50mm 1.4 Hood & Lens Cap Question

i use a filter always and a hood occasionally. when i am using a hood i never use a dustcap. there really is no need to.

ed rader

I've got a technique that works for me at least. I basically use one finger to secure the cap. I put the cap in at an angle, so one side catches. Then I only have to depress one of the clips to get it in...hope that make sense, it's kinda tough for me to explain it!

I actually tried using a bit of elactrical tape to make a tab in the center of the cap, but the cap that came with the flter has too much suction so the tape just pulled off. I think the center pinch is the way to go, but I have a thin filter with no threads so a pinch style won't attach. Guess I'll have to get a different filter or just go without. Thanks for your ideas and links.

Just wondering if the lens hood in question is Canon's ES-71 II hood? I strongly feel the same way as SkipD regarding filters.

Yep, that's the hood

If I ran the world all lens caps would be the first useless things up against the wall. Especially the ones tethered to the camera straps (cringe). Very Trainspotter.

Hoods yes, some filters yes (works better than a cap anyway), but lens caps are dork city.

So what protects your lens while you're lugging it around in your camera bag?

A loose fit microfibre bag, can double as a lens wipe. For a while I used the little muslin type bag the bodies come wrapped in.

I always put a lens cap on the lens for storage (NO filters mounted). If it can be done with the hood mounted, that's the way I do it. With my 70-200 f/2.8L, I have to reverse the hood to get it to fit into my case. After reversing the hood I put a lens cap on for the trip into the case.

I don't use filters for protection, and the lens cap is more then adequate if you're travelling with them in your bag. I really can't see the point in spending hundreds or thousands of pounds on glass and then go sticking a filter on the front of them-unless it is for polarizing ect or you're in really harsh desert like conditions and lets face it,most people won't be. Not the first time that i've posted this link and it wont be the last but i agree 100% with it http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/​sm-feb-05.shtml

Try epoxying or supergluing a piece of string onto the cap.

the lens cap when it's in the bag. the filter and hood when it's on the camera. if you are already using a filter and hood why would you need a lens cap....to protect the filter from dust?

ed rader

Rcanzo,

I have the same lens and hood. I bagged the filter after reading the threads on it, but I respect your decision. Here's your answer to what to do when it's in your camera bag.

Reverse the hood. When my lens comes off the camera, I remove the hood, then replace it backwards. . .it is designed to do this, that's how it works, then you can get the lens cap on no problem, with or without the filter, the hood is out of the way.

I take the lens out of the camera bag, remove the backwards hood, remove the cap, put the hood on the 'right' way. Piece of cake!

It pays to be careful with your glass but the hood will protect the lens against a knock. With the filter off your lens quality will be truer. Best of both worlds I suggest!

Here's what I'm talking about. The hood is reversed and the cap is as easy to get on/off and no hood. If you are going to stick with your decision to leave the filter on when the hood is on for shooting, it's kind of ridiculous to worry about getting the lens cap back in there. But this is how I'd arrange it to store in my camera bag again.

John

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