Hi all,

I also remember reading the thread not so long ago about the poor fitting and soft plastic of a lens cap on a Rodenstock lens, causing damage to the front element. This happened to me also, some years ago after a rough outback trip when the lens cap rubbed on the front element damaging the multi-coating.

As we were getting a bit off subject on the other thread, I thought comments on the lens caps we use and how to protect our lenses may be of interest.

I use the provided lens caps but also now keep a filter in place to protect the front element. I also keep anything that could contact the front or rear elements well away from the lens. This is easy when travelling in a vehicle and the lenses are in a hard case but more difficult when backpacking.

The Japanese lens caps seem to be stronger and better designed. I have just recently purchased a new Fujinon 135mm 5.6 CMW lens and one of the first things that impressed me with this lens was the excellent packaging and presentation.

Compared to the German lenses I have bought, which usually come in a little flimsy cardboard box and cost a lot more, the Fujinon came in a solid, large, cardbord box with plenty of packing to prevent any damage from knocks or rough handling. Inside this outer shell was the lens, cocooned in it's own high-impact plastic, lens box, about 12 x12 x 9 cm. This is a well-designed, smart, gray lens box with a strong clip, which opens up at the top. Inside is a row of slots (5) so that the lens can be stored with it's lensboard attached, out of harms's way and ready for use.

The lens was mounted on it's own "Linhof style" hard plastic lensboard and another lensboard, without a shutter hole, was sitting in front to prevent any damage to the front element and also as a useful cover for the front lens standard when the lens is not on the camera. The lens front & rear caps are also plastic (like the German ones) but are firmer and fit very well, but if the lens is stored in this box for travelling, then worries about the lens elements being damaged would be negated.

We shouldn't have to buy after-market caps because the original one's are not strong enough. This Japanese lens manufacturer has taken the time to design a solid, practical way of protecting a valuable lens - perhaps the European lens makers could take a leaf from their book.

Kind Regards

Peter Brown