JD750 Loc: SoCal

I was on a tour yesterday at the Mt Wilson Observatory, the theme was the history of the observatory, it was very interesting. Anyway, I had my camera with me and I used the opportunity to take some creative shots.

I noticed several other people with "nice" cameras, small DSLRs or DSLRs, even a couple super zooms. I noticed most all had their lens caps attached. They would remove the lens cap, shoot then replace the lens cap. And repeat that drill for the next shot. Some people were even removing and re-mounting their lens hoods for every shot.

There is a much better chance of missing a shot if you have to fuss with the camera before every snap.

I put the lens cap on the lens when it stored, or in a bag, not when it is being used. When I am on a walk-about, or a shoot, anytime I am carrying my camera with the intent to shoot pictures, I put the lens hood on the lens, and I take the lens cap off and leave it off. It is much more convenient. The lens hood will protect the lens. Additional protection can be easily had by mounting a clear or UV filter.

PH CIB

I always just use a UV Filter and never mess with a lens cap,,,,a lot of times I don't use a lens hood but sometimes get flare in my photos,,,,just lazy and not professional I guess but I don't like lens caps or lens hoods....

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I always use a lens hood and only reverse it for storage, not when I'm out shooting. I take the lens cap off and put in in my pocket at the beginning of a shoot and only put it back when I'm done for the day or am taking an extensive break from shooting. Anything other than that is a waste of time and means you're not prepared when an opportunity arises. I also have seen people power off their cameras after almost every shot, presumably due to some mistaken notion that it will save battery life. People are creatures of habit which often has nothing to do with practicality or efficiency. My bother for some odd reason used to put his cell phone in a baggie before putting it in his pocket, presumably to keep it looking like new. Thankfully, he's gotten over that neurotic behavior.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

It a personal choice and as you've indicated, not always a good one.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Exactly! Compulsive behaviors aside, there are also a lot of newer shooters who can benefit from reading your (and mine) posts.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I always use a lens hood as much for its protection as for flare control. I don't bother with a protective filter, but even if I used one I would still use the lens hood - it might end up saving the filter.

le boecere

Exactly!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Dirty, dusty atmosphere?
I take my lens cap off when I start shooting, put it in my pocket, turn the hood around, and the reverse when I'm done.
NEVER for each shot!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

No, dust no dirt, it was clear up there.

Yes, exactly, that is what I hope to convey to the newer photographers.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Lens cap off at a beginning of a shoot, Lens hood on Replace lens cap when I am home

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

if it's raining or extreme dust then play with the lens cap. If not, it's a waste of time. if you use a lens hood, a UV is just one more layer to the sensor.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Like you, I have lens caps for all of my lenses. I went through and got ring/filter adapters for each lens taking the filter/cap size for each to equal the size of my largest lens (77mm diameter). This means that ALL of my lens caps and filters are also 77mm. For my case, I have my 18-24mm Tamron (native 77mm) with its own lens hood, a Nikkor 80-400mm lens (also natively 77mm with its own lens hood) Neither of these lenses needed filter adapters. A Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens (natively a 58mm diameter but use a 58-77mm adapter). I also have a Nikkor 18-70mm zoom which while it is a "discontinued" lens works fine on DX format cameras. It is 67mm so I use a 67-77mm adapter on it. My last lens is a 70-300mm Nikkor with a 72mm diameter for filters. So I purchased filter adapters to take everything to a 77mm size then purchased 77mm lens caps for all. This greatly simplifies purchasing filters meaning that I only need 77mm diameter filters. I have a circular polarizer, a haze filter and various others ALL 77mm. NOTE: I did have haze filters for each in their native sizes, which I used instead of lens caps (which I also had for each lens). This greatly simplifies my inventory of accessories. I can easily take a lens cap off the lens, put on a filter and or hood as needed and shoot. I only need one "77mm screw on lens hood and one of each filter. I do carry the original hoods for my wide-angle lens and my 80-400 but both are easy to store (reversed) on their respective lens. I have all of my filters in a filter pack and don't have to worry about what size goes on which. Also, if I am shopping for filters or other screw on special effects, I don't have to buy one for each diameter lens.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

When I leave the house I leave the lens cap on the dinning room table and reverse my lens hood to the ON position. When I come home I reverse the lens hood, dust the front element with my Giottos rocket blaster, go to the dinning room table and put the lens cap back on. No UV filter, I allow the lens hood to protect my front element. If I am going shooting all day I take my Giottos rocket blaster with me. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/541904-REG/Giottos_AA1903_Rocket_Air_Blower.html?sts=pi

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

I have a different approach. When using anything other than a petal lens hood I will use a lens cap that fits the hood. If I can find a suitable sized Hood Hat by Op/Tech (or similar) I will use this (usually adapted to fit) over a petal hood. It means that lens hoods can be kept on and ready for use all the time (in or out of the camera bag), when out shooting.

dynaquest1 Loc: Austin, Texas

I no longer use UV filters (finally saw the light) for protection and rarely even use a hood unless I know the sun is going to be a problem. Cap off while shooting...back on when done. Carry a small microfiber cloth to wipe the lens each time the cap comes off.