Camouflage covers for big lens: I am looking to buy a camouflage cover for my Canon 400mm f2.8 mk 11. All my research to date shows up expensive pricing. The best i found so far is...

brianmen Loc: Sydney Australia

I am looking to buy a camouflage cover for my Canon 400mm f2.8 mk 11. All my research to date shows up expensive pricing. The best i found so far is $US99. Does anyone know of a site where the pricing is more attractive please? I want the type where you get different small covers for the various lens segments. Thanks for your help.

amehta Loc: Boston

brianmen wrote:

I am looking to buy a camouflage cover for my Canon 400mm f2.8 mk 11. All my research to date shows up expensive pricing. The best i found so far is $US99. Does anyone know of a site where the pricing is more attractive please? I want the type where you get different small covers for the various lens segments. Thanks for your help.

The brand I am most familiar with, LensCoat, is in the $100 range as you said.

I think the price is that high for two reasons: not many guys have the lens and will want the cover, and those guys just spent around $10k for the lens, so another $100 for the cover is just 1%.

brianmen Loc: Sydney Australia

Thanks for your thoughts. Thats the company I identified. I guess it seems cheap to quibble over $100 when i've spent $10K but I always look for value and these seem overpriced for what they are. Maybe as you suggest it comes down to small quantities so the bulk producers don't get involved. Without strong competition they can charge what they can get away with. I appreciate your input.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Why are you not considered making your own? After all camouflage needs to adapt to different terrain and break the regular lines of an object.

The military use different paint for different terrains and in addition create 'on the spot' modification...

brianmen Loc: Sydney Australia

Thank you. I have located a source of the neoprene material and it seems relatively straight forward but was hoping to find something reasonable ready made. I appreciate your input.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I would make it yourself. It is very easy.

It can be as simple as strips of burlap with some greens and black paint tastefully dusted on it and the strips wrapped about the lens/equipment you want to cover.

To a full blown Gillie suit for your gear.

Then add a bit of the location foliage to the wrap and disappear...

I don't know if you have Ace bandages down there or not, but they make a great base for camo wrap as well.

The idea is to break up the shape of what you want to camo.

brianmen Loc: Sydney Australia

Thanks for the info. I am beginning to get the drift now.....break the shape.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

brianmen wrote:

Thanks for the info. I am beginning to get the drift now.....break the shape.

Exactly. And it could be a throw of netting material to hide you from your subjects.
You just need to confuse the shape of the human body and what it is holding. But the coloration is better if it blends in with the area around.
Your aim is to appear to be an extension of the foliage you are in front of. Or a pile of brush.
Anything but a human shape holding something.

brianmen Loc: Sydney Australia

beaudy. Sounds good. Thanks.

mongoose777 Loc: Frisco Texas

Ive seen many out there and they are all about the same price.
Im currently waiting for a dual reverse one that will fit a 200-400 or 400 2.8 lens.
The one I want is a brighter solid off white in color, like a snow season type and a reversible to a solid black.
I don't really care for the hunter type wildlife ones out there so far.
They are tacky IMO.

brianmen Loc: Sydney Australia

Thanks. I can normally find good value somewhere but with this product i have found the same as you. They are all around the same price.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

amehta wrote:

The brand I am most familiar with, LensCoat, is in the $100 range as you said.

I think the price is that high for two reasons: not many guys have the lens and will want the cover, and those guys just spent around $10k for the lens, so another $100 for the cover is just 1%.

I felt that way and got that brand for my 150-500 Sig. I put it on,took it off and returned it. Not enough value for my $$!

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

brianmen wrote:

I am looking to buy a camouflage cover for my Canon 400mm f2.8 mk 11. All my research to date shows up expensive pricing. The best i found so far is $US99. Does anyone know of a site where the pricing is more attractive please? I want the type where you get different small covers for the various lens segments. Thanks for your help.

You buy one of the "Great lenses of the world" and you want to dress it in rags. For shame!!! Take a "selfie" and look at yourself, do you wear cheap clothes? :lol: :lol: :lol: Cheapness in photography can be spotted "across the field". This lens does not warrant cheapness! :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Spending a lot of money doesn't necessarily make a so-so product better than what it is!

Haydon

If you're going to be dragging a big white through the bush, protecting the finish from brambles, tree limbs and such against scratches could be considered protecting your investment.

An additional benefit can be found in reducing the number of humans noticing the long lens. You will be surprised how much interest that will come your way with a long lens.

Also, there might be times when you want to rest your lens on a car hood to make a quick shot. Guaranteed, without protection, your car and lens will get scuffed.

Value is subjective admittedly but my 500F4 still is pristine.