Good lens mount cap for M-bayonet?

[steffen]

I'm looking at getting me a couple of these lens "caps": http://cgi.ebay.com/Leica-Leitz-M-B...ilm_Cameras&hash=item2560b499b4#ht_981wt_1141 aptly named "Leica Leitz M Bayonet Lens Coupler" on eBay. However I suspect they might be as loosey-goosey as, or worse than, my Leica lens caps. Has anyone tried them and care to share their experience?

Generally lens caps on the M-bayonet seems to me are awful.. I'm wondering whether it has to do with the design of the M-system? When I was a dSLR-user, my Canon caps stayed on there.

 

[back alley]

that is a 'coupler' to mount 2 lenses back to back (saves room in your camera bag)

i just glued 2 end caps back to back and it works well.
this one should work fine also.

 

[Tipton]

I have two of those, they're meant for using with two lenses, back to back. I never use mine really, but just in case you weren't sure, they're not just for one lens, unless you put a Leica body cap on the other side of it while it's on one lens.
FWIW Ive found some generic M lens caps that work great on eBay, they were like $3 a piece, I can try to find the link.

 

[steffen]

Yep, realize it's a back-to-back coupler. That's what I'm looking for. I could of course glue two Leica mount caps back to back, but I'm not happy with them since they tend to fall of my lenses...

 

[Tipton]

These are the ones I bought and haven't had any trouble with yet, they fit nice and tight on my lenses. Might be able to glue two of these together.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leica-M-Series-...045?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5a6ce92d

 

[steffen]

...I'd also settle for m-mount caps that stay on so. He he.

 

[steffen]

Tipton: great, thank you. I might as well get a couple of those as well.

I like the back-to-back concept in theory, as I imagine I'd be able to switch lenses quicker with less fiddling.

 

[Shac]

I have 2 of them - they are fine - one I've used for many years with no issues. Recommend them.
Re gluing 2 together - some rear caps seem to be ABS - not sure they'd glue too easily

 

[back alley]

they make me nervous and i hardly ever use mine.

i have this fear that one lens will fall out while i'm changing lenses.

 

[Tipton]

Tipton: great, thank you. I might as well get a couple of those as well.

I like the back-to-back concept in theory, as I imagine I'd be able to switch lenses quicker with less fiddling.

No problem, they're cheap and so far better then others Ive used. As for the gluing, I don't know how great it will work, but if I was going to try, for any tough job I always use Gorilla Glue, so my vote would be for that if you're going to glue two together. Not sure if they have it where you are but I'm sure theres a way to find it, maybe even eBay.
http://www.gorillaglue.com/

 

[Tipton]

they make me nervous and i hardly ever use mine.

i have this fear that one lens will fall out while i'm changing lenses.

That's why I cringe when I see the (rare times that it's happen) people using the Leica tripod mount extra lens carrier. I just picture the one in the carrier falling onto concrete, *shivers*!

 

[ampguy]

Mine go unused. They are tight with some lenses, but loose with others, and don't work with lenses that protrude deeply. However, they can work as a single cap as well, with a body cap on one side.

I've been having good luck with the heavystar metal M back mounts (singles), very solid and tight fitting on everything I've tried so far.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I've had both back-to-back couplers (still have one somewhere) and the Benser baseplate for two lenses. The former makes for an inconveniently long package when used with anything other than two very short lenses, and the latter, with two lenses on it, raises the weight of a Leica to DSLR proportions.

The likelihood of a lens coming adrift from either is, in my experience, about on a par with the lens falling off the camera. As far as I recall, the baseplate had identical locks to the camera, and with the couplers, you just treat the coupler-plus-second-lens as a unit and wrap your hand around both.

Cheers,

R.

 

[David Hughes]

Just my 2d worth; you need one genuine black and grey cap if you ever use the screw to M adapter as the lugs on it are for removing the adapters without swearing and breaking fingernails.

I've often thought that the back to back coupler would mean that, one day, I'd drop and wreck two lenses; so sold mine years ago.

Regards, David

 

[Roger Hicks]

Just my 2d worth; you need one genuine black and grey cap if you ever use the screw to M adapter as the lugs on it are for removing the adapters without swearing and breaking fingernails.

I've often thought that the back to back coupler would mean that, one day, I'd drop and wreck two lenses; so sold mine years ago.

Regards, David

Dear David,

How often have you dropped and wrecked one lens?

Cheers,

R.

 

[David Hughes]

Dear David,

How often have you dropped and wrecked one lens?

Cheers,

R.

Dear Roger,

Well, I had a standard 50mm on my OM1 years ago that was dropped and dented the filter ring but, amazingly, it improved the optics noticeably. But I wish you hadn't asked as this will start another cult of lens droppers. Based on that well known notion "it must be true as I read it on the internet".

And for years I had a damaged f/2·8 Elmar on my M2 that someone else had given the same treatment. It was perfectly OK but wouldn't take a filter or hood. Then I discovered Malcolm Taylor and his amazing collection of spare parts and it was restored for a pittance.

Of course, it's far worse with digital; drop a little media card the size of your little finger nail and it will be gone for good in grass, along with hundreds of photographs...

Regards, David

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear David,

It was the 'and wrecked' that got me. In 40+ years I've dropped lenses very rarely -- twice when removing lenses from cameras and one that fell out of an unbuttoned shirt pocket -- and none of them was badly damaged. I've never dropped a lens that I was about to put on (though now I'll probably do so tomorrow). It really strikes me as being down there with meteor strike as a think to worry about.

Interesting about the OM lens, though. Despite their having many, many fans I've also met a few people (with quite wide experience, and in one case a lens testing lab) who've been deeply unimpressed by OM lens quality and QC.

Cheers,

R.

 

[David Hughes]

Yes, I'd say about 2 or 3 in 55 to 60 years and can't remember enough to be sure. Or rather I don't trust my memory these days. One good thing about plastic lens hoods is that they smash and save the lens...

As for the Olympus lens, it was a pleasant surprise but I can't be more than subjective about it. For what it's worth, I never worry too much about lens quality. Get the exposure right and the focus spot on and people (including me) seldom notice anything else.

The picture I made most copies of and have given away too often (alas) is OOF but amazingly popular. I'd given up taking pictures of a young lady sulking about being photographed. I put the camera back on the "P" and "AF" settings, tried to stand up and fell over backwards which got a lovely smile and laugh. The shot I grabbed focussed on furniture nearby but worked...

Second story, same theme; on an island off the west coast of Scotland many years ago I wound on the CL and something went and jammed. The only camera for sale on the island was a Cosmic Symbol (same 40mm focal length!) and I carried on shooting with that, using slide film. No one noticed! But as the young lady being photographed was prancing about half naked in a waterfall, I'm not surprised.

Regards, David

 

[ferider]

Steffen, I have 3 and they are reliable and work well. Don't think they were made by Leica, BTW. Just avoid lenses with deep rears.

IME, Leica M lens caps are about the worse you can get. They all break relatively quickly. The best lens caps for me are those: 200469349111 @ ebay. They come in black and silver and heavystar is a great seller.