dumb newbie question

[alfisti]

I know this is a dumb question but what the heck. I am who I am, right?

I CANNOT SEEM TO REMEMBER TO REMOVE THE LENS CAP WHEN I SHOOT.

Yes I am new to rangefinder shooting... I previously had a Canonet that didn't see much use, and one nice thing was the autoexposure... it wouldn't meter with the lens cap on. This was valuable becase the meter didn't work in Manual mode, so I was forced to take a meter reading, which would essentially tell me if the cap was on!

Now, with my "new" FED-5, there is NO way to know. I suspect half of the roll that's in there now was shot with the cap on. My kids are having a FIELD DAY with this 🙂

So... does anyone have any tips on how to remember? Some kind of reminder? A little routine that might help me remember?

Thanks
-Glenn

 

[Phantomas]

That's why I like lens hoods. I remove the cap when I start my shooting day and walk around with the lens cap off untill I'm ready to put my camera back in the bag.
I don't baby my gear so i don't care that the lens is exposed the whole time (and I'm on stand-by to shoot anyway), but i like to use lens hoods for some protection (and because they look cool 🙂 )

 

[alfisti]

I didn't think of that. I religiously use lens hoods with my SLR gear, I will have to find one that fits the I-61 lens. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Caps are for pockets, not for lenses...

If you don't use a hood, use a filter. If you don't use a filter, just let the lens breathe...

I had a couple of blank frames on my first roll with a RF two years ago. One of them was a good scene I hate to remember... Since that day, I just put a cap on when a camera is going to be stored at home for many days. When I go out, I check before crossing my door that no lens has a cap on.

Cheers,

Juan

 

[thegman]

Don't use the lens cap, I generally don't, but I don't have any super-expensive lenses.

Maybe put a red sticker on it, so you'll notice it?

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Another tip someone gave me (but that I never use) is to glue a plastic tab on the lens cap.
position it so that the tab blocks the viewfinder. Instant reminder

 

[kshapero]

That's why I like lens hoods. I remove the cap when I start my shooting day and walk around with the lens cap off untill I'm ready to put my camera back in the bag.
I don't baby my gear so i don't care that the lens is exposed the whole time (and I'm on stand-by to shoot anyway), but i like to use lens hoods for some protection (and because they look cool 🙂 )

This is also my ritual.

 

[Particular]

How about if you get one of those lens caps that tourists have with a string that you always see dangling from their video camera. Tie the string to your bag instead of to the strap. That way it is always off while shooting and you can keep it on while it is in the bag.
btw. we have all shot the inside of our lens caps once or twice. I had a habit bringing the camera to my eye to frame a potential shot with no intent to shoot it yet, but eventually got tired of being heckled by passersby about the lens cap.

 

[alfisti]

Thanks folks. The idea of gluing a tab onto the lens cap that blocks the VF sounds like a neat one.

I may just leave the cap off regularly though. Again, with the Canonet, the lens cap functioned as an "off" switch for the meter - not an issue with the FED. So I will likely just leave it off 🙂

It is refreshing using a camera that is only worth $40 🙂

 

[Steve Bellayr]

The purpose of the lens cap is to protect the front of the lens. Use UV filter to protect the lens. Before you start shooting, when you load the film, remove the cap and put it in your pocket. Leave the cap there until you are certain that you are finished shooting.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Consider an OpTech 'hood hat'. Hard to ignore, and excellent protection: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/review optech shower cap.html

But I completely disagree with Shane. Rear caps are to keep dust out of my lenses as much as to protect the rear elements -- though I regard the latter as very important too.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Nescio]

In the end, if all the advice above doesn't work for you, you can always consider buying a metered M!😀

 

[venchka]

What they said. Camera in hand. Cap in pocket. It helps that my lens hoods need to be attached prior to use. The hoods won't work if a cap is in place. Even the one lens with a built in sliding hood-the cap prevents the hood from sliding into position. So, the cap must be off for the hood to do it's job.
It becomes second nature.

 

[Pablito]

How about if you get one of those lens caps that tourists have with a string that you always see dangling from their video camera. Tie the string to your bag instead of to the strap.

That is really idiotic, I like it! 😀

A solution in search of a problem.

 

[alfisti]

Thanks folks. All good ideas. When I'm out it's less of a problem, but I tend to leave the camera handy at home, and grab it for a shot every once in a while. That's when I get bitten. I'll pick one of the above. Probably the most sensible is just to leave the cap off 🙂

Thanks
-Glenn

 

[Damaso]

Just make it part of your process to check if the cap is on. If you are out and about leave the cap off that way you don't worry about it...

 

[Rogier]

Put a big yellow "smily" sticker on it. People will shout from across the street to remove the lenscap (don't ask me how I know this...;-))))

 

[alfisti]

Rogier, that is a hilarious idea!!!! I might just give that a try.

Or a sticker that says, "TELL ME THE LENS CAP IS ON. IDIOT BEHIND CAMERA"

 

[Todd Frederick]

I agree with using just a lens hood. It also keeps the lens rim from being damaged if bumped. Filters are Ok but buy a quality one.

There are no dumb questions.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Also consider which lens we're talking. A FED-5, so some kind of Industar? What's the worry? The lens is worth $30. Not worth losing just one irreplaceable shot, IMO.

Don't get me wrong, I love FSU lenses, but part of the reason why is that they're (for the most part) super cheap, and have great coatings. The Soviet Union owned some patents legally and didn't give a hoot about some others, and it shows. My I-26 looks like it's been dragged halfway to Irkutsk behind a snowmobile, but not a scratch on the glass.

OTOH, early Leica coatings are notoriously soft. I would definitely protect the front as much as possible, to minimize/eliminate the need for cleaning.