Ambro51
Collector/Photographer
I imagine a Lot of Leicas were displayed in southerly facing shop windows over the years.....all summer, with an F2 Summar.
The importance of lens caps?
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peterm1
Veteran
When walking around with a cloth shuttered camera I always am conscious of the possibility of burning a hole in the shutter curtain and try to keep the lens pointed down if, for example, carrying around on a neck strap.. Of course, not focusing the lens at infinity especially with a smaller aperture helps but it is easy to forget this when out and about. Of course the problem of holes in cloth shutters does occur. I have seen plenty of them and experienced one myself. Fortunately I was able to repair this myself in ways described in other threads on this forum. Fortunately also, it is not that common to burn a hole, but yes, it does happen. BTW I do not use a lens cap. With an SLR it is less of a problem but with a rangefinder camera there is always a good chance that you will try to take photos having forgotten to remove the cap as there is no visual signal through the viewfinder window that this what you have done. Using a cap with an SLR is less problematic for obvious reasons but it may occasionally cause you to lose a shot while fumbling to remove the cap.
So with an SLR there is some reason not to use one but with a Leica M camera there is extra reason not to do so. At least that is how I see it. BTW another reason not to use a cap if shooting with a Leica lens is that Leica lens caps (at least the vintage ones) tend to be metal slip on lens caps. They tend to fall off and are expensive to replace. So if you decide to use a cap buy a cheap plastic one with retaining clips or I can guarantee you will regret it.
So with an SLR there is some reason not to use one but with a Leica M camera there is extra reason not to do so. At least that is how I see it. BTW another reason not to use a cap if shooting with a Leica lens is that Leica lens caps (at least the vintage ones) tend to be metal slip on lens caps. They tend to fall off and are expensive to replace. So if you decide to use a cap buy a cheap plastic one with retaining clips or I can guarantee you will regret it.
iphoenix
Well-known
Any time I'm walking around with a rangefinder, I carry it in my hand and use a hood and wrist strap. If for some reason I need a shoulder strap, hand carry again, with the strap wrapped around my wrist.
It works for me anyway.
It works for me anyway.
Doug A
Well-known
No filters, color, UV or anything else. Too many sizes with my Leica, Nikkor and Canon LTM lenses. Caps on all lenses.
My standard shooting routine:
1. cap off and in pocket
2. extend lens (if applicable)
3. set aperture
4. advance film
5. set shutter speed
6. rough framing to determine shooting position
7. focus (separate window on Barnack Leica)
8. final framing
9. press shutter release
another picture?
yes - return to step #3
no - go to step #10
10. retract lens (if applicable)
11. cap on lens
My father drilled this routine into me when he first let me use his Leica IIIc at about age 8. I have continued it for almost 70 years now and never have dirt, fingerprints or scratches on my lenses, including a hyper-delicate collapsible Summicron. The trade-off of course is that I occasionally miss a quick photo opportunity by being so deliberate.
My standard shooting routine:
1. cap off and in pocket
2. extend lens (if applicable)
3. set aperture
4. advance film
5. set shutter speed
6. rough framing to determine shooting position
7. focus (separate window on Barnack Leica)
8. final framing
9. press shutter release
another picture?
yes - return to step #3
no - go to step #10
10. retract lens (if applicable)
11. cap on lens
My father drilled this routine into me when he first let me use his Leica IIIc at about age 8. I have continued it for almost 70 years now and never have dirt, fingerprints or scratches on my lenses, including a hyper-delicate collapsible Summicron. The trade-off of course is that I occasionally miss a quick photo opportunity by being so deliberate.
Doug A
Well-known
Bill Clark
Veteran
The only problem I’ve had with a Leica camera and a lens cap is forgetting I have one on the lens, make some photos that don’t turn out!
I generally leave my lens caps off. Remembering to make sure no sunshine going into the camera, burning the shutter. This applies where ever you place the camera when not in use. I don’t use camera straps but hold the camera when using it. When not using it, it goes into the small camera bag.
So far so good.
Here is a good idea:
No absolute answers. Just develop your way and stick with it.
I generally leave my lens caps off. Remembering to make sure no sunshine going into the camera, burning the shutter. This applies where ever you place the camera when not in use. I don’t use camera straps but hold the camera when using it. When not using it, it goes into the small camera bag.
So far so good.
Here is a good idea:
No absolute answers. Just develop your way and stick with it.
buzz510x5
Newbie
The only time I put a hole my shutter curtain is when I put my finger through it.
Livesteamer
Well-known
Here's another one. My early M6 leaks a tiny bit of light at the silvered spot on the first curtain, the spot the meter reads. If I walk around without a lens cap there will be a round area in the center of the negative that is over exposed. It takes a while and it's not extreme but now I leave the lens cap on until I'm ready to shoot. Joe
ChipMcD
Well-known
That way lies madness.
Ambro51
Collector/Photographer
I Did focus a wide open Summar on my old dried out barbecue cruller cover and No Lie it started smoking in a few seconds. I was amazed. So. Quick
EddieJ
Member
Personally, I have as a minimum UV on all of my lenses in a EDC mode. Film or digi.
I don't want to be taking the lens cap on and off *risk of losing and the UV will almost all of the time protect the lens. I never rest my Leica on its back in direct sunlight. It's resting on me around my neck or (caps on) in a Lowepro Photo Hatchback 16L AW.
If I'm going to a specific place to shoot (generally medium format) then caps on and transported in a Pelican 1520 plus Lowepro. Take out, mount to tripod, shoot, back in the case/bag (caps on).
jankap
Established
My lenses carry lens caps, if not in direct use.
I don´t use UV filters. On my super wides I cannot mount filters even.
I don´t use UV filters. On my super wides I cannot mount filters even.
Mute-on
Well-known
Always have a UV/clear protection filter fitted, and a lens hood. I only fit a cap when placing a lens with a telescoping hood (50 Summicron V5) in a bag, since there is no hood for mechanical protection. No caps used in a bag on lenses with fixed hoods.
As for direct sun exposure, if I’m taking photos, the camera is in hand, carried facing down or towards my chest. I drop it into a bag when walking. I never carry on a strap, so avoid worrying about sun at a low angle hitting the lens directly.
I never sit a Leica on its back on a table facing the sky, or on its base towards a low sun.
No issues so far ….
As for direct sun exposure, if I’m taking photos, the camera is in hand, carried facing down or towards my chest. I drop it into a bag when walking. I never carry on a strap, so avoid worrying about sun at a low angle hitting the lens directly.
I never sit a Leica on its back on a table facing the sky, or on its base towards a low sun.
No issues so far ….
David Hughes
David Hughes
Has anyone asked a camera repairer if they've had to replace a shutter blind because of burns?
I did once and was told he once or twice had to replace them for this reason but only on an SLR or two. He added that they were very old ones with small mirrors and the burns were at the bottom of the blinds...
Regards, David
I did once and was told he once or twice had to replace them for this reason but only on an SLR or two. He added that they were very old ones with small mirrors and the burns were at the bottom of the blinds...
Regards, David
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I have my lens caps connected to the lens or the camera with a string. Nowadays this is often seen. I have an original Leica lens cap from the 1920's or 1930's with an eye soldered to it to which a string can be attached.
Erik.
Erik.
