Those extra lenses in your camera bag

[kshapero]

I usually have 3 lenses with me at all times. One attached to a camera body and 2 extras in their respective spots in the bag. Many of you do the same, especially if you are a prime lens person. My question to you is, do you cap your extra lenses in the bag or just leave the glass exposed? As I, sometimes, change lenses a lot when I am out and about, but when I do they seem to get dust, etc. on the glass (both front and back). But keeping the caps on slows me down. Any thoughts on the obtuse issue?

 

[daveleo]

I personally am paranoid about scratching glass in my bag or in handling. If I have a 2nd lens in my bag, it always has both lens caps and is either in it's own little compartment or a lens wrap.
I never do anything fast, so "slowing me down" is a non-issue.

 

[Robert Lai]

Always a cap or neoprene hood cover on lenses inside a case. It takes only a few seconds to get these on or off, and it prevents anything from hitting the glass. That includes strap buckles from the camera.

 

[Larry H-L]

With a digital camera, I think using rear caps on unused lenses is a good idea, to help keep dust to a minimum. I don't use front caps, a metal lens hood helps prevent scratches on the front element.

As a former PJ, I used to glue extra rear caps back-to-back. It helps prevent fumbling in the bag.

 

[back alley]

no front caps ever…uv filter plus metal hoods.

 

[bayernfan]

rear cap only. if there's a lot of dust/debris blowing, they'll have a clear/uv filter attached. not having to worry about front caps is so liberating!

 

[benmacphoto]

I always keep the caps on my lenses while in my bag.
My bag is clean, but there is still dust and dirt that can get on the glass.
Also I use the Domke FA-246 insert to keep each lens separate so they don't bang around.

If I need to switch lenses quickly I pop the front cap off quickly while I'm getting the lens from the bag, and with the same hand I then twist the rear cap off.
At the same time with my other hand I remove the lens from the camera.
It takes some practice, but after some time it becomes muscle memory and is fairly quick and easy.

 

[02Pilot]

Rear caps plus screw-in metal hoods, lenses face-down in their respective padded compartments.

 

[FrankS]

Plastic caps always on the rear and screw-in transparent lens caps on all front ends.

 

[Vics]

Rear caps plus screw-in metal hoods, lenses face-down in their respective padded compartments.

That's me too. Although now I've been forced to go digital, I'm shooting with a kit zoom, as I'm paranoid about changing lenses outside.

 

[mdarnton]

Everything of mine has a UV filter. If the hood's long enough, I go with that, but if the hood is short, I use a cap. Back caps on everything.

 

[JP Owens]

Yeah, a UV filter goes on the lens when new, and never comes off. Always a rear cap.

 

[Brian Atherton]

Like a number of posters here I use a UV filter and hood on the front and rear cap on the lens when it is in the bag – just two lenses 35mm and 50mm Summicrons.

 

[Bill Clark]

If I need to carry extra lenses they are each attached to a camera body with film. Get ready, set, go.

 

[ABrosig]

I'm thinking about the time spent cleaning glass before you shoot vs. the time it takes to remove a couple of lens caps. Also, always the danger of scratching a lens, which has been mentioned. I cap 'em.

 

[uhoh7]

caps or filters used as caps usually. The exception is hooded lenses in a pouch, sometimes I put em in like that.

 

[newst]

I once chipped the front glass of an excellent lens while in the bag. Since then I go with front and rear caps.

 

[sevo]

I usually have 3 lenses with me at all times. One attached to a camera body and 2 extras in their respective spots in the bag. Many of you do the same, especially if you are a prime lens person. My question to you is, do you cap your extra lenses in the bag or just leave the glass exposed?

I always cap them or protect them with bags or wraps - even more so back when there were so many of them that they might bang into each other. Recently, I have cut down on the variety of lenses I carry - I used to lift many around that never contributed to a keeper photograph, and currently try to stick to a "one extra lens" regime.

 

[FrankS]

I've epoxied 2 rear lens caps together, to carry 2 lenses without them being able to bump into each other.

 

[Spanik]

Depends. If I'm just walking around and have time to do the occasional change, then they are capped both sides. But sometimes it has to go fast and then I just put them in the bag (well, an insert that holds each lens separately) like that. Once the urgency over I blow them clean and put the caps on.