standard lens cap on and off with the hood on the lens.

Which size would be the correct size for a Sigma 17-70mm? I guessed the 72mm, but I'm not totally sure.

Thanks

[Stefano7]

The lens specs on the B&H site show it as 72mm.

[snatiep]

Hello Everyone!

Do the caps from hvstar.net fit the Sigma 17-70. I just bought a Promaster center pinch cap for my 17-70 and it doesn't "latch" onto the lens. I can feel the cap rocking on the glass before the fingers grab the lens, not a good thing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Double Negative]

My advice? Go for the real Tamron caps.

I have some eBay-bought, Chinese-made knock-offs that work great, except they're not built as well. They're also a tiny bit deeper (thicker in the threads) than Tamron caps, so don't work quite as well on "thin" filters (that have threads).

On the cheapies, I took an X-Acto knife and sliced off the eyelet that holds on the leash... It's crap and looks stupid. :p

[TMR Design]

I just got a new lens so I'm going to give the Tamron caps a try.

[Wilt]

I just got a new lens so I'm going to give the Tamron caps a try.

The 'made for Canon' center pinch caps available on eBay work just dandy on my Canon 10-22mm and on my Canon 17-55mm and on my Canon 100mm f/2

[TMR Design]

HI Wilt,

Yup, I own some of those caps. That's why I was recommending them but I also decided to give the Tamron's a try and compare them.

[Wilt]

HI Wilt,

Yup, I own some of those caps. That's why I was recommending them but I also decided to give the Tamron's a try and compare them.

I own some Tamron lenses, too, so I know what those are like. Virtually the same, the Tamrons and the 'design for Canon' caps.

[TMR Design]

Thanks for that Wilt. From what some were saying they made it sound as if build or design was better with the Tamron's and I don't have any of those to compare. I suppose some people just don't like the 'Design for Canon'. It doesn't bother me a bit.

[Wilt]

Directly comparing the Tamron and the 'design for Canon' caps at home, there really does not seem to be a significant difference! As for reports of the eBay cap rubbing a front element of a lens, there does not appear to be an obvious difference there, either.

[Double Negative]

Then I guess Tamron doesn't build their caps like they used to. When I compared a real Tamron cap to one of the knock-offs, the Tamron was clearly better.

<shrug/>

[Wilt]

Then I guess Tamron doesn't build their caps like they used to. When I compared a real Tamron cap to one of the knock-offs, the Tamron was clearly better.

<shrug/>

Have you considered that there is quite a range in quality of knock-off products?!

[Double Negative]

Have you considered that there is quite a range in quality of knock-off products?!

That's possible also... I believe my current knock-offs are actually "Dot Line" but I don't remember.

[Stefano7]

I know this is an old thread and as some have noted a lot of talk about an insignificant subject in their opinion. However, we all use lens caps every day and, yes, there is a better mousetrap! Pinch type lenscaps are WAY more easy to use than the standard Canon cheapie lenscaps, especially with hood mounted. Note to Canon: get a clue!

After having taken delivery of the "Canon" lenscaps from HvStar, and compared them to the Tamron pinch-type caps, the Tamron's are much better. Again, I haven't used the Nikon caps, but the Tamron caps are well built and easy to use. They have my vote! Yes, they are $8.95 ea. at B&H vs the $1.85 at HvStar, but the Tamron quality supports the price difference.