Protection for Canon Lenses

[mollymawk]

I have a query that I hope members can help with. I have a number of Canon lenses the biggest of which is a 400mm f/5.6. I have used this for some 12,000 exposures over 3 years and it is still in very reasonable shape with only tiny scratches and nicks in the paintwork. I am just about to take delivery of a 500mm f/4 and while I am as confident of the build quality as I am of the 400mm, it is quite a large and valuable object to have waving about the environment. I am keen to protect the two lenses and to make them blend into the background. I also want to avoid drawing too much attention to the equipment. I have been looking at the options for protection and have lighted upon two:

1. Lenscoat
2. Wildlife Watching Supplies neoprene covers

To avoid attention, I'll probably go for black whichever one I choose. I am aware of other items (also produced by WWS and by member BF Claymore) but these seem only to offer rain protection and camoflague.

Do members have any views about the physical protection afforded, their ease and quality of fit and of their longevity and practicality? Once fitted do they stay put or do they need constant adjustment. Do the edges fray? Can you still gain access to all of the controls?

I'd be interested in and grateful for any views particularly from anyone who has practical experience of either product.

[Highcountry]

Hi Molly. I have the 500mm and I use a camo lenscoat on it. Good luck with the "too much attention" thing. LOL The lenscoat does provide some protection from bumps, scrapes, etc. And when it flips over on the tripod and smacks it. I have been satisfied with my lenscoat. The 500mm is weather-sealed on a 1D pro body.

Have fun - - John

[Roy C]

Hi Molly, I have the Wildlifewatching neoprene cover set for the 400/5.6. The set consist of 5 pieces, 1 for the hood, 2 for the different barrel diameters, 1 for the tripod ring area and 1 for the area that is exposed when you have the hood up (this piece is easily removable because it has a velcro seam as it needs to be removed when the hood is retracted into the body). The neoprene is quite thick and gives good protection against knocks and bumps. All the pieces fit well apart from the small piece that covers the tripod ring, I tend to leave this piece off. The controls on the lens are very easy to get at with the neoprene in place. BTW you also get two pieces for the Canon tc's 1.4x and 2x.

I have had them fitted for about a year now and so far there has been no problems with the edges fraying .... As far as I know this set is not waterproof but I am not sure. I dont know about the 500/4 but the covers work well for the 400/5.6 and I am satisfied with them.

Lucky you getting the 500/4 :t:

[David Smith]

I have also been looking into this for my 500f4.

Can someone who has a lense cover advise on this question.....................:-

Without a protection cover on, (for carrying) the lense hood fits on the lense in 'reverse position'-this allows it all to fit in the Tamrac I have. However-with the neoprene protection on will the hood still fit on in reverse ?

I have tried making a cover and -although it works-the hood will not fit in reverse as it is too snug. I wonder if the professional ones work better.

[hampers]

Molly
I have the same covers as Roy for my 400mm f5.6 and am happy with them. Enough thickness to give basic protection and covers the shiny white!

Phil

[mike nesbitt]

I have also been looking into this for my 500f4.

Can someone who has a lense cover advise on this question.....................:-

Without a protection cover on, (for carrying) the lense hood fits on the lense in 'reverse position'-this allows it all to fit in the Tamrac I have. However-with the neoprene protection on will the hood still fit on in reverse ?

I have tried making a cover and -although it works-the hood will not fit in reverse as it is too snug. I wonder if the professional ones work better.

David.
The lens hood will fit in reverse with a neoprene cover on, I fitted them to both my lenses about a year ago. After reading this thread I peeled them back to have a butchers and the lens is pristine underneath.
Mike.

[postcardcv]

Without a protection cover on, (for carrying) the lense hood fits on the lense in 'reverse position'-this allows it all to fit in the Tamrac I have. However-with the neoprene protection on will the hood still fit on in reverse ?

I have a 500 f4 with a Lenscoat on, the hood reverses without a problem, also the lens cover still fits on for when packing into the bag.

[obrot]

Mollymawk

I too have a 500/4 and have the Lenscoat on which covers all of the lens and with separates for my 1.4/2x TCs. I have had mine on for over two years and it provides great protection for the lens which is in pristine condition. My 500/4 is attached to a 1D MKIIn whilst others of this thread have suggested that this combo is "weatherproof" I don't know what that means but I do know that water and electronics do not mix. The Lenscoat whilst offering protection for minoir bumps etc it is not waterproof. So I also carry in my coat one of these, the C40.3R which is a dual layer Waterproof/camo lens cover which enables me to protect both the camera and the lens from the rain. It is long enough to cover the camera + lens + TC

http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/lens.htm

[Jaff]

I've just converted my old Skua S.O.C from my Kowa TSN 824 scope into a green, padded and waterproof lens cover! Had to cut away the back of it and now my lens just slots right in, even got a bit of to cover the camera from showers (but it's not much). The one real problem is I can only zoom back as far as 300mm but otherwise I'm pretty pleased, especially as I can now carry my camera + lens over my shoulder.

Obviously it won't work for anything as big as the the 500mm but perhaps a variety of scope SOC's (straight ones only though) may be able to accomodate lenses like your 400mm prime and so on. That's just me though, you're probably far better off going for something proper.

[StuartReeves]

A black cover would have the added advantage of making your lenses look more like Nikons...

[Andrew]

A neon pink cover might surprise the birds long enough to get the shot in the bag? ;)

Seriously, I have a Wildlife Watching Supplies cover for the 400mm f5.6 and it is grand apart from the tripod ring cover. I see that RoyC says he leaves it off. I intend to ask WWS to make me a tripod ring cover to my design though and I am sure he will accomodate any specific requirements if asked. His base is very near Tiverton where I live and he was very friendly when I met him.

[mollymawk]

Although it hasn't provided me with enough to make a final decision, I am inclined to go for the WWS - partly because they're based nearby.

True to form, Stuart's post was of little value. I think he's jealous.