replacement lenscaps

**Richard Schlesinger** · 22-Mar-2006, 10:54

I had forgotten about the leather lenscaps, made of wonderful, soft English? leather - it even smelled good! They were a work of art.

**Oren Grad** · 22-Mar-2006, 11:04

I have a big furry-leather cap from Rodenstock, too, and not on an antique - it came on my 480 Sironar-N.

But I have to agree with Kerry. I'm a huge Rodenstock fan, but while the caps on most of the very small diameter Rodenstocks, like my 100 N and 135 S, are fine, the ones on the large lenses are inadequate. My 240 S took a modest spill once that shouldn't have been an issue at all, but the cap emerged totally shredded from its encounter with the ground, and I avoided a catastrophe with the glass only through a hefty dose of luck. Given how expensive all the lenses are now, I'd gladly pay the extra few bucks for a properly robust cap. I know Bob S has responded on this point before, but as the slogan says on another furry-leather cap in my collection - an ancient Wollensak - "LET THE USER JUDGE"! ;-)

So that's definitely something else to watch out for in buying a replacement cap - size isn't everything.

**BrianShaw** · 22-Mar-2006, 12:27

Bob S/Kerry, thanks for the information... I was responding out of my personal experience, not comparative data. But I do appreciate seeing some data!

"The 60mm Rodenstock cap measured 1.9mm thick at the edge. The 60mm Kaiser cap measured 1.42mm at the same point. " (Bob S.)

I don't have Rodenstock caps in this size, but I think the Schneider's (that I do have) are at least 1/2mm thicker also. My Schneider caps 'feel' heavier-weight (more rigid) than my Kaiser caps. Did you also measure thickness at the center of the cap? I'd suspect differences there, too... maybe even greater than 1/2 mm. At least that's how it feels to me when holding between my fingers. Also, is the plastic of the various caps equally rigid?

I doubt that these measurements really matter much unless a lens hits the ground. Personally, I count on a lens cap more for dust protection than shock protection.

Bob, please note that it was not my intention to besmerch the quality of your products. In fact, I just ordered several Kaiser caps from B&H the other day. I could have bought Schneider caps, but they were twice the price of the Kaiser... Bob, you certainly have price on your side!

**Tony Karnezis** · 23-Mar-2006, 17:45

Kerry, the good old days aren't over just yet. Voigtlander 35mm rangefinder lenses (at least the ones I own) come with metal lens hoods and metal, felt-lined, domed lens caps that fit over the hood, not the lens barrel. Very nice indeed. Check out http://cameraquest.com/voigtlen.htm The caps are $20. You can contact Stephen Gandy & find out if any of the caps fit your LF lenses.