Rear lens caps

When changing lenses outdoors, it would be a great help to have some way of protecting the rear element of the removed lens from grime and damage.

I've been trying to locate a rear lens cap for a 135 mm Graphex. I expect one will also be needed for a 90 mm Graphex which is in shipment.

A general web search, including Ebay, has not helped.

Any suggestions? The outside diameter of the rear lens element on the 135 mm lens is 32 mm.

Quote:

On 2006-04-10 14:08, dubent wrote: Rear lens caps When changing lenses outdoors, it would be a great help to have some way of protecting the rear element of the removed lens from grime and damage. I've been trying to locate a rear lens cap for a 135 mm Graphex. I expect one will also be needed for a 90 mm Graphex which is in shipment. A general web search, including Ebay, has not helped. Any suggestions? The outside diameter of the rear lens element on the 135 mm lens is 32 mm.

I b'lieve that if you check B&H's site you'll find that they sell slip-on caps in many metric sizes. You'll also find that they're not dirt cheap.

I deal with the problem by keeping and carrying most of my lenses in plastic food storage containers, mainly Rubbermaid or Martha Stewart brand. The lens on its board is suspended on foam, front element protected by a normal ordinary lens cap, rear element protected by a lid from a medicine bottle.

Big exceptions are a huge, relatively, telephoto (covers 4x5), that I keep in a lens wrap with no rear cap and a short lens of nothing at all that has a pair of custom caps from SKGrimes. Also a Nikon process lens with bulbous front and rear elements, both protected by the caps Nikon included with the lens.

Beware, SKGrimes caps are very nice but make the ones B&H sells look inexpensive.

BTW, Graphex is a shutter brand, not a lens name.

I'll 2nd the food storage containers, Sandwich size. These carry most standard lenses mounted on Pacemaker boards well. I use cheapo ones for home storage and keep a few of the higher end units for travel as they stay closed better, stack and so forth. I like to use a soft wrap around the lens and then the small size bubble wrap to keep the thing from rattling around in the container on the road etc... I found that rear caps become pretty much more of a pain than useful as long as the glass is set in from the outer ring. I got a couple from B&H as suggested above for storage and travel, but once out shooting they get stashed away so I do not loose them. Now I do not know anyone elses experience, but I got kinda tired of having to remove the lens standard a second time because I forget to remove the rear cap. The food container also makes a nice place to set the lens down that is not in use, and or the lide when changing. I have never had a dirt or dust problem so long as I don't stick them in a pocket, perhaps the worst lint trap known to man...

Thanks for the great suggestions.

Never thought of using food containers. Time to do some shopping.

I already use a Bag Balm can to store a lens shade and filter mount.

I searched the B&H website, but found only lens caps by make and model of camera, not by specific size. I must have missed something there, so will try again.

Thanks again.

You *did* remove the Bag Balm first, I hope! Now that's some heavy-duty stuff there.