Skins for protection of big lenses

[Kjellis]

Hi folks. A couple of weeks ago I recieved the Nikon Z 600/4 TC and I bought a lenscoat for it as lenscoats have been my goto for protecting my big lenses for years.
But the lenscoat for this lens I don’t like. The fabric is thinner than on my earlier lenses and I find it floppy and it rolls up when handling the lens. I’ve grown a bit tired of these lenscoats as they seem to trap moisture between it and the lens using the gear in snow and rain.
But I do like how the lenscoats protect the lenses from scratches and small bumps though.
That brings me to my question, does anybody have experience with using skins like Alphagvrd makes on their big lenses?

 

[agrumpyoldsod]

Rolan Pro have become my preference over Lenscoat. I user the waterproof versions

 

[Kjellis]

RolandPro have become my preference over Lenscoat.

Thanks Andy. I’ve looked at these too, and they do seem better made than Lenscoat i think. Are they better in regards of trapping moisture under between coat and the lens?

 

[agrumpyoldsod]

All coats are the same - RP are tougher though. One should put them in a place where they can dry out - take them off if storing the lens for a while.

 

[wildlifr]

I use the alphagvrd on my 400mm f/4.5 and z9. I like them a lot. They're not going to provide impact protection, but they'll protect from scratches and the usual wear caused by continuous handling. They take some time to install, but even that was enjoyable in a way. Like putting together a puzzle. I've got them on all my z cameras and lenses now.

 

[Kjellis]

All coats are the same - RP are tougher though. One should put them in a place where they can dry out - take them off if storing the lens for a while.

Yep, that’s how I’m doing it and that’s made me think of these skins.

 

[Kjellis]

I use the alphagvrd on my 400mm f/4.5 and z9. I like them a lot. They're not going to provide impact protection, but they'll protect from scratches and the usual wear caused by continuous handling. They take some time to install, but even that was enjoyable in a way. Like putting together a puzzle. I've got them on all my z cameras and lenses now.

Thanks. Yeah, I’m really thinking about trying skins for both my 600mm and 100-400 as they are my most used lenses.

 

[Garfield]

I've come to prefer Alphgvrd-style coats.. Even though they don't provide as robust protection as neoprene coats they prevent scrapes and scratches and always look good.

 

[Kjellis]

I've come to prefer Alphgvrd-style coats.. Even though they don't provide as robust protection as neoprene coats they prevent scrapes and scratches and always look good.

Thanks. Since the lenscoat I bought is about half as thick as the earlier versions I’ve had I feel that it doesn’t provide as much protection as before. But thats just my opinion of course.

 

[agrumpyoldsod]

Thanks. Since the lenscoat I bought is about half as thick as the earlier versions I’ve had I feel that it doesn’t provide as much protection as before. But thats just my opinion of course.

Sadly it also rots and I find one "has to" use studio tape over the edges on the hood and other places where it can be worn.

 

[Butlerkid]

I use the alphagvrd on my 400mm f/4.5 and z9. I like them a lot. They're not going to provide impact protection, but they'll protect from scratches and the usual wear caused by continuous handling. They take some time to install, but even that was enjoyable in a way. Like putting together a puzzle. I've got them on all my z cameras and lenses now.

How did you go about fitting the skin to the shape of the lens? Did you cover the movable rings?

 

[wildlifr]

How did you go about fitting the skin to the shape of the lens? Did you cover the movable rings?

In general they're very precisely cut and surprisingly easy to put on, even over curved parts. For a few pieces, it does help to warm them slightly. As for the moveable rings, they have to be applied very precisely. If even slightly misaligned, they'll bind as the ring turns. I think it would be reasonable to not apply those ring pieces, but I decided to use them anyway.

 

[Butlerkid]

In general they're very precisely cut and surprisingly easy to put on, even over curved parts. For a few pieces, it does help to warm them slightly. As for the moveable rings, they have to be applied very precisely. If even slightly misaligned, they'll bind as the ring turns. I think it would be reasonable to not apply those ring pieces, but I decided to use them anyway.

Oh! They come pre-cut? Sorry, I didn't know that. Other skins I've looked at just came in a sheet! Thank you!

