Pope or Tony

[boneaddict]

or anyone else out there (haven't seen elkman for awhile)

Have any of you ever utilized the neoprene lens covers on your big lens?  Is it just a fad, or is it helpful.  I guess for camo, protection, aid in waterproofness though I wouldn't want to be shooting my $7,000 lens in the pouring rain.

[popeshawnpaul]

There are a couple things to consider here.  First off, you buy a big 5k lens and you want that status symbol of a big white lens?  Some do, some don't.  I personally don't, but you get the jist.  I don't think the sheep or goats I'm shooting care too much what color my lens is.  The next issue is waterproofing...the lenses are water proof.  You can shoot an L series lens in the rain and it won't affect it.  I don't have a water proof camera though, so I end up putting a bag over the camera for shooting. 

A couple other considerations...big rams don't like big camera lenses.  This is my experience that they will turn the other way and tend to put their head in the grass if they know they are being shot.  Also, the lens acts like a big eye and they don't like eye contact up close.  There are lens coverings from Lens Coat that are black, white, or camo so you can choose what color you want your lens to be.  I like them, personally, because I'm hiking up a cliff after a goat and tough on my gear.  The neoprene cover acts as a protector from the bumps and falls my lenses tend to take.  If I had to pick one color, it would be either black or camo.  I think the camo would help with wild animals and would help a bit with sheep. 

If I had a big 600mm lens and shot it on the boardwalk or out of the car, I don't think I would put it on there as it won't be as tough on the lens as if you took it off the beaten path.

I don't know what Tony's opinion is on this.  I think he has lenses with them on and I know he has a few that don't have it on. 

[boneaddict]

I appreciate the perspectives and the input.  Thanks.

[HawkenBob]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/500342-REG/Aqua_Tech_SS_200C_SS_200_Sport_Shield_Camouflage_.html

The above is what Ive been looking at. The Neo covers look cool and funtion as a camo job and some nick and scratch protection but even if the lens wasent waterproof these "lenscoats" dont look water proof as there seperate between the different housing sizes of the big "L" lenses.

For protection there good but for over all waterproofness for the body and lens the above link seems to me the best for the job. Anyone try one of these?

What do you use Shawn? And dont you have a 40D? There supposed to be much better in the rain I hear. But probably still cant handle the major "Forks Wa" style rain. I have a 30D and try to never let it get too wet.

[popeshawnpaul]

I'll actually shoot with the 40D in light light rain.  Anything substantial and I will put a clear plastic bag over it.  I use the kind that are sold in the vegetable/fruit aisle and get the larger quality ones you find at Costco or other grocery stores.  I really don't think the 40D is any more water resistent than the 30D.  There is simply some foam padding around the CF door area.  It probably helps a tad but isn't really useful.

I never really cover my telephoto lenses.  They do a good job of waterproofing them.  I don't shoot in a downpour anyways because of the obvious photo clarity issues.  If it's raining kind of hard I usually try and get under a big tree and shoot from there, or just wait it out. 

[boneaddict]

I'm going to have to update the count.......more canon glass out there.
Thanks for the link, no I hadn't seen that before.

[Finalshot]

i mostly agree with shawn.  However, i would use those covers mostly for scratch protection and a bit of camo too, it cant hurt.  Are they worth the money, I guess if you have to ask they likely are not, they most are, in my view a novelty.  Keep in mind that if you want scratch protection, they would work great, but, and this is a HUGE but, if you use them in the rain, and they get wet, the water will seep under the covers and therefore you will need to take them off if ever you encounter rain while using them.  They act like the old style bed liners, when they get wet underneith them, they rust your bed, same with the lens, if you get water under the neoprene, you risk corrosion to the lens.  So, you should take them off after they get wet. . .

I use the legs off a camo set of frog togs for my rain cover.  they really are not made for supper long down poors, but they work in a pinch and you get two for 20 bucks! 

Tony

[boneaddict]

Thanks Tony. 

[jackelope]

you know you are using big lenses when you use pants legs to cover the lenses.
 

[boneaddict]

Ya, you probably won't see Frog Togs for sale in the B & H catalog, though I better look again, its big enough.  Those are the kind of hints I like, like Popes vegi bag hint, I could see that working well too. 

[Skyvalhunter]

$7000 lens, must be nice. 

[popeshawnpaul]

Most people don't have a 7k lens for fun...they make money off it.  If you are a delivery man you buy an expensive vehicle to make your deliveries.  If you are a mechanic you have expensive tools to do your trade.  etc.

Then you have hobby shooters like me.  Many hunters on here spend 7k on guns and hunting gear and ATV vehicles.  That's our hobby and what we do in our free time so the investment makes sense for us.  I have given up a lot of my hunting time and money because I enjoy photography as much if not more.  It's all relative and reciprocal. 

[Skyvalhunter]

I wasn't meant must be nice to be able to buy the lens in that way. I meant it must be a "NICE" lens. Hell I have spent a fair amount on my Alaskan or other hunts. I just appreciate you photos, no sucking up by any means on my part.