DIY Lenscoat for a Canon 500mm f/4 II ??

Just wondering if any of you could recommend a supplier for some neoprene RealTree camo fabric. I am tempted to purchase a lenscoat for the 500/4, but it is a bit pricey. Sure, the lens is pricey, too, but if I can do the job for less, why not?

In the past I have covered lenses in a neoprene camo fabric that was adhesive on one side. However, I don't want to leave a residue should I ever decide to remove it. That said, I also do not know how to sew, so perhaps using some sort of contact cement at the seams might work?

And then there is the problem of the clear plastic window over the AF/IS controls. Any DIY solutions to that problem?

Again, I am tempted to just buy the lenscoat, but I figured I'd wait to see what you all may come up with!

I would say it's worth trying,. but only if you sew it. I simply cant imagine any other solution working.

I don't know how to make it look good, but maybe glue Velcro on?

Wow. I really like that idea! I think there are some velcros with adhesive on one side, so I wouldn't need to glue anything. And since it is velcro, it would be so easy to remove and re-install.

I like the velcro idea too.

However having worked with the self adhesive variety quite a bit, I think you'd be back to sewing to get it to actually work/last/hold more than a few days.

FWIW, I ended up getting one of these that I carry around in my bag for the occasions that I feel like cloaking. They're stretchy. I tend to gravitate to multipurpose tools instead of specialty. I can slip it over any of my lenses, bunch it up, pull it up over the camera, use it as an actual neck warmer, its super packable and its cheap. Some day I might go as far as to cut and stitch it to fit a little closer to the lens, but for now it works well enough for me. I usually carry some velcro straps in the bag that I've used to help secure it to the lens a little tighter. Its not the prettiest solution but it works for me!

-JW

edomtset wrote in post #18092722
FWIW, I ended up getting one of these that I carry around in my bag for the occasions that I feel like cloaking. They're stretchy. I tend to gravitate to multipurpose tools instead of specialty. I can slip it over any of my lenses, bunch it up, pull it up over the camera, use it as an actual neck warmer, its super packable and its cheap. Some day I might go as far as to cut and stitch it to fit a little closer to the lens, but for now it works well enough for me. I usually carry some velcro straps in the bag that I've used to help secure it to the lens a little tighter. Its not the prettiest solution but it works for me!

-JW

I do similar to this.

I use a large size Vortex Storm Jacket in camo. Not only does it conceal the lens and covers my 600mm and 300mm with one jacket, it also protects from the weather and rain and has a velcro hole for the tripod mount, etc. It was $40.

Very best,

There have been several discussions of this on the FM boards, I'll post a link if I have a chance to dig one of them up later but you should be able to search them. Quite a few people have used the neoprene cement without sewing and had zero issues.

One thing to look for is that a lot of the neoprene suppliers sell neoprene with fabric on both sides, black on one and another color or pattern on the other. This is a problem because you really need the bare neoprene to grip the lens. You could buy plain neoprene and use fabric cement to attach whatever fabric you want to one side of it though.

Also, most people that have made their own just leave empty cutouts where LensCoat uses the plastic windows, it's easier to use the controls that way anyway.

Dear Birder-helper,

Find a friend who has an old pair of neoprene camouflage fishing waters that they don't need anymore and commence to cutting and fastening.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Would this work? Cut to fit and stretch on.

https://sleefs.com …nosto=productpa​ge-nosto-2

3jc wrote in post #18093938
Would this work? Cut to fit and stretch on.

https://sleefs.com …nosto=productpa​ge-nosto-2

They work great on a 100-400L or 28-300L but doubt they would stretch enough to fit a 500 f/4.

Photo from C Scott IV's gallery.

I made my own for my sigma 150-600 from an old wetsuit and a camo tee shirt. I cut sections from the arms and legs to fit the right diameter sections, carpet spray glued the camo tee to the neoprene and stitched the edges. I also made a wrap around for the zoom section. I don't use the zoom as its always at 600mm. If I do need to I just remove it its just velcro

Made this cover too from leftover tee shirt

edomtset wrote in post #18092722
FWIW, I ended up getting one of these that I carry around in my bag for the occasions that I feel like cloaking. They're stretchy. I tend to gravitate to multipurpose tools instead of specialty. I can slip it over any of my lenses, bunch it up, pull it up over the camera, use it as an actual neck warmer, its super packable and its cheap. Some day I might go as far as to cut and stitch it to fit a little closer to the lens, but for now it works well enough for me. I usually carry some velcro straps in the bag that I've used to help secure it to the lens a little tighter. Its not the prettiest solution but it works for me!

-JW

Nice!

great idea!