 

[BlackRockArt]

How did you go about fitting the skin to the shape of the lens? Did you cover the movable rings?

Karen, the skins are precision-cut down to 0.1mm, just use tweezers to apply to the lens & body, go slow & it's really easy.

I tried it once and found skins much more conformtable without the bulk, since then I have replaced most of lenscoats.

Oliver

PS: here are some of the skins.

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[BlackRockArt]

The Alpha Guard skins are very detailed: for the lens rotating rings, it's a different textured skin. Wherever there are markings, letters, the holes & openings are cut out.
Here in the USA, the skin patterns are a bit more mundane with black, camo, grey, mumba, blue.... there are a lot more fancy skins in asian website. Here are my favorite:

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[Kjellis]

Sadly it also rots and I find one "has to" use studio tape over the edges on the hood and other places where it can be worn.

Yeah, that is a frustration also. Is the Rolan Pro better in this regard?

 

[agrumpyoldsod]

Yeah, that is a frustration also. Is the Rolan Pro better in this regard?

So far yes

 

[DRM]

I use Mossy Oak vinyl graphics tape on my 400 f/4.5. I bought a 7’ roll of 6” wide tape for $25 on Amazon. Don’t bother ordering directly because Mossy Oak’s shipping is outrageously high, almost as much or more than the tape itself if I recall correctly.

 

[Calson]

I use a lens case or a backpack when transporting a lens anywhere in a car or aircraft. If I am carrying it around in the field on foot then I do not bang into things but go around them.

If I had white lenses from Canon or Sony, then I could see the possible advantage of a dark skin on the lens. With my black Nikon lenses I cannot see any gain and when I have used lens coverings they got in the way of the controls on the lens - a definite disadvantage to the covering.

 

[Snapshot2020]

Sadly it also rots and I find one "has to" use studio tape over the edges on the hood and other places where it can be worn.

When I received the shorter Lens Hood for my 800mm PF from Zimlen I cut off the excess Lens Coat material to fit the smaller Hood. My wife who is a Quilter applied a product called Fray Check to the ends of the Lens Coat where the fabric tends to fray after awhile. I have used Fray Check on my 500PF Lens Coat after trimming off the loose material and it works very well. The product can be purchased at most Sewing or Fabric Stores. Yes Lens Coat material tends to fray especially on the Hoods and this product used sparingly when applied works well and I see a few more years of use.

 

[jcgamble]

I became disenchanted with LensCoat over a quality issue and switched to Outdoor Photography Gear in the UK, https://www.outdoorphotographygear.co.uk/ . There products are of better quality, cheaper with shipping from UK and their customer service is great. Shipping is faster than you think. I have them on my Nikkor 500 f5.6 pf, 100-400 f4.5-5.6 and 300 f4 pf. Leg covers for my Leofoto tripod as well.

 

[Maurie_S]

I became disenchanted with LensCoat over a quality issue and switched to Outdoor Photography Gear in the UK, https://www.outdoorphotographygear.co.uk/ . There products are of better quality, cheaper with shipping from UK and their customer service is great. Shipping is faster than you think. I have them on my Nikkor 500 f5.6 pf, 100-400 f4.5-5.6 and 300 f4 pf. Leg covers for my Leofoto tripod as well.

Totally agree with you, I have Outdoor Photography Gear on my 500pf , 200-500, and now my Z 800. Excellent product.

 

[Pistnbroke]

Gun Wrap cheap and effective

 

[JoPoV]

The Alpha Guard skins are very detailed: for the lens rotating rings, it's a different textured skin. Wherever there are markings, letters, the holes & openings are cut out.
Here in the USA, the skin patterns are a bit more mundane with black, camo, grey, mumba, blue.... there are a lot more fancy skins in asian website. Here are my favorite:

View attachment 60802
View attachment 60803

I think the first one would be good cammouflage for bear shooting.

 

[pmenear]

I use Alpha Guard skins on my Sony lenses but use neoprene coats (diy) on my Nikon lenses. I started using skins on my Sonys because I didn't want to add weight to the A1 as it's so small and light where my Nikons have the Z9 on them so no point in saving weight. For example the Sony A1 + 600mm f4 + TC14 is only 150gms heavier than the Z9 + 800mm pf.