Lens Storage

[Giant]

Hi All,

Well, this is perhaps an unusual question. But which way do you store your lenses?

I ask that because when I got my Sigma 170-500 it came in a nice Sigma carry case with the lens side facing down if you know what I mean. So the actual connector interface was up and and front end was facing down.

So is that normal? I would think that it would be better if the front end would be facing up.

Does it depend on the lens? How do you store your lenses? On their side perhaps?

Cheers for now,
Brian

[steven]

I store all mine front element down.
No real reason just that is usually the larger of the two.
Can't think of any advantage either way both ends have glass, both ends have hard plastic cover.

Of the two lenses that have covers that have orientation they both have the front element down.

[pcasciola]

You know, I never really though about it before, but I store all my short lenses with the front element up, except my 300/4L which only fits sideway in the backpack. I guess just from seeing all the bags and backpacks advertised this way it just seemed like the right way. :)

[iwatkins]

I think we have done this before and the general consensus was to have them front element downwards. Something about less expensive bits at the front (usually no electronics).

Actually, might have been something about letting residual light drain out. :)

[Giant]

Why I ask, is because surely the mechanisisms would be safer if it were to stand on its back end. Simply because on that end no parts would be affected by movement or strain by gravity.

[pierrot]

Actually, might have been something about letting residual light drain out.
I fully second that. The most important is to let all the flare pour out. It takes quite longer with zooms, because they have many more lenses than primes. Also, multicoating is a factor which reduces the draining speed.
Do not forget to plug the hood in the reverse position, for the same reasons.
Additionally, a simple UV filter will be useful in acting as a cup, avoiding disgraceful light spots and bleaching of the expensive lens pouch bottom. :mrgreen:

[Jon]

Separate lens case never, always in the camera bag. Lens front down, always. That way if I'm working in a hurry, I won't inadvertently set the lens down on the un-capped contacts. The front, with or without a hood, is better protected. Also with the rear elements up, I can pop the rear lens cap before picking up the lens, helping save a hand in lens changes (cap off, dismount and hold old lens in one hand, pick up new lens and mount using other hand, old lens back into bag where new lens was, cap on).

[RJSorensen]

The weight load per square inch/mm is distributed better across the exterior of the lens end. The cap end is smaller in almost all cases. This keeps the pressure that gravity exerts spread and limits the 'jolt' in the event said lens is dropped in the case. The shock value of a smaller inch/mm end cap is greater in transfer than the larger lens end, if dropped or sat down hard. Even though the padding is the same thickness across the entire surface . . . there is much more surface protecting the lens on the big end.

[etaf]

all mine front element down - in a camera bag - simply because when I take the lens its right for me to put straight onto a camera.

[C.S.I.]

Elements down, just for weight distribution and the ability to just pull them out of the bag and onto the camera a little quicker.......


Just a scary sidebar......My 87lb shepherd was so happy to see me when I came home the other night, that he proceeded to grab my camera bag and flip it into the air like a chew toy (with all items listed below within).....last time I leave the case on the sofa :(

[Chazs]

On some of my older Olympus lenses there is a built in sun shade on the longer telephotos. These are stored top element up in their storage tube. Everytime I grab one the shade slides up, pops the lens cap off, and aarrgh. Mount-up storage would certainly stop this.

[CoolToolGuy]

As long as you have (the correct) caps on both ends it really doesn't matter. I keep mine in individual lens pouches tagged with the size of the lens so I can grab it and stuff it into the bag I am using that day. I tend to store them front down, as it makes it easier and faster to switch lenses. In the course of a day of shooting I may not keep them in the pouch, just in the bag, but they return to the pouch at the end of the day (or end of the shoot).

Have Fun,

[Andy_T]

Most likely the mundane reason for storing the lenses front element down is that the front elements are larger and heavier than the rear elements, and thus the center of gravity is more to the front end.

But I like the 'letting the residual light drain out' theory :lol:

Best regards,
Andy