E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I have a conspiricy theory to offer.

When there is too much peace on the forum, like now when there are three religious holidays (perhaps holey-days to some) coincide. and the level of angst diminishes on the site, an algorithm kicks in under a fictitious member's name and starts a thread on the usually combative content, filters, post-process vs SOOTC, etc and the click-bait flourishes again.

I mean lens caps? Please give me strength! If you have this incredible precision-made protection filter, why the heck do you need a FRONT lens cap? A REAR lens cap makes sense when the lens is off the camera to protect all the contacts and mechanics at the back of the lens, as well as the glass. OK, I get it- the super-optically engineered expensive protection filter needs to be protected.

Perhaps I should start a thread about lens caps. I have several, now unidentified and orphaned old lens caps. One is big enough to serve as an ashtray- but I don't smoke. One is large enough to serve as a skull cap but my head is not flat enough- yet! I might frame the one that is emblazoned with the Linhof logo in what looks like gold leaf and red foil hot stamping- very decorative.

Also, I'm curious- there are so many, horror stories, on this forum, about damaged gear. What are some of y'all doing with your stuff, engaging in some kid mortal combat using your camera as bludgeons? After all, it is precision optical, mechanical and electronic gear, not a firearm made of gunmetal!

I wonder if there is optical grade Lexan, so we can literally have bulletproof protection filters. Or why not enclose enter camera and lens in sealed Lexan cases using a remote app on your cellphone to make the settings. Maybe nix all these light-weight flimsy metals and carbon fibres and make the bodies and barrels out of armour grade laminated steel or boilerplate. I remember handling a military issue Speed Graphic- it was made out of the same wood and delicate stuff as a civilian version except it was painted Olive, Drab and had a Mil. Spec. additional serial number on the nameplate. Not ruggedized- just painted!

Happy holidays!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I admit that I am sometimes kinda casual about handling my cameras. I got pro versions so I feel they can take abuse to some extent.

But I have never damaged a lens.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Ken Rockwell puts a filter on all his lenses. I can't believe the number of people who profess to be 0.3% more knowledgeable of photography than Ken Rockwell.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I disagree with your assessment. I gave my opinion on which filters I would use if I needed a protective filter. If I was shooting in a harsh welding, chemical fume, or IR or UV lighting environment, I would use an appropriate clear filter. But my lenses are already rated weatherproof and protected from salt spray, rain, snow, dust, and the like. Therefore my filters are for polarization and neutral density. But my lenses and filters need protection from the physical forces of life's bumps. Hence, the use of the lens hood. Based on my 47 years of no front element damage, including all the damage to my lens hoods, I would say that is pretty good. Especially since this subject of "protective filters" comes up often on UHH. 47 years of damaged lens hoods (no lens damage) - versus how many time the subject has come up? Pointless essay?

User ID

Possibly your two cents worth was intended for some other thread ?

User ID

Never said that. You misquote. Read what is written before posting a reply.

tgreenhaw

You caught me! You are the first to notice that I'm really Mr. Roboto. Domo Arigato :-)

JhnMhn

“I'm curious- there are so many, horror stories, on this forum, about damaged gear. What are some of y'all doing with your stuff, engaging in some kid mortal combat using your camera as bludgeons? After all, it is precision optical, mechanical and electronic gear, not a firearm made of gunmetal! “

Over the last few decades I have taken my cameras & lenses: on open water kayak crossings from Minnesota’s N. Shore to Isle Royale and circumnavigated it, 5 times, camera and lens frequently pulled out of cockpit to photograph rough water; hiked the Tongoriro Crossing and numerous other wild areas in New Zealand, always with a camera & lens carried at the ready; frequently portaged canoes in wilderness areas with camera & lens strapped to my chest, with branches not infrequently hitting my chest and equipment; etc., etc. I continue to make my living doing this type of photography. I don’t mean this to be rude, but stuff happens, and many of us do things outside of normal experiences…inability to imagine it doesn’t stop it from happening.

gwilliams6

gwilliams6

Professionally your questionable statistics mean nothing. (what is your independent source?)

In reality, in my 48 years as a professional photojournalist, the filters have sacrificed themselves and saved my lens' front elements from intrusion damage time and again, in all situations, all around the world. And yes, I also had lens hoods attached. Lens hoods dont stop intrusions directly into the lens, never have, never will.

And protective filters will keep nicks and scratches off your front element. The first thing I do when buying any lens is to put on a protective filter . And then if I ever sell or trade that lens, it has a pristine front element , and that translates into greater value I get for that lens.

I only use top optical quality filters like from B+W (Schneider Optical) and others, and I don't lose image quality.

Cheers

https://www.facebook.com/GSWilliamsPhotography

Bill_de Loc: US

I have been waiting for your lens cap thread for a long time!

Hope your holidays are nothing but good.


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Pepsiman Loc: New York City

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Of course, stuff happens, especially in your line of work. I hope you realize that my comments are kinda "ttoung in cheek" and did not mean to be nasty in any way.

I too will admit that most of my gears in no longer saleable at the end of its serviceable life In certain aspects of my work it is exposed to, shall we say, less the good environmental conditions. I use my stuff 'till it nearly disintegrates and then replaces it.

In my younger day, I served 2 tours in Vietnam- it was not a vacation or a recreational trip. I used a lot of specialized and ruggedized photographic equipment for aerial surveillance, etc., but my documentation kit was a Leica M-3 and 3 lenses. What did not happen to that camera was a shot list. I dragged it through the jungle, swamp, and its life ended with a ricochet bullet wound that would have wounded me- long story. Funny thing, I never scratched the lens. Well- it would have been a more exciting and enlightening experience if all those pesky unfriendly folks were not shooting at us or attempting to blow us up. Some fols are so inhospitable and have terrible manners!

When I came "back to the word" I took a job shootg for a newspaper up here in Canada. It's
usually peaceful here but I came just in time for some political upheaval and got to cover many riots, violent demonstrations, and deliberately set fires. As Mr. Williams here, can attest, that is kinda hard on the gear and those old "skylight" filters did save some of my glass. The only thing left unprotected was my head. I should have swiped my combat helmet and taken it home- seems the government takes a dim view of that!

The truly funny stores I sometimes hear are stuff like "the cat knocked my camera off the table" or I dropped my camera into a fish tank- at home"! Folks should be more careful, especially if they are not working in unfavourable or dangerous conditions.

Sorry for my language. I speak bad English, a bit of French, NY street Spanish, and fluent Yiddish, but my secret weapon is sarcasm- it's my coping mechanism in today's turbulent world.

Kindes regards!

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Thank you . It's in the works. I first have to gather all the different types and sizes, threads, snap-on, push-on, antique models lined with velveteen, and collectable logos. Perhaps, how to dispose of unwanted lens caps in an environmentally friendly way. One can't just indiscriminately throw stuff in the garbage anymore. We have t spec bins for compostable, fibre, plastics, cans, bottles and jars, and maybe LENS CAPS!

JhnMhn