lucky hack
Member
Actually, I'd be suprized if no-one has ever done this, but I'm so excited about this I wanted to share it with you guys...
After a few prototypes I've arrived at a foolproof solution for remembering that the lens cap is STILL on the front of the camera.
Originally I just bolted a red piece of plastic on the lens cap that could be seen through the main viewfinder, but I get so excited and focused (no pun intended) on the subject matter that it still wasn't enough.:bang:
I had to find a way to disable the camera. I realized that if I blocked the focusing portion of the viewfinder with the red plastic, the camera can't focus!(DUH) An unintended effect which is really cool is that the red plastic leaves a red square when you look through the viewfinder. And if I'm still too excited about a particular photo op, the camera not focusing is always enough to make me stop and remember the lens cap is still on.
Yes, I know it looks silly, but I promise you, IT WORKS. When I find just the right material, (ideally a sandwich of black and red plastic so that it doesn't look so obnoxious from the front of the camera) I'm going to make one for my Polaroid 600 SE and even my Yashica Electro GX
hoping this message finds you well -Ian
After a few prototypes I've arrived at a foolproof solution for remembering that the lens cap is STILL on the front of the camera.
Originally I just bolted a red piece of plastic on the lens cap that could be seen through the main viewfinder, but I get so excited and focused (no pun intended) on the subject matter that it still wasn't enough.:bang:
I had to find a way to disable the camera. I realized that if I blocked the focusing portion of the viewfinder with the red plastic, the camera can't focus!(DUH) An unintended effect which is really cool is that the red plastic leaves a red square when you look through the viewfinder. And if I'm still too excited about a particular photo op, the camera not focusing is always enough to make me stop and remember the lens cap is still on.
Yes, I know it looks silly, but I promise you, IT WORKS. When I find just the right material, (ideally a sandwich of black and red plastic so that it doesn't look so obnoxious from the front of the camera) I'm going to make one for my Polaroid 600 SE and even my Yashica Electro GX
hoping this message finds you well -Ian
Attachments
HSI
The Fourth
Or you could just not use a lens cap and invest in a expensive UV filter or an even more expensive lens hood.
(the best way to prevent anything involved with lens caps is to not use one)
(the best way to prevent anything involved with lens caps is to not use one)
lucky hack
Member
absolutely
absolutely
Yeah, you're right. Unfortunately I'm a tad paranoid and messy. I always seem to get crud or dust on my UV filter and I end up having to check & clean it every time I shoot.
I picked the red plastic penut butter lid out of the recycling bin and the screws were 25 cents a piece. Total cost 50 cents & 15 minutes with a drill (cut & pre-drill plastic lid & lens cap) and an allen wrench, which means more $ for developing film
absolutely
Yeah, you're right. Unfortunately I'm a tad paranoid and messy. I always seem to get crud or dust on my UV filter and I end up having to check & clean it every time I shoot.
I picked the red plastic penut butter lid out of the recycling bin and the screws were 25 cents a piece. Total cost 50 cents & 15 minutes with a drill (cut & pre-drill plastic lid & lens cap) and an allen wrench, which means more $ for developing film
ferider
Veteran
It's a good idea, LH . Sometimes, hood/filter or not, a lenscap is a must to avoid shutter holes ....
Roland.
. Sometimes, hood/filter or not, a lenscap is a must to avoid shutter holes ....Roland.
btgc
Veteran
well, this could work...hope no police will suspect you are using some infrared stuff to shoot naked bodies under clothes. Red, unusual looking...ya know, it's seems suspicious.
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
I taped a plastic spoon handle but I had it angled so it was visible in the vf, rather than coloring the patch.
nice idea.
Of course, using the P now - the metal shutter means I don't worry so much about having a cap on to avoid burning a hole in it.
nice idea.
Of course, using the P now - the metal shutter means I don't worry so much about having a cap on to avoid burning a hole in it.
bean_counter
Well-known
for most of my lenses, I simply use a snap-cap that has a small protrusion on it to attach a cap-keeper; I always try to remember to orient it so that the protrusion is in the viewfinder
works most of the time with my M; with my IIIf/ 50/3.5, however, I'm pretty sure I have history's best pictorially documented lens cap
works most of the time with my M; with my IIIf/ 50/3.5, however, I'm pretty sure I have history's best pictorially documented lens cap
Ronald M
Veteran
SLR solves the problem or I just use the lens shade
kxl
Social Documentary
Or, w/ or w/o a UV filter, you could just put a rolled up sock or a "coozie" on the lens...
oftheherd
Veteran
How did you drill the holes in the lens glass for those screws?
Thanks for sharing. i don't do it often, but yes, I have also photographed my lens cap. In fact I did it just this weekend with my Kiev, but caught myself after one photo. Decided that one was enough and took the lenscap off for the other photos.
Thanks for sharing. i don't do it often, but yes, I have also photographed my lens cap. In fact I did it just this weekend with my Kiev, but caught myself after one photo. Decided that one was enough and took the lenscap off for the other photos.
lucky hack
Member
How did you drill the holes in the lens glass for those screws?
Thanks for sharing. i don't do it often, but yes, I have also photographed my lens cap. In fact I did it just this weekend with my Kiev, but caught myself after one photo. Decided that one was enough and took the lenscap off for the other photos.
Oh, I wouldn't dare drill holes into the lens glass! Sorry if my explanation was confusing. All I did was drill holes in the lens cap using a cordless drill, making sure to drill holes that were of a slightly smaller diameter than the screw threads so they would have some plastic to hold onto.
lucky hack
Member
oftheherd
Veteran
Don't worry sir, I certainly didn't expect you had. That was why the smiling emoticon. It is a nice idea that I will explore for my own use. As I said, I am also prone to the same type of mistake. I too can use some help.
Thanks again for sharing. Also welcome to the forums. I was so anxious to make a (I thought) cute statement, I didn't notice your post count. I hope you enjoy it here. With hints like that, you input will be looked forward to.
Thanks again for sharing. Also welcome to the forums. I was so anxious to make a (I thought) cute statement, I didn't notice your post count. I hope you enjoy it here. With hints like that, you input will be looked forward to.
lucky hack
Member
Of course, I missed the joke
I'm still new to online humor cues. I was terrified of the idea that I might have accidentally instructed some one to destroy their lens Thanks for the kind words. -Ian
bennyng
Benny Ng
That's an ingenious idea!! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Cheers,
usagisakana
Established
I've never had a problem with shooting the lens cap. As soon as I take a camera out to shoot, the lens cap goes off and in my back pants pocket. However if forgetful then the little contraption you've made is a clever idea
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Never had this problem on my OM-1 or 2 ...
But I must admit my first rangefinder which was a Fed 2 caught me out heaps of times and for some strange reason the only other camera I've done it on since is my Ikon. Not sure that I could deal with the red plastic flag method though ... it's a seriously uncool look!
But I must admit my first rangefinder which was a Fed 2 caught me out heaps of times and for some strange reason the only other camera I've done it on since is my Ikon. Not sure that I could deal with the red plastic flag method though ... it's a seriously uncool look!
