Equipment - Don Zeck lens caps - Arnoud Quanjer Wildlifephotography

Equipment - Don Zeck lens caps

Saturday, 13 March 2010 10:43 |

(1 vote, average 5.00 out of 5)

Don Zeck lens cap The Canon lens cover on the big lenses is bulky and cannot be used with the hood in the shooting position. Several folks on the Internet have posted reports of using the Tupperware lids as a replacement for the standard Canon lens covers. I found that it was hard to find a Tupperware lid that matched my lenses, and they are very difficult, if not impossible, to use with the hood in shooting position. I also doubt that these Tupperware lids give enough protection as they are pretty flimsy. Because these Tupperware lids didn't work for me I looked for an alternative and I found the lens caps made by Don Zeck. These lens caps are machined pieces of tough polypropylene, about 1cm thick.

These hard lens caps can be mounted directly to the lens with the hood in either the shooting or stored positions. A handle is provided separately which can be installed at your discretion, for easier mounting and removal of the lens cap. When installed the handle can be compressed to about 5mm for storage when the lens is in a case. The lens caps are held in place with six "o" rings that create an excellent fit. The rings will not mark or damage your lens, and nothing touches the optics. The hard design protects against damage to your front element. I cannot recommend these lens caps highly enough. Do yourself a favour and buy one if you own one of the big Canon lenses.

Each cap is supplied with some extra "O" rings and extra ratchting rivets. I'm extremely happy with this lens cap. It's light, flat and it does what it should do and that is protect the front element of the lens. The only downside of this product is the price. I paid $54.95 for it plus $18 shipping and local taxes in Holland so it's a pretty expensive piece of polypropylene. The Don Zeck lens caps are available for the following lenses:

Canon 200 f1.8 (non-IS)
Canon 200 f2.0 IS
Canon 300 f2.8 (non-IS)
Canon 300 f2.8 IS
Canon 400 f2.8 (non-IS)
Canon 400 f2.8 IS
Canon 400DO
Canon 500 f4 IS
Canon 500 f4.5 (non-IS)
Canon 600 f4 (non-IS)
Canon 600 f4 IS

Installing the handle on the lens cap

To install the handle you first have to remove the two inch retaining strip and rivets. To remove these place the lens cap on a flat surface with the "O" rings facing up. Use a pliers to grab a corner of the retaining strap and pull up while holding the cap firmly on the flat surface. The strap will strech the rivets to the point that they can easily be removed. Discard the old rivets and retaining strip.

Take the extra retaining strap and put a rivet through one of the predrilled holes and then position the strap over the eight inch handle. Take the handle and retaining strap and line them up with the correct predrilled hole in the lens cap. Place a ratcheting rivet on the reverse side of the cap and push gently until you hear an audible click. Repeat the process with the other rivets. To get a tight fit place the cap on a flat surface with the "O" rings facing up and gently tap them with a hammer.

I personally haven't installed the handle on my 500 f/4L IS lens cap. The lens cap is easy to remove without the handle if the hood is reversed. If you want your lens cap on the lens while the hood is in the shooting position then you'd have to install the handle. I personally see no need for a lens cap if the the hood is in the shooting position so the handle is not something I need.

Purchasing a Don Zeck lens cap

The Don Zeck lens caps can be purchased either from Accent on Design Investments which produces the lens caps, or from the NatureScapes website. For non-US customers it's cheapest to order through the Accent on Design Investment website as their shipping rates to destinations outside the U.S. are lower.

Arnoud Quanjer Wildlife Photography