Latex in zoom and focus rings?

I am one of those people who get contact dermatitis from latex. It is a common allergy, and I get blisters from latex rubber.

Unfortunately, I get this dermatitis reaction from the kit lens (18-55IS). I like the lens, but not the dermatitis. It is worse from a Sigma 70-300 DG macro my daughter got me.
I have not had any problem with the Sigma 50MM EX macro for my Canon XS.

I contacted Canon to try to find out if any of their lenses use Latex rubber, but I didn't get a clear answer by email, or by phone with tech support. I would hate to spend lots of money and then not want to use a lens. I'd like to buy some more Canon lenses, but not if they use Latex in their rings.

I haven't had any response from Sigma or Tamron to this same inquiry. Tokina said that they use a Nitrile rubber compound in all of their lenses. I have no problems with Nitrile - it is fine.

Does anyone know if all Canon lenses, or just some of them use Latex rubber - or if any of them have latex in the compound? Allergies can be hard to figure out.

Were I you, I would tackle this from a different angle.

Get someone (or do it yourself while wearing something protective) to cut the rubber off of the lenses. You will be left with plastic or metal.. onto which you can put another cover if you so desire.

I don't recall if most or all are also glued on, but a slice down the middle should get you started.
If it's glued then it may take a little extra effort, (thus maybe you would need a friend to tackle the job to prevent you from inhaling the stuff as it's scraped off))

Once removed, you could replace with any number of things.. including some self adhesive fabric backed stuff.

Have you considered a lightweight glove, perhaps?

(Sorry I have no idea on the rubber properties of lenses)

I'm really not sure..

It does strike me as very weird Canon cant tell you..Same with Sigma.... Very disappointing!

Second on CDS's suggestion however...Coat it in something really awesome and be sure to show us all!

Tamron said that they would get back to me, once they found out the answer to this question.

I think that the people at the customer service emails don't know much about technical things - The guy at Tokina emailed Japan. The Tamron contact forwarded my email. I hope that Canon can tell me - someone there must know.

I considered gloves, but I think that this would make it difficult to get good control of the shutter button and the small controls.

I am going to try to figure out how to cover the rubber zoom ring on the kit lens with something. I wouldn't try to cut the rubber rings - it would be too easy to damage the lens.

I hoped that someone from Canon would read this post and reply.

I certainly would not expect customer service to know the chemical composition of the rubber. But I'd also not expect them to be latex...although I have no way to know for sure.

The rings are not usually glued on most lenses and can often just be tugged off. If they are glued, you can merely slice it in one place across the band and peel it off. If you ever want to sell it, just buy another from service and slide it back on.

I know for a fact Tamron does not glue on their rings--you can just pull them off. Those silicon wristbands sold for various charity groups will fit in their place. I'm using a Tamron 17-35 that I did exactly that to.

I'd cut that sucker off and see what's underneath. I agree with the others, it's probably just plastic/metal. Ask Canon if they can tell you what's under there. Weird that one Sigma bothers you while another doesn't.

Just spit-balling an idea here; what about the plastidip coating? Cover the lens cap and tie some string around the "seams" at the zoom and focus ring. Just spit-balling, but it might work?

dan

dan j wrote in post #8382687
I'd cut that sucker off and see what's underneath. I agree with the others, it's probably just plastic/metal. Ask Canon if they can tell you what's under there. Weird that one Sigma bothers you while another doesn't.

Just spit-balling an idea here; what about the plastidip coating? Cover the lens cap and tie some string around the "seams" at the zoom and focus ring. Just spit-balling, but it might work?

dan

Duct tape over the rubber?

yeah, but you have to spray paint it black

dan

Or, just go to the craft store and buy a bottle of clear acrylic paint and paint over the ring. Nail polish would also work and has the advantage of being easily removable, but it is more brittle than acrylic.

The Sigma that doesn't bother me is a more expensive, EX finished lens. They must use different material for the focus ring.

Will acrylic finishes adhere to rubber? I didn't think that anything did, but you never know.
I was considering looking for wrist bands, or some version of a stretchy velcro.

Maybe just a wrap of gaffers tape, or something similar, around the ring?

dan j wrote in post #8382919
yeah, but you have to spray paint it black

dan

No...use white duct tape

White or RED!

Black paint with a red strip

Ok, seriously, good luck artyH.

dan

Doubt that the lens grips themselves are made of lightly processed latex, but could be a cross contamination effect from manufacturing if your allergy is sensitive enough.