Lens cases/filter step-up ring/foam/tripod

[Y0ssar1an]

Hi,

Accesorizing for lenses is getting expensive. Do any of you have any tips for cheap/substitute lens cases? I've heard of socks but would be worried about lint.

Has anyone found a 39-43 mm filter step up ring (so can use filters for the 40mm Nokton on my 90mm APO)? What's the best way to carry multiple filters around?

I'm also trying to find that grey pluckable foam to line the inside of an old satchel for carrying all this gear.

Finally I'm going to have to invest in a tripod soon, what's would folk recommend which holds steady but is as light (and thus most usefu)l as possible?

Thanks, Ben

 

[back alley]

i use old camera bags for storage, no need for lens cases.
a store that sells foam for mattresses, i bought foam, cut by them - measured by me, to fit an old aluminum case.
i cut the foam to match my lenses/bodies, finders.
---a trick when cutting foam--- use a serrated knife sprayed with pam, cuts like butter.

 

[rover]

Hi,


I'm also trying to find that grey pluckable foam to line the inside of an old satchel for carrying all this gear.

Do you want a big bulk of foam or just something to layer the bag and provide protection? How about a thick Neoprene, like a diving suit material. Light, flexible and spongy enough to absorb bumps and bangs of the bag and not be bulky.

 

[dostacos]

I use small neoprene bags from camera stores mine have a draw string and a clip that I use to clip it to a belt loop, I can reach in take out the lens, trade rear caps drop the other lens back into the bag and screw in the other lens.

as for tripods, there are some that do not have a center triangle brace. this allows the tripod to be set up real low, or used as a copy stand.

I got one for my youngest son that was about $85 including the CALI sales tax very nice, one leg padded so you can carry it on your shoulder

 

[Y0ssar1an]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of a big bulk of foam to stop everything rubbing against each other in the bag. Will have to check out neoprene bags.

 

[rbiemer]

Ben,
I thought Heavystar(on the bay) might have a 39 to 43 step ring but I just looked and didn't see one.
BUT I did find these folks:The Filter Connection . They have Heliopan[really good but not especially cheap] rings that size(and a bunch of other brands/sizes). I haven't dealt with them but someone here at RFF mentioned them positively.
For the foam try ADORAMA. Not sure which would be what you need.
I asked my mother to knit me some lens "socks"--she's starting with one for my 90/f4 Elmar--since the baby socks I have been using are not very thick. Haven't had any problems with lint so far...
I own and use one of the Velbon Maxi 343e tripods and like it. I haven't tried it with my Arax 60 but for my RF cameras it works very well. About $70 + shipping.
Still haven't quite figured out the best way to carry the different filters I normally use...
Rob

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Foam - go to a hiking outdoors type of store and look at their sleeping 'mattresses'. They are about 1cm thick made of a sort of dense foam.

Tripods - you can get good ones and you can get light ones. The only way to get good and light at the same time is to get a carbon fiber one. I've seen one or two some time ago but cannot recall the brand.

I hardly ever use a tripod except with my Zero Image wooden camera so I use a 1950's Gitzo that is solid as a rock and weighs about as much as a rock too.

 

[pcfranchina]

As for lens holder/bag some people have recomended MicroFiber sunglass pouches. Not a bad idea but really doesnt protect against too much. Kind of hard to find a lens pouch as small as the 40mm nokton.

 

[Nearsighted]

I use the small blue Crown Royal bags I've collected. When I get a new lens it means I need another bottle. I havn't had any problems with lent. I use one of those soft sided lunch bags to pack my R and Crown Royal bagged lenses in. I just drop the lens in the bag and roll it up. The lunch bag doesn't let everyone know there is expensive photo gear inside.

 

[Nick R.]

I use ziplock bags for my lenses, even those I store in camera bags. This way they can come out of the camera bag and into my coat pockets without a worry. It's the only bag I know of into which you can pop a lens sans caps, which I sometimes have to do during a quick lens change.

 

[allthumbs]

I have a simple neoprene sock designed for PDAs. I think I paid a dollar for it. It has a velcro closure and a belt clip. Someone handier than I could probably make one out of a mouse pad or a wet suit.

A bit more expensive are the color coded neoprene sheets sold at camera shops, made by domke and others. The corners velcro together.

I haven't found a good way to carry filters for quick access and good organization, especially w/ filters of various sizes.